Jazmin Li
Travelling with an infant can be a stressful experience, especially when it comes to navigating airline rules and policies, which vary by carrier. Most airlines allow infants under 2 years old to travel on the lap of an adult for free within the United States, but there may be taxes, fees, and additional costs for international travel. It is recommended to add a lap infant to your reservation in advance, either during the booking process or by calling the airline, and proof of age may be required.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lap infant age limit | Under 2 years old |
| Proof of age required | Birth certificate, passport, vaccination card, hospital or immunization records |
| Number of infants per adult | 1 |
| Number of infants per row | 1 |
| Booking process | Online or by calling reservations |
| Cost | Taxes and fees, sometimes a percentage of the adult fare |
| Extra perks | Bassinets, early boarding, extra carry-on allowance |
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What You'll Learn
You may need to provide proof of age for your infant
When flying with an infant, you may be required to provide proof of age to show that they are under 2 years old. This is because children under the age of 2 can fly for free as a lap child on domestic flights, but once they turn 2, they need their own seat. The specific documents required may vary depending on the airline and destination, so it is important to check in advance.
Some common documents that may be accepted as proof of age for an infant include a birth certificate, passport, or vaccination card. In some cases, a photo or digital copy of the passport may be sufficient. If both parents are not travelling, some airlines may also request additional documentation, such as a notarized consent letter from the non-travelling parent.
For infants under 2 weeks old, a physician's note stating that the child is healthy enough to fly may be required. For infants under 7 days old, some airlines may require a doctor's letter clearing them to travel. It is always a good idea to contact the airline directly to inquire about any specific requirements or documentation that may be needed.
Additionally, it is worth noting that while a photo ID is typically not required for children under 18 when accompanied by an adult, there may be some circumstances where official documentation is needed. For example, if the parent has proof of sole custody, a copy of the custody agreement signed by both parents may be required.
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Lap infants are not allowed in certain rows
Lap infants are typically allowed on an adult's lap until their second birthday, after which they are considered children and must occupy their own seat. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires that children over the age of two occupy their own seat and travel on their own ticket. Some airlines, such as Delta Air Lines, allow infants under two years old to travel on the lap of an adult for free within the United States or at a reduced fare for international travel. However, if an adult passenger is travelling with two infants, a seat must be purchased for the additional infant.
It is important to note that while lap infants are allowed on certain flights, the FAA strongly recommends that infants are secured in a car seat or booster seat for the entirety of the flight. If parents choose to purchase a seat for their infant, they can install an approved car seat for them to travel in. This option provides extra space and amenities, which can be beneficial when travelling with a baby.
When travelling with a lap infant, it is important to check the specific policies of the airline you are flying with, as rules and regulations can vary. Most airlines require that lap infants be added to the reservation in advance, and some may require proof of age to ensure the infant is under two years old.
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You can book your lap infant online
When booking a flight, you can book your lap infant online using the same process as booking an adult ticket. This can be done either during the booking process or after your trip is ticketed. To add a lap infant request to your reservation, you can call the airline's reservation line. This is recommended to be done as soon as you book your own ticket to avoid any surprises with mileage or money on the final ticket price.
For international travel, most airlines charge cash to bring a baby along, whether you're on a paid or award ticket. The fee is usually 10% of the going adult cash fare, plus taxes and fees for the cabin in which you are flying. This can be a significant amount, especially in the case of first- or business-class seats.
Some programs have more generous rules than others regarding booking infant tickets as awards instead of paid fares. For instance, the mileage program for Korean carrier Asiana offers amazing award ticket redemption values, including on infant awards. These cost just 10% of adult awards. British Airways also has a similar program where for children under 2, you pay just 10% of the miles you'd need for an adult ticket. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club also revised its infant award rules, charging flat mileage rates of 1,000 to 5,000 points per sector, plus taxes and fees, depending on the class of service.
It is important to note that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) does not require parents to purchase a seat for infants under 2 years old. However, the FAA strongly recommends that infants be secured in a car seat or booster seat for the flight. If parents choose to purchase a seat, they can install an approved car seat for the infant.
