Top 6 European airlines for family-friendly travel
Planning a family trip in 2026? Discover the top European airlines for families. Learn which carriers have the best onboard comfort and seating policies.
It’s safe to say that travelling as a family can be both fun and stressful. The flights may feel more like a means to an end, but when you choose your European airline wisely, your journey will be easier.
AirAdvisor’s list of the most family-friendly European airlines is based on onboard comfort for kids, baggage policies, and seating programmes. We’ll learn once and for all which European airlines have the better family reputation.
Key findings
- Of the European airline choices, British Airways, Finnair, SAS, KLM, Air France, and LOT Polish Airlines are the 6 most family-friendly.
- These top airlines all offer:
- Bassinets on request
- Kid-friendly meals – either included or for purchase
- In-flight entertainment systems
- A guarantee to sit next to your child without paying for seat selection
- All the European airlines we reviewed (not just the top 6) allow free pushchair/stroller check-in at boarding.
- Low-cost airlines, like Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air, are more challenging to fly with as a family. They don’t offer kids’ meals and rarely have onboard entertainment options.
Methodology
Our methodology takes into account what we think will make your family journey more manageable.
- Family seating policy – Airlines that guarantee every child will be seated next to an accompanying adult get the maximum points. Airlines that guarantee children will sit in the same or adjacent row or within arm’s reach get average points, and airlines without any kind of guarantee get no points.
- Free pram check-in – All airlines get top points in this category, because they allow you to check in a pram free, although in rare cases, it counts as one of your checked bags.
- Kid-centric meals – Top points given to airlines that offer kids’ meals, either on board or through pre-order. Airlines without a menu specific to children get zero points.
- In-flight entertainment – Airlines with some form of in-flight entertainment, whether on the seatbacks or a network you can access on your own device, get top points. Those without get zero.
The best European airlines for family travel
Based on our research, these 6 airlines are the ideal choices for your next family trip. They meet or exceed each of our metrics. So, here they are in no particular order:
British Airways
 Family seating policy | Children under 12 are always seated with an accompanying adult. |
| Free pram check-in | Basinettes/carry cots are available on long-haul flights. |
| Kids’ meals | Pre-order a snack box on short-haul flights (at your cost), or choose from a selection of kids' meals on long-haul flights. |
| In-flight entertainment | Seatback screens are standard, and some long-haul flights offer BA’s extended entertainment called High Life Stream, available on your own device. |
Finnair
| Family seating policy | The Finnair seat allocation system will automatically seat your child *under 12) next to at least one accompanying adult. |
| Free pram check-in | Checking in a pram is free and doesn’t affect your baggage allowance. |
| Kids’ meals | Easily pre-order children’s meals on long-haul flights. |
| In-flight entertainment | Finnair’s in-flight entertainment system includes programming specifically for kids. |
| Bassinets are available on most long-haul routes; simply reserve a seat that has the bassinet icon. In this case, you do need to pay for your seat selection. |
SAS
| Family seating policy | Any child under 12 travelling with SAS is automatically seated next to at least one adult from your booking. |
| Free pram check-in | Checking in a stroller and safety seat is free and doesn’t impact your regular baggage allowance. |
| Kids’ meals | Kids’ meals can be ordered on SAS flights to and from North America and Asia. |
| In-flight entertainment | In-flight entertainment includes a good selection of kids' movies and series. |
| Families can make an advanced request for a bassinet on SAS flights outside of Europe (long-haul). |
KLM
| Family seating policy | Any child under 12 will automatically be seated next to an adult in the same booking. |
| Free pram check-in | Checking in your stroller doesn’t cost anything or affect your baggage allowance. |
| Kids’ meals | Pre-order a Bluey’s meal box at least 24 hours before your flight that includes food guaranteed to appeal to kids, like a mini burger and fries. |
| In-flight entertainment | KLM has a large selection of kids' movies that will appeal to infants and children up to 12. |
