Travelling with children can be hard work at the best of times, so it might be worth choosing to travel in Business Class to give you all some extra room to relax and stretch out. While all airlines have different policies when pricing child and infant fares, which airline will offer the best discount?
Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, SWISS, Delta, Austrian Airlines, All Nippon Airlines, and Finnair all offer the same child discounts when travelling business class and you will also find the best discount in the industry. When booking with one of these airlines you can expect to pay only 75% of a full adult fare for children aged between 2 and 11. For infants under the age of 2, only 10% of the full fare is charged but you won’t be provided an additional seat and they will need to sit on your lap. Infants who turn 2 while travelling will be charged at the higher child fare price for the entire trip, and be entitled to a seat. Children over the age of 11 are classed as a full adult fare.
Japan Airlines advise that children and infants may be offered a discounted fare but can vary between routes. Upon a further search, the majority of routes offered children between the ages 2 - 11 could be charged between 75% - 80% of the full fare and infants between 8% - 10%. Air Canada will also offer discounts based on the route. Some routes offered a 75% fare price for children with 10% for infants whereas Sydney to Vancouver offered no discount for children but still charge 10% for infants.
Qantas state in their fare rules that discounts apply for children based on the fare type and fare amount. When pricing a Sydney to London business class return flight, they charge children aged 2-11 at 90% of a full fare and infants at 10%. This applies on both Business Saver and Business Flex fares. These discounted fares don’t apply for Companion Sales. Similarly Emirates and Qatar Airways will also offer 90% of the fare for children in business class with Emirates offering the standard 10% for infants while Qatar will charge 15% for infants. Additionally, Qatar charge for seat selection on Lite and Classic fares, with Comfort and Elite fares including seat selection. When it's important to be seated next to your children, this is another cost to take into account when booking.
Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, Air New Zealand and Etihad offer the lowest benefit for travelling with children. There is no discount for travelling with children above the age of 2 but they still charge only 10% of the fare for infants under 2 without a seat with Etihad charging 15%.
If you’re planning a trip with kids, chat to our airfare specialists who can advise which airline is the best option for your journey and budget!
