emirates kids travel guide 2026 | child policy & baggage

Emirates Kids Travel Guide 2026: Policies, Services & Emirates Child Visa Rules

29-Dec-2025 0 Comments 0 Views

Traveling with children doesn’t have to be stressful—especially when flying with Emirates Airlines, one of the world’s most family-friendly carriers. As the flagship airline of the UAE, Emirates offers well-defined kids travel policies, onboard services for infants and children, generous baggage allowances, and clear guidance on Emirates child visa requirements.

This kids travel guide covers everything parents need to know before flying with kids on Emirates in 2026—from age-based ticket rules and bassinets to meals, car seats, baggage, and UAE visa requirements for children.

Emirates Kids Travel Policy Explained (By Age Group)

Emirates Airlines classifies children based on age, and each category has specific travel rules and benefits.

Infants (0–2 Years)

Infants can travel comfortably with Emirates under the following conditions:

  • Ticketing: Discounted infant fares apply when the baby travels on a parent’s lap or in a bassinet

  • Bassinet Availability: Can be requested during online booking under Passenger Details

  • Age Restrictions:

    • Babies under 7 days old may only travel for emergency medical or compassionate reasons

    • Medical documentation may be required in special cases

Emirates bassinets are subject to availability and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Children (2–11 Years)

Children aged 2 to 11 years must have their own seat and travel on a child fare.

Important booking rules:

  • If a child turns two during the trip, part of the journey may be charged at child fare

  • If the child is already two at departure, the entire journey is charged at child fare

  • Mixed infant/child return journeys must be booked through an Emirates ticket office (not online)

  • Children turning two during travel will have a seat reserved for the remainder of the journey

Infant vs Child Travel Rules on Emirates

Feature Infants (0–2 Years) Children (2–11 Years)
Seat Required ❌ Optional ✅ Mandatory
Fare Type Infant fare Child fare
Bassinet Eligibility ✅ Yes ❌ No
Kids Meal ❌ Baby food ✅ Kids meal
Baggage Allowance Infant allowance Standard child allowance

Inflight Services for Kids on Emirates

Emirates is widely known for offering premium onboard services tailored to families.

Family-Friendly Benefits

  • Priority boarding for families with young children

  • Complimentary strollers at Dubai International Airport (single & twin options)

  • Changing tables in aircraft restrooms

  • Child-friendly cabin crew assistance

Emirates Bassinet Details by Cabin Class

Cabin Class Bassinet Size Weight Limit Availability
Economy / Business 74.9 × 33 × 16.5 cm Up to 11 kg Limited
First Class 63.5 × 28 cm Up to 11 kg Limited
All Classes First-come, first-served

Bassinets must be requested in advance and are subject to aircraft type and availability.

Emirates Baggage Allowance for Infants & Children

Strollers & Carrycots

  • Fully collapsible strollers or carrycots are accepted

  • Allowed as cabin baggage (if space permits) or checked baggage free of charge

Infant Checked Baggage

Baggage allowance depends on:

  • Weight Concept (most routes)

  • Piece Concept (USA & Canada routes)

Always confirm your route-specific allowance before departure.

Cabin Baggage for Parents

Passengers traveling with infants may carry:

  • One cabin bag up to 5 kg

  • Baby food, formula, bottles, and essential items

Child Car Seats on Emirates Flights

Children aged 6 months to 3 years may travel in approved car seats.

Car seat requirements:

  • Must be forward-facing

  • Secured using a lap belt only

  • Approved for use during takeoff, landing, and turbulence

  • Checked by airport staff at check-in

Emirates Children’s Meals (Kids Meal Guide)

Emirates provides nutritious and child-friendly meals onboard.

Kids’ Meals (Ages 2–12)

  • Designed for young taste preferences

  • Balanced, healthy, and visually appealing

Special Dietary Meals

  • Vegetarian

  • Allergen-free

  • Medical or cultural dietary needs

Requests must be made during booking or via Manage Your Booking.

Baby Feeding Support

  • Cabin crew can warm bottles or baby food

  • Formula milk and baby bottles available on request

Emirates Child Visa Information (UAE Visa for Children)

Is There a Separate Emirates Child Visa?

