Which airlines often offer a child discount on discounted Business Class fares?
There is no set rule. The discounts vary by destination, by departure city, and by airline.
For example, American Airlines (from many U.S. cities) to London offers a child discount from New York and Chicago, but not from San Diego. Delta offers a special rate for children to London, but not to Frankfurt or Paris. Whereas United does not differentiate against origins or destinations— unlike American or Delta—for travel to Europe, for restricted Business and First Class air travel, as it offers no discount.
Three airlines: Three very different results.
What is the typical child discount in Business Class? 20% to 25%, depending on the airline and route—or $435 to $735.
For example, American, British Airways, Delta, Finnair, Iberia, and Virgin Atlantic offer a discount to London from many U.S. cities. Scandinavian Airlines to Budapest, British Airways and Iberia to Istanbul, British Airways and Finnair to Moscow & St. Petersburg, and British Airways to Kiev. See the chart below for savings examples, which are based on the lowest published Business Class fares to Europe for this summer.
Sample Child Fares to Europe in Business Class
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[aside headline="Attention International Residents" alignment="alignright" width="half" headline_size="default"]This information—just like most of FCF’s deals—can also apply to you, as you can get a child discount coming from Europe (or Australia, etc.) to the U.S. in premium class on airlines such as American, British Airways, and Delta.[/aside]
What about savings in First Class?
25% on British Airways and American, to London; and on BA to some Eastern European cities.
For example, American’s year-round First Class fare from New York to London is $4,978 for an adult (booking code P) and $4,032 for a child, a savings of $946.
When is the best time for travel with a child discount in a premium class to Europe?
Any time during the year, but especially when Business or First Class fares offer a special rate, such as seasonal fares— like the current summer fares, or Thanksgiving and Christmas fares—and EasyUp fares.
What’s the one big caveat to booking a child discount in Business or First?
Check to see if the discount is offered on the lowest published premium fare. Some airlines give a discount only on higher premium fares, yet the discounted fare is often a better deal than the child fare.
What major airlines don’t offer child discounts in Business and First?
Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, SWISS, United, and US Airways.
What if the child is under two?
Many airlines consider children under the age of two to be a “lap child,” meaning that he or she is not using a seat; the charge is only 10% of the adult fare (plus taxes).
How do I search for child fares?
Contact a good travel agent given all the rules and exceptions these fares have. Or, do it yourself on airline websites and other booking engines. (Too many rules and exceptions prevent us from printing them all here.)