Kids’ meals in the air: Discover which airlines provide meals for children

Traveling with children can be, to put it mildly, a bit challenging.

They might experience boredom, fear, excitement, fatigue, hunger, or a mix of all these emotions. These inflight challenges can be eased with thoughtful preparation and a bag filled with activities and snacks. However, you could find yourself in a tough spot when mealtime arrives and the airline serves something that doesn’t appeal to your picky eater.

Fortunately, airlines recognize that kids can be particular about their food, and many offer child-friendly snacks and meals onboard. Each airline varies in its offerings for kids. Here’s what families can expect from major carriers.

Air France

On most intercontinental long-haul flights, Air France provides custom meals specifically designed for children and infants. Kids aged 2 to 8 will automatically receive a child’s meal, which includes salad, a main dish such as chicken with pasta and cheese, a pastry, apple juice, cheese and crackers, fruit compote, and a dessert for lunch or dinner. For breakfast, they get two mini pastries along with a yogurt drink or fruit juice, compote, milk, and cereal.

Children aged 9 to 11 can also enjoy this meal, but a request must be made at least 24 hours prior to the flight’s departure.

Parents with infants under 23 months can request baby cookies or jarred baby food up to 48 hours before the flight departs. However, the airline suggests bringing your own baby food and/or bottles to ensure you have enough for the flight.

Alaska Airlines

In Alaska Airlines' main and premium-class cabins, complimentary meals are not offered. However, a range of meals and snacks can be purchased on most flights longer than 783 miles. One option, the Kid's Choice Picnic Pack ($7.50), includes snacks like white cheddar puffs, turkey jerky, applesauce, a granola bar, gummy bears, and a small toy to keep kids entertained after their meal. These meals can be preordered online from two weeks to 20 hours before departure.

First-class tickets include complimentary meals. Although there isn't a specific children's meal, various options can be preordered, so you should find something your child will enjoy. If not, Alaska's signature fruit and cheese platter should suffice.

Allegiant

Like other ultra-low-cost carriers, Allegiant offers a "bare bones" inflight experience. If you wish to select your seat, bring a carry-on bag, or enjoy complimentary snacks and drinks from flight attendants, you will need to pay extra.

The airline provides snack and drink packs for purchase on certain flights. This includes the cleverly named Deluxe Wingz Kids Snack Pack ($10), featuring white cheddar puffs, turkey jerky, applesauce, fruit snacks, and cookies.

American Airlines

American Airlines offers a variety of special meals, including a wellness menu, on select flights. Child meals are available across all fare classes on most international flights and include "foods that appeal to kids aged 2 to 5," as stated on the airline's website (though anyone can request this meal type). Baby meals, featuring jarred baby food, are also available. Both types should be preordered online or via phone at least 24 hours prior to departure.

British Airways

British Airways offers child and infant meals on long-haul flights, following a "Feed Kids First" policy to ensure your children's food is served promptly, allowing you to dine in relative tranquility. It's recommended to order meals at least 24 hours ahead of your flight. Options for kids include pasta, chicken, sandwiches, veggie sticks, fruits, and snacks like chips, raisins, or a small chocolate bar.

Jarred baby food is available on long-haul flights, but the airline advises bringing your own as well.

Delta Airlines

Delta is set to reintroduce kid-friendly meals on select flights starting April 1, 2023, after having paused the service due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Families will soon have breakfast options like French toast with scrambled eggs, fruit, and a blueberry muffin. For lunch and dinner, choices will include cheese tortellini with marinara sauce and Parmesan cheese, carrots and broccoli with ranch dressing, plus fruit and graham cookies.

Meals will be offered on long-haul international flights and most domestic routes for first-class passengers. Customers need to book them at least 24 hours in advance using the "special meals" option in their Delta account.

Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines offers complimentary meals for children on most international flights in both business class and the main cabin. These meals must be requested by contacting the reservations department at least 48 hours before departure.

KLM

Similar to its Flying Blue partner airline Air France, KLM offers delightful meals for children. On all intercontinental flights, kids aged 2 and above can enjoy a fun, travel-themed meal box filled with kid-friendly foods like pasta, hamburgers, and fries. Meals should be arranged online at least 24 hours before departure.

Lufthansa

TPG has praised Lufthansa's children's menus, and rightly so. The airline collaborates with renowned chef Alexander Herrmann to create visually appealing meals that are delicious and nutritionally balanced for kids. Complimentary meals are offered on select flights and are available for children aged 2 and up, with a 24-hour advance order required.

Baby-friendly options like jarred food, mini Vienna sausages, and soups are also available without prior reservation.

Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines views nearly everything aside from your ticket as an additional expense, so it’s no surprise that complimentary food and drinks are not provided. However, the airline features a Kids Snack Box on its inflight menu for a reasonable price of $5.50, which includes cookies, crackers, fruit snacks, candy, and a hand sanitizing wipe for those sticky fingers after snacking.

United Airlines

When arranged in advance, United Airlines provides child meals on flights exceeding 2,000 miles that include complimentary meal service. For breakfast, kids can savor French toast with sausage, fresh fruit, and a croissant. Lunch and dinner feature kid-friendly favorites like chicken tenders, grilled cheese sandwiches, fruit, dinner rolls, and delightful desserts.

United's children's meals are available solely upon request. You can make a request for a "Children's Meal" when booking your ticket or modify an existing reservation via the United app at least 24 hours prior to your flight's departure.

Bottom line

If you're flying on a route without child meals, be sure to pack plenty of snacks and drinks for your little one. However, just because an airline doesn't provide child-specific meals doesn't mean you're out of options. Many airlines offer a diverse menu, and your child's favorite foods (or at least some they might tolerate) are likely to be available. At the very least, they may enjoy these TPG-tested, TPG-approved best hamburgers in the sky.