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You may need to pay taxes and fees for your lap infant
If you are travelling with a lap infant, you may need to pay taxes and fees, in addition to a percentage of the adult fare. This is usually the case for international flights, whereas domestic flights are typically free of charge. For example, American Airlines states that taxes and a percentage of the adult fare may apply. Similarly, British Airways charges 10% of the miles redeemed plus taxes and fees.
The amount you pay varies depending on the airline. For instance, Air Canada charges $17.45 or 2,500 miles when adding a lap infant to an award ticket, whereas Cathay Pacific requires you to pay up to 30% of the adult fare plus taxes and fees.
If you are travelling internationally, the infant will be issued a ticket. You can check one bag for free for the infant, which cannot exceed 25 lbs and specific dimensions. You will also need to provide the same documentation for the infant as you would for an adult. If anyone under 18 is travelling internationally without both parents, they may need to present a Letter of Consent.
If you are travelling with more than one infant, you will need to purchase a seat for the additional infant. If your infant turns two during the trip, they will need their own seat for the remainder of the trip.
It is recommended that you arrive at the airport early to allow enough time for check-in and to present any required travel documents.
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You can bring a breast pump and cooler of breast milk
If you are travelling with an infant, you may be able to add them as a lap infant to your reservation. Lap infants are children under two years old who do not occupy their own seat. While the Federal Aviation Administration does not require parents to purchase a seat for children under two, it strongly recommends that children are secured in a car seat or booster seat.
Each airline has different policies and procedures for lap infants, so it is important to check with your airline before travelling. For example, American Airlines allows you to add an infant to your trip during the booking process or after ticketing. Alaska Airlines requires you to call their reservations number to add a lap infant to your reservation.
Now, onto the topic of breast pumps and coolers of breast milk. You can bring a breast pump and a cooler of breast milk on a plane, and these items are typically considered personal items, like a laptop or a purse. However, some airlines consider breast pumps to be medical devices and do not count them towards your carry-on allowance, while others do. Therefore, it is important to check with your airline before travelling.
Breast milk is considered a medical liquid and is not subject to the same restrictions on quantities of liquids. You can bring "reasonable quantities" of breast milk and formula in carry-on baggage, and these items do not need to fit within a quart-sized bag. This also applies to breast milk and formula cooling accessories, such as ice packs, freezer packs, and gel packs, regardless of the presence of breast milk.
To keep your milk chilled, use a breast milk cooler and an ice pack. Make sure that the ice pack is frozen solid before leaving for the airport. If you are using a baggie to hold ice, you can ask for it at restaurants inside the terminal or from a flight attendant.
If you need to pump during the flight, you can do so in the restroom or at your seat. If you plan to pump at your seat, it may be easier to use a manual pump instead of an electric one, especially if you are holding your baby. If you are using an electric pump, you may not have easy access to a plug, so it is a good idea to bring a battery-powered pump or an adapter and extra batteries.
If you do not need to access your breast milk during the flight, you can check your breast milk in a small insulated cooler with frozen ice packs. The storage compartments in planes stay cool, so your breast milk will be fine for the duration of a domestic flight.
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Frequently asked questions
The cost of adding a lap infant at the airport varies depending on the airline. Some airlines, such as Air Canada, charge a low fee, while others, like Cathay Pacific, charge up to 30% of the adult fare plus taxes and fees. For international travel, you may need to pay a reduced fare for your lap infant.
You will need to provide proof of age for your lap infant, such as a birth certificate, passport, or immunization records. It is recommended to carry these documents with you to the airport, as airlines may require them for lap infants.
You can add a lap infant to your reservation by contacting the airline directly, either through their website or by calling their reservations department. It is recommended to do this in advance to avoid any issues at the airport.
Yes, there are some restrictions to consider. Only one lap infant is allowed per adult passenger, and lap infants are not permitted in exit rows or the rows directly in front of or behind these rows. Additionally, if your infant is under 7 days old, you may need to provide a doctor's letter stating they are cleared to travel.
