frontier travel with baby

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The Ultimate Guide To Flying Frontier Airlines With Kids [2024]

Ashley Onadele

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Keri Stooksbury

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Senior Editor & Content Contributor

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Table of Contents

Where frontier airlines flies, frontier miles program, discount den, gowild all-you-can-fly pass, frontier airlines lounges, how to book frontier airlines, flying with kids on frontier airlines, frontier airlines credit cards, final thoughts.

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Frontier Airlines is a growing ultra-low-cost carrier in the U.S. As such, it can be a cost-effective airline for families that don’t require additional amenities such as advanced seat selection or checked baggage allowances. Low-cost carriers aren’t for everyone, so knowing what you can expect when flying this type of airline is important, especially with kids in tow.

Here’s what you can expect when you fly Frontier Airlines with kids.

Frontier Airlines flies to and from 73 domestic destinations and over a dozen international destinations in 10 countries . The airlines’ international destinations include Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ); San José, Costa Rica (SJO); Cancún, Mexico (CUN); and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ).

According to its website, some of the airline’s most popular routes include Atlanta (ATL), Cincinnati (CVG), and Denver (DEN) to Las Vegas (LAS), and Denver, Philadelphia (PHL), and Trenton (TTN) to Orlando (MCO). Frontier Airlines’ main airport hub is Denver .

Frontier also partners with ultra-low-cost Mexican airline Volaris, which operates flights through Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, and the U.S.

Joining the Frontier Miles program is free.

As a member, you can earn 10x miles per dollar spent on Frontier purchases. You can also earn miles through Frontier’s travel partners, such as Telefora and Dollar Car Rental, and by spending on the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard ® . Miles can be redeemed for award flights (starting at 10,000 miles one-way).

Elite Status Points are accrued at the same 10 points per dollar rate through qualifying purchases on the Frontier Airlines World card and other eligible purchases and count towards elite status.

Elite Status

Elite Status Points accrue annually and give members status for the remainder of the year in which status is earned and the following year. Frontier Airlines has 4 elite status levels: Elite Silver, Elite Gold, Elite Platinum, and Elite Diamond.

• Silver : Earned after 10,000 miles; 12x earnings multiplier
• Gold : Earned after 20,000 miles; 14x earnings multiplier
• Platinum : Earned after 50,000 miles; 16x earnings multiplier
• Diamond : Earned after 100,000 miles; 20x earnings multiplier

Some Frontier Miles status perks apply to everyone in your booking. For example, Elite Silver status members get Zone 2 priority boarding for everyone in the booking. Those on the same booking with an Elite Diamond status member also get a second checked bag free.

Family Pooling

Frontier allows “families” to pool their miles together to redeem free flights even faster. Your family can be composed of family members, friends, etc.; you do not have to share an address. However, 1 person in the family has to serve as the head of the family, and only those with Elite Silver status or a Frontier Airlines World card are eligible. The head controls how and when the miles are spent.

You can have up to 8 people in the family; no minimum or maximum number of miles is required to participate.

While not an elite status program, Frontier Airlines’ Discount Den is a membership program that offers reduced airline rates and other perks . A perk that can be incredibly valuable to families is that kids fly free on select dates and flights. If your plans are flexible, you can use this option often.

Discount Den is $99.99 for the first year and $59.99 annually after that . Members can look forward to the following benefits:

• Lowest fares guaranteed
• Kids Fly Free
• Exclusive deals, including promotions, only available to Discount Den members
• You can book Discount Den fares for up to 9 people on the same reservation

If you travel frequently to and from destinations serviced by Frontier Airlines, Discount Den could come in handy.

Frontier’s GoWild! All-You-Can Fly passes let you book unlimited domestic and international flights as long as your pass is valid. The pass can be a monthly subscription or an annual pass .

