Emirates Limits Kids in First Class: What Parents Need to Know

Emirates restricts kids under 8 from using miles for first class. Learn the rules, upgrades, and how families can still travel in style.

Emirates is tightening the rules around its premium cabins, drawing attention from frequent flyers and families alike. The airline’s updated Skywards loyalty program policy now restricts children under the age of 8 from using frequent flyer miles to book a first-class seat. In addition, the carrier has set a threshold requiring children to be at least 9 years old before qualifying for a mileage-based upgrade into first class. According to Emirates executives, the change is aimed at preserving the first-class experience for business travelers who invest in high-yield tickets, while also ensuring consistency in cabin service standards. “We have to strike a balance between premium comfort and family-friendly travel,” said Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer, in a recent industry briefing.

For families hoping to keep travel upscale, the airline is pointing toward alternatives. Emirates’ business class continues to welcome younger travelers without restrictions, and its newly refurbished A380 fleet offers private suites, upgraded entertainment, and more space than many carriers’ first-class offerings. The airline has also expanded premium economy availability on key U.S. and European routes, giving parents a mid-tier option that blends affordability with enhanced comfort. Travel consultants note that parents can still redeem Skywards miles for higher-tier cabins if they book directly in cash and use miles to offset costs, a workaround that avoids the upgrade restrictions now in place for children.

The move signals a larger shift across global aviation, where carriers are rethinking loyalty structures and premium cabin access. For startups and founders in the travel-tech space, this policy change underscores how loyalty programs are being recalibrated to target high-margin segments while nudging families toward premium economy and business. Awareness of these changes matters: family travel startups, booking platforms, and concierge apps can capitalize on this gap by tailoring solutions that optimize reward redemptions for parents. As one aviation analyst explained, “These new rules highlight where startups can innovate bridging the loyalty gap between family travelers and premium experiences.” For founders, this is not just a headline about kids in first class it is a signpost about where the future of travel loyalty is headed.