last updated: 08-08-2023
On a domestic flight from Bali to Yogyakarta, we chose to fly with AirAsia because of the price. There are multiple airlines flying this route, but AirAsia’s pricing was attractive. There are also several flights per day from Bali to Yogyakarta.
We traveled as a group of four: 3 adults and a baby. Both the booking and check-in were done together.
When does AirAsia charge the infant fee?
When you’re flying with your infant, here’s how AirAsia works things out:
- If your child is under two years old on the day the flight leaves, they’re considered an infant.
- Planning to fly with an infant? There’s a special infant fee for that. You can find the details in AirAsia’s fee schedule.
- But, if there’s a change in your flight and by the time you’re set to leave your baby has turned two, you’ll need to book (Pay!) a seat for them.
- Any child two years or older needs their own seat when flying with AirAsia, and there’s a regular fare for that.
- Infants do not get a baggage allowance, but you can bring a pram/buggy free of charge.
I hope this clears things up! Safe travels with your little ones.
Boarding the plane
Boarding was announced at 06:20 am, with the flight set to depart at 07:20 am. After a quick security check, thanks to the early hour, we went straight to the gate. We heard the announcement and chose to skip the shopping area at the airport. A line had already formed, and we soon noticed that travelers with a baby weren’t given any priority.
After an announcement (by one of the staff) that wasn’t clear, three lines formed out of the initial two. People from the back rushed forward to secure their spots in the new line. Patiently, we waited for about 20 minutes at the back of the line before things started moving. Since there was no priority for families with a baby, we realized we could have simply taken a seat and waited. So, if you are flying with a baby on AirAsia, it’s best to relax and sit down.
Our seats
Although we booked our flights under one reservation, we were seated separately. This is a challenge when traveling with a baby. The experience with AirAsia made us realize the difficulties. How do you prepare milk while holding a baby? How do you manage all the items alone? Typically, families with babies are given priority, and it’s clear why.
We didn’t get priority, which was disappointing. But why were we seated far apart despite booking and checking in together? It didn’t make sense. Items for the baby ended up with the adult not seated with the baby. Yes, we could have checked if our seats were together, but we mistakenly assumed that booking and checking in together would mean sitting together.
During taxiing, we resolved the seating issue by swapping with another passenger. Everyone seemed to enjoy our baby’s company.
How to solve such an issue
AirAsia allows you to select and purchase your seats at check-in. That’s the only way to ensure you’ll sit together. The cost for a seat ranges from 16900 IDR to 106900 IDR ($1.15 – $8).
On our return flight, we plan to pay this additional fee for peace of mind.
The flight experience from Bali to Yogyakarta with a baby and flying AirAsia
The flight took about 1 hour and 20 minutes. During the flight, passengers could purchase meals or drinks. You can also pre-order meals online. Our fellow passengers seemed charmed by our baby, making efforts to engage and make the baby smile. This interaction made the flight feel shorter than it was. A happy, well-fed baby makes for a more pleasant flight for everyone.
The takeaway? Always check your seating assignments. Don’t assume that booking and checking in together means you’ll be seated together. If necessary, pre-purchase your seats – they’re not too expensive. We hope this advice helps.
Traveling with baby: AirAsia’s infant policy
If you’ve already booked your ticket and need to bring along your baby, just add your infant to your booking. Remember, there’s an infant fee as I mentioned before.
Only a certain number of babies can travel on each AirAsia and AirAsiaX flight because there are limited infant life vests. So, the earlier you book, the better!
For those long AirAsiaX flights, you might want to book a seat with a bassinet. It’ll make your journey smoother. And speaking of luggage, while infants don’t get their own baggage allowance (except on AirAsia India, where there’s a 7 kg hand baggage limit for infants), you can check in strollers for free. Just use them up to the boarding gate and they’ll take care of the rest. If your stroller is one of those foldable types like the Pockit, it can come on board with you!
Got a car seat for your kid? Bring it along as long as it fits AirAsia’s guidelines. And if your child has a different last name from yours, pack a consent letter from the other parent and the birth certificate. It’s just a little extra peace of mind for your journey. (source: child’s car seat AirAsia)
AirAsia infant seat options
When it comes to seating, babies travel on an adult’s lap. Each adult can only have one baby. If your child is under 2, there are limited seat belts available. Kids aged 2 and above get their own seats – so remember that. Choose your seats when you book! Or else you might face the same problem I had and the system will pick seats out for you. They try to keep families close, but it’s not always a promise.
On the flight, pack your baby’s food and some extra supplies. There’s no facility to warm food or bottles. For changing diapers, you’ll find tables in the lavatories. And if your kid’s a bit older, some coloring books, toys, or videos will keep them entertained but bring these yourself. Giving them a snack during take-off and landing helps with ear discomfort.
Lastly, AirAsia offers inflight beds for children, but only at certain seats. I have not seen them myself. Babies, however, can’t use these beds. If you want more details about inflight comforts, check out AirAsia’s website.
That’s about it! Traveling with your little ones might seem daunting, but a bit of preparation goes a long way. Safe travels! (source: Traveling with an Infant or a child on a flight – AirAsia)
Update
On our return flight, we all sat together. During online check-in, we noticed our seats were together and didn’t need to pay extra.
Hi I am Dwi. I am a blogger, travel agent and a mom of a lovely daughter and wife to a supportive husband. I customize and plan tours in Bali and islands nearby for a living and have been doing this for more than 14 years. Get in touch via contact [at] taletravels.com