Yes, bassinets are available on some flights serving India, but you must check your exact flight and operating aircraft. Air India offers complimentary infant bassinets subject to availability. IndiGo’s general service does not provide them, but its Norse-operated flights have a specific bassinet service.
An infant ticket does not automatically reserve a bassinet. You need to request the service, confirm a suitable seat and check whether your baby meets the equipment’s size and weight requirements.
Last checked: September 18, 2026.
Before paying for your flight: Ask whether bassinets are available on your flight number, travel date and cabin. Confirm your baby’s eligibility and how the associated seat is assigned. A request remains subject to availability and operational changes.
On This Page
Which Airlines Provide Baby Bassinets on India Routes?
| Airline or service | Published position | What parents should check |
|---|---|---|
| Air India | Complimentary bassinets, subject to availability | Exact flight, cabin, compatible seat and infant limits |
| IndiGo general service | General travel guidance says bassinets are not provided | Whether your flight falls under a different operating arrangement |
| IndiGo flights operated under wet/damp lease from Norse | Three complimentary bassinets per aircraft, subject to availability | Advance request and eligibility under the Norse-specific policy |
| Emirates flights serving India | Bassinets available subject to aircraft, availability and safe fit | Published maximum of 11 kg and applicable dimensions |
| Other airlines | Do not assume the service is offered | Obtain confirmation for the specific flight before relying on a bassinet |
Official references: Air India infant FAQ, IndiGo general travel tips, IndiGo Norse FAQ and Emirates special-assistance FAQ.
Aircraft configuration matters more than a broad label. Do not assume every international flight has bassinets, every domestic flight lacks them, or every bulkhead row has mounting positions.
Can You Request a Baby Bassinet on Air India?
Yes. Air India says passengers can request a complimentary bassinet during booking, at airport check-in or through its customer support portal. Availability is limited, so request it early rather than waiting until boarding.
Its family travel page specifically highlights bassinets on long-haul journeys. For a domestic flight, ask about the actual aircraft and cabin instead of assuming the general service applies.
The reviewed FAQ does not provide a universal numerical bassinet weight or length limit. Ask Air India to confirm the limits for your flight; do not apply another airline’s specifications.
Does IndiGo Provide Bassinets on International Flights?
There is an important exception to IndiGo’s general no-bassinet guidance. Its Norse-specific FAQ lists three bassinets: one in Stretch and two in Economy. It states that they are free, require an advance request and are intended for infants under two years weighing up to 12 kg.
Contact IndiGo early to confirm that your flight uses this service and to clarify the request deadline. The same FAQ prohibits passengers from bringing personal bassinets or baby beds onboard.
Do not extend these provisions to all IndiGo flights. Use the Norse-operated flight FAQ for the specific service and reconfirm if the aircraft changes.
What Are the Age, Weight and Size Limits?
Being under two years old does not automatically make a baby suitable for a bassinet. “Infant” is a ticket category; bassinet eligibility is an equipment and safety assessment.
Ask the airline about:
- Maximum permitted weight
- Usable length and width
- Any age or developmental restrictions
- Whether the baby must fit with legs comfortably extended
- The crew’s final assessment onboard
For example, Emirates specifies up to 11 kg and requires a safe fit; it may refuse use if the baby must bend their legs to fit. Its limit is not an Air India limit. See Emirates’ bassinet conditions.
How to Request a Bassinet on a Plane
- Check before booking: Give the airline your proposed flight number, date and cabin.
- Add your infant: Make sure the baby is included in the reservation.
- Provide travel-date details: Give the baby’s date of birth and expected weight and length.
- Request the bassinet explicitly: Buying an infant ticket or a front-row seat is not the same thing.
- Clarify the seat: Ask whether a compatible position is assigned, requested or still pending.
- Save the response: Keep the request reference and any written confirmation.
- Recheck each flight: Include connecting and return sectors, especially after schedule or aircraft changes.
- Confirm at check-in: Then follow the cabin crew’s instructions onboard.
Message you can send: “I am travelling with an infant on flight [number] on [date], booking reference [PNR]. My baby will be [age], approximately [weight] kg and [length] cm. Does this aircraft and cabin offer a bassinet? Please confirm eligibility, request status, the compatible seat and any associated charges.”
Request early, but do not assume every airline allocates bassinets strictly on a first-come, first-served basis. Ask how allocation works for your flight.
Are Baby Bassinets Free? Do Infants Fly Free?
A free bassinet does not mean a free infant ticket. Air India and the Norse-specific IndiGo service describe the bassinet itself as complimentary, subject to availability.
Check the full booking price separately, including the infant fare, applicable taxes and any seat-selection charges. Do not assume the accompanying adult’s seat is free simply because the bassinet is.
IndiGo’s special-assistance policy specifies a fee per sector for lap infants. Akasa Air also lists a per-sector infant fee in its infant policy.
If the child turns two during the trip, contact the airline before booking to confirm how the return journey must be ticketed.
Is a Bassinet a Safety Seat?
No. A bassinet is not a substitute for an approved child restraint. It cannot be relied on for the entire journey. Follow crew instructions about removing and securing your baby during takeoff, landing, turbulence and other restricted periods.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exploring a separate seat with an appropriate approved restraint for safer air travel. However, airline acceptance differs: IndiGo’s standard infant policy and Akasa Air’s policy require lap travel and do not permit booking an infant’s own seat. Confirm the operating carrier’s rules before buying or bringing a restraint.
Sources: AAP family travel guidance, IndiGo infant rules and Akasa Air infant rules.
Prepare for the Flight Even If You Request a Bassinet
Plan for periods when the bassinet is unavailable. Keep nappies, wipes, spare clothing and feeding supplies accessible, including enough for delays.
Check our guides to baby food on Indian flights and carrying baby formula. Bring the age documents required by the airline and the baby’s passport and other entry documents for international travel.
What if your baby cries?
Check feeding, nappy and comfort needs. Feeding or a pacifier may help with ear-pressure discomfort when safe and consistent with crew instructions. Ask the crew for assistance if needed. Do not give medicine simply to make a baby sleep without medical advice.
What is the safest age for a baby to fly?
An airline’s minimum accepted age is not a medical recommendation. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises waiting until around two to three months when possible. Discuss travel with your paediatrician, particularly for a premature baby or one with heart, lung or other health concerns.
Source: AAP guidance on flying with babies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request a bassinet at airport check-in?
Air India permits requests at check-in, but availability may already be limited. Requesting earlier gives the airline more opportunity to arrange a suitable position.
Does booking a bulkhead seat guarantee a bassinet?
No. Confirm that the seat has a bassinet position and that the service request has been recorded. Not every front-row seat supports one.
Are bassinets available on domestic flights in India?
Do not assume availability. Ask the airline about the specific aircraft, cabin and service on your domestic flight.
Can my baby use a bassinet throughout an overnight flight?
No. Sleep can be interrupted when the crew requires the baby to be removed and secured. Plan for those periods even on overnight services.
Can I bring my own portable bassinet?
Do not assume permission to carry an item also permits using it onboard. Obtain airline approval for the exact product. IndiGo’s Norse-specific policy prohibits personal bassinets and baby beds onboard.
Which airline is best for flying with a baby?
Compare the exact itinerary: travel time, connections, bassinet availability, infant seating policy and total price. An airline’s general family-friendly reputation does not confirm the equipment on your flight.
What if the bassinet is unavailable after I request it?
Ask the airline about the available seating arrangements and follow its infant-travel policy. Do not improvise a bed on the floor or assume an unapproved product can replace the airline’s bassinet.
