What Is Ethiopian Airlines Infant Policy?

Traveling with an infant can be both exciting and challenging, especially when it’s your baby’s first flight. Fortunately, Ethiopian Airlines — one of Africa’s most trusted and globally recognized carriers — offers family-friendly travel options designed to make your journey smooth, comfortable, and safe.

This guide covers every essential detail of the Ethiopian Airlines lap infant Policy, including age rules, seating arrangements, baggage allowance, and step-by-step instructions for adding your baby to your booking. Whether you’re planning a domestic flight within Africa or an international journey, this policy ensures parents can travel with peace of mind.

Age Rules And Eligibility For Infant Travel

Ethiopian Airlines defines an infant as a child under two years old (24 months) at the time of travel. Here are the essential age-based conditions:

• Newborns under seven (7) days old are not permitted to fly unless cleared by a certified physician for medical necessity.
• If your baby turns two years old during the trip, they must occupy a separate seat and have a child ticket for the return journey.
• Each adult passenger may travel with only one lap infant. If you’re traveling with twins or two children under two, one must be seated in a separate seat using an approved child restraint device.

Ethiopian Airlines prioritizes passenger safety, ensuring that infants are properly secured and comfortable during the entire flight duration.

Seating Options For Infants

Parents traveling with infants can choose between two seating arrangements depending on comfort, safety, and budget preferences.

Lap Infant (No Separate Seat):

According to Ethiopian Airlines traveling with infant policy, babies under two can fly on their parent’s lap. The cabin crew provides a special infant seat belt that attaches to the adult’s belt to keep the baby secure. This is the most economical way to travel with an infant.

Separate Seat for Infant:

If parents wish to have additional space, they can purchase a separate seat for the infant. In this case, an approved child restraint system (CRS) or car seat must be used.

Bassinet Option:

On long-haul routes operated by Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 aircraft, Ethiopian Airlines offers baby bassinets for infants up to 11 kg (24 lbs) and 75 cm (29.5 inches) tall. These bassinets are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so passengers should request them during or immediately after booking.

How to Add an Infant During Booking?

Booking a flight with an infant on Ethiopian Airlines is straightforward if done correctly during the reservation process. Here’s how you can add your baby while making your booking online:

1. Visit www.ethiopianairlines.com and start your flight search.
2. Enter your travel details — departure, destination, and dates.
3. When selecting passengers, choose the number of infants (under 2 years) traveling with you.
4. Provide your infant’s full name and date of birth exactly as they appear on their identification or passport.
5. Review fare details and confirm that the infant is listed under your name in the summary.
6. Complete your payment and receive a confirmation email that includes both adult and infant information on the same booking reference.

Add Lap Infant On Ethiopian Airlines at the time of booking ensures proper seating arrangements, meal preferences (if available), and eligibility for bassinet seats.

How to Add an Infant After Booking?

If you’ve already booked your ticket and forgot to include your baby, Ethiopian Airlines allows passengers to add an infant post-booking easily. Follow these steps:

1. Visit the Manage Booking section on the official website.
2. Retrieve your reservation using your booking reference and last name.
3. Select the “Add Infant” option to include your baby’s details.
4. Fill in the required information such as full name, date of birth, and gender.
5. Pay any applicable infant fare or taxes if prompted.
6. Once complete, you’ll receive an updated itinerary showing the infant added to your booking.

Alternatively, you can also contact Ethiopian Airlines customer service at 80004 01687 or call +1-866-738-0741 to talk with a consolidation desk, or visit a local ticket office for assistance. It’s best to make this addition at least 24 hours before departure to avoid last-minute issues.

Infant Fares And Ticketing Policy

Ethiopian Airlines offers affordable and flexible fares for parents traveling with infants. The pricing structure depends on the type of ticket and destination:

• Lap Infants: Typically pay around 10% of the accompanying adult fare, plus applicable taxes and fees.
• Infant in a Separate Seat: The cost is usually 75% of the adult fare, as a full seat and safety device are required.
• Domestic Flights within Ethiopia: Minimal service charges or fees apply for lap infants.

Tickets for infants must always be linked to an adult passenger’s booking. Any changes to the adult ticket — such as name corrections or flight rescheduling — automatically apply to the infant’s ticket.

Documents Required For Infant Travel On Ethiopian Airlines

Before heading to the airport, make sure you have all necessary travel documents for your infant:

• Domestic Flights: Birth certificate or hospital-issued age verification document.
• International Flights: Valid passport and, if applicable, visa for your baby.
• Consent Letter: If only one parent is traveling, certain destinations may require a notarized parental consent letter.

Ethiopian Airlines strictly enforces document verification to ensure safe and lawful travel for all infants.

Check-In and Boarding Assistance

Families traveling with infants receive special consideration at Ethiopian Airlines check-in counters and during boarding. Parents can take advantage of priority check-in, early boarding, and assistance from ground staff.

Strollers can usually be used until the boarding gate, where they’ll be tagged and returned upon arrival. Cabin crew are also trained to assist families in settling comfortably once onboard.

Safety Measures for Infants

For your infant’s safety, Ethiopian Airlines adheres to strict safety regulations set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority.

• Infants must be secured with an infant seat belt provided by the crew during takeoff, landing, and turbulence.
• Parents using car seats must ensure the device is approved by FAA or EASA standards and correctly installed.
• Feeding your infant during ascent or descent helps minimize ear pressure discomfort.

How To Speak With An Ethiopian Airlines Live Agent To Add A Lap Infant?

If you’re unable to add an infant online or have a special request, you can easily contact an Ethiopian Airlines representative for assistance at 80004 01687. Also, you can dial +1-866-738-0741 to talk with a consolidation desk for quick assistance on Ethiopian Airlines flying with infant policy.