Qantas Airways Infant Policy | Add Lap Infant On Qantas

Traveling is always a fun experience; it gets even more exciting when it involves young babies. However, choosing the right airline requires careful consideration, as a baby’s comfort and security are always the family's priority. Hence, choose the airline whose priority is the same. Qantas Airways can be the right choice as this is one of the oldest airlines in the world, known for its services and best travel experience.

Flying with an infant on Qantas is easy, too, as the airline offers an option to hold babies on the lap. This option requires following the airline’s infant policy. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the official Qantas Airways lap Infant Policy, helping you navigate ticketing, baggage, bassinets, and the specifics of having a lap infant.

Understanding The Qantas Airways Lap Infant Policy

According to Qantas Airways, the baby who is under 2 years of age is considered as an infant and allowed to travel on parent’s lap. This option is required to add lap infant on Qantas Airways when booking the tickets. No additional cost is required if the ticket is booked for domestic travel. As the rules regarding tickets and fees depend entirely on whether your flight is domestic or international.

Domestic Flights (Within Australia/NZ)

Cost: When placed on an adult's lap, lap infants travel for free.
Ticketing: A lap infant does not need a ticket.
Buying a Seat: You must buy a ticket and ensure that your child (under 2) is traveling in a car seat that has been pre-approved by Qantas if you want them to have their own seat.

International Flights

Cost: In addition to applicable taxes and fees, a small fare is applied, usually 10% of the adult fare according to Qantas Airways lap infant policy.
Ticketing: Even if your child is sitting on your lap, they must have a ticket for any foreign travel.
Buying a Seat: If you buy a separate seat for your baby, you must pay the child fare.\

Important Safety Rule: Only one lap infant per adult is allowed to travel. You must buy a separate seat for the second baby if you are going with two infants (under two years old), and they must be harnessed up in an authorized child restraint device.

How to Add Lap Infant On Qantas Airways Booking?

Adding your baby to the original reservation is the simplest method to guarantee their place. You will need to contact the airline directly, though, if your booking was made before the baby was born or if your travel schedule has been altered.

If You Need to Add an Infant Post-Booking:

Limitation on Online Booking: You often cannot complete the baby ticket online through 'Manage Booking' if your child was not part of the first reservation.
Needed Action: To formally add lap infant on Qantas to your current Passenger Name Record (PNR), you must get in touch with the Qantas customer service or your travel agent.
Infant Not Yet Born: In order to issue a ticket, Qantas needs the infant's full name and birthdate (DOB) as it appears on their passport or birth certificate. If your baby is not yet born, just purchase the adult ticket or tickets first, then when the baby arrives, call Qantas to formally include them in the reservation.

Advice for Seated Infants: If you want to purchase a car seat for your baby, you will need to contact Qantas to make the reservation because their online system usually selects a lap infant (one without a seat).

Seating Services and Bassinets

The bassinet is a relief on Qantas Airways traveling with infant on lengthy journeys. This service is free in First, Business, and Premium Economy, but because it needs a bulkhead seat, choosing a seat in International Economy can be expensive.

Bassinet Specifications and Requirements

Maximum Weight Limit:11 kg (approximately 25 lbs). This is a strict safety limit.
Dimensions: The Qantas bassinets are approximately 71 cm (28 in) long, 31 cm (12 in) wide, and 26 cm (10.5 in) deep.
Age Recommendation: While typically available for infants under two, due to the size and weight limits, bassinets are best suited for babies up to 6 to 8 months old. If your infant does not fit comfortably, they must be held on your lap according to Qantas Airways lap infant policy.
Requesting a Bassinet: You must request a bassinet at the time of reservation. For international Economy flights, you will need to book the specific bulkhead seat (sometimes for a fee) via 'Manage Booking' after the infant has been added to your reservation.
Domestic Bassinets: Note that bassinets on domestic Qantas flights are only available on A330 aircraft and cannot be pre-booked; you must request one at check-in, subject to availability.

Using A Car Seat Or Other Child Restraint When Traveling

The safest course of action for Qantas Airways flying with infant is to buy a seat and use an authorized child restraint device (CRD).

Pre-approval is required: Before your arrival at the airport, Qantas must pre-approve your car seat. They cannot be authorized on the day of travel. Make advance contact with the Qantas office in your area.
Approved Seats: The car seat must also have the red marking "This Restraint is Certified for Use in Motor Vehicles and Aircraft" or meet certain certification criteria (such as US FMVSS #213 or Canadian CMVSS 213/213.1).
Prohibition: In general, seat-extender devices and booster seats are not allowed.

Strollers, Baggage, and Onboard Services

Allowance for Infant Checked Baggage

The luggage allowance for infants and adults is distinct:

Lap Infant International: Regardless of destination, a single item of checked luggage up to 10 kg (22 lb) is permitted (this amount may differ slightly on journeys to/from the Americas).
Lap Infant Domestic: Since the ticket is free, there is typically no checked allowance according to Qantas Airways lap infant policy.

Cost-free essential infant equipment

In addition to your usual limit, Qantas lets you check in up to three (3) necessary baby goods for free when you're traveling with a baby. The maximum weight for each item is 32 kg.