united baby travel policy

United Infants Policy

Planes & Seat Maps

Do I need to reserve a seat for my infant?

Children up to 2 years old (24 months) are not required to have their own seat. You must, however, inform United Airlines that you will be traveling with an infant on your lap. Only one lap child is allowed per adult. If one adult is traveling with more than one infant under 2 years of age, a seat will have to be purchased for each additional infant. You can also choose to purchase a seat for your infant as long as you have the proper child restraint device. A passenger must be at least 18 years old in order to travel with an infant on his or her lap.

Will I pay for my infant to travel domestically?

A child under 2 years old (24 months) can travel for free as long as the infant will be on the lap of another passenger for the flight.

Will I pay for my infant to travel internationally?

Yes, a child under 2 years old (24 months) is usually charged 10% of an adult fare plus taxes, even if the infant will be on the lap of another passenger for the flight. Infants traveling between the U.S. and Canada only pay taxes for their travels.

What if my child turns 2 on the trip; will I have to buy a ticket for the return flight?

Yes, a ticket will have to be purchased for any flight on which the infant will be over 2 years old.

What types of child restraint devices are allowed?

You may use an approved infant car seat on board the aircraft when you purchase a seat for your child. The seat must be an FAA-approved child safety seat device. Please note the following infant car seat placement restrictions: on one-aisle aircraft, car seats must be placed in window seats, on two-aisle aircraft, car seats must be placed in window seats or the middle seat of a center section. Car seats are not permitted in rear-facing seats on any aircraft.

If manufactured after February 1985, the car seat should also be certified for use in aircraft. You should seat your child in the child safety seat for takeoff, landing and during turbulence.

The FAA has approved the use of a child safety restraint system for travel. The system, CARES (child aviation restraint system), uses an additional belt and shoulder harness that goes around the back of the seat and attaches to the lap belt. Children weighing between 22 and 44 pounds may use this device. Visit www.kidsflysafe.com for more information.

What infant amenities are available on the aircraft I'll be flying (i.e. bassinets)?

What is united airlines policy with respect to strollers.

Strollers may be checked to your final destination without a fee, in addition to your normal baggage allowance.

Children can be transported in their strollers throughout the airport. However, strollers must be checked at the gate. No strollers of any size are permitted as carry-on baggage . Your child's stroller will be delivered to you at the aircraft door upon request at your connecting city or destination. Large-sized, non-collapsible strollers cannot be checked at the gate. Please see a United representative at the airport check-in counter to check your large-sized, non-collapsible stroller.

United is not responsible for damage that occurs to strollers that are not packaged in a box and checked at the check-in counter.

Which aircraft have baby changers in the lavatories?

Changing tables are available on certain types of aircraft.

Can I sit in the exit row with my infant?

If you are traveling with an infant or any child under 15 years old, you cannot sit in a designated exit row, in keeping with U.S. Federal Aviation Administration regulations. Only one infant per each grouping of seats on the aircraft is acceptable due to the availability of oxygen masks.

SeatGuru was created to help travelers choose the best seats and in-flight amenities.

United Airlines Infant Policy

Take Flight with your Little One: A Guide to United Airlines Infant Policy

So you’re expecting a new addition to your family and wanderlust hasn’t gone anywhere! Traveling with a baby can seem daunting, but fret not, new parents. United Airlines offers a family-friendly policy to make your journey with your “mini-me” as smooth as possible. This guide will equip you with all the essentials you need to know about United Airlines’ infant travel policy , from ticketing and baggage allowances to safety regulations and in-flight amenities for your precious cargo.

Table of Contents

Flying with your Bundle of Joy: Lap Child vs. Seated Infant

United Airlines welcomes infants under the age of 2 on board. You have two options for your little traveler: a lap child or a seated infant.

Lap Child (Free Travel for Domestic Flights): For flights within the US, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, your infant under 2 can travel for free on your lap. This is a great option for short trips or budget-conscious flyers. However, only one lap child is allowed per adult passenger.
Seated Infant (Paid Ticket Required): You can choose to purchase a separate seat for your infant and secure them in a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved child restraint system (CRS) like a car seat or harness. This option offers more comfort and security for your little one, especially on longer journeys. A paid ticket is required for seated infants on all flights, including domestic ones. The fare will vary depending on the destination.

