Flying with a Baby: What to Know Before You Travel

The core of flying with a baby comes down to this: an infant passenger is 0-24 months old, has no separate seat or cabin baggage, and cannot fly during the first 48 hours after birth. Below you'll find Pegasus rules on baggage, strollers, baby food, seat selection, and the steps to take before departure.

In brief

• An infant passenger is 0-24 months old; calculate the age based on the flight date, not the ticket purchase date.
• No flying during the first 48 hours after birth; a written doctor's report is recommended for the first 7 days.
• The infant has no separate seat or cabin baggage; the checked baggage allowance is 10 kg.
• The stroller goes into cargo; gate delivery service may not be available at every airport.
• Baby food must be added when purchasing the ticket or during check-in 24 hours before the flight.

The essence of the rule: who is an infant passenger, and when can they fly?

At Pegasus, a passenger aged 0-24 months is considered an infant passenger. Ticket and baggage rules are determined according to this definition. Calculate your child's age based on the flight date, not the day you purchased the ticket. If your child is close to the 24-month limit, evaluate the departure and return dates separately and check your airline's current rule.

The period after birth is the most critical point:

• During the first 48 hours after birth, the mother and infant are not accepted on a flight, even with a doctor's report.
• From the end of the first 48 hours until the end of the first 7 days, Pegasus recommends obtaining a written doctor's report stating there is no obstacle to the mother and infant traveling by air.
• For those considering traveling with a baby under 6 months old, Pegasus recommends consulting a doctor.

These timeframes belong to Pegasus. If you're flying with another airline, check your airline's current rule to learn how the same rule is applied there. If you're a family with a newborn, it's safer to purchase the ticket after speaking with your doctor.

Seat and baggage: what is the infant passenger entitled to?

At Pegasus, infant passengers are not given a separate seat. The infant travels in the same seat as the accompanying passenger. Plan from the start to hold the baby in your lap throughout the flight.

On the baggage side, there are two separate rules:

• Checked baggage: The allowance for an infant passenger under 2 years old is 10 kg.
• Cabin baggage: Infant passengers have no cabin baggage allowance, and cabin baggage is not sold separately for infant passengers.

This distinction affects how you divide needs such as diapers, baby food, and spare clothing. You need to fit the small set you'll need during the flight within your own ticket allowances as the accompanying passenger. Check your own cabin baggage conditions before purchasing. Remember that the infant's 10 kg allowance applies only to checked baggage. Try to gather the baby's other items within this allowance, and set aside what you'll need during the flight in your own bag.

Stroller and carry cot

At Pegasus, the carry cot and stroller are placed in the aircraft's cargo section during check-in. This means you cannot take these items into the cabin; you hand them over at the check-in desk.

If you don't want to walk through the airport without a stroller, there's an option: the stroller can be brought to the aircraft door with a "Delivery at the aircraft" tag and handed over at the gate. The point to note is that this service may not be offered at every airport.

Practical suggestions:

• Clearly request the gate delivery tag at the desk.
• On connecting flights, ask whether the service applies at every airport.
• You might consider a protective cover against the possibility of the stroller being damaged in cargo.
• After the stroller is handed over, a lap-type carrier makes it easier to carry the baby to the gate.

Clarify before your flight how the gate delivery service works at the arrival airport by checking your airline's current rule.

Seat selection and in-flight baby food

At Pegasus, passengers traveling with an infant cannot sit in emergency exit seats. Eliminate these rows from the start when choosing a seat. For the rest, window or aisle preference is up to your own comfort: the aisle makes it easier to get up and walk the baby around, while the window keeps the baby a bit farther from passing passengers.

The rule on baby food is strict. Baby food from Pegasus Cafe must be added when purchasing the ticket or during check-in 24 hours before the flight. There is no baby food on the in-flight menu. In other words, you cannot suddenly request it on board.

Therefore:

• Add the baby food order when purchasing the ticket; if you forgot to add it, do so during check-in.
• Plan your own backup food in case of delays.
• Check the current announcements from the airport or airline regarding security rules on liquids such as milk and water.

Even on a short flight, a baby's hunger won't wait; plan ahead.

Common mistakes

The same mistakes repeat on first flights with a baby. Knowing these reduces surprises at the airport.

