Flying with an infant or young child always raises the same questions: how much does it cost, how do you get a bassinet, what else can you bring, and most importantly, how do you survive the flight without stress? Qantas has one of the clearest family policies in the industry, but it’s also scattered across several documents.
Who is considered a child at Qantas?
The airline distinguishes between three categories of young passengers, and the terminology makes all the difference when it comes to fares:
Infant: under 2 years old (up to 23 months old) at the time of the flight.
Child: from 2 to 11 years old inclusive.
Young Passenger: from 12 to 17 years old, treated as an adult for fare purposes.
One detail that catches many families out: if your baby turns two between the outbound and return flights of the same trip, the fare rules change mid-journey.
How much does a baby ticket cost with Qantas?
This is the main difference between domestic and international fares.
In Australia (domestic flights): an infant sitting on an adult’s lap travels free of charge, without a separate ticket; they are simply added to the accompanying adult’s booking. However, if they occupy a seat, the full adult fare applies. There is no domestic discount for a baby seat.
Internationally: Here, there’s no getting around it: a ticket is mandatory even if the child doesn’t take up a seat, and it costs approximately 10% of the adult fare plus taxes. An adult can only accompany one infant on their lap; beyond that, each additional baby must have their own paid seat. If the child actually occupies a seat, a discount may apply depending on the destination, but it is neither automatic nor bookable online; it must be applied through customer service or a travel agency.
For children aged 2 to 11, the price increases significantly:
– Domestic flights: 100% of the adult fare.
– International flights: between 75% and 100% depending on the class and destination, plus taxes.
Booking a seat for your baby
By default, an infant is not entitled to a dedicated seat: they travel on a lap. If you prefer to reserve a seat for them (especially to use an approved car seat), this option is not available through the website. You must contact Qantas or a travel agency directly. The car seat must meet specific safety standards, and booster seats are not permitted on board.
Note: If an adult is traveling with several infants, only the first can be added “free of charge” when booking a standard ticket. Each additional baby must occupy a separate seat, either able to sit up independently or secured in an approved restraint system.
The bassinet
This is by far the most discussed topic in travel communities, much more so than the fare itself.
Availability: Bassinets are only available on certain long-haul flights (Boeing 787, A380, A330) and on a handful of domestic flights operated by A330s. The number of bassinets per aircraft is limited, generally concentrated in one or two rows at the front of the cabin.
Pricing: Free in First, Business, and Premium Economy on international flights; available for a fee in international Economy, where a “bassinet seat” must be reserved. On domestic flights, the request is made directly at check-in, but availability is not guaranteed.
Conditions for use: The baby must be under 2 years old, weigh less than 11 kg, and be able to lie completely flat in the bassinet (approximately 71 cm long by 31 cm wide and 26 cm deep). If these dimensions are exceeded, the baby will have to lie on their lap.
The real pitfall, according to passenger feedback: Reserving a seat with a bassinet in advance offers absolutely no guarantee. Many parents report paying for or reserving a seat in the bassinet row weeks in advance, only to be given a different seat at the airport. Priority is systematically given to the youngest baby among all the passengers on the flight. A recurring complaint: travelers without children find themselves seated in the row equipped with the bassinet (appreciated for its legroom), without being required to give up their seat to a family who genuinely needs it, causing considerable frustration for parents. The most frequent advice: call Qantas after booking to formalize the request, request confirmation a few days before departure, and remain flexible on the day of travel.
Baby and child meals
A specific meal can be requested after booking, on flights that offer this service, via the online booking system, at least 24 hours before departure. Qantas offers a limited selection of food and milk from popular brands, but the airline itself advises bringing the brand the baby is used to rather than relying on the onboard offerings. A typical “baby” meal is generally suitable for children between 6 months and 2 years old.
Baggage allowance for children/babies traveling on Qantas
There is no separate cabin baggage allowance for babies, but the adult can add a small extra bag to carry essentials such as diapers and formula, in addition to their own cabin baggage.
In the hold, the allowance depends on the destination and the cabin class booked, but it always includes three free baby items: a collapsible stroller, a collapsible crib or bassinet, and a car seat/infant carrier.
No specific baggage allowance is offered on Australian domestic and regional flights if the baby is traveling without a ticket.
For a child (2 to 11 years old):
– Same cabin and hold baggage allowance as an adult.
– Two additional child items are allowed (car seat, stroller, for example).
The stroller:
In the hold, it counts as one free item, in addition to the baggage allowance.
In the cabin, it counts towards the adult’s cabin baggage allowance: maximum weight 7 kg, folded dimensions not exceeding 56 cm (height) + 36 cm (width) + 23 cm (depth). Beyond these limits, it must be checked in.
On Dash 8 and Embraer E190 aircraft, strollers cannot be kept in the cabin or gate-checked (dropped off just before boarding): they must be checked in at the counter.
Good news: most major Australian airports provide strollers once yours has been checked in, for getting around the terminal.
Onboard comfort and entertainment
Qantas offers dedicated channels and content (cartoons, games, audiobooks) on some of its aircraft, as well as a program called Joey Club, designed to make travel more fun for children, with onboard activity kits and dedicated areas in some lounges.
Inflatable footrests, which allow a child to lie down, are permitted on board under strict conditions: manual inflation only (electric pump models are prohibited), a rapid deflation system, and compatibility with the seatbelt. They may only be used in Economy and Premium Economy, never in emergency exit rows or bulkhead rows, and only on certain seats depending on the aircraft type (window seats on narrow-body aircraft, window or center seats on wide-body aircraft).
Boarding, formalities, and security
Priority boarding is offered to families traveling with an infant on international flights, allowing them to settle in before the crowds arrive.
Automated border control (SmartGate):
Accessible from age 7, provided the child is taller than 1.10 m, is traveling with an adult, and has a valid biometric passport.
Liquids and powders:
There is no quantity limit on powdered milk. However, liquids, gels, and aerosols for babies remain restricted in the cabin on international flights or when departing from an international airport. Security agents apply the same rules as for any other passenger.
Newborn Babies: Important information
Less than 48 hours after birth: travel is simply not permitted.
Between 3 and 7 days: possible only after obtaining medical authorization via a dedicated form.
8 days and older: babies born prematurely or with complications must also provide this document; a full-term, healthy infant can travel without any special medical formalities.
Allow at least 48 hours to obtain this authorization once the form, completed by the attending physician, has been submitted.
What if the baby is not yet born at the time of booking?
There is nothing stopping you from booking the trip in advance: you simply need to contact a local Qantas office once the child is born, to add them to the booking and, if necessary, issue their ticket.