How to Book a Baby Cot on Long-Haul Flights (Even Before Your Baby Is Born)

One of the best comfort upgrades available to parents, when booking long-haul flights, is the airline baby cot, also known as a bassinet.

These small beds attach to the bulkhead wall in certain rows of long-haul aircraft, allowing your baby to sleep safely and giving your arms (and back!) a well-deserved break.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to book one, what to expect onboard, and what to do if you book your ticket before your baby is born.

‍

What Is a Baby Cot (Bassinet)?

A baby cot or bassinet is a small, fold-out bed provided by airlines for infants, usually mounted on the wall in front of a bulkhead seat.

• Most bassinets fit infants up to 10–14 kg (22–30 lbs) and under 70–80 cm (27–31 in) in height. Please note that you'll often be ask tp "prove" ht your baby fits perfectly while lying down - even if your baby's weight and height fits the official numbers. It unfortunately does happen that a baby isn't allowed to use the bassinet after boarding.
• They are available only on long-haul aircraft (wide-body jets).
• Airlines often have a limited number of bassinet positions — sometimes just two or four per aircraft — so early booking is essential.

‍

Step-by-Step: How to Book a Baby Cot

1. Book Early and Notify the Airline

When booking your ticket, always indicate that you’ll be traveling with an infant (under 2 years old).
Once the booking is confirmed, call the airline directly (or your travel agent) to request a bassinet — online systems rarely guarantee one automatically.

Provide:

• Your booking reference
• Your infant’s age and approximate weight/length at the time of travel
• Any special requirements (e.g., medical equipment, twin travel, etc.)

Airlines often assign bulkhead seats for bassinets, which may have a small surcharge on certain carriers.

2. Confirm the Seat and Equipment

Ask the airline to note the bassinet request in your booking and confirm that:

• The aircraft type on your route supports bassinets
• You’ve been assigned the correct row (bulkhead)
• Your baby’s size will meet their bassinet limits

Some airlines let you select the bassinet row seat in advance through their website once the infant request is approved.

3. Re-confirm Before the Flight

Call or check your booking 72 hours before departure to confirm your bassinet reservation. Airlines sometimes change aircraft or seating layouts, so double-checking avoids surprises.

At check-in, remind the staff that you’ve pre-booked a bassinet — they’ll attach the proper tag and alert the cabin crew.

‍

What If You Book Before Your Baby Is Born?

Many parents book international trips months in advance — sometimes before their baby has arrived.
Here’s how to handle that situation safely and smoothly:

1. Book your own ticket first, leaving the infant unlisted. Use your expected due date to estimate when your baby will be eligible to fly (usually after 7–14 days old, depending on airline policy).
2. Once your baby is born and has a name, date of birth, and passport or birth certificate, contact the airline to add the infant to your booking. You will in most cases need to call the callcenter. It's rarely possible to add a newborn to your seat online if not done directly while booking.
3. Request the bassinet seat at the same time — the airline can link your infant’s ticket and reserve the proper seat.
4. If you booked through a travel agent, they can usually make the adjustment on your behalf once the infant’s documents are ready.

Tip: Some airlines (like Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, and Emirates) allow you to hold a reservation for an adult traveler and later add the baby’s ticket without losing your seat selection.

‍

Helpful Tips for Bassinet Travelers

• Bring a light blanket or muslin cloth — most airlines provide one, but you want to be on the safe side.
• Bassinets must be stowed during turbulence and take-off/landing — plan to hold your baby during those times.
• Keep essentials (diapers, wipes, pacifier, bottle) within arm’s reach in a small pouch.
• If your flight is fully booked, ask the check-in staff in advance before boarding whether an empty seat can be assigned next to you — this gives more flexibility.

‍

We hope this article helps you prepare for your next flight!

Prepared by Flying with Kids

Helping families take off, one trip at a time.

‍