| To reserve a bassinet, simply contact KLM ahead of time (the more notice, the better). |
Air France
| Family seating policy | Air France will reserve seats together for families with kids under 12 for free 2 days before departure. In most cases, the entire family can sit together – not just the child and one accompanying adult. |
| Free pram check-in | Carry one stroller and one car seat free of charge in addition to the standard checked bag allowances. |
| Kids’ meals | Pre-order meals easily for kids aged 2 to 8. |
| In-flight entertainment | For in-flight entertainment, there’s an enviable selection of kids’ movies, and Air France has partnered with Apple TV, so you can stream free of charge on your own device, too. |
| Air France offers bassinets and changing tables, subject to availability, and baby comforters on long-haul flights. |
LOT Polish Airlines
| Family seating policy | LOT will attempt to seat the whole family together, but if that’s not possible, the airline guarantees that kids under 12 will be seated next to at least one adult. |
| Free pram check-in | LOT offers free stroller and car seat check-in without sacrificing other checked baggage. |
| Kids’ meals | You can special-order kids' meals for long-haul flights, and on short-haul international ones, you can purchase a kid's lunch box. Aside from the kid-friendly food, you also get to keep the lunchbox. |
| In-flight entertainment | LOT’s in-flight entertainment specifically for kids will help to keep them distracted. |
| Parents can pre-book a bassinet, although the service is only available on the Boeing 787 "Dreamliner" aircraft. |
What other European airlines offer family travel perks?
Eurowings
Although Eurowings didn’t meet all our criteria for which airline has the better family reputation, the carrier still offers some notable family upgrades:
- Free downloadable content like colouring pages and podcasts
- The option to download a boarding pass for a child's toy
Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines also caters well to family travel:
- Great content dedicated to kids’ entertainment
- Free eco-friendly toys
- A kids’ travel kit
ITA Airways
ITA is another good option for family travel. The only downside is that the family seating policy only guarantees you’ll be close to the child, not next to them:
- If it’s your child’s first time flying, they can get an “official” first-time flyer certificate.
- The in-flight entertainment is varied with interactive games, podcasts, and kid-friendly programmes.
Flying with kids starts with choosing the right European airline
Which airline makes family travel easier overall will depend on your destination, budget, and children's ages. While onboard entertainment, reliable seating policies, and kid-friendly meals and streaming content can make a big difference, a smooth family trip often comes down to planning:
Let younger children burn off energy before boarding by walking around the terminal.- Pack a complete change of clothes for children (and yourself) in your carry-on.
- Just in case, download movies, games, and shows before leaving home.
- Bring a few small surprises or new activities to keep kids engaged or distracted.
- If you’re worried about sitting together as a family, spend the money to reserve seats.
The bottom line is that you can’t really go wrong with any of our top 6 European airlines. Book and do some planning, and your trip will run smoothly, or at least as smoothly as it ever can with kids.
FAQs
Do children need their own airline ticket?
Yes. Most airlines require every child aged 2 and above to have a ticket. Infants under two years old can often travel on an adult's lap for a reduced fare.
Which European airlines are the most family-unfriendly?
In general, discount airlines won’t have the perks of national carriers. In-flight entertainment is more limited, there are no kids’ meals, and the family seating policies are nonexistent or only guarantee you’ll be seated close (not beside) your child.
What are the biggest mistakes families make when flying?
Common mistakes include overpacking carry-ons, booking very short connections, forgetting snacks and entertainment, and assuming everyone will automatically be seated together. While none of these issues are guaranteed to ruin a trip, they can add unnecessary stress to an already stressful travel day.
Author:
Amy Lancelotte
Job/Position: Senior Writer & Content Strategist
Amy Lancelotte is a Senior Content Writer and editorial contributor at AirAdvisor with over seven years of experience producing research-based articles for international audiences. Her work focuses on travel, aviation, and air passenger rights, with an emphasis on factual accuracy, verified data, and clear, reader-first explanations.