Bookings are not confirmed until the day before departure for domestic travel, starting 10 days before international departures. Keep in mind that the flights aren’t entirely free. You’ll still be responsible for at least $0.01 for the airfare, plus applicable taxes and fees . The pass does not include any add-ons like seat selection or baggage, but you can collect miles when flying with a GoWild! pass.

A monthly GoWild! pass is valid for 30 days after purchase and currently costs a $99 enrollment fee. After that, it will renew monthly for $149 per month. Annual GoWild! passes for 2024 to 2025 are $599 per year .

Frontier Airlines Discount Den and GoWild! All-You-Can-Fly passes allow travelers to pay less for airfare even though they are still responsible for applicable taxes and fees. The perks of each vary slightly, but neither saves money on the add-ons that can add hundreds of dollars to the price of a ticket.

Frontier Airlines does not have its own airport lounges. However, you can still utilize a Priority Pass membership , a perk of several credit cards , to get airport lounge access no matter which airline you’re flying with.

Flights on Frontier Airlines can be booked directly on FlyFrontier.com . When searching for flights, you can add a lap infant to a booking and search for flights you can redeem with miles.

The results page will show standard, Discount Den, and GoWild! pass rates for all flights, even if you aren’t logged into your account .

Frontier Airlines is an ultra-low-cost carrier, and, as such, the final cost of an airline ticket could be significantly greater than what you thought it would be. For example, you’ll be required to pay for a carry-on and your checked bag when selecting your seat. This can be very inconvenient for a family traveling with multiple people. However, there are a couple of ways to bring the cost down.

In addition to Discount Den members being able to take advantage of Kids Fly Free fares, you can also bundle amenities to save on costs. The Works Bundle includes a carry-on bag, a checked bag, seat selection, allows you to board first, and more. The Perks Bundle includes a carry-on bag, checked bag, and seat selection. For reference, seats start at $11 per person per one-way flight, and checked bag prices depend on the flight. Seats could cost much more than that per person per one-way flight. A checked bag could cost $49 if you pay during booking, but it will be $58 to add before check-in and up to $99 at the boarding gate .

If your family intends to fly Frontier Airlines often, having a Discount Den membership or a GoWild! pass makes sense.

Flying With a Lap Child

You can add a lap child to your reservation when booking online. You can have 1 lap child per 1 adult . The first and last name, gender, and birth date of the infant can be added at the same time you add your own information. Like other airlines, a lap child must be younger than 2 years old and can fly for free on the lap of an accompanying adult.

While adding a lap infant to your reservation is free when booking online, you may have to pay to add your child if you do so later. Frontier charges at least $35 to chat with an agent during booking .

Priority Boarding for Families

Frontier has 6 boarding zones , starting with those passengers with special needs. The next zone, Board First, is reserved for those who purchase a carry-on + Board First combo and Elite Platinum and Elite Diamond status members.

Zone 1 is for all Elite members, followed by what the airline calls Courtesy Boarding . This is where families with small children under 3 years old and any passengers requiring additional time can board.

The remaining zones are Zone 2, 3, and 4. Zone 2 Priority Boarding can be purchased ahead of time.

Frontier Airlines charges for everything, even $5 to check in for your flight on their website vs. their mobile app. If you elect not to bundle your add-ons, at least add everything at the time of booking before the prices increase even further.

Unaccompanied Minors

Frontier Airlines does not have an unaccompanied minors program . The airline discontinued the program in 2018. Travelers 15 years old and older can travel by themselves, but travelers younger than 15 must travel with an accompanying adult.

Frontier Airlines, thankfully, has a seating policy for families similar to that of other U.S. airlines. When 1 or more passengers on the same reservation is 13 years old or younger, they will be seated at least in an adjacent seat from the accompanying adult . This comes at no additional cost as long as the following conditions are met:

• The child and accompanying adult must be on the same reservation.
• Adjacent seats must be available when the booking is made.
• The adult may choose seats for everyone in the reservation or skip seats for the entire reservation. Once seats are assigned, no changes can be made.
• It’s physically possible to honor the adjacent seat guarantee based on the airplane’s seat layout.