Ticketing and Reservations for your Infant Traveler

Here’s what you need to know about booking your flight with a little one:

Always Inform United Airlines: Regardless of whether your infant will be a lap child or occupy a separate seat, you must inform United Airlines at the time of booking. This helps the airline ensure proper seating arrangements and availability.
Booking Methods: You can indicate you’re traveling with an infant during online booking or by contacting United Airlines reservations.

United Airlines Infant Baggage Allowance

United Airlines offers a generous baggage allowance for your little one, allowing you to check one car seat or stroller (gate-checked) free of charge in addition to your standard baggage allowance. This comes in handy for transporting bulky baby gear without incurring extra fees.

Important Tips for a Smooth Flight with your Infant

Here are some pro-tips to ensure a pleasant flying experience for you and your precious passenger:

Plan Ahead: Pack light but ensure you have all the essentials for your infant, including diapers, wipes, a change of clothes, formula or breast milk (if applicable), and medications (if needed). Bring familiar toys and comfort items to keep your baby occupied and content.
Breastfeeding and Bottling on Board: United Airlines welcomes breastfeeding on board. For bottle-feeding, you can bring breast milk or formula in quantities exceeding 3.4 ounces (100ml) as long as it’s declared at security. Bottles filled with water can also be brought through security and refilled on board with flight attendant assistance.
Bassinet Availability: A limited number of bassinets are available on a first-come, first-served basis for infants under 20 pounds (9 kg) and who can’t yet hold their heads up unassisted. Request a bassinet at the time of booking to increase your chances of securing one.
Inquire About In-Flight Amenities: United Airlines offers some amenities to make your flight with a baby more comfortable. These may include diaper changing stations in lavatories and complimentary disposable nursing pads on some flights. Be sure to inquire with the flight attendants about available amenities.

Safety Regulations for Flying with Infants

Safety is paramount when traveling with your infant. Here are some key safety regulations to be aware of:

FAA-Approved CRS : If you choose to purchase a separate seat for your infant, ensure you have a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved child restraint system (CRS) to secure them during takeoff, landing, and turbulence.
Age and Weight Restrictions for CRS Use: Not all CRS are suitable for all ages and weights. Double-check the CRS manual to ensure it’s appropriate for your infant’s size and stage of development.
Flight Attendant Assistance: Flight attendants are trained to assist with securing your infant’s CRS. Don’t hesitate to ask for help if needed.

Additional Resources for Planning Your Trip with United Airlines

For the latest information and updates on United Airlines’ infant travel policy, baggage allowance, and other travel regulations, visit the United Airlines website at https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/travel/accessibility-and-assistance/traveling-with-children.html . The website also offers helpful resources on flying with children, including tips for packing and keeping your little one

FAQ’s

It depends on your destination and how your infant will be traveling. For domestic flights (US, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands), infants under 2 can travel for free as a lap child (no separate ticket required). However, for international flights (including Canada, Mexico, Guam) and for some routes between the US and Canada or Mexico to the US/Canada, even lap travel requires a paid ticket for your infant. The fare varies by destination, so be sure to check with United Airlines for specific rates.

Domestic lap travel is free, but for international flights and ticketed lap travel on certain routes (US-Canada, Mexico-US/Canada), the fare varies by destination. If you choose to purchase a separate seat for your infant, you’ll need to pay a discounted ticket price (lower than an adult ticket).

Absolutely! United Airlines allows you to check one car seat or stroller for free on top of your standard baggage allowance. However, make sure the car seat is FAA-approved for airplane use for your infant’s safety.

Unfortunately, only one lap child is allowed per adult passenger. If you’re traveling with more than one infant under 2, you’ll need to purchase a separate seat for each additional infant.

The good news is you can check one car seat or stroller for free on top of your standard baggage allowance. If your infant has a separate seat and ticket, they may be entitled to their own checked baggage allowance depending on your fare class.

You’re welcome to breastfeed your baby on board. For bottle-feeding, you can bring breast milk or formula exceeding 3.4 ounces (100ml) as long as it’s declared at security. Bringing bottles filled with water for formula or breast milk mixing is also a good idea. Flight attendants are happy to help with refilling water on board.

Yes, they do! A limited number of bassinets are available on a first-come, first-served basis for qualified infants. To be eligible, your infant must be under 20 pounds (9 kg) and unable to hold their head up unassisted. Requesting a bassinet at the time of booking increases your chances of securing one for your flight.