UK Airport Parking at Gatwick, Heathrow, Manchester, Luton, Leeds/Bradford, Glasgow, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Newcastle, Birmingham, Bristol, Belfast and Cardiff Airports.

Flying With Babies

Taking Babies abroad and Flying with Babies

Allow time

Due to the amount of extra luggage required for a young baby always allow extra time to pack the car, for stops on the way to the airport, to empty the car and board the bus to transfer to the airport, to pass through check in and finally to prepare your baby for the flight. It is recommended that babies are fed and cleaned prior to the flight and the timing of feeding should take this account.

Once on the flight

Take plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
A towel for changing nappies.
Check with the airline to see if a bulk head cot is provided and pre-book because these are usually on a first come basis.
Ear pain is a common problem and sucking to keep the air waves will help and a handkerchief or paper towel soaked in hot water and placed in the bottom of a plastic cup held against the child's ear will also help.
Have your meal after your partner or if travelling alone ask if it's possible to have sandwiches as eating a meal one handed is difficult.
Most airlines will heat up milk bottles but it is worth getting your baby used to cold milk.
Walk up and down the plane carrying the baby to relieve sitting in one position.

Airport facilities for babies and young children

London - Heathrow airport

Baby-changing facilities: In every terminal: before and after security control, arrivals and departures, baggage reclaim areas and flights connections centre.

Play areas and amusement: There are unsupervised children's play areas with climbing frames and soft toys in the flight connection centre. There are play tables in Terminal 2. There are two amusement sites: Voyager Amusement suite, Terminal 2, and Serendipity Amusement suite, Terminal 3.

Feeding facilities: Any of the catering outlets will be pleased to heat babies bottles and food.

Extra info: The 'Skycaps' portering service is free of charge for people travelling alone with children. It can be summoned from the special help points in the terminal forecourts, car parks, baggage claim halls, underground station and central station, or arranged in advance.

London- Gatwick airport

Baby-changing facilities: Dedicated rooms equipped for feeding and changing babies en route to gate rooms, in the transfer area, in arrivals and after passport control. Fold-down tables are provided in some ladies' and gentlemen's toilets.

Play areas and entertainment: Play areas for children aged 2-6 are available free of charge in the North Terminal departure lounge and the South Terminal village on the third floor. In the busy summer months, face and hand painting, caricature painting and jugglers can be available free of charge in the departure lounge. Games arcades are situated in both North and South terminals, as are toy stores.

Feeding facilities: Any of the catering outlets will be pleased to heat babies bottles and food.

Extra info: In periods of significant delay the airport provides supplies of nappies and colouring pads to passengers travelling with children.

London- Luton airport

Baby-changing facilities: Special baby-care rooms, equipped with changing tables, nappy dispensers and other essential equipment, are available in the terminal building.

Play areas and entertainment: none

Feeding facilities: n/a

London - Stansted airport

Baby-changing facilities: Baby-changing rooms available throughout the airport: two before security control, one in the departures lounge, facilities for arriving passengers and in the international arrivals hall.

Play areas and entertainment: An unsupervised children's play area is located in the main departures lounge. There is an amusement site situated before security control, with a range of games suitable for children of school age.

Feeding facilities: Any of the catering outlets will be pleased to heat babies bottles and food.

Bournemouth International Airport

Baby-changing facilities: Spacious and modern toilets in the airport terminal, including baby-change facilities.

Play areas and entertainment: The children's play area, sponsored by Airtours, is popular with little ones up to five or six years of age.

Cardiff Airport

Baby-changing facilities: Special baby-care rooms, equipped with changing tables, nappy dispensers and other essential equipment.

Play areas and entertainment: An Airtours-sponsored playcentre in the departure lounge is available to younger passengers, aged 2-8. The playcentre is equipped with a wide range of toys. Parents are requested to supervise their children while they enjoy the facility.

Exeter Airport

Baby-changing facilities: Available both landside and airside in dedicated rooms adjacent to the toilets.

Play areas and entertainment: n/a

Feeding facilities: Children's menu, bottle warming and baby food (on request).

Southampton Airport

Baby-changing facilities: There is a baby care room located in the main concourse, with private feeding cubicles and bottle warmers.