Snacks and Beverage Service

Frontier sells snacks and drinks both as bundles or individually . Each bundle conveniently comes with 2 drinks, so you could theoretically share with someone else in your party. Both nonalcoholic and alcoholic drinks can be found in the bundles.

Nonalcoholic drink options include sodas, water, coffee, and tea. Spirits, wine, cocktails, and beers are also available.

Snack options for purchase include Peanut M&M’s, Takis, Chex Mix, and Cup of Noodles .

Onboard Amenities

As you can imagine, Frontier’s onboard amenities are few and far between. Even though snacks and drinks aren’t complimentary, it’s great that you can purchase those items once you’re on board.

For kids, flight attendants have collectible trading cards . Card images include Griz the Bear, Otto the Owl, or Flo the Flamingo.

Inflight Entertainment

Frontier Airlines does not have inflight Wi-Fi , seatback entertainment, or power outlets on its airplanes. However, you can download and print Frontier activity pages for kids before you board . The activities include a route map and Frontier tail to color. You can even recognize your child for their excellent travel skills with a free Frontier flight certificate !

A lack of inflight entertainment doesn’t mean that a flight will be without anything to do. It just lets parents know they will need to plan ahead with activities and pre-downloaded shows and movies on their personal devices.

The Frontier Airlines World card is the only credit card offered by Frontier Airlines. The card has a mild annual fee and a welcome bonus offer typically available after meeting a minimum spending requirement .

Cardholders earn 5x miles on eligible purchases made at FlyFrontier.com, including flights, 3x miles at restaurants, and 1x miles on all other purchases. Every dollar spent on the Frontier Airlines World card gets you 1 point closer to elite status.

Additional benefits include priority Zone 2 boarding and waiving the award redemption fee when you use your Frontier Airlines World card to pay the taxes and fees on an award ticket. The card also gives you access to your FICO credit score and has no foreign transaction fees .

On the surface, Frontier Airlines seems like a great option for families to save money on air travel. But you’ll soon find that the airline charges for everything imaginable, from seat assignments to checking in on its website.

If you’re a savvy traveler who knows how to pack right and can take advantage of features like Kids Fly Free with a Discount Den membership, Frontier Airlines might be the perfect airline for your family’s needs.

The information regarding the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard ® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What documents do i need to fly with a child on frontier airlines.

When flying internationally on Frontier Airlines, a child must have a valid passport (the same goes for adults). Domestic travel does not require any documents but it is always a good practice to travel with a copy of your child’s birth certificate.

Does Frontier separate kids from parents?

This depends on the age of the child. Frontier guarantees that passengers 13 years of age or younger will have adjacent seats for the child and accompanying adult over 13 years old at no additional cost.

Do you have to pay to check a car seat on Frontier?

No. There is no fee to check a car seat or stroller on Frontier Airlines.

Do kids board first on Frontier Airlines?

No, kids do not board first on Frontier Airlines. Families traveling with children under 3 years old can board during Courtesy Boarding which is the third group to board.

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About Ashley Onadele

Ashley discovered a love for travel in college that’s continued as her family has grown. She loves showing parents how they can take their families on trips using points and has contributed to numerous publications and podcasts.

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Frontier Airlines flying with babies

Does frontier airlines impose restrictions regarding the acceptance of infants.

An infant must be at least 7 days old to be accepted on Frontier Airlines flights. One adult at least 15 years of age may accompany up to two infants under the age of 2 .

When are children required to have their own seats for travel on Frontier Airlines flights?

Infants under 2 years old are allowed to travel free of charge on the lap of an adult at least 15 years of age, but a seat must be purchased for travel on Frontier Airlines flights in the following situations:

• Children 2 years of age or older must have their own seat reserved .
• If a child under the age of 2 will travel in his/her own approved car seat , a ticket must be purchased .
• Because each ticketed adult is allowed to hold only one infant on their lap, a ticket must be purchased for a second infant who must be secured in a car seat occupying a separate seat.

