Cathay Pacific Pregnancy, Infant and Children Travel Policy

Cathay Pacific is the flag carrier of Hong Kong and their operations include scheduled passenger and cargo services to 114 destinations in 36 countries worldwide. Here is a recap of Cathay Pacific’s pregnancy, infant and children travel policies.

*Please note, this page is for informational purposes only and may not reflect current airline policies. To find up-to-date travel policies, please click here or contact the airline directly.

Expectant Mothers Flying with Cathay Pacific

It is generally safe to fly while pregnant. However, we advise all pregnant passengers to consult their treating doctor or midwife before planning a trip. It is recommended that all pregnant passengers carry documentation stating the expected date of delivery whilst travelling.

28 weeks: For all pregnancies after 28 weeks, a medical certificate, dated within 21 days of the initial outbound travel date, is required, stating:

• whether it is a single or multiple pregnancy
• the estimated week of pregnancy
• the expected date of delivery (EDD)
• that you are in good health and the pregnancy is progressing normally, without complications
• that you are fit to travel.

If you experience any medical complications during your travel, you would require medical clearance from our medical team prior to your return journey. (Please see below for details)

Please note that for your safety, if you choose not to carry a medical certificate, if your medical certificate is outdated or if it does not contain the information required, Cathay Pacific Airways reserves the right to deny boarding.

32 weeks: Cathay Pacific will accept passengers with uncomplicated multiple pregnancies up to 32 weeks

36 weeks: Cathay Pacific will accept passengers with uncomplicated single pregnancies up to 36 weeks

Complicated Pregnancies: If you experience any complications during your pregnancy you would require medical clearance from the medical team prior to travel.

Infants (under 2 years old) Flying with Cathay Pacific

Infants cannot travel for 48 hours after birth and need medical clearance to travel between 3 and 7 days after delivery.

Infants are not required to have their own seat however, you must inform Cathay Pacific that you will be traveling with an infant on your lap.

Only one lap child is allowed per adult. If one adult is traveling with more than one infant under 2 years of age, a seat will have to be purchased for each additional infant.

If the infant turns two years old before the return trip, applicable child’s fare, tax, fee and charges apply.

A maximum of two infants can be accepted for travel with each parent / guardian under the following conditions:

• One of the two infants must be at least 6 months old and occupy an infant car safety seat. The applicable child fare will be charged
• The other infant must be secured onto the parent / guardian with a child restraint device. Infant fare will be charged
• The parent / legal guardian / travelling companion should bring their own infant car safety seat which must comply with the Cathay Pacific approved specifications.

You can also choose to purchase a seat for your infant as long as you have the proper child restraint device. Cathay Pacific offers these seats at discounted fares.

Baggage Allowance for Infants and Children

An infant’s fare luggage allowance is 10kgs across up to two bags. Junior fares offer the same luggage allowance as for adults – 20 kgs maximum weight across any number of bags, although a maximum of two is preferred.

Parents can also carry on board a forward facing infant car safety seat for a child (aged between six months and three years) or infant bassinet or cot (that can fit on fold down shelves and can be properly secured), infant food and diapers and a collapsible stroller (if cabin stowage is available).

Strollers, Bassinets and Child Restraint Systems

Strollers

One fully collapsible stroller or infant carrying basket/car seat is allowed in addition baggage allowance for infants.

Bassinets

All our aircraft are equipped with special baby bassinets. A bassinet measures 76.20cm (30″) x 38.10cm (15″) x 20.32cm (8″) and can carry up to 12kgs

• Please note however a baby older than 6 months may feel uncomfortable in a bassinet
• A request for a baby bassinet (BSCT) can be made at time of reservation if passenger is travelling with an infant.

Child Restraint Devices

Subject to restrictions below, a personal infant/child car safety seat can be taken on board:

• A separate passenger seat must be purchased for the infant/child occupying the car safety seat.
• The infant/child occupying the child safety seat must be accompanied by a parent / legal guardian or a travel companion of at least 18 years of age, occupying an adjacent passenger seat.
• The infant/child car safety seat is required to have the following characteristics:
  • The car safety seat is designed for carrying an infant/child between the age of 6 months and 3 years inclusive .
  • It is forward-facing
  • It has a single-release-type harness that secures a child’s lap, torso and shoulders
  • It has a single-release-type harness designed to prevent easy release by the child occupying the seat
  • Due to safety requirements, car safety seats may not be used on some of our aircraft passenger seats. Specifically designed Child Restraint Seat (CRS) may be offered instead, with prior reservation.
  • The parent/guardian must purchase a separate seat for the infant/child using the Child Restraint Seat. The applicable child fare will be charged, but no extra charge on lease of Child Restraint Seat.
  • Child Restraint Seat is available for infants and children who have reached 6 months of age but are under 3 years old, with a maximum height of 100cm (40 inches) and a maximum weight of 20 kg (44 Ibs).
  • An infant/child occupying the Child Restraint Seat must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian, or a travel companion at least 18 years of age.
  • It is recommended passengers make a reservation as Child Restraint Seats are offered on a first-come-first-served basis.
  • One parent/legal guardian can only reserve one Child Restraint Seat per flight.
  • In Economy class, the parent/legal guardian must occupy a seat adjacent to the seat where the Child Restraint Seat is being used. In Business Class, the parent/legal guardian must occupy a seat forward or aft of the Child Restraint Seat.
  • As an alternative to a car seat, CARES harness must be used to secure an infant/ child passenger during taxiing, take-off, landing, and when the seat belt sign is “on”. The harness is recommended to be used in-flight even when the seatbelt sign is “off”.
  • The CARES harness is to be provided by the parent / travelling companion. The parent / travelling companion must purchase a separate seat for the infant/child using CARES harness. The applicable child fare will be charged.
  • CARES harness can only be used by an infant/child passenger who is able to sit upright unsupported on a forward-facing seat and is not taller than 1 metre (40 in) and weighs no more than 10 to 20 kg (22 to 44 lbs).
  • Correct use of CARES harness on board is solely the responsibility of the accompanied parent / travelling companion. The parent / travelling companion is responsible for ensuring that:
    • The infant/child passenger does not exceed the weight or height limit.
    • The CARES harness functions normally.
    • The CARES harness is properly installed on the aircraft seat, as per manufacturer’s instructions.
    • The infant/child passenger is secured on the seat, as per manufacturer’s instructions.
    • The CARES harness must have the correct FAA label attached and be checked by our staff.
    • The parent / travelling companion must inform reservations staff during booking, and ground staff during check-In that they wish to use the CARES harness to secure their infant/child.
    • CARES harness can only be used on Premium Economy Class seats in all available aircraft, and Economy Class seats without an airbag seat belt equipped in the following aircraft types:
      • • 747-40
        • A330-300 (where new Economy class seats or regional product are fitted
        • B777-300ER (where new Economy class seats are fitted
        • 777-300
        • 777-200

        Special Services for Families Flying with Cathay Pacific

        All our aircraft are equipped with special baby bassinets and packs as well as a wide range of baby food. Please be advised that any personal food items brought on board for consumption should not require reheating nor chilling. For hygiene reasons, our crew will not be able to re-heat nor chill food items brought on board by passengers.

        Each aircraft has at least two toilets with special fold-down tables for changing diapers.

        Kids are presented with a colourful backpack. There are two types; one for babies and another for juniors. Included are games, activity books and stationery.

        

        Related Reading

        *This is for informational purposes only. For more information on traveling with children on Cathay Pacific, click here.

        http://kidsonaplane.com/cathay-pacific-flying-with-kids-policy