Best Airlines for Families: Which Airlines Are Really Good with Kids?

Last Updated on August 10, 2026 by Ina Geißler

Flying with children isn’t automatically easier just because an airline calls itself family-friendly. For us, the things that really matter are much more practical: Will children be seated with their parents? Can you take a stroller or car seat for free? What happens when you’re flying with a baby? Is there entertainment on a long-haul flight and are meals included or will every extra cost more?

And the best airline for a family isn’t necessarily the most luxurious one. For a two-hour flight within Europe, we’d happily choose a low-cost carrier if the price and schedule are right. On a ten-hour flight with kids, our priorities look very different.

In this guide, we’ll look at the best airlines for families, what actually makes an airline good for traveling with children and which carriers stand out in different categories – from low-cost flights in Europe to long-haul travel.

Why trust MutterGeisslein?
I’m Ina, the family travel writer behind MutterGeisslein and a mom of four. Flying has been part of our family travels since my children were babies, from short European trips to long-haul journeys. Our airline guides focus on the details families actually need when booking a flight – including seating, baggage, baby equipment, meals and onboard entertainment. For more practical advice beyond choosing an airline, you’ll find everything from flying with a baby to long-haul strategies in our Air Travel with Kids guides.

What makes an airline good for families?

The best airlines for families aren’t necessarily the ones with the biggest seats or the most luxurious cabins. When you’re flying with children, relatively small details can have a much bigger impact on the journey.

-> Follow us on Instagram!

Family seating on a plane

This is one of the first things we’d check before booking. Airline policies vary considerably when it comes to seating families together. Some airlines guarantee or actively facilitate seating younger children beside an accompanying adult, while others make advance seat selection an additional expense.

With several children, the details become even more important. A policy that works perfectly for one adult traveling with one child may work very differently for a family of five or six.

Strollers, car seats and baby equipment

A generous family baggage policy can save a surprising amount of money. Many airlines allow families to transport a stroller, car seat or other baby equipment free of charge, but exactly what is included varies.

It’s also worth checking the rules even if your children are older. A car seat needed for your rental car at the destination may sometimes be transported free of charge for an older child too – something families can easily overlook.

-> Unsure about booking the flight? Read this article for our best tips on flying with kids

Hand luggage and baggage allowances

Especially with low-cost airlines, the cheapest ticket can look much less attractive once you’ve added bags for the whole family.

Before comparing fares, we always look at what is actually included in the ticket. Sometimes one checked bag shared between the family works out cheaper than upgrading everyone’s cabin baggage allowance.

Meals and drinks

On short-haul flights, we’re perfectly happy bringing our own snacks. On long-haul flights, however, included meals and drinks become much more important.

Some full-service airlines also offer children’s meals or baby meals, although these often need to be requested before departure. If your child is a picky eater, we’d still pack familiar snacks regardless of what’s included.

Entertainment

For a short domestic flight, onboard entertainment isn’t particularly important to us. Tablets, books and a few downloaded movies can easily cover a couple of hours.

On a long-haul flight with kids, it’s a different story. Seatback screens, a good selection of children’s movies and games can make eight, ten or twelve hours in the air considerably easier.

Flight times and direct routes

This one is easy to underestimate when comparing airlines. The “best” airline isn’t much help if its schedule means waking three children at 2 a.m. or adding a six-hour layover.

With kids, we’d often choose a convenient direct flight over a theoretically better airline with an inconvenient connection. Price matters, but so do departure times, total travel time and the airports you’re actually flying from and to.

Our best airlines for families at a glance

There isn’t one airline we’d call the best choice for every family and every trip. A great low-cost airline for a weekend in Europe needs to do something very different from an airline carrying your family halfway around the world.

This is how we’d narrow it down:

Category	Our pick	Why it stands out
Best long-haul airlines for families	Singapore Airlines, Emirates	Excellent service, good entertainment and a comfortable overall family experience
Best US airlines for families	American Airlines, Delta, United	Extensive network and a solid option for transatlantic and domestic US travel
Best European full-service airline	Iberia	Useful European and long-haul network with full-service options
Best low-cost airline for families	Ryanair	Particularly interesting family seating policy and very low fares when you understand the extras
Best low-cost alternative	Wizz Air	Excellent fares on many European routes and a surprisingly good option with kids if you know the rules
Best holiday airline for families	TUI	Direct routes to many popular family holiday destinations

The important part is that each of these airlines has strengths and compromises. That’s why we’d choose according to the type of trip rather than simply booking the airline with the best overall reputation.

Best long-haul airline for families: Singapore Airlines & Emirates

For a long-haul journey, Singapore Airlines and Emirates are the airlines we’d happily choose again with children.