Play areas and entertainment: A children's play area is situated in the main departure lounge.

Feeding facilities: Any of the catering outlets will be pleased to heat babies bottles and food.

Birmingham International Airport

Baby-changing facilities: Baby-changing facilities are available in most toilets on site, and within Terminal 1 there are two dedicated baby rooms. Both rooms can be found airside - one in the Departure Lounge, which has a bottle warmer, and the other in the baggage reclaim hall for returning passengers. Terminal 2 also has a baby room which is accessible to all visitors.

Play areas and entertainment: A dedicated area for children is located next to Starbucks, in the Departure Lounge in Terminal 1. Here, children can play with a variety of toys and games - all designed to encourage activities that are calming rather than boisterous! An interactive touch-screen facility has recently been installed offering a range of games and drawing options for children aged between 3 and 11. Alternatively they can sit and watch one of the latest Disney DVDs on the widescreen television or just get creative with a selection of art materials that Starbucks are happy to provide. Activities within this area come with the added bonus of having excellent views of the airfield.

Serendipity is located both landside and airside - an amusement area that has a variety of arcade games for older children as well as a selection of rides for the younger ones.

Feeding facilities: A wide range of eating places are available at the airport, most will provide jugs of warm water for reheating bottles and many have complimentary baby food available on request. All our outlets offer children's portions and provide highchairs.

Extra info: The Aviation Experience, situated on the third floor in T1, has a number of attractions including interactive displays, a bookshop, refreshments, a viewing area and amusements. The centre is open from 8am-10pm from May 1st - October 31st and 8am-8pm November 1st - April 30th.

Leeds & Bradford International Airport

Baby-changing facilities: Facilities available in the toilets.

Play areas and entertainment: A large children's play area (unsupervised) has been provided by Airtours and is situated in theInternational Departure Lounge. To keep children entertained, the airport has a number of toy vending machines.

Manchester International Airport

Baby-changing facilities: The airport has baby change facilities across all terminals - some are located close to the ladies' toilets and some are unisex for the convenience of both parents. In Terminal 1, level 5, check-in hall, there is a new baby change facility with a children's highchair, a bottle warmer, a soft padded changing mat, a specially designed chair for nursing mothers and a supply of disposable nappies, lotions and cotton wool.

Play areas and entertainment: Airtours have fully refurbished their dedicated play area located within the departure lounge in Terminal 1 which enables children to play or watch television. The centre is open 24 hours a day but children must be supervised at all times.

Feeding facilities: Feeding your child is easy as all restaurants and cafes provide high chairs and most sell food suitable for children. Parents can take their children for a bite to eat at one of the airport's many food outlets including Burger King and Harry Ramsdens.

Extra info: Manchester Airport has art desks located at most eating areas which gives children the opportunity to colour in and play. Alternatively, WH Smiths sell a wide selection of children's story books, activity books and crayons. Remember also that children love to watch aeroplanes and they can have a great view from the airports large windows.

Aberdeen Airport

Baby changing facilities: There is a baby care room close to the airport information desk.

Play areas and entertainment: Play tables, low tables with Lego bricks and various toys are available on request.

Feeding facilities: Any of the catering outlets will be pleased to heat babies bottles and food.

Edinburgh Airport

Baby-changing facilities: Dedicated baby-care rooms are sited next to toilet facilities in the UK arrivals hall, on the first floor departures concourse, and in the departure lounge.

Play areas and entertainment: Play tables are located throughout the terminal buildings and are available on request.

Feeding facilities: Any of the catering outlets will be pleased to heat babies bottles/food.

Glasgow Airport

Baby-changing facilities: 3 dedicated baby care rooms in the main concourse, international departure lounge and the international baggage reclaim hall. Many toilets have wall-mounted baby-changing units.

Play areas and entertainment: One unsupervised soft-play area for children under 6 years is available at Gate 50 on the international pier. Puzzle tables can also be found at various locations throughout the terminal building.

Feeding facilities: Any of the catering outlets will be pleased to heat babies bottles/food.

Extra info: During delays colouring books and nappies are supplied and entrapment such as jugglers and magicians can be provided to entertain the children.