---
type: Airline Policy
title: Turkish Airlines — Child & Family Travel Policy
description: "Independent family travel guide summarizing Turkish Airlines' published infant, bassinet, stroller, and UM policies for parents flying with kids."
resource: https://www.velivolotravel.com/airlines-child-policy/turkish-airlines/
tags: [airline, policy, middle-east, iata-tk]
timestamp: 2026-06-03
---
# Flying Turkish Airlines with Kids: Bassinets, Infant Fares & Family Boarding

**Quick Answer**: Per Turkish Airlines' published policy, bassinet bulkhead rows carry a USD 80–160 per-person per-segment extra-legroom fee — the only Middle East carrier with this structural cost.

**TL;DR**: Per Turkish Airlines' published policy, lap infants pay 10% of the adult fare on all routes — a fee that applies even on Turkey domestic flights. The carrier's strongest differentiator for parents is the cluster's lowest unaccompanied minor domestic fee (TRY ~700 / ~USD 18). The critical trade-off: accessing a bassinet requires booking a bulkhead extra-legroom seat at USD 80–160 per person per segment — a structural cost unique among Middle East carriers. The Hasbro/Disney kids' menu box and Flying Chef cabin experience add genuine long-haul value.

## At a Glance
- **Lap Infant**: 10% fare (domestic & intl) — Under 24 months; 7-day newborn minimum
- **Family Boarding**: Yes — priority boarding — Children under 6, no fee
- **Stroller Check**: Free — JBR at IST; carousel possible at regional stations
- **Car Seat Check**: Free — Gate or counter; IST jet bridge return
- **UM Service**: ~USD 18 dom / USD 80 intl — Ages 5–11 mandatory; IST connections on TK

## Quick Facts
- Per Turkish Airlines' published policy, lap infants under 24 months pay approximately 10% of the adult base fare on both Turkey domestic and international routes, plus taxes.
- Per Turkish Airlines' published policy, bassinet bulkhead rows carry an extra-legroom fee of USD 80–160 per person per segment — the only Middle East carrier with this structural charge.
- Per Turkish Airlines' published policy, the domestic unaccompanied minor fee is TRY ~700 (approximately USD 18) — the lowest domestic UM fee in the 28-airline comparison set.
- Per Turkish Airlines' published policy, bassinets are available on 777-300ER, 787-9, A350-900, and A330 wide-body aircraft, with a weight cap of 11 kg / 75 cm.
- Per Turkish Airlines' published policy, strollers and car seats are checked free, with jet bridge return at Istanbul Airport on mainline operations.

## Velivolo Family Score: 6.7/10 — Decent
- **Lap Infant Cost** (6/10): 10% fare on both Turkey domestic and international routes, plus taxes.
- **Family Boarding** (8/10): Free priority boarding for families with children under 6 years.
- **Stroller & Car Seat** (7/10): Strollers and car seats checked free; IST flights use jet bridge return.
- **Bassinet & Onboard** (7/10): Bassinets on wide-body fleet; 11 kg / 75 cm cap; bulkhead fee USD 80–160/segment.
- **Unaccompanied Minor** (5/10): Cluster-lowest domestic fee TRY ~700 / ~USD 18; USD 80 intl; USD 150 long-haul.
- **Baggage for Kids** (7/10): Ticketed children get adult allowance; lap infants get 1 free 10 kg checked bag internationally.

## Lap Infant
- **Cost (Domestic)**: 10% of adult fare + taxes (Turkey domestic)
- **Cost (International)**: 10% of adult fare + taxes (international)
- **Age Limit**: Under 24 months at time of travel; minimum 7 days old
- **Documents**: Birth certificate or passport for age verification, Passport for all international routes, Doctor's clearance for infants under 7 days old (not accepted)

Per Turkish Airlines' published policy, infants under 24 months at time of travel may fly as lap infants at approximately 10% of the adult base fare plus applicable taxes on both Turkey domestic and international routes. A minimum age of 7 days applies for newborns.

**Source**: https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-int/any-questions/travelling-with-children/

## Family Boarding
- **Available**: Yes
- **Boarding Zone**: Priority boarding — after business class and elite, before general economy
- **Age Eligibility**: Children under 6 years (typical published threshold)

Per Turkish Airlines' published policy, families with young children receive complimentary priority boarding, allowing them to board before general economy passengers and after business class and Miles&Smiles Elite members.

