Planning a trip with your little one? There's a few things you need to know before you grab your passports and head to the airport. We'll help you book the right seat for their age and figure out what you can bring along on board.
Select the right fare for your child's age
Infants less than 8 days old are only allowed to travel for medical emergencies, provided that Qatar Airways Medical Centre approval is obtained using a Medical Information Form (MEDIF). The infant can also accompany the mother if she needs to travel for compassionate reasons, provided she has obtained all the necessary travel documents for the infant, as well as a certificate from a qualified pediatrician indicating that the infant is fit to travel.
Infants over 8 days and under 2 years old can travel on a parent's lap (or another adult's) with an infant fare.
If you are travelling alone with two infants, the second infant must be at least 1 year old and able to sit on a separate seat or car seat.* A child fare will apply to that second infant.
When travelling with two or more infants who are younger than 1 year old, there must be an accompanying adult who is at least 16 years old for every infant who will be carried on a lap. This is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of babies on board.
Children 2 to 11 years old, travelling with an adult who is at least 16 years old, will be booked on a child fare and travel on their own seat.
* Car seats may be used for infants and children between 6 months old and 36 months old, weighing up to 20kg (44lb).
Infant fare checked baggage allowance
Infants have their own checked-in baggage allowance, plus one baby stroller, car seat, or collapsible carrycot accepted at no extra charge.
| Route | Baggage allowance (all classes of travel) |
|---|---|
| Flights to/from Africa or Americas |
One piece, not to exceed 23kg (50lb) |
| Flights to/from all other destinations |
10kg (22lb) |
| Hand baggage | Not entitled |
Child fare checked baggage allowance
Little travellers over 2 years old and infants travelling on a child fare get their own baggage allowance (same as adults), so they can bring along all their favourite toys and clothes.
Children travelling alone
Travelling solo doesn't always mean alone. Kids travelling with our young solo traveller service are taken care of every step of the way – from the moment they check in until they reach their final destination.
This service is mandatory for children aged 5-11 travelling alone without an adult who is at least 16 years old, and optional for children aged 12-15 travelling alone without an adult who is at least 18 years old. A Qatar Airways representative will look after your child on board and during transit. On arrival, your child will be safely handed to their designated pick-up person.
Did you know? We have an exclusive lounge for unaccompanied minors at Hamad International Airport. Kids travelling alone can relax and play in a safe and welcoming environment while they wait for their departing or transfer flights.
Eligibility
To enjoy the young solo traveller service, your child must:
- Be between 5 and 11 years old
- Have a ticket number starting with ‘157’
- Take a flight/flights operated by Qatar Airways, meaning that they may not fly with other airlines
Cost
An adult fare will apply to your child.
How to book
Select the Adult passenger fare type when making the booking and fill out this online form at least 24 hours before departure.
Use Avios to book award flights for children flying alone
How to book award flightsPrivilege Club members can spend Avios on award flights for children travelling alone in Economy Class, on flights marketed and operated by Qatar Airways. Children are young solo travellers aged 5 – 11 or young passengers aged 12 – 15.
A fixed service fee equivalent to 3,000 Avios will apply per one-way trip booked for a child. If you book a return trip for them, 3,000 Avios will be deducted for their departure and another 3,000 Avios for their return.
All you need to do is follow these steps:
1. Submit a request to book their award flight at any time between 365 days and 96 hours before departure. Choose one of these options:
• Log in, select ‘Contact Centre’, choose ‘Redemptions’ and ‘Unaccompanied Minor Service for 12- 15 Years’, then enter your message.
• Call our Contact Centre.
• Reach out using live chat.
• Visit the Member Service Centre at Qatar Airways Tower 1 in Doha.
Be sure to provide their full name as it appears on their passport, their date of birth, and a copy of their passport.
2. If you submitted your request online, look out for an email with the booking details and complete your payment. If you visited the Member Service Centre, please complete payment there.
3. Once your award flight booking is confirmed, request the young solo traveller service if a child aged 5 – 11 will be flying alone, or Meet and Assist Services were booked for a young passenger aged 12 – 15. Fill in the young solo traveller form online at least 48 hours prior to departure.
Terms and conditionsRequest submission
1. Requests to book award flights for children can be submitted by main members only.
2. Requests must be submitted at least 96 hours before departure.
3. If a child aged 5 – 11 will be flying alone, the young solo traveller form must be filled in online at least 48 hours before departure so that the request can be processed.
4. Award flights for children cannot be upgraded.
Avios and fees
1. When booking award flights for children, Avios can only be spent on flights marketed and operated by Qatar Airways.
2. The same amount of Avios is needed whether booking an award flight for an adult or a child.
3. A fixed service fee equivalent to 3,000 Avios will be deducted per one-way trip booked for a child. If the child will take a return trip, 3,000 Avios will be deducted for their departure and another 3,000 Avios for their return. If Meet and Assist Services were booked, this will also be covered by the fixed service fee. An electronic miscellaneous document (EMD) will be issued as a receipt.
4. The service fee paid with Avios is non-refundable.
5. Award fees will apply when changing an award flight booked for a child.
6. The same terms and conditions apply whether an award flight is changed for an adult or a child.
7. If an award flight booking is cancelled, the same terms and conditions apply whether refunding an adult’s ticket or a child’s ticket.
Departure and arrival
1. At the departure airport, the parent or legal guardian whose name is on the young solo traveller form, must present the following documents during check-in:
• Copy of the young solo traveller’s or young passenger’s ticket.
• Copy of the electronic miscellaneous document (EMD) issued as a receipt for the service fee paid with Avios.
• Printed copy of the filled in young solo traveller form, if a child aged 5 – 11 is flying alone, or Meet and Assist Services were booked for a young passenger aged 12 – 15.
• Copy of the email confirming that the young solo traveller service will be provided.
• Passport or government-issued identity document of the parent or legal guardian whose name is on the young solo traveller form.
2. At the arrival airport, the person receiving the young solo traveller or young passenger, must present their passport or government-issued identity document.
Need a companion? A Qatar Airways representative can accompany your child throughout their journey.
Please contact us at least 72 hours before departure to request this service.
Did you know? We have an exclusive lounge for unaccompanied minors at Hamad International Airport. Kids travelling alone can relax and play in a safe and welcoming environment while they wait for their departing or transfer flights.
Eligibility
To enjoy our companion service, your child must:
- Be between 5 and 15 years of age
- Have a ticket number starting with ‘157’
- Take a flight/flights operated by Qatar Airways, meaning that they may not fly with other airlines
Cost
An adult fare will apply to your child if you would like them to be accompanied.
How to book
To have a companion service for your child, a return ticket must be purchased for the Qatar Airways representative who will look after your child. Please contact us to make a booking and find out more about the services.