No. The UAE does not issue a separate child visa. Children require the same Emirates visa type as adults.

What Does an Emirates Child Visa Include?

The visa document contains:

  • Visa type and validity

  • Visa number & unique reference code

  • Child’s full name

  • Date & place of birth

  • Passport details

Parents must apply for their child’s visa before travel. Applications can be completed online through authorized platforms such as Emirates Visa Online.

Tips for Parents Flying with Kids on Emirates

  • Reserve bassinets and kids’ meals early

  • Carry printed and digital copies of your child’s UAE visa

  • Use complimentary airport strollers in Dubai

  • Pack diapers, snacks, and entertainment in your infant cabin bag

  • Always check your child’s visa approval status before departure

Final Thoughts: Is Emirates Good for Traveling with Kids?

Yes—Emirates Airlines is one of the best choices for family travel in 2026. With clear kids travel policies, excellent inflight services, generous baggage rules, and structured UAE visa requirements for children, parents can enjoy a smooth and stress-free journey.

By planning ahead and understanding Emirates’ child travel rules, your family trip can start comfortably from the moment you board the aircraft.

Travel smarter with Emirates—plan your child’s journey with confidence.

  • Emirates child visa
  • Emirates kids travel policy
  • Emirates infant ticket rules
  • Emirates bassinet size
  • Emirates children meals
  • Emirates infant baggage allowance
  • Apply Emirates visa online
  • Emirates visa for children 2026
  • Emirates family travel guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, according to the RTA all taxi drivers must provide child seats to their passengers in UAE if required. Children under 4 years of age must use child seats while traveling with parents in taxis or other private cars. You may need to pay around Dh400 if you are traveling without children seat with kids.

You can take your kid to the louver museum in the United Arab Emirates. Louvre museum is the center of attraction which is located at Saadiyat Island in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. If you are in Dubai then you can travel to Kidzania with your kids. Kidzania Dubai is an educational place where the kids can play numerous roles. Kids can play the role of doctor, camera person, learn about the media industry, about entertainment, and can get information about many other things in Kidzania. Visit them park IMG world of adventure in Dubai with kids. Take your kids for a penguin show and snowboarding adventure in SkiDubai snow park. You can enjoy a virtual ski experience in SkiDubai. Ferrari World situated in Dubai is one of the largest theme parks in the world. You can enjoy rides and adventure influenced by Ferrari and you can eat Italian cuisine. Visit Bollywood-themed park, underwater zoo, Dubai Mall, Legoland Dubai, Dubai garden glow, and Aquaventure waterpark. 

Yes, kids traveling with parents who are restricted to getting an Emirates visa to enter the United Arab Emirates have to apply for a kid's visa too. Kids can not apply for an Emirates visa all by themselves. Parents or guardians need to submit the necessary documents for their kid's visas to visit UAE. Parents have to submit the birth certificate of their kid and passport of their kid after completing the Emirates visa application. The charges for Emirates visas for small children are the same as the adult. Parents can apply for children Emirates visas at the Emirates visa online by only following certain easy steps.

No, you can hold hands, hug your kids and kiss your kids in the United Arab Emirates. Kissing and hugging are not allowed between two adults in public places in UAE.

You can buy trendy clothes, sports shoes, toys, and games for your children in the United Arab Emirates. You can buy a lot of camel milk chocolate for your kids in UAE. 

Kids are allowed to wear shorts and other small dresses according to their choice in Dubai. Children who have attained puberty should dress properly in Dubai. 

Dubai is a safe country for families and small children. Families visiting with kids in the United Arab Emirates have plenty of options other than desert safari or participating in extreme outdoor sports activities. Families with kids can visit the popular and beautiful beaches in the United Arab Emirates for fun and enjoyment. Zoo, underwater zoo, high skyscrapers, Burj Khalifa, park, shopping mall, etc are some of the places one can visit in UAE with small kids. 

Foreign nationals who are above 18 or 12 years of age do have to maintain eligibility criteria to enter the United Arab Emirates. Kids traveling to the United Arab Emirates have to fulfill some basic entry requirements. Kids do not have to show negative RT PCR results to enter the United Arab Emirates they are exempted from it. Children who are above 12 years of age can not enter without negative RT PCR test results. 

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