## Stroller & Car Seat
Per Turkish Airlines' published policy, strollers and car seats are accepted free of charge in addition to the standard baggage allowance. At Istanbul Airport mainline operations, jet bridge return is standard; regional A321 narrow-body services may return items at the baggage carousel.

- **Standard Stroller** — Fee: Free, Check at: Gate or ticket counter, Size: No published size limit for gate check. Jet bridge return at IST mainline; carousel return possible on regional A321 operations.
- **Car Seat / Child Restraint System** — Fee: Free, Check at: Gate or ticket counter, Size: EASA/FAA-approved for in-cabin use; no size limit for checked. One per ticketed child; confirm with the airline if using in-cabin on a purchased seat.
- **Booster Seat** — Fee: Free, Check at: Gate or ticket counter, Size: Standard child safety device rules apply. Treated as child safety equipment; not approved for in-cabin use during taxi and takeoff without harness.
- **Pack-and-Play / Travel Crib** — Fee: Counts as checked baggage, Check at: Ticket counter only, Size: Standard checked baggage dimensions apply. Not included in the free stroller/car seat allowance; standard excess baggage fees apply.

## Baggage by Age
- **Lap Infant (Under 24 months)** — Carry-on: No independent carry-on; diaper bag permitted as additional item; Checked: 1 free bag up to 10 kg on international routes; collapsible stroller free; Personal: Diaper bag (extra to adult allowance). Domestic Turkey routes have a more limited infant baggage allowance — verify at booking.
- **Infant with Seat (Under 24 months)** — Carry-on: Full adult carry-on allowance for the purchased fare class; Checked: Full adult checked baggage allowance per purchased fare class; Personal: 1 personal item + diaper bag. Purchasing a seat grants the full adult baggage allowance for that fare class.
- **Child 2+ (Child Ticket)** — Carry-on: Full adult carry-on allowance per purchased fare class; Checked: Full adult checked baggage allowance; approximately 20% child fare discount may apply; Personal: 1 personal item. Per Turkish Airlines' published policy, a child fare discount of approximately 20% applies to the base fare for ticketed children.

## Bassinet & Onboard
- **Bassinet Available**: Yes
- **Weight Limit**: 11 kg / 75 cm (some sources cite 8 kg — verify at booking)
- **Age Limit**: Under approximately 12 months; must fit within weight and length cap
- **Fee**: USD 80–160 per person per segment (extra-legroom bulkhead seat fee)

Per Turkish Airlines' published policy, bassinets are available on 777-300ER, 787-9, A350-900, and A330 wide-body aircraft at a weight cap of 11 kg / 75 cm. The critical parent-actionable cost: accessing bassinet rows requires purchasing an extra-legroom seat at USD 80–160 per person per segment.

## Child Fare
- **Discount**: Approximately 20% off adult base fare (ages 2–11 years (child ticket))

Per Turkish Airlines' published policy, children aged 2–11 traveling on a paid ticket are eligible for an approximately 20% discount on the adult base fare. This makes Turkish Airlines more generous on child fares than US legacy carriers, which typically charge the same adult fare for children 2 and older. The discount is applied at the booking stage; confirm the child fare is correctly applied before completing payment. Children 12 and older are generally ticketed at the adult fare. Always verify the current discount percentage directly at turkishairlines.com before booking, as promotional fare classes may override the standard child discount.

## Unaccompanied Minor
- **Available**: Yes
- **Fee**: TRY ~700 (~USD 18) domestic Turkey / USD 80 international / USD 150 long-haul

Per Turkish Airlines' published policy, unaccompanied minor service is mandatory for children ages 5–11 and optional for ages 12–17. Domestic Turkey fees are TRY ~700 (~USD 18) — the lowest in the 28-airline comparison set. International is USD 80 and long-haul is USD 150. Connections are accepted via Istanbul (IST) on Turkish Airlines metal only.

## Industry Comparison
### How Turkish Airlines stacks up against Middle East and global family carriers

Turkish Airlines occupies a distinctive position in the Middle East cluster. Its overall family score of 6.7 sits below Emirates (7.8) and Qatar Airways (7.8), which both offer stronger bassinet access. Turkish holds a structural advantage elsewhere: the cluster-lowest unaccompanied minor domestic fee at TRY ~700 / approximately USD 18 — a fraction of Qatar Airways' QAR 200 (~USD 55) and below Lufthansa's EUR 50 domestic fee, a fellow Star Alliance member.

