Enjoy a worry-free flight even with small children. Introducing the wide range of services that only JAL can provide.

During the Obon holiday season, airports are bustling with many passengers with children. If you take a look inside the aircraft, you'll see that flying with children is nothing special. Let's take a look at the process of flying with children, including some of the services that are unique to JAL.

If you reserve a seat on the JAL website, the infant symbol will be displayed.

Up to two children between 8 days and 2 years old may accompany one adult, with only one child allowed to board free of charge (on the adult's lap). If the child needs to sit in a separate seat from the adult, such as using a child seat, a child fare reservation is required.

If you select a seat on the JAL website, an infant symbol will be displayed on the seat selection screen to let other customers know that you are traveling with an infant.

For this reason, we recommend making your reservation online, but if you reserve your seat over the phone or at the counter, we will suggest a seat that is most suitable for you depending on how busy the flight is on that day, such as avoiding the front seats where there are many business travelers on some routes and instead recommending a seat at the back close to the lavatories.

Seat reservation

Please contact us in advance to discuss the services you require.

We can also arrange various services for children. After making your reservation, please contact the "Customer Assistance Desk" at least three days before the flight date, and we will provide you with the following services.

Dedicated desk for customers requesting assistance

child seat

Child seats are available free of charge for children under 3 years old (8 days or older), weighing between 2.3 and 18 kg and measuring no more than 102 cm tall. They are available on both domestic and international flights.

Use of child seats on board

Bassinet (baby bed)

Baby bassinets (cribs for babies) can be installed in some seats on international flights. These are for babies under 2 years old weighing 10.5 kg or less. As numbers are limited, please apply early if you would like one.

In-flight offerings and services

International Child Meal

On international flights, in-flight meals can be arranged for children. In addition to baby food for babies up to 8 months old, toddler meals for children aged 9 months to under 2 years old, and meals for children aged 2 years and over, we also offer "BEDD for Kids", a child meal created by a star chef, in First Class and Business Class on flights departing from Narita/Haneda (excluding late-night flights and short-haul flights).

In principle, in-flight meals can be requested or changed up to 25 hours prior to your flight by clicking the "Service Request (Seat/Meal)" button on the reservation details screen on the JAL website.

Special in-flight meal menu (meals for children)

Strollers will be provided at the check-in counter.

Now, on the day of departure, if you are traveling with children, we recommend that you arrive at the airport a little earlier. If you have reserved a child seat, please come to the check-in counter. If you have a stroller, please check it in at the counter and return it to the baggage claim area at your arrival airport.

We also have baby strollers available for rental at the airport. We can also provide a baby stroller at the arrival airport as soon as you disembark, so please feel free to ask. Incidentally, JAL is currently introducing a new type of baby stroller that allows you to keep an eye on your child while traveling.

Our ground staff at the counter do their best to meet your requests. At the same time, we value creating an atmosphere where you can feel free to communicate your requests. Any requests or concerns you may have will be shared with flight attendants and ground staff at the arrival airport. Please feel free to consult with our staff, even if it is a small matter.

Airport services

Passengers with small children will be given priority boarding

At the boarding gate, you will be notified to board the aircraft 20 minutes before departure. (Information and departure times may change depending on the aircraft and flight conditions on the day.) The restrooms on board the aircraft are not available while the aircraft is on the runway or during takeoff. We ask that you change diapers and other items beforehand. Passengers with children or those who require assistance can use the pre-boarding service, which allows them to board first.

Our cabin attendants will assist you with your baggage and seating on the plane. Please allow ample time for boarding, based on your child's stride length.

Also, if you put all your baggage in the overhead bin, you won't be able to take it out during takeoff and landing or when the seatbelt signs are on. We recommend that you keep all necessities, such as milk, snacks, nursing capes, towels, etc., separated and stored in the space around your feet.

On board, we provide original JAL merchandise and in-flight entertainment for children.

We aim to create an environment in which you can relax and enjoy your time on board. Please feel free to let our cabin attendants know when your reserved items will be provided and how we can assist you.

In addition to providing meals and drinks, we also provide original JAL goods for children. The free "Enjoying the Air Travel with Babies Book" provides fun explanations on how to make the flight with your child more meaningful. It is also a pop-up picture book, so please take a look at it with your child.

On some international and domestic flights, children's content such as cartoons are broadcast on personal screens. In addition, on domestic flights, if you connect to the free in-flight Wi-Fi, you can enjoy content for children on your own devices.

You can prepare milk and change diapers on board.

You may use the restroom after the seatbelt signs are turned off. The restrooms on board are equipped with diaper changing tables, so you can change your baby's diaper at your leisure in a private room with privacy in mind. (Some aircraft do not have diaper changing tables.)

Please also feel free to ask us if you would like to prepare milk for your baby. Our cabin attendants will prepare hot water for you. We also have a limited number of spare diapers (medium and large sizes) available on board. If you run out or have any other concerns, please ask our cabin attendants.

It is quite common for babies to start crying on board an aircraft. You may be worried that the baby will be a nuisance to other passengers. In such cases, cabin attendants will speak to the baby and, if necessary, provide assistance to ease the baby's concerns. Please do not worry and simply relax and enjoy the time you spend with your child in the air.

Assistance for passengers with babies

Even if your child develops a sudden fever, you can cancel for free if you have a medical certificate. JAL supports traveling with children

There are very few customers who have no worries when flying with small children. For this reason, JAL's ground staff and cabin attendants undergo various training and education to help customers enjoy their flight as much as possible. In addition, we are constantly planning new services for customers with children, based on customer feedback and the observations of our on-site staff.

By the way, sudden fevers in small children are quite common, but please rest assured that JAL will not charge a flight cancellation fee if you present a doctor's certificate.

*There are various conditions for free cancellation. Please contact us before cancelling your reservation. For details, please see the link below.

[Domestic Flights] Peace of mind for moms, dads and babies! JAL Travel Support

From the moment you make your reservation until you reach your destination, JAL offers a wide range of services and hospitality. By taking advantage of these services, we can help you make your trip with children a fulfilling one. Please do not hesitate to consider flying with your children.

Related article

Don't worry if it's your first time. We'll show you how to board a JAL domestic flight.

Many customers who do not normally fly are anxious about the procedure leading up to boarding. However, airplanes are a familiar means of transportation. There is nothing difficult about it. Using a JAL domestic flight as an example, we will explain in an easy-to-understand manner the process from arriving at the airport to boarding.

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