Air travel with a baby

Flying with a lap infant? Here's what you need to know

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.

One of the easiest ways families can save money on domestic air travel with small children is by having a child fly as a “lap infant.” There is debate about the safety of this practice, but most parents appreciate the savings — and small children often just want to be in their parent’s arms anyway.

Deciding when and how to travel with a baby can be confusing and overwhelming. Here are the rules you need to know regarding lap infants, along with general tips to make flying with a baby easier.

Related: Best credit cards for families

Lap infant rules

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The magic age is strictly 'under 2'

To qualify as a lap infant, your child must be under 2 years old. The day they turn 2, that free ticket goes out the window.

If you are looking to get away and your child is nearing their second birthday, moving your vacation a month or two earlier could save you money (though flying with a lap infant and a lap toddler are two very different things logistically).

Related: Why you should travel while your baby is an infant

If you have a trip that spans your child’s second birthday, only the outbound flight will be free.

On the return flight, you will be required to purchase your now-2-year-old a seat with a one-way ticket. (The exception: British Airways will give you the return seat at the same infant fare if your child turns 2 on the journey.)

Be aware that there are times when buying a one-way flight can be more costly than a round trip, so price out both options if your child is going to turn 2 on your trip.

Empty seats and lap infants

Wondering whether your lap infant can snag a free empty seat?

Every passenger dreams of having an empty seat next to them, but when you are flying with a lap infant, this becomes even more valuable. If there is an unoccupied seat next to you, you just scored a seat for your child without having to pay for it.

Related: Flying with a baby checklist

It pays to speak to the gate agents before boarding to ask if a passenger is sitting next to you. If the flight isn’t full, they might help you find a new seat assignment with an empty seat next to it.

If you think you might be able to get an empty seat next to you and have an FAA-approved car seat, bring it to the gate. If you can’t get access to an empty seat to use it, you can always gate-check the car seat for no fee, and it will be waiting for you when you land.

Related: Bring the kids where? 7 vacation destinations that are surprisingly family-friendly

Have the car seat ready for your under-2-year-old in case there’s an empty seat next to you. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY

Luggage allowance for lap infants

Infants flying on paid tickets get the same baggage allowance as adults on paid tickets, but that’s not the case when your under-2-year-old is flying for free on your lap.

Children not occupying a paid seat are not given a checked baggage allowance on most U.S. domestic airlines. Their luggage will be checked with the child’s parents’ luggage and will be subject to any extra baggage fees charged by the airline.

Related: How to avoid checked bag fees

Fortunately, families can check car seats, usually without an added cost. Also, strollers can come on board or be gate-checked, depending on size, for no additional fee; they won’t count against your baggage allowance regardless of whether your child is flying as a lap infant or on a paid fare.

For carry-on bags, most airlines will allow you to bring a diaper bag on board in addition to the airline’s regular carry-on allowance. (Note that Alaska Airlines does not extend this generous diaper-bag policy to lap infants.)

The various luggage requirements are why Southwest Airlines is such a favorite airline among families since all passengers flying on paid tickets get to check two complimentary bags per person. As most parents know, when you travel with children, the amount of extra stuff you have to pack can get out of control. Knowing you can check bags for no fee is awesome.

Traveling with more than one lap infant

The strict rule is: One lap infant per adult.

If you are flying as a solo adult and have two or more children under the age of 2 with you, you must purchase a ticket for one of them (and you should also be awarded a gold medal at the other end of the journey).

Two adults traveling together (or even an older teen with an adult) can have two lap children with them, which is great for parents with twins or kids born close together.

However, don’t be surprised if the flight attendant tells you that you cannot sit next to each other in the same row. Because of the limited number of oxygen masks, most aircraft only permit one lap infant per row.

Lap infants are also not allowed in emergency exit rows or the rows directly in front of or behind the exit rows. On some aircraft, there are additional rows that do not permit lap infants.

Related: Your guide to flying with kids of every age

If you are flying with an infant and the aircraft includes bassinets, book that row if you can. Typically, you’ll find bassinets on international flights, but they might also be available on domestic flights with internationally configured aircraft.