The bassinet story is more complicated. Per Turkish Airlines' published policy, bassinets are available on 777-300ER, 787-9, A350-900, and A330 wide-body aircraft — comparable fleet scope to Emirates and Qatar Airways. However, Turkish is the only Middle East carrier charging a bulkhead extra-legroom fee of USD 80–160 per person per segment to access bassinet rows. A family of four may pay USD 320–640 above the ticket price simply to reach the bassinet. By contrast, per Emirates' published policy, bulkhead bassinet access is included in standard booking without an additional seat-premium charge.

Where Turkish Airlines outperforms the cluster is onboard family experience. Per Turkish Airlines' published Flying Chef program, a trained cabin chef tours the economy section during business class meal service — a program not replicated by any direct competitor. The licensed Hasbro/Disney kids' menu box (halal-certified by default) and TK kids' kit backpack add real value on long-haul routes. Velivolo notes these amenities make Turkish particularly strong on 6–10-hour wide-body sectors.

With approximately 480 aircraft and 350 destinations, Turkish serves the largest country count in the 28-airline set — a practical advantage for families routing through IST. For parents prioritizing bassinet access, however, the bulkhead fee remains a non-trivial cost that most competitor pages omit.

## Family Pros & Cons
**Pros:**
- Cluster-lowest unaccompanied minor domestic fee at TRY ~700 / ~USD 18 — far cheaper than Gulf carrier peers
- Flying Chef cabin tour and Hasbro/Disney kids' menu box (halal default) deliver genuine long-haul onboard value
- Bassinets on four wide-body aircraft types (777-300ER, 787-9, A350-900, A330) with 11 kg / 75 cm cap
- Approximately 20% child fare discount off the adult base fare — more generous than US legacy carriers
- 350 destinations (largest country count in 28-airline set) via IST hub, with IST connections accepted for UM

**Cons:**
- Bassinet bulkhead rows carry a USD 80–160 per-person per-segment extra-legroom fee — unique structural cost among Middle East carriers
- Lap infants pay 10% fare on all routes including Turkey domestic — no free domestic lap-infant tier
- Bassinet reservation requires phone or Twitter contact, not available via online seat selection
- Regional A321 narrow-body routes may return strollers at baggage carousel rather than jet bridge
- IST hub UM connection processing can be variable; long connection windows recommended for unaccompanied minors

## Parent Tips
- **Budget for the bulkhead fee**: Per Turkish Airlines' published policy, the bassinet bulkhead rows are designated extra-legroom seats charged at USD 80–160 per person per segment. On a round-trip with two adults, that is USD 320–640 on top of tickets. Factor this into your total trip cost before assuming bassinets are 'free' — other Middle East carriers do not charge this fee.
- **Reserve the bassinet immediately**: Wide-body aircraft carry only 2–4 bassinets: 2 on the A350-900 and 787-9, and 4 on the 777-300ER. Per Turkish Airlines' published policy, reservation is via phone or Twitter — not online. Call as soon as tickets are confirmed. Reconfirm 72 hours before departure to ensure the allocation is active.
- **Verify wide-body routing**: Bassinets are only available on wide-body aircraft (777-300ER, 787-9, A350-900, A330). Check your aircraft type at booking — regional routes from IST to European and Middle East cities often use A321 narrow-bodies with no bassinet positions. If your route uses an A321, a bassinet is not an option.
- **Use the kids' meal and Flying Chef program**: Per Turkish Airlines' published amenity information, the Hasbro/Disney kids' menu box and the Flying Chef cabin tour are standard on long-haul wide-body routes. The kids' meal is halal-certified by default — relevant for families requiring halal food. No special request is needed for the Flying Chef visit; it occurs during business class meal service.

## FAQ
### Are infants charged a fare on Turkish Airlines?

Per Turkish Airlines' published policy, lap infants under 24 months pay approximately 10% of the adult base fare plus applicable taxes on both Turkey domestic and international routes. Per Turkish Airlines' published policy, unlike US carriers where domestic lap infants typically fly free, the airline charges the 10% rate on every route type. A minimum age of 7 days applies — newborns under 7 days are not accepted for travel. For infants turning 24 months mid-trip, a full child ticket is required for the return leg. The infant fare is calculated at the time of booking and applied per segment. Always verify the current fare at turkishairlines.com before finalizing your itinerary.

