Infant Lap-Held Tickets: Compensation Rights on Turkish Airlines
⚡ Key Takeaways
- Lap-Held vs. Paid Seat: Infants on laps (usually under 2 years) who pay only taxes/fees are often ineligible for cash compensation under EC261.
- Paid Seats: Any child occupying a separate paid seat has the same legal right to up to €600 compensation as an adult.
- Right to Care: Regardless of cash compensation eligibility, infants are entitled to the "Right to Care" (food, water, hotel) during massive disruptions.
Traveling internationally with an infant is exhausting. When Turkish Airlines delays your long-haul flight or cancels your departure, the logistical ordeal for parents is immense. While adults are entitled to €600, the question of whether an Infant on Lap qualifies is a major legal battleground.
1. The Legal Battle: "Free" vs. "Paid" Fares
Airlines often use Article 3(3) of EC 261/2004 to deny infant claims, arguing they travel "free of charge." However, if you paid a 10% infant fee or any base fare, this argument fails in court.
2. The "Right to Care" is Non-Negotiable
Regardless of compensation eligibility, infants have a 100% right to "Care" during delays exceeding 2 hours. This includes:
- Food & Hydration: If the airline cannot provide baby-safe food or milk, you can buy it and bill them.
- Accommodation: Hotel rooms must be provided for overnight delays, including transport suitable for a child (car seat requirements).
- Communication: Two phone calls or emails.
🍼 Self-Help for Parents
If Turkish Airlines fails to provide diapers or formula during a 6-hour delay at IST, buy them yourself. Keep the itemized receipts. The airline is legally obligated to reimburse "necessary and reasonable" expenses for infants under the Montreal Convention and SHY-PASS.
3. Strollers and the Montreal Convention
If your stroller is damaged or lost during a disruption, you are protected by the Montreal Convention. The airline's liability is capped at approximately €1,600. Do not let them offer you a generic "repair voucher" if the frame is structurally compromised.
Family Claim? Get Paid.
Airlines often "forget" the kids when paying out compensation. If your child had a paid seat, they are owed €600, just like you.
Frequently Asked Questions: Infant Rights
I only paid $50 in taxes for my baby. Can I still claim €600?
If only government taxes were paid (no base fare), the claim will likely be rejected under the "free of charge" rule. However, if that $50 included a 10% carrier surcharge (YR code), a legal argument for compensation exists.
Does my 3-year-old get the same amount as me?
Yes. Since children over 2 must have their own seat and pay a commercial fare (even if discounted), they have identical rights to the full €600 payout for long-haul delays over 3 hours.
Can I request a bassinet during a delay?
Airlines are not required to provide bassinets in airport lounges or hotels. However, if the delay is overnight, the hotel provided by Turkish Airlines must be "suitable," which includes providing a crib or cot if requested in advance.
Expert Action: Collect all evidence—boarding passes, PNR codes, and communication logs—to start your Infant Lap-Held Ticket Rights demand. Do not let automated rejection emails regarding infant lap-held tickets compensation rights be the final outcome of your claim. Protecting your baby's rights is your responsibility as a parent.
Written & Legally Reviewed by Marie Mure-Ravaud
Marie is a Senior Claim Expert at AirAdvisor, focusing on French and European aviation regulations. She helps passengers navigate the complexities of flight delay and cancellation claims.