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New Report: This Is the Best Airline If You’re Traveling with Kids

Flying with kids is hard. Even travelers who don’t have kids can easily observe the effort it takes to get the whole family to their destination smoothly, not to mention the cost. There are the endless amounts of gear, babies who can’t understand why their ears hurt and naturally respond by crying, and restless toddlers who can’t sit still for long. (Thank God for iPads!) Sometimes, people traveling solo might even end up seated right between a parent and child, which can make for a particularly bumpy flight, turbulence aside.

Airlines have taken note of the unique challenges posed by traveling with kids, and many have gone to great lengths to make it easier to prevent travel disasters. But in a recent study by AirAdvisor, one airline came out on top when it comes to family air travel.

Keep reading to find out which airline was ranked No. 1 for traveling with kids, and which other airlines are working hard to make air travel better for families all-around.

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How did the study determine the best airline for families?

To determine the best airlines for families and people traveling with children, AirAdvisor carefully reviewed key criteria across the top 10 U.S. airlines. The most important factors were family seating policies, the availability of kid-friendly meals, free stroller check-in, entertainment systems and boarding options catered to families, like pre-boarding, the use of car seats and lap seat policies.

“This study was inspired by the countless stories we’ve heard from parents who felt powerless when traveling with children: families being split up on flights, or discovering too late that essentials like bassinets or child meals weren’t available,” said AirAdvisor CEO and founder Anton Radchenko in a blog post announcing the ratings. “Too often, airlines claim to be family-friendly without delivering on the basics. We wanted to cut through the noise and provide parents with clear, measurable data, so they can book with confidence. At the heart of this research is a simple idea: traveling with kids should be exciting, not stressful.”

What is the No. 1 airline for traveling with kids?

American Airlines came out on top as the best airline in the United States for traveling with kids. AirAdvisor found that the airline has everything that most parents look for when they’re flying with children, starting with pre-boarding for families traveling with kids under 2. Once on board, the airline offers kid-friendly meals available upon request, including baby food, and its in-flight entertainment also has plenty of options for young passengers. Other reasons American Airlines stands out include:

  • Children under 2 can fly for free if they’re seated on your lap on domestic flights.
  • On international flights, children under 2 incur only a 10% lap seat fee.
  • Parents can check strollers and car seats for free.
  • Select flights offer bassinets for infants.
  • Kids are automatically seated with at least one adult on their itinerary.

Traveling with young children isn’t always easy, but American Airlines definitely helps make it smoother.

What other airlines made the list?

While American Airlines may have earned the No. 1 spot on AirAdvisor’s list and the bragging rights that come along with it, there are other airlines that go to great lengths to make traveling a smooth experience for families. The top six airlines include:

  1. American Airlines
  2. United Airlines
  3. Delta Air Lines
  4. Hawaiian Airlines
  5. Alaska Airlines
  6. JetBlue

What are some family-friendly perks of the other top airlines?

Many of the top family-friendly airlines have similarities across the board, from pre-boarding for kids under 2 to kid-friendly meals and entertainment. And while American Airlines takes the cake, other airlines are hot on American’s heels with great kid-friendly perks.

United Airlines

United Airlines gives parents the option to fly with children under the age of 2 on their laps. The airline also has plenty of other features, including:

  • No charge to book seats together for one adult and up to two kids under the age of 12
  • Bassinets in economy on international flights
  • The option to change flights at no extra charge if you are not able to sit together as a family
  • Children’s travel kits that come with a puzzle, crayons and an activity book
  • Kid-friendly entertainment options
  • Kid-friendly meals and free snacks

Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines also does a great job of catering to families and previously held the top spot. Perks for people flying with kids include:

  • Free lap seating option for kids under 2 and discounts for kids who require their own seats
  • Kid-friendly meals and snacks
  • Entertainment system filled with kid-friendly options
  • Infant seats and bassinets are not included in the standard baggage allowance
  • Pre-boarding for families who need it
  • Families traveling with strollers and car seats are given advance boarding

Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines is considered the most reliable airline in the United States, and it delivers for people traveling with kids too. Some of the airline’s family-friendly features include:

  • Free lap seating for children under 2 on domestic flights, 10% fee on international flights
  • Children 13 and under are guaranteed seating next to an accompanying adult, free of charge
  • Bassinets are bookable on most international routes
  • Strollers are checked free of charge
  • In-flight entertainment geared toward kids
  • Kid-friendly meals as long as you pre-order at least 48 hours in advance

Were there any surprises on the list?

If these results are surprising to travelers, they’re not alone. Even AirAdvisor didn’t see some of the rankings coming!

“Delta has long been seen as the leader in family travel, so it was a surprise to see them edged out this year,” said Radchenko. “They remain excellent, especially on meals and entertainment, but American and United pulled ahead with stronger family seating guarantees and new kid-focused policies.”

But not all surprises are bad. “One of the most pleasant surprises was Hawaiian Airlines joining the ranking,” Radchenko added. “Their promise that children under 13 always sit with an adult, along with family-friendly stroller and bassinet policies, really struck a chord with parents.”

All these shifts across the board just prove that airlines are making big changes to their family-travel policies, creating greater competition between them. “American and United made the biggest leap by turning automatic family seating into a standard. That’s something parents have been asking for, and this year, they delivered.”

Which airline ranked the worst for traveling with kids?

Out of the six airlines that made the list, JetBlue came in last place, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot to love about this generally affordable airline. “JetBlue came in sixth. It’s still a strong low-cost choice with roomy seats, free entertainment and automatic family seating, but it ranked lowest because it doesn’t offer bassinets or the wider child-focused services that families now expect,” explained Radchenko. JetBlue also offers the same lap-seating and pre-boarding options as American Airlines.

“JetBlue gets the basics right: automatic seating for kids, free stroller check-in and plenty of snacks, but in 2025, families want more. That gap is what placed them at the bottom of our ranking,” says Radchenko. Given this year’s results, JetBlue has its work cut out for it next year!

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Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Source:

  • AirAdvisor: “Best US Airlines for Family Travel – Top Kid-Friendly Carriers 2025”

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