### Does my infant need their own seat on Turkish Airlines?

Per Turkish Airlines' published policy, infants under 24 months may travel as lap infants without a dedicated seat, paying approximately 10% of the adult base fare plus taxes. Purchasing a separate seat for the infant is optional and enables use of an approved child restraint system, which the FAA and aviation safety authorities recommend for all children regardless of age. A purchased infant seat carries the full child baggage allowance for that fare class. On long-haul wide-body routes exceeding 6 hours, a purchased seat with a forward-facing restraint can significantly improve safety and comfort compared to in-arms travel. Verify the specific fare and baggage entitlement at turkishairlines.com before booking.

### Can I reserve a Turkish Airlines bassinet?

Per Turkish Airlines' published policy, bassinets are available on 777-300ER, 787-9, A350-900, and A330 wide-body aircraft, with a weight cap of 11 kg / 75 cm (some sources cite 8 kg — confirm at booking). Availability is limited to 2 bassinets on A350-900 and 787-9 aircraft and 4 bassinets on 777-300ER. Reservation is by phone through Turkish Airlines reservations or via the airline's publicly listed Twitter/X support — online seat selection does not include bassinet booking. The critical cost: bassinet rows are designated extra-legroom bulkhead seats carrying a fee of USD 80–160 per person per segment. Turkish Airlines is the only Middle East carrier with this structural fee. A family of four on a round-trip may pay USD 640 or more above ticket prices solely to access the bassinet seats. Reconfirm your bassinet 72 hours before departure.

### What's the child baggage allowance on Turkish Airlines?

Per Turkish Airlines' published policy, ticketed children on a paid child ticket receive the full adult checked baggage allowance for their fare class. Lap infants on international routes receive 1 free checked bag up to 10 kg in addition to a collapsible stroller. On Turkey domestic routes, the infant baggage allowance is more limited and should be confirmed at booking. Children aged 2–11 on a child ticket are also eligible for approximately a 20% discount off the adult base fare. Strollers and car seats are accepted free of charge as additional items separate from the standard allowance on all routes. Verify the exact allowance for your specific fare class and route at turkishairlines.com before packing.

### What are Turkish Airlines' unaccompanied minor rules?

Per Turkish Airlines' published policy, unaccompanied minor service is mandatory for children ages 5–11 traveling alone and optional for ages 12–17. Children under 5 cannot travel as unaccompanied minors. The domestic Turkey fee is TRY ~700 (approximately USD 18), making it the lowest domestic UM fee in the 28-airline comparison set. International routes carry a USD 80 fee and long-haul routes USD 150. Connections are permitted only via Istanbul (IST) hub on Turkish Airlines-operated flights — no interline connections with other carriers. Booking requires contacting Turkish Airlines through its official reservations channels, not online self-service. The responsible adult at departure and the authorized guardian at arrival must both present government-issued identification. IST hub connection processing for unaccompanied minors can be variable; plan for a minimum 3-hour connection when routing through IST.

### What is the Turkish Airlines Flying Chef program?

Per Turkish Airlines' published Flying Chef program, a trained cabin chef accompanies select long-haul flights and tours the economy cabin during business class meal service. The chef interacts with passengers, describes the meal being served, and offers children a look at how in-flight food is prepared. The Flying Chef program is a distinctive published initiative by Turkish Airlines — no other Middle East carrier replicates this specific cabin experience. The tour is conducted during the main meal service on applicable wide-body long-haul routes and does not require a special request. It is part of the standard service on qualifying flights. Families with food-curious children often find this one of the more memorable onboard touchpoints. Verify the program's availability on your specific route at turkishairlines.com or by contacting the airline before departure.

### Does Turkish Airlines charge for bassinet bulkhead seats?

Per Turkish Airlines' published policy, the rows where bassinets are mounted are designated extra-legroom bulkhead seats that carry a fee of USD 80–160 per person per segment. This is separate from the infant booking fee. On a round-trip flight with two adults, families can expect to pay USD 320–640 in seat fees alone, on top of ticket prices, to access the bassinet. Turkish Airlines is the only Middle East carrier with this structural fee — per Emirates' published policy, bulkhead bassinet access is included in the standard booking without an additional seat premium. Families planning to use a bassinet on Turkish Airlines should budget for this cost explicitly and book the seat fee at the same time as the ticket to secure availability.

### Does Turkish Airlines offer a kids' meal?

Per Turkish Airlines' published amenity program, a Hasbro/Disney licensed kids' menu box is served on long-haul wide-body flights. The kids' meal is halal-prepared by default, which is consistent with Turkish Airlines' standard catering policy. The branded box includes a main dish, a side, and branded packaging. Additionally, Cerelac-style baby meals are available on request for infants. The kids' meal service is part of the standard long-haul economy offering and does not require a special meal code to activate — cabin crew distribute it to children on applicable routes. For specific dietary requirements beyond halal, a special meal request should be submitted at least 24 hours before departure through the 'Manage Booking' portal or via Turkish Airlines' reservations channels.

