The World’s Most Family-Friendly Airlines In 2025
Traveling with young children can be challenging at the best of times, and ‘family-friendly’ airlines are often a top choice. These airlines are often international full-service carriers that also offer extra services for parents and children to make their travel experience easier. It can make a huge difference in the overall experience, but which airlines are the most family-friendly? Let’s take a look in this guide.
The SKYTRAX World Airline Awards 2025 list the top ten family-friendly airlines according to their customer surveys. The airlines are evaluated on performance across many areas, including the provision of family seating together, dedicated family check-in, priority boarding, children’s meals and amenities, entertainment, and checked luggage and pushchairs/carrycots. Service assistance from ground staff and the cabin crew is also taken into account. Here, we will take a look at the top five family-friendly airlines and what they offer.
Lufthansa
Lufthansa came in first place in the SKYTRAX awards for the World’s Best Family Friendly Airline and was also awarded the Most Family Friendly Airline in Europe. The airline offers a seamless family-friendly travel experience and provides thoughtful services on the ground and in the air, making the travel experience all the more special for the smallest passengers.
Gate Gourmet created the Lufthansa children’s menus, which have a tray design with illustrations of the airline’s mascots, ‘Lu’ and ‘Cosmo’. Baby food is available onboard. The menu cards give children a chance to color in and work out puzzles, while also learning how an aircraft flies. The airline has a new range of children’s toys available onboard, including a cloud blanket and a game called ‘City, Country, Flight’. There is a special inflight entertainment program for children, and they have their own amenity kits. They also receive ‘Best Friend’ boarding passes.
The airline offers special fares for infants (0–2 years) and children (2–11 years). Furthermore, there are dedicated family check-in desks at Frankfurt Airport and Munich International Airport, and some small play areas within the airport and lounges. Priority boarding is allowed for families with small children. Child seats, foldable buggies, and carry cots can be checked in at no extra charge. Bassinets can be reserved in advance.
British Airways
British Airways placed second among family-friendly airlines. They offer dedicated check-in areas for families, priority boarding, and guaranteed seats together. The airline aims to make the family travel experience as stress-free as possible. Skyflyer activity packs for children can be collected from check-in, and there are Skyflyer kid zones in the business and first class lounges at both London Heathrow and Gatwick airports. Here, children can find toys and games as well as mini ride-on airplanes.
The Skyflyer amenity kit includes an eye mask, paw-print socks, crayons and a postcard to send home, featuring the airline’s mascots, Leon the Lion and Peggy the Pegasus. Free bassinets are available for infants. The inflight entertainment includes child-friendly movies, TV shows, games, and songs to keep little ones occupied during the flight. The Disney Channel, Paramount Plus, and Cartoon Network are all featured.
On short-haul flights, families can pre-order the Peggy and Leon snack box for their children, which includes a drink, a snack, and a small toy. Baby milk can be heated up, and baby food is available; just ask the cabin crew for assistance. Children’s meals and infant meals are always served first. Infants (under two years of age) have the same luggage allowance as an adult, plus two additional items such as a carry cot, child seat, or stroller. Children have the same luggage allowance as adults.
How European Airlines Cater To Kids Onboard
Younger travelers can be quite particular about what they like to eat and drink, but airlines are often able to accommodate these desires.
Emirates
Emirates came third as a family-friendly airline and was also voted the most family-friendly airline in the Middle East. Infants can travel on a parent’s lap or in a bassinet during the flight at a discounted fare. Children from two to 11 years old have their own seats but at a lower fare than an adult. Complimentary strollers are available at the airport after security and ground staff are family-focused. There is also priority boarding for families.
Pushchairs and carry cots can be carried onboard at no extra charge. Children’s meals can be ordered in advance, and there is baby formula and organic baby food available onboard, and the cabin crew are happy to heat them. The ICE entertainment system has over 100 channels for children to choose from during the flight. Infant kits are available that contain diapers, wet wipes, a spoon, soothing cream, and a bib.
