Do babies and children need their own flight ticket?

Yes — every traveller needs to be on the booking, but under-2s travelling on an adult's lap pay a reduced infant fare (often around 10% of the adult fare on international routes), while children aged 2–11 pay a child fare with their own seat. Add infants and children as passengers when you search flights so fares are quoted correctly from the first screen.

The three age bands

• Infant (under 2): travels on an adult's lap at a reduced fare, or in their own seat (usually at the child fare) with an approved car seat.
• Child (2–11): own seat, child fare.
• Adult (12+): standard fare.

One adult can carry one lap infant — a rule set by safety regulations, not by airlines being awkward. Two infants means either two adults or a seat for the second baby.

The turning-2 trap

Age is counted on the date of each flight. A baby who turns 2 between the outbound and the return needs a purchased seat for the later flights — book it that way from the start to avoid an airport surprise.

Baggage extras for infants

Many airlines allow a stroller and a car seat free of charge on top of the infant fare, and often a small infant bag. Allowances vary by airline, so check the fare details when you book.

Documents — no age exemption

Infants need their own passport, and where a visa is required for Dubai entry, that applies to babies too. There is no age exemption at immigration.

Fares are searchable live now — online ticketing opens shortly. More family-travel answers in flights help.