• Miscalculating the age: The calculation is based on the flight date. On the return flight, the infant may fall into a different category; evaluate departure and return separately.
• Expecting cabin baggage: Infant passengers have no cabin baggage allowance; you must fit the baby bag into your own bag.
• Forgetting the baby food: There is no baby food on the in-flight menu. If you don't add the order when purchasing the ticket or during check-in 24 hours before the flight, you won't find it.
• Choosing an emergency exit seat: Passengers with infants cannot sit in these seats.
• Trying to fly right after birth: During the first 48 hours, there is no acceptance for the flight, even with a report.
• Trying to take the stroller into the cabin: The stroller and carry cot are placed in the aircraft's cargo section.
• Skipping the report: A written doctor's report is recommended from the end of the first 48 hours until the end of the first 7 days; don't scramble for a report on the day of travel.

If you're unsure about a rule, check your airline's current rule.

Step by step: from ticket purchase to boarding

If you put the process in order, you won't miss anything.

1. Verify the age. Check the infant's age on the flight date; evaluate departure and return separately.
2. Consult a doctor. If the baby is very young or under 6 months old, get your doctor's opinion before the flight. A written doctor's report is recommended for the period from the end of the first 48 hours until the end of the first 7 days.
3. Purchase the ticket. Compare flights on the search for flight tickets page and specify the infant passenger in the reservation. If you want baby food, add it at this stage.
4. Choose the seat. Stay away from emergency exit rows.
5. Check in. If you haven't added the baby food order yet, add it during check-in 24 hours before the flight. You can find the processes and timeframes in the article how to do online check-in.
6. Hand over the items at the airport. Hand over the stroller and carry cot at the desk; request the tag if you want gate delivery.
7. Check at the aircraft door. At airports where the service is offered, wait for the stroller to arrive at the gate.

Pre-departure checklist

Tick off this list one by one before leaving home.

• The infant's identity or passport document is with you and complies with the entry rules of the destination country.
• Age: it has been checked whether the infant's age on the flight date is within the 0-24 month range.
• Post-birth period: the first 48 hours have passed; a written doctor's report has been obtained for the first 7 days, or obtaining one has been considered.
• If the infant is under 6 months old, a doctor's opinion has been obtained.
• Seat: the infant is in the same seat as the accompanying passenger; an emergency exit row has not been chosen.
• Baggage: the 10 kg checked baggage allowance has been calculated; cabin baggage is not expected for the infant.
• The stroller and carry cot will go into cargo; the gate delivery tag has been requested.
• The baby food order has been added when purchasing the ticket or during check-in 24 hours before.
• Diapers, wipes, spare clothing, and extra food needed in the cabin are in a separate bag.
• Ticket cancellation, delay, and refund conditions have been read; documents have been saved.

If you're planning an international trip, you can take a look at international route suggestions for the October 29 holiday when choosing a route; short-distance options with fewer connections are generally more comfortable with a baby.

Frequently asked questions

How many months old does a passenger need to be to be counted as an infant passenger when flying with a baby?

At Pegasus, a passenger aged 0-24 months is counted as an infant passenger. The age is calculated based on the flight date, not the ticket purchase date. For borderline ages, check the departure and return flights separately.

Can you board a flight with a newborn baby?

At Pegasus, during the first 48 hours after birth, the infant and mother are not accepted on a flight, even with a doctor's report. From the end of the first 48 hours until the end of the first 7 days, a written doctor's report stating there is no obstacle is recommended. Check the current rule for other airlines.

Is a separate seat given for the infant?

At Pegasus, infant passengers are not given a separate seat. The infant travels in the same seat as the accompanying passenger. Passengers traveling with an infant cannot sit in emergency exit seats.

What is the infant's baggage allowance?

At Pegasus, the checked baggage allowance for an infant passenger under 2 years old is 10 kg. Infant passengers have no cabin baggage allowance, and cabin baggage is not sold separately for infant passengers.

Can I take the stroller onto the plane?

The stroller and carry cot are placed in the aircraft's cargo section during check-in. To have the stroller brought to the aircraft door, you can request the "Delivery at the aircraft" tag. This service may not be offered at some airports.

Is baby food provided on the plane?

There is no baby food on the in-flight menu. Baby food from Pegasus Cafe must be added when purchasing the ticket or during check-in 24 hours before the flight. To avoid missing this window, it's safest to add the baby food when purchasing the ticket.

Sources

• General Rules — flypgs.com
• Frequently Asked Questions — flypgs.com
• Travel Information for Infant and Child Passengers — flypgs.com
• List of Special Service and Equipment Carriage Fees on the Aircraft — flypgs.com
• Infant Passenger on the Plane: Flying with a Baby — flypgs.com