This is where the difference between a low-cost or short-haul flight and a full-service long-haul experience becomes particularly noticeable. Meals and drinks are included, there’s extensive onboard entertainment, and the overall service makes spending many hours on an aircraft considerably easier with children.

-> Nervous about being on a plane with kids for hours? Here’s everything you need to know before flying long-haul with kids.

Singapore Airlines for families

We’ve flown Singapore Airlines with our family on a roughly 12-hour flight from Munich to Singapore, so this is also one of the airlines where our assessment is based on a genuinely long flight rather than a short test route.

Families traveling with babies can request a bassinet on eligible flights and aircraft, although availability is limited and we’d always arrange this as early as possible.

For older children, KrisWorld entertainment is a major advantage. Having movies, TV programs and games available at the seat means you don’t have to rely entirely on devices you’ve brought from home.

That doesn’t mean we’d choose Singapore Airlines regardless of price or routing. But when we’re comparing sensible long-haul options and the fares aren’t dramatically different, it’s an airline we’d put high on our list.

→ Read our complete Singapore Airlines with Kids review

Emirates with kids

Emirates is another long-haul airline we’d happily consider when flying with kids. We’ve flown Emirates ourselves, and although our experience is a little further back, the airline still offers many of the things we value most on a long flight with children.

Families benefit from extensive inflight entertainment through ICE, children’s meals, baby food and bassinets on eligible flights. Emirates also states that children under 13 will be seated with an accompanying adult. 

For us, Emirates is particularly interesting when the connection through Dubai works well for the destination. On a long-haul journey with kids, good entertainment, included meals and a genuinely family-focused onboard product can make a noticeable difference.

Best US airlines for families

When flying between Europe and the United States – or continuing on a domestic US flight – the priorities can be slightly different. A large route network and convenient connections matter, but family seating, baggage rules and onboard entertainment can make a significant difference too.

From the US airlines we’ve flown with children, American Airlines, United and Delta Air Lines are three carriers we’d consider when the route and price work for our family.

American Airlines with kids

We’ve flown American Airlines with kids on both transatlantic and US routes, and it’s an airline we’d happily consider again.

For families, we’d look particularly closely at the aircraft and route when booking. The experience on a long-haul widebody flight can obviously be very different from a short domestic connection, particularly when it comes to entertainment, meals and cabin comfort.

American Airlines also offers family seating provisions for younger children, making it an interesting option when comparing flights to the US.

→ Read our complete American Airlines with Kids review

United Airlines with kids

We’ve also flown United Airlines with kids, and it’s another US carrier we’d consider when comparing transatlantic flights or connections within the United States.

One family-friendly feature worth knowing about is United’s seating policy: families traveling with children under 12 can select adjacent seats with an accompanying adult free of charge on eligible bookings. For parents who don’t want to pay simply to make sure a younger child sits beside them, that’s a meaningful advantage. 

United also has a huge US network, which can be particularly useful when your transatlantic flight is only the first part of the journey and you need to connect onwards within the country.

For regular family travel in Economy, however, we’d primarily consider United for its route network, family seating policy and convenient connections rather than its premium cabins.

Delta Air Lines with kids

Delta is another US airline we’ve flown with children and would consider again, particularly for travel between Europe and the United States or for connecting flights within the US.

Delta offers free inflight entertainment with children’s programming on equipped aircraft, and strollers and car seats can be checked free of charge. The airline also says it works to seat families together and asks passengers to contact reservations if suitable family seating isn’t available during booking. 

From a family perspective, we see Delta as a solid full-service option rather than an airline we’d choose solely because of one standout family perk. If the route, schedule and fare are right, it’s absolutely one we’d include when comparing the best US airlines for families.

Best European full-service airline for families

Low-cost carriers like Easy Jet, Ryanair and Wizz Air dominate many short European routes, but there are still good reasons to choose a traditional full-service airline – particularly when you’re connecting to a long-haul flight or baggage is already included in your fare.

Iberia with kids

Iberia is one of the European full-service airlines we’ve used as a family, including for long-haul travel. For us, one of the biggest reasons to consider Iberia is its network. Madrid is an important hub for connections between Europe and destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean, which can make Iberia particularly interesting for family holidays further afield.

On long-haul flights, the experience is also very different from taking a European low-cost carrier: entertainment, meal service and the overall onboard product become much more relevant when you’re spending many hours in the air.

As always, we’d compare the complete journey rather than the airline name alone. A good connection through Madrid can make Iberia an excellent family option; an awkward layover might make a direct flight with another airline the better choice.

→ Read our complete Iberia with Kids review

Best low-cost airline for families: Ryanair

This one might surprise families who automatically associate low-cost airlines with stressful travel.

