For most parents the flight is the most nerve wrecking part of traveling with kids. You're worried your baby will cry the entire flight or you're toddler will act up and all the passengers will be giving you death stares. Believe it or not the airline you fly can make a big difference in your experience especially when flying long haul.
It's no secret US Airlines aren't the most catering to parents and I've always preferred to fly International Airlines when possible. We recently flew Qatar Airways to Thailand and WOW, l definitely plan on booking with them for as many of our future flights as possible. Here's why: Child Airfare Qatar Airways like most International Airlines provides a discount on airfare for children aged 2-11 years old. The discount ranges from 10%-50% off the adult fare but varies by route. Lap Infant Luggage Each lap infant is allowed to check a car seat or stroller free of charge. In addition you are allowed one carry-on up to10kg (22lb) or 50x37x25cm (20x15x10in). At The Airport Strollers Like most airlines you can check this item free of charge even if traveling with an lap infant. However Qatar Airways goes above and beyond by providing loaner strollers to parents free of charge to get through the airport whether you checked one or not! Entertainment Getting to the airport with plenty of time to spare or have a long layover? Qatar Airways has play areas in their terminal at the airport to help pass the time for your little ones. At their hub in Doha they have full on activity nodes which include a small play area, tv area, and computers equipped with free internet. At their hub they also have family restrooms and parents rooms that are equipped with bottle warmers and changing tables.
Doha Airport
Singapore Airport
Priority Boarding Believe it or not a lot of airlines (READ US airlines) no longer offer priority boarding for families. Although I don't always recommend boarding early with kids (especially toddlers) there are reasons to and it's nice that they still offer this option. For more information on what amenities Qatar Airways provides at airports for those traveling with kids click here. In Flight Infants Talk about above and beyond! Each infant gets a small toy, diaper bag (2 diapers, 4 wipes, baby lotion, and baby powder), baby meal, and toys. I have never been on an airline that provides this much for an unpaid lap child. The diapers would have definitely came in handy that one time I lost Jordyn's back pack that had her wipes in it before a flight that I of course didn't realize until we were in flight.
I remember my first long haul flight with Jordyn on Delta Airlines and when they served our meal I asked for something for her to eat and the flight attendant rudely told me they don't give meals to lap infants. She was 15 months and I understand I didn't pay full price (you pay 10% of the adult fare for international flights) but it was a 9hr flight and even a snack would have been nice. The designated baby meal on Qatar Airways is pureed jarred food but when the flight attendants served our meals they always asked if I wanted something extra for Kennedy, a yogurt, croissant, etc. It wasn't a full meal but at 11 months she doesn't eat that much anyway. They also provide some toys for the infants on flight. Each flight has something else but here are the three toys we were offered on our routes. Children 11 and Under Before take-off each child is given an entertainment pack. This includes games, something to color, etc. These are the two game packs Jordyn was given on our different routes. Qatar also offers a child meal option. The meal comes in it's own lunch box and is catered to kids. On our 4 flights the meals varied a bit but consisted of sandwiches, mac & cheese, pasta with chicken, fruit, chips, cookies, cake, and juice. There was definitely more junk food than I'd like but it's not an every day occurrence so I didn't stress about it. Like most long haul flights everyone has a personal television and Qatar Airways had a kids section with tons of age appropriate options. The headphones they provide are over the ear which are much better for young kids. You will have to manage yourself the volume at which your child has the sound but if you don't have your own volume controlled kids headphones these are a great alternative unlike the in-ear headphones some airlines provide. For more information on what Qatar Airways provides to young travelers click here. My experience on Qatar Airways with the girls was amazing. The food, entertainment, and genuine willingness to help with the kids from the flight attendants makes me want to fly with them everywhere possible. What are your favorite airline(s) to travel with kids? Please share your experiences!
