emirates kids travel guide 2026 | child visa, policies & family services

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

16-Sep-2025 0 0

Traveling with children can feel overwhelming, but Emirates Airlines makes the journey smoother for parents and kids alike. As the largest airline in the Middle East and the flag carrier of the UAE, Emirates offers family-friendly policies, inflight services, and facilities designed for comfort. This guide explains everything you need to know about Emirates kids travel policies, from ticketing rules to baggage allowances, inflight meals, and the Emirates child visa process.

Emirates Kids Travel Policies by Age

Infants (0–2 Years)

  • Tickets: Discounted infant fares are available for babies traveling on a parent’s lap or in a bassinet.

  • Bassinet Requests: You can request a bassinet during online booking in the Passenger Details section.

  • Travel Restrictions: Babies under seven days old may only fly in cases of emergency medical travel (with incubators) or for compassionate reasons.

Children (2–11 Years)

  • Tickets: Discounted child fares apply for children with their own seat.

  • Age Changes During Travel:

    • If a baby turns two after the start of travel, part of the journey will be charged at child fare.

    • If the child is already two years old at departure, child fare applies to the entire journey.

  • Booking Rules: When a child travels as an infant on the outbound trip but as a child on return, booking must be made through an Emirates office (not online).

  • Seat Assignment: Children turning two during travel will have a separate seat reserved for the remainder of the trip.

Inflight Services for Children

Emirates ensures a stress-free journey with multiple family-friendly services:

  • Priority Boarding for families with young children.

  • Complimentary Strollers at Dubai International Airport (single and twin strollers available).

  • Baby Essentials Onboard:

    • Pillows and blankets

    • Changing tables in restrooms

    • Large overhead storage spaces

Bassinets on Emirates Flights

  • Standard size: 74.9 cm × 33 cm × 16.5 cm (29.5 in × 13 in × 6.5 in)

  • Weight limit: 11 kg (24 lbs)

  • First Class custom bassinets: 63.5 cm × 28 cm (25 in × 11 in)

  • Note: Bassinets are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and must be reserved in advance.

Baggage & Equipment Allowances for Kids

Strollers & Carrycots

  • Fully collapsible strollers or carrycots are allowed as carry-on (if cabin space is available) or as checked baggage at no extra cost.

Checked Baggage

  • Infant baggage allowance depends on the Weight Concept or Piece Concept, based on your route. Confirm in advance with Emirates.

Cabin Baggage

  • Parents traveling with infants in any class are allowed one carry-on bag (up to 5 kg / 11 lbs) containing baby food and essentials.

Child Car Seats on Emirates Flights

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

  • Car seats must:

    • Be forward-facing only.

    • Secure using a lap belt (not a shoulder harness).

  • Car seats are permitted during all phases of flight, including takeoff and landing.

  • Airport staff will verify suitability of the seat at check-in.

Emirates Children’s Meals

Meal times are a highlight for kids on Emirates flights:

  • Special Kids’ Meals: Available for children aged 2–12. These feature nutritious, child-friendly recipes.

  • Dietary Needs: Parents can request special meals (vegetarian, allergen-free, etc.) during booking or via Manage Your Booking.

  • Baby Feeding Assistance: Cabin crew can warm bottles or baby food. Formula milk and bottles are available on request.

Emirates Child Visa Information 2026

What is an Emirates Child Visa?

There is no separate “child visa” for the UAE. Children require the same Emirates visa as adults, with details printed on an A4 visa sheet.

Information on an Emirates Child Visa

The visa document includes:

  • Visa category (validity and number of entries)

  • Visa ID number and unique code

  • Child’s full name

  • Date and place of birth

  • Passport details

Note: Parents must apply for their child’s visa before travel. Applications can be submitted through trusted portals like Emirates Visa Online.

Tips for Parents Traveling with Kids on Emirates

  • Book bassinet or child meals in advance.

  • Use complimentary strollers at Dubai International Airport.

  • Pack essentials (diapers, snacks, entertainment) in your infant allowance bag.

  • Double-check visa approval status for your child before flying (Check Emirates Visa Status).

Frequently Asked Questions

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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, 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.

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. 

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. 

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