We actually think Ryanair can work extremely well with kids, particularly for short European flights. One of its biggest advantages is its family seating policy: when traveling with children under 12, an accompanying adult reserves a seat and eligible children are assigned seats next to that adult according to Ryanair’s family seating rules.

The baggage rules and additional fees require more attention, though. Ryanair is cheap when you book what you actually need; it can become considerably less cheap when you start adding extras without comparing the total cost.

For us, that’s not necessarily a disadvantage. On a two-hour flight, we don’t need included meals, entertainment or a full-service experience. Give us a good fare, a useful route and sensible arrangements for the children and we’re perfectly happy.

→ Read our complete Ryanair with Kids review

Wizz Air with kids: another strong low-cost option

We wouldn’t put Wizz Air into the article merely as a runner-up to Ryanair. Depending on the route, it can easily be the better choice.

We’ve found some exceptionally cheap family fares with Wizz Air, and our experiences onboard have been positive. The important thing is understanding its seating, baggage and check-in rules before you book rather than discovering them at the airport.

Wizz Air’s network is also interesting for families who want to travel beyond the most obvious European holiday routes. If the schedule and fare work for us, we wouldn’t hesitate to consider it again.

→ Read our complete Wizz Air with Kids review

Best holiday airline for families: TUI

For a classic family holiday, TUI deserves its own category. Holiday airlines serve a slightly different purpose from both low-cost carriers and traditional full-service airlines: their biggest advantage is often getting families directly from their home airport to popular vacation destinations without complicated connections.

We’ve flown with TUI as a family ourselves, including from Munich to Sal in Cape Verde, and our experience was better than we’d expected. What stood out most was the relaxed and genuinely friendly crew – something that can make a noticeable difference when you’re spending several hours on a plane with children.

TUI serves many destinations that are particularly popular with families, including the Canary Islands, Greece, Spain, Egypt, Turkey and Cape Verde. Depending on where you’re flying from, this can make TUI particularly useful for families who prioritize a direct flight to their holiday destination.

The onboard product varies depending on the route and aircraft, so we’d check what’s included before booking. On shorter flights, meals and drinks may cost extra and entertainment can be limited, while the experience on long-haul services can be different.

For us, TUI isn’t about luxury. Its strength for families is much simpler: convenient holiday routes, direct flights and a product designed around leisure travelers.

→ Read our complete TUI Airways with Kids review

How to choose the best airline for your family

After comparing family seating, baggage allowances, entertainment and onboard service, it’s tempting to simply choose whichever airline looks the most family-friendly on paper. We don’t think that’s always the best approach.

For us, these factors usually matter most when actually booking a flight:

• Total price including baggage and seat reservations
• Direct flight vs. layover
• Departure and arrival times
• Which airport the airline uses
• Family seating policy
• Free stroller or car seat allowance
• Meals and entertainment on longer flights
• Total travel time

A direct two-hour Ryanair or Wizz Air flight can be a much better choice for a family than a full-service airline that requires a connection. On the other hand, we’d look much more closely at comfort, meals and entertainment before booking a ten- or twelve-hour long-haul flight.

The age of your children matters too. With a baby, bassinet availability and stroller policies might be high on your list. With school-age children, sitting together and having good entertainment can become more important. And with teenagers, we’d often prioritize the best flight times, route and price over traditional family services.

Don’t compare ticket prices alone

This is particularly important when comparing low-cost airlines with full-service airlines. Add everything your family actually needs before deciding which flight is cheaper: cabin bags, checked luggage, seats, meals and any other extras. A €30 fare can still be an excellent deal, but only if you don’t need another €50 worth of extras per person.

At the same time, don’t automatically pay more for services your family doesn’t need. We don’t require seatback entertainment or a complimentary meal for a short flight within Europe. We’d rather save that money for the trip itself.

Ultimately, the best airline for your family is the one that works best for that particular journey – not necessarily the airline with the most impressive family services.

A word about airline reviews and bad experiences

If you read airline reviews online, it can sometimes feel as though almost every airline is terrible. One thing worth keeping in mind, however, is that people are much more likely to write a review after a bad experience than after a completely uneventful flight.

That doesn’t mean negative reviews should be ignored. But delays, cancellations, missed connections and other disruptions can happen with any airline. Sometimes the airline is responsible; sometimes weather, air traffic control or other circumstances are outside its control. Either way, when you’re traveling with children, it’s frustrating.

For us, the more important question is how an airline handles things when they go wrong.

• Does it communicate clearly?
• Are passengers kept informed?
• Is it easy to reach someone when you need help? How straightforward is rebooking or cancelling?
• And does the airline show some flexibility when a family is dealing with an unexpected situation?

That’s why we wouldn’t rule out an airline simply because we found a collection of angry reviews online. We’d look for recurring patterns instead. Transparency, communication and the way an airline handles problems tell us much more than one delayed flight ever could.