### How cheap is the Turkish Airlines unaccompanied minor domestic fee compared to competitors?

Per Turkish Airlines' published policy, the domestic Turkey unaccompanied minor fee is TRY ~700, which translates to approximately USD 18 at current exchange rates. This is the lowest domestic UM fee in the 28-airline comparison set reviewed for this guide. By contrast, per Qatar Airways' published policy, the domestic/short-haul UM fee is approximately QAR 200 (~USD 55), and Lufthansa's published domestic European UM fee is approximately EUR 50 (~USD 55). US carriers such as United Airlines and Delta Air Lines charge USD 150 each way for domestic UM service. The TRY-denominated fee means the effective USD cost fluctuates with exchange rates; confirm the current equivalent before booking. International routes are USD 80 and long-haul routes are USD 150, which are more in line with industry norms.

### Is stroller check free on Turkish Airlines?

Per Turkish Airlines' published policy, strollers are accepted free of charge in addition to the standard baggage allowance. At Istanbul Airport (IST) mainline operations, gate-checked strollers are returned at the jet bridge upon arrival — a parent-friendly standard. However, on regional routes operated with Airbus A321 narrow-body aircraft, strollers may be returned at the baggage carousel rather than the jet bridge, which requires a longer walk before reuniting with your gear. Car seats are also checked free. Booster seats are treated as child safety equipment and accepted free of charge. Pack-and-play / travel cribs are subject to standard checked baggage fees and are not covered by the free child-equipment allowance. Verify your specific route's aircraft type to anticipate jet bridge versus carousel return.

### Does Turkish Airlines have family boarding?

Per Turkish Airlines' published policy, families traveling with young children receive complimentary priority boarding, typically covering those with children under 6 years old. Priority boarding is offered after business class and Miles&Smiles Elite passengers and before the general economy cabin. No additional fee is required, and no special request is needed at the gate — the family priority boarding group is called as part of the standard boarding sequence. Families with older children who fall outside the under-6 threshold should check in early and communicate with gate staff. Seat selection in advance via 'Manage Booking' is recommended to ensure the family is seated together, as adjacent seating is not guaranteed without pre-selection. Always verify the current boarding procedure at turkishairlines.com before travel.

## Related Airlines
- [Qatar Airways](https://www.velivolotravel.com/okf/airlines/qatar-airways.md) (family score 7.8/10) — Gulf premium one-stop rival — higher overall score, no bulkhead fee for bassinet access.
- [Emirates](https://www.velivolotravel.com/okf/airlines/emirates.md) (family score 7.8/10) — Dubai-based Middle East leader — bassinet access without extra-legroom seat fee.
- [Lufthansa](https://www.velivolotravel.com/okf/airlines/lufthansa.md) (family score 6.9/10) — Star Alliance European partner — strong bassinet and family boarding policies from Frankfurt.
- [All Nippon Airways](https://www.velivolotravel.com/okf/airlines/all-nippon-airways.md) (family score 8.2/10) — Star Alliance Asian partner — free UM service for ages 6–11, one of only two carriers globally.
- [Singapore Airlines](https://www.velivolotravel.com/okf/airlines/singapore-airlines.md) (family score 8.6/10) — Star Alliance premium peer — industry-leading 14 kg bassinet cap and auto-allocated bulkhead.

## Related Concepts
- [Back to Airlines Catalog](https://www.velivolotravel.com/okf/airlines/index.md)
- [Flying with a Baby item × airline guides](https://www.velivolotravel.com/okf/flying-with-a-baby/index.md)

## Sources
- [Turkish Airlines — Travelling with Children (2026): Lap-infant, bassinet, stroller, family boarding, and UM policies](https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-int/any-questions/travelling-with-children/)
- [Turkish Airlines — Baggage Policy (2026): Child and infant checked baggage allowances by route type](https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-int/any-questions/baggage/)
- [Turkish Airlines — Unaccompanied Minor Information (2026): UM age requirements, fees, connections, and booking process](https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-int/any-questions/travelling-with-children/)
- [FAA — Flying with Children (2026): FAA child restraint system certification and safety recommendations](https://www.faa.gov/travelers/fly_children)

**Last Updated**: 2026-06-03
**Author**: Lia Tuso — Founder & CPST