Lap infant fares on international flights

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Most international flights allow children under 2 to fly as lap children, but with one big difference — it's usually not 100% free.

Typically, if you're flying on a revenue ticket, you must pay the taxes and fees for your lap infant plus, in some cases, 10% of the fare. That might not sound like a lot, but it can add up.

Related: The most family-friendly airlines around the world

For example, when I took my then-3-year-old and 11-month-old to London, the paid children’s fare was only $376 round trip.

If I had decided to forgo a seat for my baby and have him fly as a lap infant, the taxes and fees imposed still would have been close to $150. For around $200 more, I was able to get my son his own seat for the seven-hour flights — well worth it to preserve my back and sanity.

Related: Planning award travel with a lap infant

When adding a lap infant to a ticket using miles, the amount you pay varies drastically and depends on the airline.

For example, Aeroplan has long had a flat cost for lap infant award tickets that used to range from $50 to $125, but the program is scheduled to get even better when the new program rolls out. Lap infant ticket awards will cost just 25 Canadian dollars ($18.64) or 2,500 miles.

Others, such as Cathay Pacific, require you to pay up to 25% of the adult fare plus taxes and fees.

In a premium cabin, that can easily be a four-figure number just to hold your baby in your lap. (Note: Air Canada has had some system issues where they’ve been waiving the fee at times.)

Most airlines will charge you 10% of the adult fare on an international ticket, or in the case of British Airways, 10% of the miles redeemed plus taxes and fees. Remember, ticket prices fluctuate, so you’ll want to add your child as a lap infant at the lowest price you see — which may well be when you first book your ticket.

Related: 23 airline car seat and bassinet policies around the world

If you are traveling with a lap infant to somewhere relatively close, like Mexico or the Caribbean, consider JetBlue, Southwest or Alaska. Those airlines don’t charge a percentage of the adult fare for lap infants flying internationally — just taxes.

Contrast this to an airline like United that charges 10% of the fare for lap infants plus taxes and fees even to Mexico (though not to Canada).

Where lap infants can’t sit

In addition to emergency exit rows, or the rows directly in front of or behind the exit rows, some seats are off-limits to infants — especially those who have an assigned seat with a car seat installed.

This is often due to airbags that are installed in some of the lap belts. Most often you will encounter this in some business- or first-class seats or the first row of economy. However, those aren't hard and fast rules — it simply varies by airline and aircraft.

For example, on United, child safety seats or restraint systems aren’t permitted in United Polaris business class on 767, 777 and 787 aircraft.

Related: Baby-free travel zones

Tips for flying with a baby

TATYANA_TOMSICKOVA/GETTY IMAGES

Bring identification

Technically, most airlines require you to show proof of age for your lap infant.

This can include a birth certificate, passport or sometimes hospital or immunization records. In reality, most airlines will not ask you for that information unless your baby looks like a toddler who could be past that second birthday. If you plan to travel internationally after your baby is born, you’ll have to get your child a passport, anyway.

If you get to the airport counter and do not have any documentation for your baby, airlines can theoretically require you to purchase a regular seat for your child. Not only can same-day flights be quite expensive, but you also risk the chance of the flight being sold out.

Related: 13 mistakes parents make when traveling with kids

Southwest is notorious for asking for proof of age for everyone, even newborns, so do not leave your documentation at home. It’s smart to carry a copy in your luggage or save a picture of the documentation on your phone so there are no issues.

Time flights with your baby’s sleep patterns

Babies sleep a lot, just not always when you want them to.

Try to book flights coinciding with their sleep schedules. For longer flights, if you can choose a flight that’s close to their bedtime or an overnight red-eye, you may have a better chance of getting them to sleep for a large part of the journey. For shorter day flights, try to time the flight to your baby’s customary nap time.

All that said — an overtired baby can resist falling asleep, especially in a strange environment. You know your baby best, so if you think there’s no shot of them sleeping on a plane through the night, there’s nothing wrong with just going for that daytime flight as rested and prepared as possible.

