Before having kids, we all promise ourselves that life won’t change and we’ll go about our business like we did before these bundles of joy come in to our lives. We all say that kids won’t be a handbrake! Mmmmm, well we all have a knowing smile when it comes to the actual reality! Ask any parent and they’ll tell you that it’s pretty clear we are no longer sitting around reading our Sunday newspaper, sipping on a hot latte and wondering whether to take a walk, hit the beach or perhaps book in for a massage. Ahhhh, those days lol!
However, life doesn’t have to stop when you have a baby – it just becomes a little different. Holidays and travelling with a baby is totally possible and enjoyable with a little prior research, planning and preparation before jumping on that plane.
For example, before I became a parent, I had no idea that airlines provide a dedicated bassinet/bed/cot for babies to fly in on a medium or long haul flight. Who knew – but wow, it’s such an amazing service that a lot of airlines provide and will literally change the way you fly with a baby.
Airlines provide a bassinet for travelers under 2. They located in the bulkhead near the busy toilets and kitchen.
Image courtesy Garuda Indonesia
To help new parents considering where their next family vacation is and what airline to choose when booking, we have compiled an ultimate guide to Baby bassinet seats on various airlines.
In this guide, we have pulled together as much information as we can to guide you through essential airline bassinet seat information for major airlines.
1. Hands-Free Comfort for Parents: An airline bassinet provides a designated space for your baby to sleep during the flight, allowing you to have some hands-free time to eat, rest, or attend to other needs without constantly holding the baby.
2. Safer Sleeping Space: The bassinet offers a secure and stable sleeping environment for your baby during the flight, reducing the risk of accidental falls or disturbances while asleep.
3. Comfort for the Baby: It provides a more comfortable sleeping area than sitting in a parent's lap for extended periods. This can help your baby get better rest, especially during long-haul flights.
4. Easier Flight Experience: Using a bassinet may make the overall flight experience more manageable, especially when traveling long distances. Babies tend to sleep better in their own space, reducing fussiness during the journey.
5. Hands-Free Nursing/Feeding: For breastfeeding mothers, the bassinet can be a convenient space to nurse the baby comfortably.
6. Allows Parents to Relax: With the baby sleeping in the bassinet, parents can have a bit of relaxation time, making the flight more enjoyable and less stressful.
7. Gives Personal Space: The bassinets are located in the bulk heads or front row. This means there are no seats in front and come with more leg space! It allows parents to have more personal space during the flight, reducing the need to hold the baby continuously. The tray table is usually located in the arm rest with the TV on a wall directly in front of you.
Remember, availability of airline bassinets can vary depending on the airline, the type of aircraft, and seat availability. It's advisable to request a bassinet in advance while booking your tickets and reconfirm its availability closer to the departure date. Also, be aware of the weight and size restrictions imposed by airlines for using these bassinets.
Airlines have specific policies and guidelines regarding the use of bassinets onboard their flights. Here are some general aspects covered in their policies:
1. Airline bassinets are also called Carry Cots, Sky Beds, Airline Baby Bed, Baskets or Cots. The majority of them are a rectangular box with raised sides, however some provide bouncer style seats, some have built-in seat belts and some have hoods on them like a traditional cot.
2. Age and Weight Restrictions: Most airlines allow children up to two to fly for free. They provide bassinets for infants up to a certain age and weight limit. This usually ranges from newborns up to 2 years old a weight limit of 20-27.5 pounds (9-12.5 kg).
3. Bassinets vary from airline to airline and even depending on what class cabin you are flying in.
4. Booking and Availability: Bassinets are limited in number and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Sometimes younger babies are prioritized. It's recommended to request a bassinet at the time of booking or as early as possible to ensure availability for your flight.
5. Seating Restrictions: Bassinets are usually attached to bulkhead seats due to safety requirements. Not all seats in the bulkhead row have bassinet facilities, so availability depends on the specific aircraft configuration.
6. Usage Guidelines: Airlines may have specific guidelines for the usage of bassinets, including when the bassinet can be used during the flight (e.g., only when the seatbelt sign is off, during cruising altitude, etc.).
7. Restrictions during Turbulence or Takeoff/Landing: For safety reasons, bassinets might need to be stowed away during turbulence, takeoff, or landing. Infants should be taken out of the bassinet and held securely during these times. This is with the exception of Qantas and Virgin who provide bassinets with in-built safety belts thus allowing your baby to stay in their bassinets during turbulence. How good is that!