Does Frontier Airlines offer discounts for infants or children?

Infants (children from 7 days to 2 years of age) are accepted, without charge, on all Frontier Airlines flights , domestic and international, when the infant does not occupy a separate seat and is accompanied by a full fare-paying adult passenger 15 years of age or older. Even if your infant is flying for free, sitting on your lap, taxes may apply when traveling internationally . These taxes must be paid prior to boarding the original departure flight and will be collected at check-in.

Infants occupying a seat and children 2 years of age or older will be charged the same fare as an adult passenger  unless special fares are available.

You can book your next Frontier Airlines flight online even when you will be traveling with your baby as a lap infant. Only one infant per paying adult is allowed to travel as a lap infant. If you plan to travel alone with 2 infants, the first infant may travel sitting on your lap, but you must purchase a ticket for a reserved seat for the second infant to travel in an approved child restraint device.

The number of infants accepted per flight may be limited based on aircraft type due to supplemental equipment considerations. Also, because there are only four oxygen masks per every three seats, two adults with two lap infants are not allowed to sit on the same side of a row. Passengers traveling with lap infants may not sit in any seat that has an airbag seatbelt installed (includes row 1 on most Frontier aircraft ) .

As baggage allowance exceptions when traveling with a child, the following items may be checked or carried on board at no charge :

• A diaper bag may be carried on board when traveling with a child, in addition to your carry-on allowance .
• Child restraint devices may be carried on board only if they have air-travel-approved Department of Transportation (DOT) labels. If the child restraint device has no such label, it will be accepted as checked baggage only.
• Strollers may be used to transport your child to the gate but must be gate-checked in the departing city. At your final destination, the stroller will be returned to the gate.

Provided that seat space is available after boarding, an approved car seat brought on board may be used by an infant, even if a seat has not been purchased for the child. Booster seats may be carried on board, but must be stowed in an overhead compartment or underneath the seat for takeoff and landing. The booster seat may be used seat during the flight, once the aircraft has reached cruising altitude.

Infants Traveling in Their Own Reserved Seats

Frontier Airlines encourages all adults traveling with infants under 2 years of age to secure the infant in an approved car seat or harness . When a child restraint device will be used to secure the infant for taxi, takeoff, and landing, a separate seat must be reserved. The seat width varies depending on the type of aircraft, from minimum seat width of 16.5” on A321 aircraft to 17.4” on A319 and A320 aircraft .

Frontier Airlines allows the AMSafe Aviation C.A.R.E.S. child harness device , with the label indicating FAA approval, to be used onboard for children weighing 22-44 pounds.

To use a car seat on board the aircraft, the child may not exceed the weight limitation of the car seat and the car seat must have a solid seat and back, and restraint straps installed to hold the child in the car seat. Also, only car seats with labels identifying approval for aircraft use (“This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards” and “THIS RESTRAINT IS CERTIFIED FOR USE IN MOTOR VEHICLES AND AIRCRAFT” or “TSO-100”) will be accepted.

Frontier Airlines does not allow car seats to be placed in the emergency exit rows, nor in the seats immediately in front of or behind the exit rows. Car seats may not be placed in any seat that has an airbag seatbelt installed. The car seat must be secured by a seatbelt at all times and may not obstruct another passenger’s access to the aisle. Window seats are the preferred location for an infant traveling in a car seat, but other seat assignments are permitted provided the car seat is not obstructing the egress of any passenger.

In addition to your one personal item, a diaper bag may be taken on board free of charge . You can use the stroller to transport your child to the gate, but then you must check it at the gate . Upon arrival at your destination, your stroller will be returned to you at the gate.

When traveling with a child, Frontier Airlines recommends that you bring items that will keep your child content during the flight. Also, Frontier Airlines offers fun flight activities for the kids (Fun with maps, activity pages, and flight certificate) that you can print out before you leave home. Frontier Airlines will board families traveling with children under 3 years of age ahead of some passengers, immediately after Zone 1, as part of the Courtesy Boarding group .

