Long Flights with Children: A Preparation Guide

Long flights with children can go smoothly if seating, feeding and documents are prepared in advance; how it goes largely depends on the airline's rules. At THY, children aged 2 and over sit in their own seat, while at Pegasus infants aged 0-24 months are not given a separate seat. Below you'll find the differences, common mistakes and the steps to follow.

In brief

• At THY, children aged 2 and over need their own seat; at Pegasus, infants are not given a separate seat.
• Bassinets should be requested at the time of booking, and baby food up to 24 hours before the flight.
• Every infant and child must have their own passport.
• Feed the baby during takeoff and landing; baby food containers in the cabin must comply with the 100 ml limit.
• For newborns, check the airline's age and medical report requirements before booking the ticket.

The core rule: own seat, own passport

On a long flight, the child's age determines where they sit and which services you can get. At THY, passengers aged 2 and over travel in their own seat. They cannot travel on a parent's or accompanying adult's lap. That's why getting a separate seat for the child when buying the ticket is the first and most important decision of the flight.

The document side is also clear: at THY, infant and child passengers must have their own passport. Check the passport and the entry requirements of the destination country well before the flight. To gather document, ticket, insurance and baggage preparation in one place, you can check the checklist for international travel.

Plan ahead for the long flight. Choose a departure time that matches the child's sleep schedule, decide on aisle or window preference beforehand, and bring along things to keep the child occupied. These are editorial suggestions; the seat and passport rules, however, are binding.

Differences by airline: THY and Pegasus

Rules vary from airline to airline. Before buying your ticket, assess the child's age based on the flight date.

THY

• Passengers aged 2 and over travel in their own seat.
• Infants and children must have their own passport.
• Use of a seat extender is not permitted. Don't rely on combining multiple seats so the child can lie down.

Pegasus

• Those aged 0-24 months on the flight date are considered infant passengers.
• No separate seat is allocated for the infant.
• One adult may accompany only one infant. If you're planning to travel with two infants and a single adult, this rule directly affects you.

If you're using another airline, check the age limits and equipment and meal rules from the airline's current policy. If you're comparing two airlines for the same route, consider these differences before the ticket price.

Bassinet, car seat and stroller

For long flights with a baby under 2, choosing the right equipment determines comfort.

Bassinet: Free at THY and must be requested at the time of booking. It measures 75x34 cm when open. It is attached to the bulkhead on aircraft types with a fixed class partition. So bassinet use is not possible at every seat row; it's important to submit the request early.

Car-type baby seat: At THY, for babies under 2, it must be at most 40x40 cm and must remain secured to the seat throughout the flight. You need to attach a seat you've purchased yourself; check the dimensions at home.

Stroller: Carried in the aircraft's cargo hold at THY. You can bring the stroller to the aircraft door and hand it over to staff during boarding. This reduces the burden of carrying the baby through the terminal on connecting flights; still, ask staff where the stroller will be handed over when making a connection.

Take a photo of the stroller in case it gets damaged. If damage occurs, you can follow the steps for compensation for baggage damage.

Feeding, baby food and cabin pressure

On a long flight, feeding routine is the issue that most affects the child's comfort.

At THY, baby food (BBML) for infants under 2 is provided in a glass jar. It can be requested up to 24 hours before the flight; it's safer not to leave it to the last minute. Liquid or solid baby food can be brought into the cabin in containers up to 100 ml. Keep the baby food on top of your bag during the security check, so it's easy to show separately.

At Pegasus, cabin crew can help if the baby food needs warming. Since cabin pressure during takeoff and landing can affect the baby, it is recommended to feed the baby at these times. Sucking or swallowing helps balance the pressure in the ears. Have a bottle or pacifier ready.

For older children, don't shift meal times according to the flight schedule. Bring snacks they're familiar with and that are easy to eat; don't wait for in-flight service. Inform the airline in advance about any allergies.

Exceptions and common mistakes

On long flights, problems mostly arise from not knowing the rules.

