Airline Fees Explained: What You Really Pay When Flying with Kids

When you book a flight for your family, airline fees, extra charges added by airlines beyond the base ticket price. Also known as hidden costs, these fees can add hundreds of pounds to a trip—especially when traveling with children. Many parents assume kids fly for free or at a discount, but that’s only the ticket. What you don’t see until checkout is the real bill: baggage, seat assignments, stroller checks, and even snacks.

Baggage fees for kids, charges applied to luggage checked or carried on for infants and toddlers are often overlooked. Airlines don’t give children their own free baggage allowance unless you pay for a full seat. A stroller? It usually flies free, but only if you check it at the gate. A car seat? Same rule. But if you try to bring a second carry-on for your toddler’s toys, clothes, and snacks, you’ll get charged like an adult. And don’t forget seat selection fees, costs to pick where your child sits, often $15–$50 per seat. Want to sit together? That’s extra. Want the window seat so your child can look out? That’s extra too.

Some airlines pretend they’re family-friendly by offering "free" stroller check-in, but then charge you $30 to check a diaper bag. Others let you bring a small bag for your baby on board, but only if it fits under the seat—and good luck fitting a changing pad, bottles, and three packs of wipes in there. The truth? airline fees aren’t about service. They’re about squeezing more money out of families who have no choice but to fly.

What’s worse? These fees aren’t always clear. You might book a ticket thinking you’ve got it all covered, then get hit with $120 in fees at check-in. And if you’re flying with a newborn? You’ll pay for a bassinet seat (if available), then pay again if you need an extra pillow or blanket. No airline lists these costs upfront. You find out when you’re already at the airport, tired, and holding a crying child.

But you’re not powerless. The posts below break down exactly what airlines charge families in 2025, which ones still offer real value, and how to spot the sneaky fees before you book. You’ll find real stories from parents who saved money by knowing when to check a stroller, which seats to pick for free, and which "family deals" are just traps. Whether you’re flying to visit grandparents or heading on your first big trip, these guides show you how to avoid being nickel-and-dimed when it matters most.