Traveling with children

At a glance

  • Babies (0-23 months): do not need their own seats, may fly on a traveling companion's lap; baggage allowance 23 kg / 158 cm.
  • Children (2-11 years): own seat required, discounted child fare, same baggage allowance as adults.
  • Unaccompanied children (5-11 years): only possible with the "Unaccompanied Minor" support service.
  • Pregnant passengers: air travel up to the 36th week of pregnancy; certificate required from the 28th week of pregnancy.

Children fly at a discounted child fare on all routes with Discover Airlines. Each child needs their own flight ticket, and from their second birthday onward, a separate seat is required. For babies under 24 months of age, separate conditions apply with a reduced price and travel on a companion's lap. On board, children on long-haul flights receive a pre-ordered kids' menu, coloring books and small gifts to make time fly. For details on baggage regulations, reserving a baby cot, unaccompanied children, child seats and travel during pregnancy, please refer to the following sections.

A child looking out of the cabin window cuddling a teddy bear

For babies (0-24 months), regardless of the fare booked (with the exception of the Economy Light fare), the flight route and the Miles & More status, one free piece of baggage weighing 23 kg with a circumference of 158 cm applies. For children older than 24 months, the same amount of free baggage allowance applies as for adults, depending on the fare booked.

People traveling with children can take one of the following items in the cabin free of charge as additional carry-on baggage:

  • A child seat
  • A separate seat booster
  • A baby cot
  • A Pocket Buggy

This applies in addition to standard carry-on baggage. Please note the specifications in the “Children’s seats” section below on this page. Collapsible strollers can be dropped off when boarding. They will be returned to passengers after landing. It is not necessary to register these items.

Instead of an additional piece of carry-on baggage, you can check in one of the following items as additional baggage free of charge for each child at the check-in counters:

  • A collapsible stroller
  • A child carrier
  • A collapsible bicycle trailer
  • A collapsible handcart

This applies in addition to standard carry-on baggage. It is not necessary to register these items.

A tag being attached to a collapsible stroller
A family with two small children sitting at the gate

For babies weighing up to 11 kg and a maximum size of 67 cm, Discover Airlines provides children’s beds on all long-haul flights free of charge. The accompanying passenger(s) must reserve a seat at the designated location. Please note that, depending on the booking class, a fee may be incurred for the seat with the children’s bed.

The number of children’s beds on board is limited and can be reserved up to 52 hours before departure. For more information, please contact our service center.

We provide water that is suitable for baby bottles, so you do not have to buy water after the security check. We also have baby food on board, but we recommend taking your baby’s favorite food or bottle with you, as the availability of baby food on our flights is limited. We would be happy to warm up bottles or food for your baby on board. You will also find changing tables in the washrooms on board, and, in an emergency, replacement diapers are available.

For children aged between 5 and 11 years flying without a traveling companion, it is obligatory to book the "Unaccompanied Minor" service (UM service) when booking with Discover Airlines. For adolescents between 12 and 17 years of age, the UM service is optional. Bookings can only be made through the Discover Airlines Service CenterThe link will be opened in a new browser tab or at an airport counter. Online booking is not available.

Who needs the UM service?

  • 5 to 11 years of age, traveling alone: the UM service is mandatory.
  • 5 to 11 years, with a family member aged 12 years or older (e.g., siblings): the UM service not required.
  • 12 to 17 years, traveling alone: the UM service is optional — recommended to ensure supervision in case of delays or flight cancellations.
  • Under five years of age: transportation as an unaccompanied child is not possible; an adult traveling companion is required.

On which routes can the UM service be booked?

The UM service is available on all direct flights with Discover Airlines, as well as on feeder and connecting flights within the Lufthansa Group. This includes connecting flights via the Frankfurt and Munich hubs.

How much does the UM service cost?

The fee is charged per route and per unaccompanied child. For a return flight, the amounts are doubled accordingly.

A small boy carrying a UM form
Zone Fee in EUR Fee in CHF Fee in USD Fee in CAD Fee in GBP Europe EUR 85 CHF 95 USD 95 CAD 135 GBP 75 North Africa EUR 95 CHF 105 USD 105 CAD 145 GBP 85 Central Africa EUR 115 CHF 130 USD 130 CAD 175 GBP 100 Medium-haul intercontinental (US/CA East Coast) EUR 125 CHF 140 USD 140 CAD 190 GBP 110 Long-haul intercontinental (US/CA West Coast) EUR 150 CHF 170 USD 170 CAD 230 GBP 130

Example: an eight-year-old child flying alone from Frankfurt to Palma (Mallorca) and back. Both flights are in Zone 1. The UM service fee is 2 × EUR 85 = EUR 170.

What documents are required?

Always required:

  • Valid passport or child ID card
  • Completed assistance form (PDF) (three copies per flight; for connections with multiple segments, three copies per segment)

Additionally, depending on the destination country:

  • Visa
  • Travel insurance confirmation
  • Parent/guardian consent form

Recommended:

  • Allergy ID card
  • Receipt for any assistance fee already paid

How do you book the UM service?

