The majority of the world's most family-friendly airlines are in one continent

Airlines from Asia dominated a new family-friendly airlines list compiled by travel website The Family Vacation Guide. 

Eight of the top 11 airlines are based in Asia. Thirty-four airlines were reviewed.

The ranking was based on eight factors — including seat comfort, free seat selection and pre-boarding for families — for a total of 18 possible points.

Japan Airlines scored the highest on the list, earning a total score of 15 out of 18 points. It lost one point for charging extra for infants riding on laps, so-called “lap fees.”

Korean Air and China’s Hainan Airlines tied for second place, with both scoring 14 out of 18. Neither airline provides free seat selection, and both charge infant lap fees. 

Singapore Airlines, which ranked first in the Skytrax World Airline Awards for the fifth time this year, tied with Qantas and China Southern Airlines for fourth place. The airline lost points for seat comfort and infant lap fees.

All of the top 11 airlines provide kids’ meals and free kids’ entertainment, and allow strollers to be checked for free. With the exception of Lufthansa, all have on-board bassinets, and all but one — Hawaiian Airlines — have free checked baggage. Yet lap fees are common: all airlines charged them but for Hawaiian Airlines and Lufthansa.

The Family Vacation Guide Rankings analyzed publicly available information, as of February 2023.

“In the past 20 years, Asian airlines spent more money on improving the amenities to attract passengers than the western airlines,” she said, adding that the latter focused more on revenue management.

She added that a difference in culture may affect airline service.

“Based on cultural orientation, Asian nations are strongly family-oriented,” Tansitpong said. “People living in these Asian countries have strong links to and pride in their families and groups.”

“In contrast to Western society, Asians value intimate family ties, mutual aid and respect for elders,” she added. 

In contrast to the airlines list, there were only two Asian airports on the top 11 family-friendly airports list. Singapore Changi Airport and Japan’s Fukuoka Airport tied for 10th place, with both scoring an overall score of 8.68 out of 10. 

Changi Airport, named the “world’s best airport” for a record 12th time at Skytrax World Airport Awards this year, has 214 places to eat, and 204 things for passengers to do. It also had the lowest cancellation rate of 0.4%. The one issue? No free unlimited Wi-Fi. 

Tansitpong said the discrepancy in performance between Asian airports and airlines on the lists may be the result of airports and airlines having different goals in planning and execution. Airports are more focused on aircraft and safety of the ground services than on family-focused services, she said.

However, Tansitpong said the research doesn’t truly reflect the airports’ ability to meet the needs of family travelers, through facilities like playground and play areas, family restrooms and children’s menus in restaurants.