Two babies or toddlers at once doubles the nappies and the luggage, but not always the difficulty. This guide covers airline rules on lap infants and bassinets, getting through the airport with a double stroller, sleeping in one room, feeding two and packing sensibly.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Airline rules change; check yours before booking.
Two babies or toddlers at once doubles the nappies, the feeds and the luggage, but not always the difficulty. With the right seats, the right stroller and a plan for sleep, families with twins or two children under two travel successfully all the time. This guide covers the specific problems that come with two little ones: airline rules on lap infants, bassinets and seating, getting through the airport with a double stroller, sharing a room, and packing without needing a removal van.
Quick answer
- One adult per lap infant. Most airlines allow only one infant on each adult’s lap, so two adults with two babies, or one baby in their own seat. Qantas, for example, requires one adult for every infant booked, or a fare must be paid.
- Bassinets may not be side by side. Singapore Airlines warns that families with two or more infants may not be able to sit together because bassinet points aren’t always next to each other.
- A double stroller usually travels free as an infant item, but check the rules for your airline and how it handles two strollers or a double.
- Plan sleep first: two cots, a big enough room, and a strategy for one baby waking the other.
- Buy consumables at your destination rather than packing two weeks of nappies for two.
Flights: the rules that matter for two
Lap infants and seats
Children under two can usually travel on an adult’s lap, but each adult can hold only one. Qantas says there must be one adult for every infant booked, or a fare must be paid. So:
- Two adults, two under-twos: each adult holds one, or you buy a seat for one or both.
- One adult, two under-twos: at least one child will need their own seat, usually in an approved car seat. Check with the airline before booking; some have extra rules for one adult travelling with two small children.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says the safest place for any child under two is in an approved child restraint, not on a lap, and that buying a seat is the only way to guarantee you can use one. With two small children, buying at least one seat often makes the flight much easier.
Bassinets
Bassinets are limited in number and attach at bulkhead rows. Singapore Airlines warns that families with two or more infants may not be seated together, because bassinet positions aren’t always side by side. Ask the airline when you book, and check the bassinet limits: many airlines set a weight of about 11 to 14 kg. Our guide to flying long-haul with a one-year-old compares five airlines.
Oxygen masks and rows
Aircraft rows have a set number of oxygen masks, which limits how many lap infants can sit in one row. Airlines will seat you accordingly, which may mean the two adults in a row each with a baby sit across the aisle from each other. Book seats early and talk to the airline about the best arrangement.
Baggage for two
Infant allowances add up. easyJet, for example, lets you bring up to two items such as a pushchair, car seat or travel cot free for each child or infant, and a lap infant gets an extra changing bag (as of October 2026). Delta carries strollers and car seats free. Check what your airline says about double strollers specifically.
At the airport
- Arrive early. Everything takes longer with two.
- Security: TSA says strollers, car seats and baby carriers must go through the X-ray, and children must be taken out. With two, one adult takes the children through while the other handles the gear.
- Use the double stroller to the gate if your airline allows it, and gate-check it. A carrier for one baby frees a pair of hands while boarding.
- Feeds: baby milk and food are allowed through security in larger amounts in both the US and UK. See our under-seat bag packing list.
Strollers for two
A double stroller is often the most important piece of kit. The choices:
| Type | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Side-by-side double | Equal views, easy access to both children | Width: check doorways, lifts and public transport |
| Tandem (one behind the other) | Narrow; fits doors and paths | Longer; heavier to steer; the back seat has less view |
| Single stroller plus a carrier | Lightest; flexible | Tiring for the carrying adult on long days |
| Single stroller with a ride-on board | When the older child is nearly walking everywhere | Only for older toddlers who can stand safely |
See our guides to cabin-size travel strollers and stroller gate-check bags.
Sleep in one room
Sleep is often the hardest part of a trip with two small children. Some ideas:
- Two cots: confirm in writing that the accommodation will provide two, or bring one. The Lullaby Trust advises checking that any travel cot mattress is firm, flat and in good condition, with no padding added.
- Space: a family room or apartment with a separate bedroom lets you sit up after bedtime without whispering in the dark.
- Separate the cots if one baby wakes the other, using a bathroom or hallway for one if it’s safe and you can hear them.
- White noise from a phone app can mask the other child and unfamiliar noises.
- Same routine as home, in the same order, with the same sleeping bags and comfort toys.
Feeding two
- Bring enough formula for the whole trip if your babies use one brand, as brands differ between countries.
- A portable bottle-prep kit or pre-measured formula portions save time at night.
- For older babies, a portable high chair or booster for each child, or ask the accommodation for two high chairs. See portable high chairs for travel.
- On the plane, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests feeding or a dummy during take-off and landing to help with ear pressure. With two, it helps if both adults can feed at the same time.
Travelling with Twins or Two Children Under Two
Packing for two without overdoing it
Planning days out
- Fewer, simpler outings; one main thing a day.
- Places with space and baby facilities: parks, aquariums, zoos and museums with family rooms.
- Split up sometimes: one adult takes one child for a walk while the other naps.
- Choose accommodation close to what you want to do, to cut travel time.
Shopping by category
These Amazon searches cover kit that helps with two: lightweight double strollers, baby carriers, formula dispensers and coloured packing cubes. We haven’t tested these products and don’t rank them.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Read our affiliate disclosure.
Final thoughts
Remember one lap infant per adult, ask early about seats and bassinets, choose the double stroller that suits your destination, plan sleep before anything else, and buy consumables when you arrive.
Frequently asked questions
Can I fly alone with twins under two?
Usually not with both on your lap, because airlines allow one lap infant per adult. One baby will need their own seat, normally in an approved car seat. Check with your airline before booking.
Can twins both have bassinets?
Sometimes, but they may not be next to each other. Singapore Airlines warns that families with two or more infants may not be seated together because bassinet positions aren't always side by side.
Do double strollers fly free?
Many airlines carry strollers free as an infant item. easyJet lists double pushchairs among the free items. Check your airline's rules.
How do I stop one baby waking the other in a hotel room?
Separate the cots as far as you safely can, keep the same routine as at home, and consider white noise. A family room or apartment with two rooms helps a lot.
Should I buy a seat for one of my under-twos?
The FAA says an approved car seat in a paid seat is the safest option for children under two. With two little ones, it often makes the flight more manageable too.
