Traveling with children requires more preparation and attention compared to traveling alone. Parents and guardians need to ensure that their young ones are comfortable, safe, and compliant with airline rules. Among the world’s leading airlines, Qatar Airways is renowned not only for its luxurious services but also for its thoughtful approach to families traveling with infants and children.
Booking tickets for young travelers, however, is slightly different from booking for adults. It involves additional considerations such as age categories, fare rules, seat assignments, and special services available on board. For parents unfamiliar with the process, it can feel overwhelming. This comprehensive guide explains step by step how to book Qatar Airways flight tickets for infants and children, what to expect during the journey, and tips to make the travel experience smoother.
Understanding Infant and Child Travel Categories
Before booking, it is essential to understand how Qatar Airways defines age groups for ticketing purposes.
Infant Passenger
An infant is any child under two years of age at the time of travel. Infants do not occupy their own seat unless a separate child fare ticket is purchased.
Child Passenger
A child passenger is defined as between two and eleven years old. From the age of two, a child is required to have their own seat.
Adult Passenger
Passengers aged twelve years or older are considered adults for booking and fare purposes.
Knowing these categories ensures that you select the correct fare type and avoid issues during check in or boarding.
Booking Tickets for Infants
Option One: Infant on Lap
The most common arrangement for infants is to travel seated on the lap of an adult passenger. When booking online, you must select the number of adults and then add an infant passenger. The infant fare is usually a percentage of the adult fare plus applicable taxes.
During the flight, Qatar Airways provides a special seat belt extension that attaches to the adult’s seat belt, keeping the infant secure. For safety reasons, only one infant is allowed per adult lap.
Option Two: Infant with Own Seat
Parents may choose to purchase a separate seat for their infant, especially on long haul flights. This requires booking the infant as a child fare rather than an infant fare. In this case, an approved child restraint device or car seat must be used on board. The seat must comply with Qatar Airways safety regulations.
Bassinet Services
On many aircraft, Qatar Airways offers bassinets that can be attached to the bulkhead seats. These are ideal for infants under two years of age and below a specific weight and height limit. Bassinet requests must be made in advance when booking the ticket or by contacting customer service.
Booking Tickets for Children
Once a child reaches two years of age, they require their own seat and must travel on a child ticket. The fare is generally discounted compared to adult fares, although the exact reduction varies depending on route and fare class.
Seat Selection for Children
Parents traveling with children can select seats in advance. Many families prefer booking seats together, and Qatar Airways generally makes every effort to accommodate this. On some fare types, free advance seat selection may be included, while in others, it may require a small fee.
Child Meals
Special children’s meals can be requested during booking or by managing the reservation later. These meals are designed to suit younger tastes and nutritional needs.
Entertainment
Qatar Airways’ inflight entertainment system offers a wide variety of movies, cartoons, and games suitable for children. Booking ensures that your child’s seat will have a functioning entertainment screen for the journey.
Step by Step Guide to Booking Infant and Child Tickets
Step One: Visit the Qatar Airways Website or Mobile App
Begin by accessing the official Qatar Airways booking platform. Ensure you are using the official website or app to avoid third party complications.
Step Two: Select Your Travel Details
Enter your departure and arrival cities, travel dates, and number of passengers. Specify the number of adults, children, and infants separately to ensure the correct fares are displayed.
Step Three: Choose Flights
Browse the available flights and select the option that best fits your schedule and budget. Pay attention to flight duration, layovers, and aircraft type, as these factors significantly affect comfort when traveling with children.
Step Four: Add Passenger Details
For each passenger, enter full names as per passport, date of birth, and contact information. The system automatically applies infant or child fares based on the age entered.
Step Five: Select Seats and Services
Choose family friendly seating arrangements, such as bulkhead rows for bassinets or seats near the aisle for easier access. Request child or infant meals at this stage.
Step Six: Review and Pay
Check that all details are correct, including the names and birth dates of children and infants. Proceed to payment using a credit or debit card or other available methods.
Step Seven: Confirmation and E Ticket
After payment, you will receive an email confirmation with e tickets for all passengers. Review the tickets carefully to ensure that the infant or child status is correctly displayed.
Traveling with Infants and Children on Qatar Airways
Booking the ticket is only the first step. Qatar Airways provides several facilities and services to make travel with young passengers more convenient.
Priority Boarding
Families with infants and children are often invited to board earlier, giving them extra time to settle in before general boarding begins.
Strollers and Car Seats
Collapsible strollers can usually be taken as far as the aircraft door, where they will then be checked into the hold. Approved car seats may be used if you have booked a separate seat for your infant.
On Board Amenities
Cabin crew provide assistance with bassinets, extra pillows, and blankets. Diaper changing tables are available in aircraft lavatories.
Entertainment Kits
For children, Qatar Airways sometimes provides activity packs with coloring books, toys, or puzzles to keep them occupied during the flight.
Unaccompanied Minor Services
If your child is traveling without an accompanying adult, Qatar Airways offers an unaccompanied minor service.
Age Requirements
Children between five and fifteen years old can use the unaccompanied minor service. It is mandatory for passengers under twelve traveling alone.
Booking Process
This service cannot be booked online. Parents must contact Qatar Airways directly or visit a ticketing office. Additional fees apply, and detailed information about the child’s guardian at both departure and arrival points must be provided.
Assistance Provided
Airline staff assist the child at every stage, from check in and boarding to transfer connections and arrival handover. The goal is to ensure safety and comfort throughout the journey.
Tips for Parents Booking and Traveling with Young Children
- Book Early: Family friendly seats and bassinets are limited. Booking early increases the chances of securing them.
- Double Check Documentation: Ensure passports and visas for infants and children are valid and meet destination requirements. Some countries require additional documents such as birth certificates or parental consent letters.
- Pack Essentials in Carry On: Include snacks, diapers, wipes, toys, and a change of clothes for young travelers.
- Use the Mobile App: Manage bookings, check in online, and store boarding passes digitally to save time at the airport.
- Prepare Children for the Journey: Explain the process in simple terms to older children so they know what to expect at security and boarding.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Booking Infants as Children or Vice Versa: Enter the correct birth date to avoid fare misclassification.
- Forgetting to Request Special Meals: Meals need to be ordered in advance, usually at least 24 hours before departure.
- Not Confirming Bassinet Availability: Bassinets are subject to availability and aircraft type. Always confirm with the airline after booking.
- Last Minute Arrivals: Families need extra time for security and boarding. Arriving late increases stress and risk of missing the flight.
How Qatar Airways Supports Family Travelers
Qatar Airways has established itself as a family friendly airline. The cabin crew are trained to assist parents traveling with children, and the airline continuously enhances services for young passengers. From dedicated play areas in Doha’s Hamad International Airport to nutritious meal options on board, the airline strives to make flying with children as stress free as possible.
Conclusion
Booking Qatar Airways flight tickets for infants and children requires careful attention to detail, but the process is straightforward once you understand the categories, fare rules, and available services. Whether your infant will travel on your lap, in a bassinet, or in their own seat, Qatar Airways offers options to suit your family’s needs. For children over two years, discounted fares, special meals, and entertainment make the journey enjoyable.
By planning ahead, requesting necessary services, and preparing your children for the travel experience, you can ensure a smoother journey. Qatar Airways complements these efforts with family friendly policies, attentive staff, and modern facilities.
Traveling with young passengers does not have to be stressful. With the right preparation and knowledge, booking tickets for infants and children on Qatar Airways can be the start of an enjoyable family adventure.