Related: The definitive guide to surviving jet lag with your baby

Change diapers before boarding

It’s no fun trying to change a diaper in a cramped airplane bathroom, and there’s also the possibility of being delayed on the tarmac. For these reasons, it’s smart to do a quick diaper change before boarding to potentially reduce the number of changes you’ll have to do in flight.

Feed during takeoff and landing

Know how your ears pop on the plane, and you yawn or chew to make the sensation go away? Well, babies haven’t mastered the art of equalizing their own ear pressure, so takeoff and landing can be particularly uncomfortable for them.

Feeding them during this time can help relieve this pressure because the sucking motion they make will help equalize their ears.

My first, but far from last, time nursing on a plane. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY

Pack extra earplugs

Sometimes no matter what you do, a baby will cry on a plane. You can help make it a little less painful for those around you by bringing and handing out extra earplugs … if you want to. Sometimes parents choose to make small goodie bags as a friendly gesture toward other passengers in the hope of gaining sympathy and understanding.

Do not feel required to do this; it is just an option if it makes you less anxious about the trip.

Figure out seating arrangements beforehand

Before you board, it’s important to plan and figure out the most comfortable way for your baby to sit. Consider where your child is most comfortable: Do they prefer to snuggle up to a human or are they more relaxed in a car seat?

Your child’s seating arrangement comes down to the preference of the parent and child. Just remember that you’ll need to book an airplane seat for your child if you want to guarantee you can put that child in a car seat next to you.

Related: 6 tips for picking the perfect airplane seat every time

Minimum age to fly

The minimum age to fly varies by airline. Some allow you to theoretically fly the same day the baby is born, and others require the baby to be at least a week or two old. Some airlines will also require a doctor’s note giving the go-ahead for those youngest flyers.

Aside from the actual requirements set by the airplane or your doctor, how young is actually too young to fly?

Candice Dye, a pediatrician at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, says waiting until a baby is at least two to three months old is a good idea.

“Since they are vaccinated by this time, they might need less invasive care even if they do fall sick after the flight,” she said.

Of course, there are times when flying with newborn babies simply can’t be avoided, like after an adoption, to visit family or for work reasons.

Related: Tips for flying with a 3-month-old baby

It’s important to consider your child’s immunizations when making travel plans, and it’s better to wait until your infant has received at least some immunizations, if possible.

Bottom line

Although getting a few extra hours of snuggle time above the clouds might not always be the most comfortable way to fly (for adults, that is), it’s a great way to keep travel costs down.

Many babies prefer sitting on their parent's lap, especially if the mom is nursing anyway, so you might find that buying a seat is ultimately a waste of money.

However, as long as the child is under 2, the final decision is, of course, yours — and that equation can shift as babies grow from lap infants to lap toddlers.

Additional reporting by Summer Hull and Melissa Klurman.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

Flying with Baby: Parent FAQs

By: Claire McCarthy, MD, FAAP

Taking a baby on a plane is something that most parents approach with trepidation—with good reason.

Babies and air travel can both be unpredictable, and they don't always mix well. But some advanced planning and preparation can help make for a better experience for your baby, for you, and for everyone else on the plane.

When is my baby old enough to fly on an airplane?

Generally, it is discouraged for babies to fly unnecessarily shortly after birth. Air travel increases a newborn's risk of catching an infectious disease. Babies born prematurely, with chronic heart or lung problems, or with upper or lower respiratory symptoms may also have problems with the change in oxygen level within the air cabin. Parents should talk with their child's pediatrician before flying.

If there is a measles outbreak in your area, or you plan on traveling somewhere where there is a measles outbreak, your pediatrician may recommend your baby receive an extra dose of the MMR vaccine. This may be given as early as 6 months of age. Learn more here.

Does my baby need a passport for international travel?