8. As policies can differ between airlines, it's essential to check with the specific airline you'll be flying with for their detailed guidelines and regulations regarding the use of bassinets on their flights. We’ve tried to take some of the leg work out for you by providing you a guide for each airline.
You always need to request an inflight bassinet for your lap baby. You can sometimes do this online or through your agent, but many airlines request that you call to arrange. Remember, that bassinets are never confirmed or guaranteed – it’s considered a request. Our advice is to call and double check your request is on your booking – then call again just before travel!
Some airlines don’t give the option to request a bassinet and are rather a first come, first serve basis at the gate. In this case, it’s imperative to turn up at the airport as early as possible to make this request.
All inflight bassinets/cots are located in one of the busiest parts of the plane. They’re near the bulkhead seats which is often located next to the toilet. It’s where people line up or loiter and create a distraction whilst baby is trying to sleep. There are also bright lights that don’t get turned off to time with your baby’s sleep schedule. CoziGo avoids these distractions and shields your baby from the bright cabin lights. It also reduces the amount of germs your baby is exposed to during the flight.
Baby waking up refreshed during a long haul flight with CoziGo attached to the bassinet.
If you choose to travel with a Car Sear – CoziGo fits too
CoziGo makes for super comfortable lay overs during flights so babies can sleep despite the bright lights of the airport terminals.
Sleeping baby under CoziGo during a transit stop.
Wipe it down with a wet wipe – it’ll give you peace of mind before putting your baby in it.
Be prepared to remove your baby during turbulence – don’t get frustrated, it’s for their safety and a great excuse for a cuddle.
Bring a white noise machine – they are compact and light and amazing at helping your baby drift off to sleep by drowning out the distractions.
Change into pyjamas – recreate your night time routine when it’s time for bed. A change of nappy and clothes may help in giving your baby the sleep cue it needs to go to sleep.
Bring their favourite toy or blanket – they more familiar your baby’s environment is, the more comfortable you are going to make them thus helping them get more sleep.
Download their music to your phone so that you can slip it in to their bassinet if that’s what you do during your usual bedtime routine
Hit the ground running
Once you’re landed, make sure you have the right stroller for the type of trip you’re on and pair it with a CoziGo that provides amazing sun cover and allow your baby to sleep on the go whilst you enjoy your vacation.
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Magic!
I used CoziGo during a trans-Atlantic flight. I think it’s magic! It’s very well designed such that it clips on and stays in place with plenty of room inside. Lots of zips and peak-a-boo windows to check on baby. Folds up to a small size that fits in a backpack. The airline didn’t dim the cabin lights so this was key to have. Baby slept for a solid 5 hours and would have slept for longer if the flight was longer! Thank you
- Karen H.
To help you with your research, we have complied an A-Z list of airlines with links to their flying with babies policy and information on the varying types of bassinets provided.
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Airline A-F |
Airline G-Z |
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Whether you are looking to help baby sleep better when you’re out and about or hoping to make your next long-haul flight less stressful, CoziGo (formerly Fly Babee) is the must-have item that will have you raving!
Fast becoming known as ‘The Miracle Cover’, this lightweight, compact, pop-up cover is helping babies all over the world fall asleep faster and stay asleep for longer, with the added bonus of being a sanity saver for their parents!
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A must have for summer travel!!
A must have for summer travel!!We bought the cozigo primarily to use for the airline bassinet when my 4 month old traveled with us to Italy. It worked perfectly for that and was absolutely essential because the flight kept the lights on for food service for the first 2 hours even though we were on an overnight flight.
To our pleasant surprise, the cozigo actually was Read more about review stating A must have for summer travel!!even more useful for the remainder of our trip as sun cover during a heat wave that affected our entire vacation! We never took the cozigo off the stroller and my son was able to be completely protected by the sun and also have perfectly dark naps on the go. Parents stopped and asked us about it everywhere we went! My husband and I both agreed it was the #1 baby gear we brought with us. Don’t hesitate - buy it now.
Sharon S.
Must have for a plane trip
Must have for a plane tripIt proofed itself super useful for a plane with basined, but that’s not all! It also can be used with the regular stroller basined or a car sit or in many other situations when we want to simply block the lights and create more calm atmosphere for sleeping.
I would buy again without any hesitations!
- Simon S.
