Flying with a Baby: Lap Infant Rules, Fees, and Seats

Lap infant, domestic

On US domestic flights a child under two can fly on an adult's lap for free on every major carrier. The infant still has to be on the reservation, so tell the agent when you book: the airline issues a no-charge infant ticket and notes the child on the manifest. One lap infant per adult.

Lap infant, international

International lap infants are not free. Most airlines charge about 10 percent of the adult fare plus the government taxes and fees for the destination, which on a long-haul ticket can be $100 to $300. The agent prices it with your fare so there is no surprise at the airport.

When to buy the baby a seat

The FAA recommends a separate seat with an approved car seat for every child, and on flights over about three hours most parents are glad they paid for one. Airlines sell an infant seat at the child fare, which on some carriers is discounted and on others is the full adult fare. Ask the agent to price both ways.

• Car seat: must carry an FAA-approved label; it goes in a window seat or a middle seat, never an exit row.
• Bassinet: bulkhead rows on long-haul flights, first come first served, usually for infants under about 20 pounds. The agent can request one, the airline confirms at the airport.
• Stroller and car seat check free at the gate on all US carriers.

Documents

Domestic: carry proof of age for a lap infant, such as a birth certificate copy or a vaccination card, because gate agents can ask when a child looks close to two. International: the baby needs a passport, and for some countries a visa, exactly like an adult. If the child turns two during the trip, the return leg needs a seat.

Booking it

Call (708) 866-8751, say "lap infant" or "infant in seat" with the child's date of birth, and the agent adds the infant correctly. Adding a lap infant after booking online is one of the most common reasons people call, because many airline sites hide the option.