Flying with kids: what the airlines' policies say

Each airline has its own rules for infants and children. Here's what their own pages say, as at 30 October 2026. Policies change, so check the airline's page and your booking before you fly.

1. Infants and seats

• Jetstar calls children under 2 "infants". An infant can sit on your lap with a special seat belt, and an infant fee applies. Children aged 2 or older need their own seat and a child fare. Jetstar
• Virgin Australia says an infant (under 2) can be booked with or without a seat, and only one infant may travel with each adult. Infants in their own seat must use an approved child restraint system. Virgin Australia

2. Prams and strollers

• Qantas: strollers count as part of the adult's carry-on allowance. Collapsible strollers within the carry-on size (7kg max) can go overhead, but they aren't permitted as carry-on on Dash 8 or Embraer E190 aircraft. Qantas carry-on
• Virgin Australia: a collapsible pram up to 8kg within the carry-on size can be taken on board; otherwise it can be checked free at the gate. Virgin Australia
• Jetstar: a pram or stroller is included as free checked baggage in all fares. Jetstar

3. Free checked items

• Qantas: up to three infant items (such as a stroller, portable cot or car seat) per infant, and up to two child items per child aged 2 to 11, on Qantas-operated flights. Qantas checked baggage
• Virgin Australia: three special infant items per infant and two special equipment items per child. Virgin Australia
• Jetstar: a pram or stroller, portable cot, highchair, car seat, baby capsule or booster seat. Jetstar

4. Car seats on board

• Virgin Australia accepts selected child restraint systems that meet its labelling requirements and its car seat acceptance criteria. Virgin Australia
• Jetstar says approved car seats can be used on all Jetstar Airways (JQ) flights, a limited number fit on each flight, and they must go in a window seat. Jetstar

5. ID for little ones

Jetstar says proof of age may be needed for infants, and on international flights infants and children always need a passport. Virgin Australia may ask for proof of date of birth at check-in. Jetstar, Virgin Australia

Quick checklist

• [ ] Read your airline's infant and child page
• [ ] Booked the right fare type for each child
• [ ] Checked pram and car seat rules for your aircraft
• [ ] Packed proof of age or passports

We don't list fares here, because they change all the time. Check the airline's own website for current fares and conditions.

Sources (checked 30 Oct 2026, Melbourne time)

• Qantas, Carry-on baggage: https://www.qantas.com/en-au/baggage/carry-on
• Qantas, Checked baggage: https://www.qantas.com/en-au/baggage/checked
• Virgin Australia, Flying with kids: https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/travel-info/specific-travel/children/
• Jetstar, Travelling with my infant: https://www.jetstar.com/au/en/help/what-do-i-need-to-know-about-travelling-with-my-infant