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Frontier Infants Policy

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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 Frontier Airlines that you will be traveling with an infant on your lap. Lap children can only be held by passengers who are at least 15 years of age for domestic flights and 18 years of age for international flights. 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 must be purchased for each additional infant. You may also choose to purchase a seat for your infant as long as you have the proper child restraint device.

PLEASE NOTE:  Two adults with two lap children may not sit in the same side of a row because there are only four oxygen masks per three seats.  Also, lap children may not sit in any seat that has an airbag seatbelt installed which includes Row 1 on most aircraft.

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 a passenger for the flight.

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?

If your device does not have the labels noted above, you will not be allowed to use it during take-off, landing, and surface movements. This includes booster seats and other types of harnesses.

What infant amenities are available on the aircraft I'll be flying (ie. Bassinets)?

Infant amenities vary by aircraft. When you're on the airplane page on SeatGuru.com look for the Infant Amenity Icon. If it is present, clicking on it will tell you what infant services are available on that airplane. If you do not see it, infant amenities are not offered on that aircraft. You may always contact Frontier Airlines for more information.

May I sit in the Exit Row with my infant?

Federal Aviation Administration regulations state that no lap children or infant seats are allowed in an Exit Row and that all passengers in an Exit Row must be at least 15 years of age. In addition, infant seats are not allowed in the row directly in front of or directly behind an exit.

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

Flying With a Baby? Here’s What to Know Before You Go

Medical review policy, latest update:, how old should a baby be to fly, read this next, what do children need to fly, tips for flying with an infant.

What to Expect the First Year , 3rd edition, Heidi Murkoff.  WhatToExpect.com, Do Babies Need Passports? , May 2019.  WhatToExpect.com, Should You Bring Your Child’s Car Seat on an Airplane? , August 2021. WhatToExpect.com, Your Ultimate Guide to Traveling While Breastfeeding , August 2020. American Academy of Pediatrics, Family Friendly Flying , November 2015.  American Academy of Pediatrics, Flying With Baby: Parent FAQs , November 2019.   American Airlines, Traveling With Children .  Delta Air Lines, Infant Air Travel , 2021.  Federal Aviation Administration, Flying With Children , March 2021.  Transportation Security Administration, Coronavirus (COVID-19) FAQ .  Transportation Security Administration, Identification .  Transportation Security Administration, Will Minors Need to Have a State ID to Fly Domestically? United Airlines, Traveling With Children , 2021.  U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Children – Child Traveling With One Parent or Someone Who Is Not a Parent or Legal Guardian or a Group , December 2019.

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Flying With a Baby Checklist

So you want to fly with a newborn? Or, perhaps, due to an adoption, family emergency or relocation you have to fly with a newborn. Whatever the reason, you need a checklist to pull this planning off in the midst of the final stretch of pregnancy, birth and the fog that surrounds those early (but sweet) newborn days.

TPG has an entire guide devoted to helping you prepare for a child's first flight , but if your flight companion is a true baby (as opposed to a crawler or toddler), we are going to start you off with a shorter checklist because you don't need tablets, Goldfish and a Mary Poppins-style bag of tricks . Truth be told, in some ways, flying with a baby is easier than flying with a toddler, though there are a few nuances to address before hitting the sky with a newborn.

Get Cleared to Fly

Many airlines have restrictions on how old a newborn must be before they can fly. Just as airlines' rules for flying while pregnant vary , so do the rules for flying with a newborn. Generally speaking, the major airlines require a baby be at least 2 to 8days old before hitting the skies. Those who do permit babies under 7 days old to fly, generally ask for a medical release or physician's note stating that the baby is cleared to fly.

While not an exhaustive list, here are some current airline rules for flying with a baby.