Very young infants

THY does not accept infants younger than 48 hours after birth. For infants aged 2 to 7 days, a doctor's report stating «there is no objection to air travel» is required. Pegasus also does not accept infants within the first 48 hours even with a doctor's report; those aged 48 hours to 7 days are accepted with a report confirming fitness to travel.

Common mistakes

• Not calculating age based on the flight date. For a child who crosses the age limit between the outbound and return dates, the seating situation may change; ask the airline.
• Leaving the bassinet and baby food request to the last minute. The bassinet is requested at booking, the food before the flight.
• Planning to make a bed using a seat extender. This is not permitted at THY.
• Forgetting the child's passport. Everyone, including infants, needs their own passport.
• Assuming a single adult can carry more than one infant. At Pegasus, one adult may accompany only one infant.

Step by step: before the flight, during the flight, after landing

Before booking

1. Calculate the child's age on the flight date and read the airline's age rules.
2. Check the validity of the child's passport and the entry requirements of the destination country. If you're considering group travel, you can check out international tours and compare programs suitable for families with children.
3. Choose a departure time that matches the sleep schedule if possible.

After booking

1. Inform the airline about the bassinet, baby food and any special needs.
2. If you'll use a car seat, verify its dimensions.
3. For very young infants, prepare the doctor's report if needed.

On the day of the flight

1. Bring the stroller to the gate and hand it over during boarding.
2. Pack baby food, spare clothes, diapers, wet wipes and toys in your carry-on.
3. Feed the baby during takeoff and landing.

After landing

Check the stroller and baggage. If there's damage, have a report drawn up at the airport. Keep the child's sleep schedule flexible on the first day.

Checklist before you set off

Check off these items one by one before departure.

• Child's own passport ready and valid.
• Separate seat booked for children aged 2 and over (THY).
• Bassinet requested at booking; seat row availability confirmed.
• Car-type baby seat does not exceed 40x40 cm (THY, under 2).
• Baby food (BBML) requested at least 24 hours before the flight.
• Baby food containers in carry-on comply with the 100 ml limit.
• Required doctor's report obtained for newborns.
• Confirmed where the stroller will be handed over during boarding.
• Spare clothes, diapers, a blanket and a favorite toy in the carry-on.
• Bottle, pacifier or snacks for takeoff and landing within easy reach.
• Airline's current rules reread before buying the ticket and before the flight.

Keep this list alongside your ticket and document check; for detailed document preparation, you can use the checklist page.

Frequently asked questions

Can a child travel on a lap during a long flight?

At THY, passengers aged 2 and over travel in their own seat and cannot travel on a lap. At Pegasus, infants aged 0-24 months are not given a separate seat. For another airline, check the current rules.

Is the bassinet on the plane paid, and how is it requested?

At THY, the bassinet is free and must be requested at the time of booking. It measures 75x34 cm when open. It is attached to the bulkhead on aircraft types with a fixed class partition.

Can baby food be brought onto the plane?

At THY, liquid or solid baby food can be brought into the cabin in containers up to 100 ml. At Pegasus, cabin crew can help if the food needs warming. You may need to show the food separately during the security check.

How many days old can a baby be to fly?

THY does not accept infants younger than 48 hours after birth. For infants aged 2 to 7 days, a doctor's report stating there is no objection to air travel is required. Pegasus also does not accept infants within the first 48 hours even with a report.

Is a stroller allowed on the plane?

At THY, strollers are carried in the aircraft's cargo hold. You can bring the stroller to the aircraft door and hand it over to staff during boarding. On connecting flights, ask staff where it will be handed over.

What should be done during takeoff and landing for a baby's ear pressure?

Pegasus states that cabin pressure during takeoff and landing can affect the baby and recommends feeding the baby at these times. For older children, drinking water or swallowing can help. Keep the bottle, pacifier or snack within easy reach.

Sources

• Rules for Air Travel with Child Passengers — turkishairlines.com
• Flight Information for Passengers with Infants — turkishairlines.com
• Our infant and child passengers are always our priority! — turkishairlines.com
• Special Dining Service — turkishairlines.com
• Travel Information for Infant and Child Passengers — flypgs.com
• Infant Passengers on the Plane: Flying with a Baby — flypgs.com