50 Comments
Shandias
2/16/2017 04:54:55 am
So glad you all had a super time. It looks like a ton of fun. 1 question... Does Kennedy have baby aviators 🤔... I love it .... where did you find these? Lol
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Monet Hambrick
2/16/2017 05:05:02 am
Thank you, it was amazing! Hahaha yes she does, lol, I got them from The Children's Place online.....$3.97.
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Ivana
2/19/2017 11:37:38 pm
Such a good read. Iam flying Qatar with my 14 month old in June so this is handy information. What did you think of the bassinet? Did you need to pre book that or did they automatically give you one? Also do you travel with your own car seat on your trips or do you hire one over there? Thankyou
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Monet Hambrick
2/20/2017 07:49:20 am
Glad it was helpful! I always recommend the bassinet even if your child doesn't actually sleep in it. This is because your sitting at the bulkhead which gives you extra legroom and the bassinet can serve as storage worst case. The cons of the bassinet depend on which bulkhead row they put you in, if you're in the 1st one you are the 1st row after first class so no one is walking back and forth by you but if you're in the 2nd or 3rd section of the plane the bathroom is right in front of you so you may have some people walking back and forth or forming a bathroom line which can be annoying. Always pre-book and try to do it when you book your flight as the bassinets are first come first serve. Also because that row is reserved for families with infants I've lucked out a few times and had the whole row to myself when I was flying without my husband giving us an extra seat or two.
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Sameera
6/15/2017 08:34:17 am
Thank you for the great information! I will be flying on Qatar airways from Pakistan to Boston with my three-month-old baby. Do you have any tips on diaper changes? Do they have changing tables in the bathrooms?
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Monet
6/15/2017 09:00:25 am
Hi Sameera,
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Anne
6/18/2017 11:41:38 pm
Dear Monet - we are traveling with Qatar with our 4 year-old and taking a car seat. I couldn't find anywhere on Qatar website about being able to check the car seat at the gate. Can you do that? Or, do you have to check it in luggage? Thanks!
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Monet
6/19/2017 01:02:55 am
Hi Anne,
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Narissa
8/4/2017 05:51:37 pm
Hi Monet. I enjoyed reading your review. Very informative! I totally agree that Qatar is the best airline for families travelling with children. The crew is always willing to go that extra mile to make our journey with young and restless children more bearable. Once, I travelled with a sick child and he vomitted all over me and created a mess. The wonderful flight attendant patiently helped me to clean up.
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Monet
8/4/2017 06:11:19 pm
Hi Narissa,
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Tamilarasi
8/16/2017 02:25:17 pm
When to request for a bassinet for infant
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Srija
8/27/2017 03:28:39 pm
You can request it immediately after booking your ticket. It is first come first serve basis
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Monet
8/16/2017 02:30:30 pm
Hi Tamilarasi,
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Srija
8/27/2017 03:30:56 pm
This review gave me so much peace. Thank you. I am travelling with my 7th month old in a week.
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Tosin
9/12/2017 09:59:23 am
Hi. I really enjoyed your review. I have never flown Qatar Airways before and will be doing so with my 9 month old baby in October. It is a very long flight (about 15 hours) and now at least I have an idea of what to expect on board. One question though: Does QA provide baby strollers before boarding or after landing? Thanks.
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paula
10/9/2017 08:35:56 pm
Hi,
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Monet
10/12/2017 08:23:46 am
Hi Paula,
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Gul
10/18/2017 04:59:00 am
Great review. Thanks
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Zayn
11/2/2017 07:15:44 am
Great review, really helpful thank you.
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Monet
12/5/2017 04:25:59 pm
You're very welcome Lisa!! Have a great time in Sydney, I do have a few tips from my trip there last year but I will admit I think my trip overviews have gotten a lot better since then lol but could still be helpful. Thank you so much for your positive feedback and support of my blog!!
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Paige Palfrey
1/3/2018 12:45:46 am
Thank you for the great review, we are flying from Perth to Doha in May with our 14 month old. Its only our second big trip and our first with an infant so we aren't the most experienced travelers your review has given me some peace that all will be manageable.