• American Airlines : American Airlines accepts infants as young as 2 days old, but American's policy states that if you're traveling with an infant less than 7 days old, your physician will be required to fill out a passenger medical form before your flight. American states that a special assistance coordinator will send the form directly to your physician, but if you have trouble obtaining that form, I would bring a note from the baby's physician clearing them for flight.
• Delta : Infants less than 7 days old may not travel without an approval letter from their physician.
• Frontier : Infants must be at least 7 days old to fly.
• Hawaiian Airlines : Infants under 7 days old require a doctor's note -- dated within one day of travel -- that states the child will not require any extraordinary medical assistance during the flight dated within one day of travel.
• JetBlue : Infants between 3 and 14 days old must have, in the form of a letter, their doctor's approval to travel.
• Southwest Airlines: A medical release for travel is required for any infant under 14 days old.
• Spirit: Infants must be at least 7 days old.
• United: Infants younger than 7 days old are not accepted for travel.

To give you a flavor for requirements around the world, on British Airways infants must be at least 48 hours old, Air Canada requires babies to be least 7 days old and ANA sets the bar for babies as at least 8 days old.

To Ticket or Not to Ticket

If you have the luxury of choice, I advise against planning flights for a newborn before they are born. Every baby and birth is unique, so assuming things will be going well enough to fly with a baby in those first few weeks is a gamble. Take this advice from someone who had a seemingly healthy newborn life-flighted at 4 days old and then (because we are slow learners) five years later, paid change penalties to push back a trip for a 6-week-old when we were frankly still far too exhausted to go anywhere.

However, sometimes you simply have to fly in those early weeks, so you'll need to decide whether to book your baby a seat or hold them as a lap baby. If you are 100% set on your baby's name, you might be able to book a flight before they are born. In other cases, I've heard of airlines allowing families to book flights for Baby YourLastName, but don't expect this process to be simple or foolproof.

The easiest way to fly with a newborn may be to simply keep them snuggled close to you. If you are nursing, they may be happiest doing that through much of the flight anyway.

On the other hand, there is something to be said about the secureness of a car seat, especially in the event of severe turbulence or a hard landing. And because nothing is simple once you become a parent, keep in mind there are also studies showing that leaving infants in car seats for more than 30 minutes might be dangerous. In other words, if you are flying with a baby, talk to your doctor, your partner and then go with your gut in terms of what is best from a seating perspective.

If your journey with a newborn is an international flight, brush up on lap infant fees , which can range from inconsequential to exorbitant. On a longer or international flight, you may also wish to request a seat assignment with a bassinet, especially for a younger baby who will still actually fit in one. (Here are the pros and cons of booking the bulkhead seat when traveling with a baby .)

Your baby needs a folder with all of his or her travel-related paperwork started ASAP and then plan on carrying that folder with you when you fly. If you are on domestic flights (on a carrier other than Southwest), you may very well never be asked for any documentation for your baby but it is better to be over-prepared than end up in this situation. While it isn't necessarily fair, this documentation advice is especially true if your baby has a different last name than you, appears to be of a different race or if you are an LGBTQ family . To give context, airlines are sometimes one of the front-line defenses against child trafficking, so they are on the lookout for anything that raises a red flag when it comes to flying with newborns.

Additionally, Southwest Airlines in particular is known for requiring birth certificates to prove that lap children are indeed under 2 years of age, even in cases where the baby is clearly a newborn. If you don't yet have a birth certificate for your baby, bring the documentation you do have from the hospital and/or physician's office to verify the child's age.

If you are flying internationally with your baby, you must have a passport for him or her . Getting a passport means you need to have the child's birth certificate, passport photo , etc. This process can be rushed a bit if necessary, but allow time if you can so that you aren't worrying about passport details the moment you deliver.

Unlike with TSA PreCheck that allows children 12 and under to piggy-back through the line with their parents, even babies officially need their own Global Entry for the family to make use of that service. Make that Global Entry "interview" appointment as soon as you can (yes, even for babies), and pay the application fee with a credit card that covers Global Entry application fees.

