Flying Lufthansa with Baby or Toddler
Last Updated on May 15, 2024
Lufthansa is a relatively baby-friendly airline. I used to fly them a lot with my firstborn, because of their great connections between Italy and Poland where we lived.
Most connections on Lufthansa are in Frankfurt or Munich Airports and while big, even if your connection is short the staff was accommodating and made sure that we made it for the flight. One time, they even called a separate bus just for us (!) so that me and my then 3-month-old baby could still make it onto the connecting flight.
However, flying Lufthansa with a baby or toddler on short flights is a completely different experience than long-haul flights and I wouldn’t recommend the latter.
We were always happy with Lufthansa with baby or toddler on short flights around Europe, but recently found ourselves on Lufthansa from Munich to Newark (after Icelandair switched our reservation to it last second) and it was quite crazy to me how much worse the long-haul flights are from the short ones.
Seats were uncomfortable, there weren’t enough toilets and the crew seemed to keep forgetting basic things. For example, the passengers had to tell them to close the overhead bins after we were already taxing, meals seemed to be missing, and a few rows were forgotten during drink service.
I still like Lufthansa on short flights, but I would not book it again on long haul unless flying business class.
Flying with Infant on Lufthansa
Lufthansa does not advertise a minimum age for infants onboard but generally, most airlines accept babies as young as 7 days as long as they are strong and healthy. If you think that your baby may be less than 7 days old when you need to fly, it’s best to call the airline directly to double-check if there are any local requirements.
The Lufthansa baby policy defines an infant as any baby under 2 years old, and you have a couple of seating options for them. The most common option is to seat them on your own lap. Alternatively, you can opt for a separate seat for your infant. In this case, you’ll need to bring a child restraint system like a comfy baby carrier or a secure car seat to keep them secure.
For long-haul flights you also will have the option to book a bassinet, however, these are limited in number and only sometimes available on shorter flights so I will talk about them later on.
If you have two infants under 2 years old, know that you’ll have to book one of them their own seat at the child rate if you’re flying alone with your baby.
Infant Food on Lufthansa
When flying with a baby (particularly on long flights), one of the top concerns for any parent is feeding.
You’ll be relieved to know that Lufthansa does offer a range of meals suitable for babies, like baby food, mini sausages, and soups, but it’s always a good idea to bring your baby’s favorite food or bottle. Why? Because, as many experienced flying parents will tell you, keeping a sense of familiarity with food can really help settle your little one high up in the skies.
The airline also provides water suitable for mixing baby formula or for filling bottles, which is a real convenience. This means you don’t have to worry about buying water after passing through airport security – a small but significant relief for traveling parents.
And if you’re wondering about warming up your baby’s food or bottle, Lufthansa’s friendly cabin crew is there to assist. They understand that a well-fed baby is a happy traveler, and they’re more than willing to help make your flight as comfortable as possible for your little one.
Lufthansa with Baby (Lap Infant) Rules:
As I mentioned before, flying with an infant in arms on Lufthansa is a common option for young babies. You’ll be given a seatbelt extension that attaches to your own seat belt and wraps around the baby to secure them safely during the flight and you must use it.
You buy a flight for your baby as lap infant at the time of booking. Similar to any other airline you usually pay just 10% of the fare and some taxes.
If instead, you want to purchase them their seat and have them sit in a car seat, you will need to buy them a child’s ticket instead of an infant ticket which I will talk about later.
Baby Facilities on Lufthansa
Changing a baby in a cramped airplane bathroom might sound like a daunting task, but Lufthansa’s onboard facilities make it more manageable. All of their washrooms are equipped with changing tables, making those necessary diaper changes a bit easier to handle in-flight.
And for those unexpected moments that every parent knows all too well, Lufthansa also keeps spare nappies on board. It’s a small but thoughtful gesture that can be a real lifesaver if you find yourself in a pinch.
Lufthansa Car Seat Policy
If you prefer not to have your baby on your lap for the whole flight, you also have the choice to use a child restraint system, like a car seat or baby carrier, for infants and children up to about 7 years of age.
Well of course there are certain restrictions on what types of car seats you can bring on board, there are also some additional rules that you should keep in mind when booking your flights.
You must choose a window seat when you’re bringing a car seat onboard as this minimizes obstruction in the aisle. You’ll also have to make sure you or another adult in your group is sitting next to the car seat so you can easily tend to your child’s needs, keep them entertained, or just offer the comfort of your presence throughout the flight.
Lufthansa allows you to install your car seat forwards or backward (depending on the manufacturer’s directions) regardless of whether or not it impedes the seat in front of you.
IMPORTANT: Unless you pre-buy an infant seat (for babies under 2) you cannot bring a car seat to the gate hoping for a free seat, because if one isn’t available you cannot gate check a car seat (gate checking is only possible for strollers).
Accepted Car Seats on Lufthansa with Baby
The main rule when figuring out if your car seat will be accepted on Lufthansa is that it has to be labeled as “for use in aircraft”.
Lufthansa says to check this site to see which models and brands of car seats are acceptable on board.
It’s important to remember that your car seat must be able to be secured with the regular airplane seat belt. Lufthansa’s seats do not accommodate ISOFIX attachments, so you’ll need a car seat that can be secured with a lap belt.
You’ll also have to know how to attach the car seat yourself as the air hostesses can’t help with this. In cases where the car seat doesn’t fit the seat properly, Lufthansa’s policy is to check it as hold baggage. This is a last resort, but it’s good to be prepared for this possibility.