Of course, we haven’t flown with every airline in the world, and this guide isn’t meant to be a definitive ranking of every carrier out there. We have, however, traveled with many different airlines over the years – from European low-cost carriers to full-service long-haul airlines.

One thing that experience has taught us is to adjust our expectations to the type of flight we’ve booked. We don’t expect the same service from a €30 low-cost flight as we do from a long-haul full-service airline, and we’re usually well prepared for what is and isn’t included.

We’ve also learned that things can go wrong when you travel. Flights get delayed, plans change and sometimes a journey simply doesn’t go the way you imagined. That’s frustrating – especially with children – but it’s also part of traveling.

For us, a good family travel experience isn’t about everything going perfectly. It’s about being prepared, staying flexible when plans change and, when something does go wrong, trying to make the best of the situation rather than letting it ruin the entire trip.

Our verdict: Which airline is best for families?

There isn’t one best airline for families that we’d recommend for every trip. Our choice changes depending on where we’re going, how long we’ll be in the air, how old the children are and – quite simply – what the flights cost.

For long-haul travel, we’d pay more attention to comfort, included meals, entertainment and service. That’s where airlines such as Singapore Airlines and Emirates become particularly attractive. For flights to and within the United States, American Airlines, Delta and United all have advantages worth comparing.

For a short European flight, our expectations are completely different. We’ve happily flown Ryanair and Wizz Air with our children and would do so again. If a low-cost carrier offers a convenient direct flight at a fraction of the price, we don’t need complimentary food or seatback entertainment for a couple of hours.

And that’s probably our most important takeaway after flying with kids: don’t choose an airline based purely on whether it has a reputation for being family-friendly. Look at the entire journey and choose the flight that works best for your family.

Frequently asked questions about the best airlines for families

What is the best airline for families?

There isn’t one airline that’s best for every family. For long-haul travel, Singapore Airlines and Emirates offer strong onboard products for families, while low-cost carriers such as Ryanair and Wizz Air can be excellent choices for shorter European flights.

What are the best airlines for long-haul flights with kids?

We particularly like Singapore Airlines for long-haul family travel, while Emirates is another strong option, and we love US Airlines like American Airlines, United and Delta as well. On a long flight, we’d look for good inflight entertainment, included meals and drinks, family seating policies and bassinet availability when traveling with a baby.

Which US airlines are best for families?

American Airlines, Delta and United are all worth considering for flying with kids in the US. Rather than choosing solely by airline, compare family seating policies, baggage, your specific aircraft and – particularly for domestic connections – the schedule and total journey time.

What is the best low-cost airline for families?

We’ve had good experiences with both Ryanair and Wizz Air with kids when traveling through Europe. Ryanair’s family seating policy is particularly useful, while both airlines can offer extremely low fares. The key is understanding their baggage and check-in rules before traveling.

Do airlines have to seat children with their parents?

Policies differ between airlines and countries, so don’t assume that booking tickets together automatically guarantees that your entire family will sit together. Check the airline’s current family seating policy before booking, particularly if you don’t intend to pay for advance seat selection.

Which airlines let you take a stroller for free?

Many airlines allow parents to transport a stroller or other baby equipment without an additional charge, but the exact allowance varies. Some also allow car seats or additional baby equipment. Always check the rules for your specific airline and fare before departure.

Which airlines offer children’s meals?

Many full-service long-haul airlines offer kids’ meals, but they often need to be ordered in advance. Availability can also depend on the route and cabin. Even when we’ve ordered a children’s meal, we still like to have some familiar snacks in our hand luggage.

Which airlines have the best entertainment for kids?

Full-service long-haul airlines generally offer much more entertainment than European short-haul carriers. Singapore Airlines’ KrisWorld and Emirates’ ICE are particularly extensive options for families, with movies, TV and children’s content available on equipped aircraft.

Is a low-cost airline okay with kids?

Absolutely. For us, flying low-cost with kids isn’t automatically more stressful. On a short flight, we’d often rather save money and fly directly than pay more for services we don’t particularly need. Just calculate baggage, seating and other extras before comparing the final fare.

Is it better to fly direct with kids?

Whenever the price and schedule make sense, we’d usually prefer a direct flight with children. Connections add more waiting, another boarding process and another opportunity for delays or baggage problems. However, on long-haul journeys, a well-timed stopover can sometimes make the trip easier – particularly if it breaks a very long journey into manageable sections.

What should I look for when booking an airline with a baby?

With a baby, we’d check bassinet availability, stroller and car-seat allowances, infant baggage, seating arrangements and whether baby food or bottles can be warmed onboard. On long-haul flights, we’d also look carefully at flight times – a convenient overnight flight can sometimes be more valuable than choosing a particular airline.