Avoid nasty surprises at the check-in desk with our guide to exactly what each airline will let you and your kids bring onboard.
British Airways
Checked in luggage: One free suitcase per person, maximum weight 23kg and maximum size 90cm x 75cm x 43cm. Collapsible pushchairs, car seats and mobility aids such as wheel chairs are free to check in in addition to your suitcase.
Children aged two – eleven have the same baggage allowance as adults, and one cabin bag is allowed for an infant under two.
Hand luggage:One piece of luggage, max size 56cm x 45cm x 25cm, plus one smaller bag, handbag or laptop case.
Ryanair
Checked in luggage: Each piece of luggage, maximum weight 15kg, costs from £15 in low season and from £25 in high season when pre-purchased online.
Two items of baby equipment (one pushchair plus one of the following items: car seat or booster seat or travelcot) are carried free per child.
Hand luggage: One main piece of hand luggage, max weight 10kg and max size 55cm x 40cm x 20cm, (Family Traveller tip: these restrictions are smaller than most other airlines – don’t get caught out with an oversized bag!), plus one smaller bag, handbag or laptop case.
Parents travelling with a child aged eight days to 23 months on their lap are permitted an additional baby bag weighing no more than 5kg.
Virgin Atlantic
Checked in luggage: One free suitcase per passenger, maximum weight 23 kg and maximum size 90 x 75 x 43cm.
Collapsible pushchairs, car seats mobility aids such as wheel chairs are free to check in in addition to your suitcase.
Infants travelling on the lap of a parent or carer can have one piece of hold baggage weighing up to 23kg, and one piece of hand baggage weighing up to 6kg.
Hand luggage: One piece of luggage, max size 23cm x 36cm x 56cm, plus one smaller bag, handbag or laptop case.
Thomas Cook
Checked in luggage: Flights to the USA include a checked bag, maximum weight 23kg.
All long haul flights include a 20kg luggage allowance.
For short haul flights, a bag weighing up to 20kg costs £21.
For medium haul flights, a bag weighing up to 20kg costs £24.
Hand luggage: All passengers receive a hand baggage allowance of maximum weight 6kg, maximum size 55cm x 40cm x 20cm.
Infants do not have a hand baggage allowance; any Infant milk or baby food can be carried within your own hand baggage allowance of 6kg.
Easyjet
Checked in luggage:When bought online, each item of checked in luggage, maximum weight 20kg, costs from £11 depending on the route chosen.
Hand luggage:One cabin bag, maximum size of 56 x 45 x 25cm. An additional handbag or laptop is not included.
Infants do not have a hand baggage allowance.
Monarch
Checked in luggage:When purchased online each bag, maximum weight 20kg, costs from £11, depending on the route chosen.
Hand luggage: One piece of hand baggage no bigger than 56 x 40 x 25cm and no heavier than 10kg, or two separate pieces of hand baggage, as long as the combined size is no bigger than 56 x 40 x 25cm and the combined weight no heavier than 10 kg.
Wizz Air
Checked in luggage: When purchased online each bag, maximum weight 20kg, costs from £11, depending on the route chosen.
Hand luggage: One bag per person, maximum size 42x32x25cm. A large cabin bag, maximum size 56cm x 45cm x 25cm, can be purchased from £7.
FlyBe
Checked in luggage: Travel cots and car seats can be checked into the hold free of charge. A hold bag weighing up to 20kg costs from £17, depending on the route chosen.
Hand luggage: One piece of hand baggage no bigger than 56 x 40 x 23cm and no heavier than 10kg, plus a buggy or carry cot.
Emirates
Checked in luggage: One free suitcase per person, maximum weight 30kg and maximum total dimensions 300cm. Parents travelling with infants are permitted on extra piece of checked-in baggage no bigger than 55 x 28 x 20cm and no heavier than 10kg.
Hand luggage: One piece of hand luggage, either a handbag or laptop bag, no bigger than 55 x 38 x 20cm and no heavier than 7kg, plus a carry cot or buggy.
KLM
Checked in luggage: One free suitcase per person, maximum weight 23kg and maximum total dimensions 158cm. Parents travelling with infants are permitted on extra piece of checked-in baggage no heavier than 10kg.
Hand luggage: One bag no bigger than 55 x 25 x 35 cm, plus one handbag or laptop bag with a combined maximum weight of no more than 12kg. Parents travelling with infants are permitted an additional piece of hand baggage of a maximum weight 12kg. A collapsible buggy can be checked in or carried in the hold free of charge.
Air France
Checked in luggage: One free suitcase per person, maximum weight 23kg and maximum total dimensions 158 cm. Parents travelling with infants are permitted on extra piece of checked-in baggage no heavier than 10kg.
Hand luggage: One bag no bigger than 55 x 25 x 35 cm, plus one handbag or laptop bag with a combined maximum weight of no more than 12kg. A collapsible buggy and car seat can be checked in or carried as hand luggage free of charge.