Emirates Bans Kids Under 8 From First Class on Award Flights

Updated: September 4, 2025, 4:26pm CDT

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Skywards Miles Just Got a Lot Less Family-Friendly
Final Thoughts

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Emirates has quietly introduced a controversial policy: young children will no longer be eligible to fly in first class when redeeming Skywards miles. Depending on your family’s travel plans, this could be a significant inconvenience — or at the very least a surprising shift in policy.

Here’s what you need to know.

Skywards Miles Just Got a Lot Less Family-Friendly

Emirates quietly introduced a new policy that will undoubtedly spark debate, as flagged by One Mile at a Time. According to Emirates’ Skywards program terms and conditions, children 8 and under can no longer fly first class when booking Emirates first class Classic Rewards or Upgrade Reward redemptions.

Emirates First Class Kid Restrictions — Emirates has banned children 8 and under from flying in the first class cabin on award tickets. Image Credit: Emirates

As a parent, this caught my attention immediately, and it’s something any family planning an award trip should know. This policy change is bound to stir conversation. Some families may be frustrated by the restriction, while others might see it as a way to keep the first class experience focused on adult travelers.

We can’t think of any other airlines that have a set rule barring kids from first class award seats. While the restriction hasn’t fully appeared in the booking system yet, we anticipate it will be rolled out soon, so it’s wise to plan ahead.

It’s worth noting that this move only affects award tickets — cash bookings are still allowed — so families can purchase full-fare first class seats for children. If you have young kids and were hoping to enjoy the airline’s famed first class experience using miles (like I was), you might need to rethink your strategy and book Emirates business class instead — or consider a cash booking.

Emirates First Class Seat Boeing 777 300 — If you have a child under 8 and want them to fly in Emirates first class, you’ll need to purchase a cash ticket due to this new controversial policy. Image Credit: Juan Ruiz

The Dubai-based carrier continues to make its first class experience increasingly exclusive. After raising award redemption fees dramatically over the last several years and limiting first class award seats to elite Skywards members, the airline is now banning children under 8 from flying first class on award tickets — further tightening access to its most premium cabin.

Hot Tip:

Plan award bookings well in advance and monitor the Skywards system closely. Acting early could help you secure seats before the new child restriction is fully enforced.

Final Thoughts

As a parent who loves traveling with my kids in premium cabins, this change hits close to home. Emirates has always set the bar for luxury in the sky, but these new restrictions show just how exclusive the airline is making first class.

If you’re planning to use Skywards miles with young children, this is a good reminder to book early, consider alternatives, and stay flexible — otherwise, you might be surprised at how quickly those coveted seats are no longer attainable.