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Monet
1/8/2018 02:56:25 pm
You are most welcome Paige, Qatar is very good with kids!
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Misbah
1/21/2018 12:35:36 am
I am travelling with my 5 month old first time internationally. So can I take my personal stroller with me? I have a layover at Doha airport will I be able to keep my stroller with me over there( once so reached there will I get it ) or they will keep it with my check in baggage ?.
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Monet Hambrick
1/22/2018 07:44:57 am
Hi Misbah,
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Sarra
1/22/2018 07:30:48 am
Thanks a bunch for this very handy post!
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Monet
1/22/2018 02:09:05 pm
You're welcome, glad you found it helpful!
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Yen Bee
1/22/2018 02:03:16 pm
Hi,
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Monet
1/22/2018 02:11:06 pm
If you want to protect your stroller during check in you will need to purchase a stroller bag on your own, there are no airlines that provide these. Here is the bag that I have: https://www.amazon.com/COMPONO-Stroller-Travel-Bag-Airplane/dp/B071YK32SD/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=thetravelin07-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=300cc1f86845ddb6619119d0bdcabdc5&creativeASIN=B071YK32SD
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Tong
1/26/2018 07:16:55 am
Hi Monet,
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Monet
1/31/2018 07:58:19 am
Hi Tong,
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Magdalene
2/7/2018 12:58:17 pm
Nice writeup! We are flying with 3 kids (2,4 and 6). Fingers crossed! Hope it turns out well. Any tips ? Thankfully our layovers not more than 2:30 hrs.
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Monet Hambrick
2/25/2018 08:59:12 am
Hi Madgalene,
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Pankaj
2/14/2018 10:19:18 am
Hello,
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Monet Hambrick
2/25/2018 09:01:12 am
Hi Pankaj,
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sada
2/25/2018 04:44:17 am
any discounts for special need child PLEASE???
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Monet Hambrick
2/25/2018 09:00:17 am
Hi Sada,
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Wendy
3/14/2018 10:58:24 am
Thank you so much for your informative blog!!
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Anil
3/16/2018 03:18:14 pm
Hello,
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Monet
3/16/2018 09:51:37 pm
Hi Anil,
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Niamh
3/19/2018 06:00:00 pm
Flying with Qater with my 5 month old in a week and this article made me feel at ease! Just wondering if you used the Cosi-go or if they’re allowed on Qatar flights? It’s a covering for over the bassinet to block out light.
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Monet
4/7/2018 10:01:55 am
Hi Niamh,
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VV
4/1/2018 06:17:00 pm
Thanks for the fab post! We're going London to Sydney in a couple of week with our 10 month old. I'm wondering if you think he will fit in the bassinet - they look really small (like for babies under 6 months)? Also do they provide sheets? And is there a bassinet cover you would recommend or is that a waste of time? x
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Monet
4/7/2018 10:04:15 am
Hi VV,
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Avneet
4/4/2018 11:24:58 am
Thank you for your amazing post! I am travelling with my infant daughter in a few days and the information provided is very helpful.
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Priscillia
4/7/2018 09:37:38 pm
Hi !
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Joan
4/12/2018 05:40:46 pm
Hi,
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Lana
4/25/2018 12:57:16 pm
Hello and thank you for such a helpful post!
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Ayesha
5/12/2018 10:49:14 pm
Hello, I will be traveling from New York to Pakistan soon with 2 years old child. Will I be allowed to use inflatable foot rest for my child in this long flight?
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Sukey Simmons
8/27/2018 12:38:38 pm
Thanks for this review! We’re going to Jordan (via Qatar) this year and can’t wait to fly Qatar. We’ve had very positive experiences with Air India (EWR-DEH, MUB-EWR), where our son had his own inflight nanny included with a business class fare, as well as many pre-flight ordered menu options and entertainment. Looking forward to future travels!
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