Travelling with babies and young children

At Manchester Airport we see millions of passengers travelling each year, with lots of parents and children flying abroad for the very first time. And while family holidays are fun and exciting, we know that travelling through a busy airport and going on a flight with babies and young children can feel a bit daunting…

Our travel advice experts have put together all the essential advice, information and top tips you need for travelling with your little ones, to help make your journey as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Before you go

1) Contact your airline

Contact your airline and find out how to reserve seats in advance, so if you're flying as a family you can guarantee you're all sitting together. Ask about seating options, such as priority boarding or advice on the best seats for travelling with a baby.

Your airline will usually offer a variety of things onboard for children too, such as sky cots, baby food, toddler meals, and children's entertainment, so contact them in advance to see what's available.

Also ask your airline for advice on what items can be taken onboard the aircraft, such as booster seats or buggies.

2) Choose the right seats when booking

It’s best to book the seats that suit you and your little ones, rather than risk being randomly allocated to seats that aren’t quite suitable. For example, if you’re flying with a baby, an aisle seat might be the most convenient option, as it’s easier to get to and from the toilet when you need to.

With young children, a window seat might help keep them entertained. But it could also be a bit disorienting or distressing for a child who isn’t used to flying, or who has a fear of heights, so weigh up the best option for you and your family.

3) Book a daytime flight

Where possible, try to fly during reasonable daytime hours, so that your child's daily routine isn’t disrupted too much. There are also more restaurants open during the daytime for meals with your children, and more shops to help keep them entertained.

4) Pack your hand luggage for the plane

If you’re flying with a baby, you might want to pack:

Breast milk can be brought in hand luggage in containers of up to 2000ml (even if you’re travelling without your baby). You can also bring formula milk, cow’s milk, soya milk, sterilised water, baby food and cooling gel packs. Your baby must be travelling with you for these to be permitted.

If you’re flying with a young child, you might want to pack:

On the day

5) Use the free drop off area

All passengers can use our free drop off area, where it’s just a few minutes’ ride on a shuttle bus to your terminal. The shuttle bus service runs 24/7, with marshals on hand to assist.

If you’re being dropped off by someone who wishes to accompany you to the terminal, you can explore our Short Stay or Turn Up and Park options.

If you're travelling with baby equipment, luggage or pushchairs, airport parking can help make travelling as a family more straightforward. Meet & Greet parking can make getting from your car to the terminal quicker and more convenient, helping you start your journey with less stress.

6) Allow plenty of time

Arriving too close to your flight time adds unnecessary stress when travelling with children.

Plan your journey to the airport, making sure you’re aware of any roadworks that could affect your route. If travelling by public transport, keep a close eye on schedule updates. And arrive at the earliest time your airline recommends (normally two hours before departure for a short-haul flight, or three hours before departure for a long-haul flight).

If you're travelling during a busy period, you might also want to consider booking Security FastTrack. This can help streamline your journey through security, leaving more time to relax, get something to eat or drink, or read our tips for travelling with children before boarding.

At the terminal

7) Buggy & pushchairs

The process and timing for checking in your pushchair or buggy might differ depending on your airline. To ensure a smooth experience on your travel day, it's a good idea to reach out to your airline ahead of time to check.

Pushchairs, buggies and other children's travel items may also need additional screening at security, so we recommend allowing extra time and keeping essential items easy to access. See our FAQ on travelling with a pushchair for more detail.

8) Baby changing & breastfeeding

Baby changing facilities can be found across all terminals, either inside or nearby the ladies' toilets, with chairs available to make breastfeeding easier. Please be assured that Manchester Airport promotes breastfeeding across our entire site, and we do not restrict where this can take place.

9) Quiet places for feeding

If you would prefer somewhere quiet to feed your child, we have dedicated quiet areas which are particularly practical for those with sensory issues. These areas are signposted, and you can also ask members of staff for assistance should you need help to find these quiet areas at the airport.

If you'd like even more space to relax before your flight, Manchester Airport Lounges offer comfortable seating along with complimentary food and drink. For families with young children, they provide a calm place to relax before boarding.

10) Heating up food and baby milk

Lots of our restaurants and cafés will warm up your baby milk free of charge, using hot water rather than a microwave, which can be too powerful for baby milk.

A wide range of the airport restaurants also offer kids’ meals, and food warming facilities are available too.

T2: Amber Alehouse, Pot Kettle Black, Starbucks, Apiary, Archies, Bridgewater Exchange, San Carlo

T3: Costa, Pork & Pickle, The Nook

For more information about travelling with babies and children, visit our FAQ page or contact one of our friendly experts today.