Yes. All U.S. citizens, including infants, need a current passport to travel internationally. Parents or guardians need to apply with their baby in person using the form DS-11. Be sure to bring your baby's birth certificate and a photo taken within the last 6 months. Passport photos must be taken with nobody else in the photo, which can be tricky with infants. To do this safely if your baby can't sit up yet, the U.S. Department of State recommends laying your baby on her back on a white blanket or sheet to ensure head support without having to hold her. Another option is covering a car seat with a plain white sheet and taking a picture of your child while she sits in it.

Should my baby sit on my lap during the flight?

Ideally, no. The FAA doesn't require a ticket for children under the age of 2 years, but that means your baby will be on your lap. If there is turbulence, or worse, you may not be able to protect your baby in your arms. If you do not buy a ticket for your child, ask if your airline will allow you to use an empty seat. If your airline's policy allows this, avoid the busiest days and times to increase the likelihood of finding an empty seat next to you.

Should I bring our car seat on the plane with us? Does that count as luggage?

Car seats, booster seats, and strollers generally don't count as luggage, but policies vary by airline; check with yours before flying. In most cases they can be checked at the gate, where the risk of damage is lower, at no cost. If your baby has his or her own airplane seat, bring your car seat with you.

Which seat on the plane is best for a baby?

Look for rows on the plane with more space, like the bulkhead. Exit rows are out, for safety reasons.
Choose a seat closer to the window, if possible. Aisle seats can be risky for babies during beverage service. Hot drinks being passed to passengers can spill and cause burns, and their little arms and legs can be caught by passing carts. Aisle seats are also closer to falling overhead bin items.

Is there a way my baby can lie down flat on long flights?

Buckling your baby into a car seat or safety restraint remains the safest option. However, there are other options available to help baby sleep comfortably, especially on long-haul flights.

Airline bassinets. Some airlines offer airline bassinets attached to the airplane bulkhead wall―the wall behind the galley, or toilets or another cabin. In some premium cabins, they can be built into the seat compartment.to use in bulkhead rows. Most airline bassinets require the baby to be under 6 months old and/or 20 pounds, and not yet able to sit up unassisted. These bassinets are sometimes referred to as "skycots," baskets, and cots. Check with your airline when booking.
Sleeper seat. For an added fee, some international airlines let you book three seats in a row with locking seat extensions, creating a "sky couch" or sleeper-seat big enough for both parent and child.
Inflatable seat extensions. Some airlines let you bring your own inflatable, individual seat extension for your baby to snooze on lying down. These are fairly new products, and not all airlines permit them to be used, so check ahead of time. Your child will need his or her own seat to use one.

Note: For all options above, your baby would still need to be buckled into a car seat or held on your lap during takeoff, turbulence, and landing.

Will I be able to get liquid formula or expressed breast milk through security?

Yes, but you have to follow the reasonable quantities rules. This means you're exempt from the 3-1-1 rule limiting liquids to 3.4 ounces.

Pack formula, expressed breastmilk, or water for mixing with powder separately and be ready to let the TSA know you have it. You may ask that they not go through the x-ray machine (although this shouldn't cause a health problem). Visit the TSA website for more information.

Any tips for keeping my baby comfortable and content on the plane?

Dress in layers. The temperature in a plane can vary widely, especially if you are stuck waiting on a runway, so layers of clothing are best. As you pick out clothing, choose outfits that make diaper changing in a small space easier. Also, pack a change of clothes or two, in case turbulence hits during a diaper change or when you are feeding. Bring plastic bags for soiled clothing.

Be ready for ear pain. During the climb after takeoff and descent before landing, changes in pressure between the outer ear and middle ear can cause discomfort. If your baby has had ear surgery or an ear infection in the past two weeks, ask his or her doctor if it's OK to fly. Having babies drink from the breast or a bottle, or suck on a pacifier, can help. If your child has a cold or ear infection, a dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help; check with your doctor for the right amount to give your child.
Keep in mind that sleeping babies are easier for everyone. If possible, travel at a time when your baby naturally sleeps, or consider trying to put off a nap until it's time to fly. Flight delays can cause this to backfire if your exhausted baby decides to scream instead of sleep. But it may be worth a try.