Pack Light: Milk, Diapers and Clothes

The paperwork process of flying with a baby (especially internationally) can be a drag, but thankfully the packing process is much easier. A true newborn is pretty simple to pack for as they really only need breastmilk or formula, diapers and wipes, clean clothes, a blanket and you. If you use a breast pump, remember that is considered a medical device , so it can be brought onboard without counting against your carry-on allowance.

Once your baby is a few months old , he or she will appreciate some small toys and things to do in-flight. But in those first few weeks, you can keep the extras to a minimum. Just pack enough to keep them clean, warm, fed and snuggled. (And then pack a little extra of all of those things ... just in case.)

The TSA permits you to bring a "reasonable quantity" of formula or breast milk through security . Ice packs, freezer packs, frozen gel packs and other accessories required to cool breast milk are also allowed in your carry-on. If these accessories are partially frozen or slushy, they may also be subject to additional screening. If you are traveling internationally with breastmilk, you'll want to do a bit of research on the local rules and regulation as it can vary. Here's how to fly with breast milk in the US .

You might want to bring a stroller for your baby, but honestly for a newborn who probably doesn't weigh more than about 10 pounds, a sling or baby carrier of some sort might work even better than a stroller .

Bottom Line

Travel does not end when you have a baby , but it does change quite a bit. We are here to walk you through each step from your baby's first flight to traveling with tweens , teens and beyond. Even if we haven't written the article you are after just yet, check out our TPG Family Facebook Group that is full of more than 12,000 traveling parents from families of all ages, shapes and sizes.

Did we miss anything on your traveling with a baby checklist?

Here are even more resources for flying with a baby:

• The Best Airline Seats, Suites, Lactation Rooms and Lounges When Breastfeeding
• No, Your Lap Infant Will Not Earn Miles for Paid International Tickets
• How to Fly Around the World With a Baby
• Tips for Flying With a 3 Month Old Baby
• Tips for Flying with a Six Month Old Baby
• Traveling With a Baby: How Young Is Too Young to Fly?

Image courtesy of Klaus Vedfelt via Getty Images.

Flying frontier with Baby

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What are your rights when traveling by air?

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - As summer travel picks up, it’s important to know your rights when it comes to traveling by air.

Under current U.S. Department of Transportation rules, airlines can set their own standards for which changes to your flight warrant a refund.

“So that’s important that you know before you go what you’re getting into and what you might be offered,” said Lori Weaver-Hawkins with AAA of the Bluegrass.

Weaver-Hawkins recommends visiting the DOT’s website before your trip to ensure you know what you’re entitled to.

“It has charts that actually you can go onto the website, choose a situation, whether it’s a delayed flight, canceled flight, baggage delay, and when you click on that it will bring up a chart that shows all the major airlines and will show you, at a glance, what that airline offers and how they handle those situations,” said Weaver-Hawkins.

For example, if you experience a controllable delay of three hours or more with any of the major domestic airlines, you’re entitled to a meal or meal voucher. A controllable delay is anything the airline can control, including maintenance or crew problems, fueling, or cabin cleaning.

If you experience an overnight controllable delay, all ten except Frontier will provide a hotel room and transportation to and from your hotel. If an airline declares your luggage lost, the DOT says you’re entitled to a full refund of your baggage fee.

As for the contents of your bag, that’s where travel insurance can come in handy.

“We still want to make sure that people understand and recommend that they do get travel insurance because there are things beyond an airline’s involvement that can cause delays and problems with your trip, so that’s also still a good idea,” said Weaver-Hawkins.

Depending on your plan, travel insurance can also reimburse a trip canceled due to illness or if severe weather impacts your travel.

This fall, the DOT’s new guidelines for airlines will take effect. “We’re gonna see the rule go into effect where we will see consistency across airlines,” said Weaver-Hawkins.

