Travelling with Infants from India in 2026: Flight Tickets, Bassinet, Strollers, Documents
By Ritu Bhalla (Ritu Bhalla writes for Indian parents travelling with children — infants to teens — covering flight logistics, jet lag, baggage, pet travel and family-friendly destinations.) · Published · 12 min read
Travelling with infants under 2 from India — infant ticket math, bassinet booking, stroller rules, infant passport, vaccination, packing list, airline-by-airline policies.
Who counts as an infant — the airline definition
Airlines define an "infant" as a child under 2 years (24 months) at the time of return travel. The day they turn 2, they must have their own seat at child fare. This catches many Indian families out — if your child is 23 months on departure but 24 months on return, the return leg requires a child ticket, not an infant ticket. Always calculate based on the latest travel date.
Children 2-11 are "children" (separate seat, ~75-90% of adult fare on most airlines). 12+ years pay full adult fare.
Infant ticket pricing across major airlines
For international flights from India, infant on lap (not a separate seat) costs roughly:
- IndiGo: ₹2,000-3,500 + applicable taxes per international leg
- Air India: 10% of the adult fare (so roughly ₹3,000-8,000 for short-haul, ₹6,000-15,000 for long-haul international)
- Emirates / Etihad / Qatar: 10% of adult fare, typically ₹4,000-10,000 short-haul, ₹8,000-25,000 long-haul
- Singapore Airlines / Cathay Pacific: 10% of adult fare
- British Airways / Lufthansa / Air France: 10% of adult fare
If you want a separate seat for the infant (some long-haul flights), you pay the child fare (~75% of adult). This is rare for international Indian flights — most parents keep infant on lap and use bassinets for sleep.
Bassinet booking — the critical step
Bassinets are removable cribs that mount to the bulkhead wall (front row of each cabin section). They support infants up to roughly 10 kg or 70 cm length — typically up to 8-10 months old.
Booking rules:
- Bassinet seats are limited (usually 4-6 per cabin section on long-haul aircraft)
- Cannot be guaranteed at booking — usually allocated on first-come basis 48 hours before departure when online check-in opens
- Some airlines (Emirates, Singapore, Qatar) accept advance bassinet requests via "Special Service Request" — call the airline 1-2 weeks ahead
- Emirates/Etihad accept pre-booking via website (Manage Booking → Add Bassinet)
- Indian carriers (Air India): call Air India contact centre 7+ days before departure
If multiple infants want the same bassinet, airlines prioritise: youngest first, then booking date. Strategy: book early, request bassinet via SSR call 2 weeks ahead, web check-in EXACTLY at T-48 hours.
Infant passport from India
Indian infants need their own passport — they cannot travel on a parent's passport (this changed years ago). Application:
- Apply at any Passport Seva Kendra: through passportindia.gov.in
- Required documents: birth certificate, both parents' passports + Aadhaar, address proof, infant's photograph (35×35mm, white background — most studios know "minor passport size")
- Both parents must accompany the infant on the day of appointment for biometric registration (or one parent + a notarised consent letter from the absent parent)
- Fee: ₹1,000 for normal (10-day processing) or ₹2,000 for Tatkal (1-3 day processing)
- Validity: 5 years (until child turns 6 — then re-issuance required as appearance changes)
OCI card for NRI-born infants requires separate application. Apply at passportindia.gov.in or your nearest Indian consulate abroad.
Visa requirements for infants
Most countries require visas for infants the same as adults — same documents, same fees, same process. Schengen, US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, China all require infant visas.
- Schengen for infants: full €90 visa fee + same documents as adults. Photo must be infant alone (no parent in frame). Submit at VFS with both parents present.
- US B1/B2 for infants: same $185 MRV fee. Interview waiver typically available for infants under 14 (parents attend without infant).
- UK Standard Visitor for infants: same £127 fee, same documents.
- UAE visa-on-arrival: infants get free entry but still need a passport stamp.
- Visa-free / VOA destinations (Thailand, Indonesia, Mauritius, Maldives, Sri Lanka): infants get same visa-free entry as parents.
If one parent is travelling alone with the infant, some countries (US, Canada, Australia, Schengen) ask for a notarised "consent letter" from the non-travelling parent. Always carry one when single-parent traveling internationally.