Consider a diaper change right before boarding. A dry baby is a happy baby. Fortunately, when you do need to change a diaper in-flight, many planes have restroom changing tables. If yours doesn't, ask a flight attendant if there is a spot on the floor where you can spread out your changing pad. Some parents resort to diaper-changing on the closed toilet seat. If you try this, be sure to have a hand on your baby at all times and pack a disposable changing pad. Plan for delays; pack plenty of supplies.
Bring distractions. Pack some toys and books and be ready to play with your baby the entire time. A tablet with videos can be a good backup if the toys and books aren't helping anymore (we don't encourage entertainment media for children under the age of 2, but desperate times can sometimes call for desperate measures).
Don't let the glares get to you. Despite the best advanced planning and efforts, babies cry sometimes. Know that you did, and are doing, all you can. At that point, one of the best ways you can calm your baby may be to stay calm yourself. And remember that for every person who is glaring at you, there are plenty of people who have been through it themselves and have lots of sympathy.
Ask for help. Arrange for your airline to help you if you need help making a connecting flight. Carrying a child safety restraint, your baby, and luggage through a busy airport can be challenging.

Additional Information:

Travel Safety Tips
Holiday Travel Tips
Precautions for International Travel: Information for Parents

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions about Flying with Children (FAA.gov)
Destination-Specific Vaccine Recommendations for Travelers—Including Travelers with Children (CDC.gov)

About Dr. McCarthy:

Claire McCarthy, MD, FAAP is a primary care pediatrician at Boston Children's Hospital, an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, a senior editor for Harvard Health Publications, and an official spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics. She writes about health and parenting for the Harvard Health Blog, Huffington Post, and many other online and print publications.  

The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

Flying with a baby: everything you need to know

Life hack

We have prepared a reminder for those who are planning to fly with a baby for the first time on vacation: what to consider when buying tickets, how to take a stroller, what to put in hand luggage, what to entertain on the plane …Read, implement and enjoy the joint trips!

June 27, 2019

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Download, try and leave your feedback!

At what age can you fly?

Most carriers allow children older than seven days on board, so it all depends on the determination of the parents. Experienced travelers are sure that the ideal age is up to a year, while the child is not torn anywhere and does not need anything but food, a dry diaper and mom and dad nearby. Then it becomes a little more difficult to fly long distances, because the awl in a certain place does not allow the baby to sit in the chair for more than ten minutes. But even this can be solved if you creatively approach the process of entertaining the baby.

Representatives of the older generation may convince you that you cannot fly with a child under three years old, but doctors of evidence-based medicine do not confirm this. If the baby is healthy, and you are calm and ready for a great vacation, feel free to act.

Buying tickets

Children under two years of age (Infant) are not provided with a separate seat by default. A ticket usually costs 10% of the full fare, and some airlines carry babies for free.
Passengers who at the time of the flight are between two and eleven years old (Child) occupy a separate seat. The ticket in this case is also cheaper than an adult - the amount of the discount depends on the airline

Baggage and Hand Baggage

When traveling with a child under two years old, you can transport a car seat OR a carrycot OR a collapsible stroller free of charge (even if you bought a ticket without baggage). A car seat, a carrycot and some types of strollers (for example, YoYo and analogues) can be taken into the cabin, strollers-"canes" are checked in as baggage at check-in at the check-in counter or at the gangway.

Large pushchairs and pushchairs of any type for children over two years of age are included in the total baggage allowance of the fare and you will be asked to pay extra if overweight. If you bought a ticket with hand luggage only, you need to pay extra for the carriage of a stroller (some airlines consider a stroller as hand luggage for a child, regardless of his age, check the conditions in advance).

Airport: check-in and other details

Bring your child's birth certificate and parents' marriage certificate if the last names are different. A minor who is flying with or without one parent must also carry a notarized travel authorization.
If you haven't checked in online (some airlines traveling with children under two years of age don't have this option), try to be among the first at the counter. This will increase your chances of getting multiple seats nearby.

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