Airline infant fees can exceed the cost of adult tickets on budget carriers, according to data from Guardian Money and Which? Travel. While some airlines charge a percentage of the adult fare, others apply flat fees for lap infants that remain constant regardless of the ticket price, creating significant cost disparities for families.
The Cost Gap Between Lap Infants and Adult Fares
Budget airlines often apply flat-rate fees for infants under two, which can result in a baby’s “free” lap seat costing more than the parent’s ticket. Wizz Air, for example, sells one-way adult fares starting at £14.99, but charges a flat fee of €32 (£28) for an infant sitting on an adult’s lap per flight.
Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, describes the practice of charging lap infants more than adults as “clearly unfair,” stating there is no sensible argument for such a pricing structure. Wizz Air has disputed this assertion, claiming their fees reflect “standard practice across the industry.”
Comparing Infant and Child Pricing Models
Airlines split their pricing strategies between flat fees and percentage-based charges. According to reporting from Guardian Money, the costs vary significantly by carrier:
| Airline | Infant (Under 2) Fee | Child (2+) Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Wizz Air / Ryanair / easyJet | Flat fee regardless of destination | Same as adult fare |
| British Airways / Virgin Atlantic | Approx. 10% of adult ticket | Reduced until age 12 |
Hidden Surcharges and ‘Booking Journey’ Complexity
The headline price of a ticket rarely reflects the final cost. Guardian Money identified a case with nine separate charges for taking a baby on board, as fees applied to adult fares were also tacked onto infants too young for their own seats.
British Airways provides a concrete example of this layering. For a return flight from London to New York on July 17, an adult ticket includes 11 extra charges. While an infant fare starts at £30, the final price climbs to £162.19 after these additions. British Airways maintains that all charges are set out clearly during the booking stage.
These additional costs often include:
- Air Passenger Duty: Government-imposed taxes based on distance and class.
- Passenger Service Charges: Fees UK airports charge airlines per landing.
- Carrier Imposed Charges: Surcharges set directly by the airline.
- Immigration and Security Taxes: Destination-specific entry charges.
The Struggle for Family Seating
While Ryanair recently stopped charging parents to sit next to their children, other airlines maintain strict payment walls for seat proximity. Lisa Francesca Nand, host of the Big Travel Podcast, reported paying £136.50 to secure seats next to her sons (aged 11 and 13) on a return trip to Málaga with Wizz Air—a sum exceeding one-third of the ticket cost.
Wizz Air states that while they guarantee one seat next to a child under 14 for free, they cannot guarantee the entire family will be seated together unless seats are specifically booked. This creates a “foreboding” experience for parents during checkout, according to Nand, who felt compelled to pay to avoid the risk of separation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do infants under two need their own seat?
No, infants can travel on a parent’s lap, though some airlines allow the purchase of a separate seat if the child is strapped into an approved car seat.
Why is my infant ticket more expensive than the adult ticket?
Some budget airlines, such as Wizz Air, use flat-rate infant fees. If the adult fare is heavily discounted (e.g., £14.99), the flat infant fee (e.g., €32) will exceed the adult price.
Are there discounts for children over two?
It depends on the carrier. Budget airlines like Ryanair and easyJet typically charge adult prices for children over two, whereas British Airways offers reduced fares until the child turns 12.
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