Vaccinations + medical clearance
Most pediatricians recommend at least 6-8 weeks before international travel for infants. Key considerations:
- Routine vaccinations should be on schedule: at minimum, ensure BCG, OPV, DPT, Hep B, and the 9-month MMR shot are done before international travel
- Yellow fever requirement: Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, Nigeria) and parts of South America require Yellow Fever vaccination for any traveller over 9 months. Yellow fever vaccine for infants under 9 months is contraindicated — these destinations should wait until your child is older.
- Malaria zones: prophylaxis for infants is complex; consult a paediatric travel medicine specialist. Many parents avoid malaria zones with infants entirely.
- Altitude (Ladakh, Bhutan, Cusco): most paediatricians recommend NOT taking infants under 12 months above 2500m. Acute altitude sickness in infants is hard to diagnose and dangerous.
- Long-haul flights under 7 days old: most airlines require a "fit-to-fly" letter from your paediatrician.
What to pack for infant international travel
Carry-on essentials (a separate diaper bag is allowed by most airlines in addition to your cabin baggage):
- Diapers — 2x what you think you'll need (delays happen). For a 10-hour flight, pack 8-10 diapers minimum.
- Wet wipes (2 packs, one fragrance-free)
- Diaper rash cream
- Changes of clothes — 3 full outfits + bibs
- Formula / breast milk (breast milk is exempt from 100ml liquid rule — declare at security)
- Bottles, sterilizing tablets, bottle warmer (most airlines warm bottles on request)
- Pacifier (2x — one will get lost)
- Light blanket + small comfort toy
- Infant paracetamol (Calpol) + thermometer
- Hand sanitizer, surface wipes
- Plastic bags for soiled items
Check-in: stroller + car seat fly free for infants (in addition to your baggage allowance) on almost all airlines. Use compact umbrella-style strollers for ease.
In-flight tips that genuinely help
- Feed during take-off and landing: bottle, breast, or pacifier — sucking equalises ear pressure
- Book bulkhead row even without bassinet: more floor space for the infant to roll/play
- Avoid red-eyes if you can: counterintuitive but daytime flights are usually easier with infants — they sleep less but are less cranky than disrupted-night-sleep infants
- Pre-board if offered: many airlines pre-board families. Take it — gives extra time to settle and store bags.
- Skip the kids' meal for infants: airlines serve infant food (jars) on request if pre-booked, but most parents prefer bringing pouches/snacks of brands they know
Frequently asked questions
Do infants need a separate seat on international flights?
Infants under 2 typically travel on a parent's lap with an infant fare (~10% of adult fare). For long flights, you can book a separate child-fare seat for the infant to use a car seat — but this is rare for Indian travellers. Most parents keep infant on lap and use bassinets for sleep.
How early should I apply for an infant passport in India?
Apply at least 2 months before international travel. Tatkal processing takes 1-3 working days; normal takes 10-15 days. Both parents must accompany the infant to the Passport Seva Kendra for biometric registration.
Are bassinets free on international flights?
Yes — bassinets are free on all major airlines (Emirates, Singapore, Qatar, Etihad, Air India, IndiGo). The challenge is availability — only 4-6 bassinets per cabin section. Request via SSR call 2 weeks ahead, then confirm during web check-in at T-48 hours.
Can I take baby formula and breast milk through airport security?
Yes — both are exempt from the 100ml liquid rule on international flights. Declare them at security; they may be screened separately. Quantities should be 'reasonable for the flight duration'. Indian airport security (CISF) follows the same global protocol — no issues if you declare.
Do I need a consent letter when travelling alone with my infant?
Strongly recommended for international travel — many countries (US, Canada, Australia, UK, Schengen) accept it, and some immigration officers ask for it. A notarised letter from the non-travelling parent stating consent for the trip, including dates and destinations. Carry the original and a photocopy.
What if my infant gets sick during the flight?
Notify cabin crew immediately — they have basic medical kits including paracetamol, oral rehydration salts, and can request a doctor onboard via PA announcement. For serious illness, the captain can divert to the nearest airport. Always carry Calpol, ORS, and your paediatrician's emergency number on your phone.