Bookings and flight bookings are made exclusively via the:

  • Discover Airlines Service Center
  • Discover Airlines counter at the airport

Note: it is not possible to book online as guardians must be contacted and identified in person.

Adolescents (12–17 years) without UM service

If no UM service is booked for adolescents aged between 12 and 17, parents should provide the adolescent with the following form. It allows the hotel to assign a room in the event of an unplanned overnight stay (e.g. due to a canceled flight).

You are welcome to take your own child seat on board as long as the child restraint system is accepted by Discover Airlines. The use of a child seat on board is free of charge. However, parents must purchase a CHILD ticket for babies (under the age of 2) in order to attach the child seat to a passenger seat.

The child restraint system must not impede other guests in the event of an emergency evacuation. This entails the following regulations regarding boarding and seat allocation; please note them when checking in and selecting your seat:

  • We recommend that you select a window seat for your child using a child restraint system. As an accompanying adult, you should always occupy the seat next to them.
  • Please avoid selecting seats in emergency exit rows.

The following requirements must be met:

  • The child seat must be in perfect condition.
  • The child restraint system must not impede anyone in the event of an evacuation.
  • Parents must be familiar with the use of child restraint systems and able to attach the seat independently. The child seat is the property of the parents and is their responsibility.
  • It must always be possible to fasten the child restraint system with the seat lap belt.

If these prerequisites are not met, there is no guarantee of transportation. The parents agree to check the child seat as baggage if it does not meet the requirements or cannot be properly attached to the aircraft seat.

Comfort devices that can be attached to the aircraft seat or are placed in the footwell are not permitted. These include inflatable cubes, seat extensions or similar.

Flying is no problem in a straightforward pregnancy. However, we still advise pregnant women to discuss the upcoming flight with their OB/GYN in advance. Due to the increased risk of thrombosis during pregnancy, we recommend wearing compression socks on the aircraft.

Under what conditions may pregnant women fly?

  • Uncomplicated single baby pregnancy: It is possible to fly up to the end of the 36th week of pregnancy. From the 28th week of pregnancy, a certificate from the OB/GYN in charge should be submitted stating that it is safe to travel.
  • Uncomplicated multiple pregnancy: It is possible to fly up to the 32nd week of pregnancy. From the 28th week of pregnancy, a certificate from the OB/GYN in charge should be submitted stating that it is safe to travel.
  • Pregnancies with complications: If complications have already occurred during the pregnancy (severe bleeding, impending premature birth, pregnancy infections or preeclampsia, etc.), a medical certificate from the treating OB/GYN must be submitted before the journey starts.

What needs to be listed on the certificate?

  • Confirmation that the pregnancy is uncomplicated
  • The expected due date
  • The OB/GYN should explicitly state that the pregnancy does not prevent the patient from flying

Pregnant women will be asked to download the certificate for their doctor for completion and to carry it with them during their flight:

Irrespective of the health requirements listed above, different regulations apply in some countries.

Discover Airlines accepts no liability in the event that pregnant women are not granted permission to fly or are refused entry due to the country-specific legal situation. It is therefore strongly recommended that you obtain information in advance from the relevant authorities about the country-specific laws regarding flight authorization for pregnant women.

If you have any questions or need further information, please contact the Medical Operation Center by e-mail: specialservice.discover-airlines@lufthansa-group.com.

We serve delicious children’s menus for our young passengers on long-haul flights. Children’s menus must be pre-ordered via the Discover Airlines Service Center.

Discover Airlines is offering a baggage pick-up service in partnership with Airportr. For departures from Frankfurt, Airportr will collect your baggage from any address of your choice in the Frankfurt, Mannheim and Heidelberg area, and check it in for your flight.

Under ENAC regulations, you are entitled to a complimentary advance seat reservation for flights to and from Italy if you meet the following conditions:

  • you are traveling with a child between the ages of two and 12 and/or
  • you are a passenger with a disability or are accompanying a passenger with a disability.

Discover Airlines will then provide complimentary adjacent seats at check-in.

If we are unable to place your child near an adult from your group on flights to and from Canada, you can rebook your flight or cancel your trip.

Onboard entertainment for children

Our young passengers certainly get their money’s worth with the Discover Airlines entertainment program. Our specially selected kids’ program of movies, series and much more ensures enjoyment, fun and excitement.

A child watching the entertainment program

Kids’ entertainment on long-haul flights

On long-haul flights, children can enjoy movies and series as well as audio content directly on the HD screen at their seat. They can also enjoy playing an extensive gaming round in the Onboard Cloud. Alongside the games of skill where children can demonstrate their ability, and puzzles waiting to be solved, there are many other things on offer.

A teenager sitting in the Economy Class of an A320 and looking at a tablet

Kids’ entertainment on short and medium-haul flights

On all short and medium-haul flights, the Onboard Cloud offers an extensive program specially selected for our young passengers, with series and movies specifically selected for children, along with digital games. The flying adventure can begin - with the very best in entertainment!

Please note: On short or medium-haul flights, please note that you must enter your flight details to ensure that only the short-haul entertainment is played. To do this, click on “Your flight” in the upper right-hand corner of the page and enter the flight date and destination or flight number.

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