Baggage Allowance for Babies and Kids on Lufthansa
Traveling with babies or kids often means packing extra gear, from diapers to favorite toys there never seems to be enough room, so knowing your baggage limit including that of your babies is important.
When it comes to infants (0-2 years), even though they may not have their own seat, Lufthansa is quite generous with the baggage allowance. Regardless of the travel class you’ve booked (except for the Economy Light fare), your infant is entitled to one checked item of baggage. This can weigh up to 23 kg and measure up to 158 cm in total dimensions. It’s a relief to know you can pack those extra baby essentials without worrying about extra charges.
Children over 2 years old or any baby traveling on a child’s ticket with their own seat, get the same free baggage allowance as adults, which varies depending on the travel class.
You’re also entitled to bring a stroller for your child that can be checked in for free. Just remember, if it’s a larger item, like a standard stroller, it will be labeled during check-in and transported in the cargo hold.
If you have a foldable stroller, you can take it right up to the gate, where it will be taken care of and then returned to you as soon as you land. This is incredibly handy for navigating through airports, especially during longer layovers or when rushing to catch a connecting flight.
Bassinet on Lufthansa
While bassinets are generally not available on short flights, Lufthansa offers the option to book a bassinet for your infant on all long-haul flights.
Lufthansa’s bassinets are designed for infants weighing under 11 kg and measuring less than 67 cm in length, so they’re not available for older babies but are a blessing for parents flying with tiny newborns, giving them a comfortable and secure spot to rest. 6 months is the average limit, unfortunately.
However, it’s important to remember that the number of bassinets on each flight is limited. This means planning is crucial.
How to Reserve a Bassinet/Carrycot on Lufthansa
Reserving a bassinet on Lufthansa is straightforward but requires a bit of forethought as the key is to do it early. You can reserve a bassinet up to 52 hours before your flight departs and I recommend you do it as soon as possible.
The best way to reserve a bassinet is by calling the airline’s customer service. I’ve heard that the English hotline is fairly quick to get through to talk to a real person but the German one can be quite a nightmare. So if you speak both German and English it might be worth trying the English one first.
The bassinet itself is free to use but there might be a seat reservation fee depending on your booking class as the bassinets are only compatible with bulkhead seats which generally also have extra legroom. It’s a good idea to get in touch with Lufthansa’s Service Center for more detailed information and to ensure everything is set for your journey as having use of a bassinet can make a significant difference in your travel experience, giving your baby a comfortable place to sleep and you some much-needed hands-free time.
Lufthansa Stroller Policy
Lufthansa’s stroller policy is designed with the needs of traveling families in mind, making the journey as smooth as possible for both you and your child.
As long as you bring a foldable stroller, it’s possible to use these indispensable travel companions right up until you board the plane. I’ve never had an issue with Lufthansa and can’t say the same about other airlines.
One time my stroller was too big for the remaining space of the bin and as I was flying alone the flight attendants found another space for it on board and even allowed me to roll it down the aisle.
Gate Checking Baby Items
While gate-checking a foldable stroller on Lufthansa is free and fairly simple, you are NOT allowed to bring any other items for gate-checking on Lufthansa. This means if you have a car seat ( which you aren’t using on board with a pre-bought seat) or travel crib, you will have to make sure it fits within your regular checked luggage allowance and is checked at the check-in counter.
Flying with a Toddler on Lufthansa (Over 2 Years Old)
For children aged between 2 and 11 years old, Lufthansa offers a child fare which is 75% of the regular ticket price.
In the past, to keep the little ones occupied when you’re traveling with kids, the cabin crew used to hand out an array of children’s toys, like coloring books and puzzles that are designed specifically for your child’s age, but this was no longer the case on our last flight.
The in-flight entertainment is another area where Lufthansa was fine, but the screens aren’t easy to navigate so you will be helping your toddler. For parents concerned about content, there’s a parental lock function to block access to certain channels which is great if you would like to have control over what your children can watch without having to constantly monitor them.
While Lufthansa advertises that toddlers taking their first flight with Lufthansa, make sure to pick up a logbook. This isn’t just a book; it’s a keepsake where they can record their flights, and once it’s full, they receive a pilot’s certificate. It’s a way of making flying an exciting and rewarding adventure for young travelers.
Plus, families traveling in First or Business Class, or those who are HON Circle Members, Senators, Frequent Travelers, and holders of Star Gold cards, have access to the Business Lounge at Frankfurt Airport, near Gate B48.
Inside the business lounge, there is a designated kids’ area where children can play, draw, and even watch children’s movies which is a great relaxing environment for kids to unwind before boarding.
Kid’s Meal Options on Lufthansa
Supposedly, there are kids meals on Lufthansa. According to their advertising kids can look forward to being served a ‘pretzel face’, ‘rice pudding mouse’, ‘dragon feet’, or ‘hen house’, but we were told on our recent flight that these meals weren’t available.
In fact, by the time the crew got to us we weren’t even given a choice and kids were forced to eat pretty spicy spinach ravioli so keep in mind that kids meals aren’t guaranteed – even if you book them.
Are Airplane Beds for Baby or Toddler Allowed on Lufthansa?
No, when it comes to comfort devices like inflatable cubes or seat extenders, Lufthansa has a clear policy that states airplane beds for kids are not allowed on board.