Soft toys, blankets, and bags are available onboard for infants and children. Blanket buddies include Felipe the football and Bruno the book, and infants receive a clip-on vibrating soft toy to attach to a stroller or bag. Those aged between three and six years old can choose from a Tiny Treasures backpack or an Adventure backpack. Little Travelers can also collect cabin crew and pilot-themed bags and keep busy with the Fly With Me magazine, which can be colored in and has games and puzzles. Older children can collect sports or adventure backpacks.
Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines was voted the fourth most family-friendly airline in the world and also won the Most Family Friendly Airline in Asia. Priority boarding and security screening are available for families. Bassinets can be reserved in advance and are on a first-come, first-served basis. Infants and children have the same baggage allowance as adults, alongside a foldable stroller or car seat. Complimentary seat selection is standard for families traveling together.
Infants under two may travel as a lap infant for a small fee. Children require their own seat at a child fare, but an approved car seat must be used if applicable. Baby diapers and wet wipes are available onboard, and there are changing tables in the lavatories. Children under 12 receive an activity pack with items such as themed accessories, coloring sets, stickers and puzzles, and a soft toy. Children can have their own KrisFlyer program connected to their parents’ account to collect miles.
Children have a wide range of meals available, including Asian, Western, and vegetarian options. For younger infants, there are baby meals and infant meals, and all should be ordered in advance. The KrisWorld inflight entertainment system has lots of options to keep little ones entertained during the flight, and they can play games on their own personal devices and stream from KrisWorld.
What Are The Benefits Of Flying Singapore Airlines’ Premium Economy?
The airline has one of the best-rated premium economy products out there.
Air Canada
Air Canada landed in the fifth spot on the list and was the only airline in Canada and the US to make the world’s ten best family-friendly airlines. The airline also earned the Most Family Friendly Airline in North America. There are dedicated check-in counters for families at Toronto and Vancouver International Airport. Early boarding is prioritized for families with children under six, and guaranteed free seating together for children under 14. Families can check in for pushchairs or car seats free of charge.
Infants (under the age of two) may fly on a lap with a 10% fare on international flights, and children over two, pay the child’s fare. On domestic flights, infants need a ticket, but it’s free and just taxes are paid. Infants and children with their own seat pay an adult fare. Approved child restraint devices must be used to secure infants and children. One adult can only be responsible for one infant onboard, whether on a lap or a seat, where multiple infants are carried.
At the family check-in counter, children can collect a special luggage tag to commemorate their trip. On flights within the US and Canada, children receive an activity book, and on international flights, they can collect a tote bag with an activity book, a crayon kit, and games and puzzles. Child meals can be reserved on international routes and include traditional favorites such as mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, and crudites. Snacks such as chocolate chip cookies and juice are available and come with a complimentary placemat. The inflight entertainment system has over 75 hours of movies and games just for children and includes the Disney Channel.
In A Nutshell
Flying with a young family can be stressful and challenging at the best of times, but airlines are trying to make the experience easier and more pleasant. Things like priority check-in and boarding can significantly ease the stress of the airport. The addition of amenities, toys and gifts, and child-friendly entertainment makes the onboard experience much easier for adults and more fun for children. Special meals for children and infants are practical and thoughtful, contributing to the overall experience.
If traveling with young children, it is always a good idea to check what the airlines offer to make the whole experience that bit easier. Use any extra services they offer, especially for families, like priority boarding and check-in. Prepare well in advance and book seats, bassinets, and meals beforehand for an extra peace of mind.
It is also worth looking at SKYTRAX’s annual award winners as well as online reviews to work out which airlines may best suit the family’s needs. Also, in the World’s Most Family Friendly Airline 2025 by SKYTRAX, were Qatar Airways, All Nippon Airways (ANA), Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, and STARLUX Airlines.
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