They’ll set specific guidelines for when airlines have to provide refunds.

If your flight is canceled or significantly changed, and you choose not to accept alternative transportation or travel credits offered, you are entitled to a refund. Significant changes include departure or travel times by more than three hours domestically.

“Until then, I’ve been telling people to make sure that you download your airline’s app, look for what they offer should your flight become delayed because we are still seeing a lot of delayed and canceled flights. So that’s important that you know before you go what you’re getting into and what you might be offered,” said Weaver-Hawkins.

Read more from the DOT about the current rules:

In the following situations, consumers are entitled to a refund of the ticket price and/or associated fees.

• Cancelled Flight – A consumer is entitled to a refund if the airline cancelled a flight, regardless of the reason, and the consumer chooses not to travel.
• Schedule Change/Significant Delay - A consumer is entitled to a refund if the airline made a significant schedule change and/or significantly delays a flight and the consumer chooses not to travel. DOT has not specifically defined what constitutes a “significant delay.” Whether you are entitled to a refund depends on many factors – including the length of the delay, the length of the flight, and your particular circumstances. DOT determines whether you are entitled to a refund following a significant delay on a case-by-case basis.
• Class of Service Change - A consumer is entitled to a refund if the consumer was involuntarily moved to a lower class of service. For example, if the consumer purchased a first-class ticket and was downgraded to economy class due to an aircraft swap, the consumer is owed the difference in fares.
• Optional Service Fees - A consumer is entitled to a refund of fees paid for an optional service (for example, baggage fees, seat upgrades, or in-flight Wi-Fi) if the consumer was unable to use the optional service due to a flight cancellation, delay, schedule change, or a situation where the consumer was involuntarily denied boarding. Note : In situations where you have purchased an optional service and that amenity either does not work or is not available on the flight, you may need to notify the airline of the problem to receive a refund.
• Baggage Fees - A consumer is entitled to a refund if the consumer paid a baggage fee and his or her baggage has been declared lost by the airline. Airlines may have different policies to determine when a bag is officially lost. Most airlines will declare a bag lost between five and fourteen days after the flight, but this can vary from one airline to another. If an airline unreasonably refuses to consider a bag lost after it has been missing for an unreasonable period of time, the airline could be subject to enforcement action by the DOT. Learn more about lost, delayed, or damaged baggage .
• Fully refundable ticket - Consumers who purchase fully refundable tickets are entitled to a refund when they do not use the purchased ticket to complete their travel

In the following situations, consumers are not entitled to refunds except under very limited circumstances:

• Non-refundable tickets - Consumers who purchase non-refundable tickets are not entitled to a refund unless the airline makes a promise to provide a refund or the airline cancels a flight or makes a significant schedule change.
• Personal Issue - Consumers who purchase nonrefundable tickets, but are unable to travel for a personal reason, such as being sick or late to the airport, are not entitled to a refund.
• Unsatisfactory Service - A consumer who willingly takes a flight but has a bad experience with the airline or the flight is not entitled to a refund.
• Incidental Expenses – A consumer who incurs incidental expenses such as a rental car, hotel room, or meal due to a significantly delayed or cancelled flight is not entitled to a refund of the incidental expenses.

Read more from the DOT about the new rules coming this fall:

Under the rule, passengers are entitled to a refund for:

• Canceled or significantly changed flights: Passengers will be entitled to a refund if their flight is canceled or significantly changed, and they do not accept alternative transportation or travel credits offered. For the first time, the rule defines “significant change.” Significant changes to a flight include departure or arrival times that are more than 3 hours domestically and 6 hours internationally; departures or arrivals from a different airport; increases in the number of connections; instances where passengers are downgraded to a lower class of service; or connections at different airports or flights on different planes that are less accessible or accommodating to a person with a disability.
• Significantly delayed baggage return: Passengers who file a mishandled baggage report will be entitled to a refund of their checked bag fee if it is not delivered within 12 hours of their domestic flight arriving at the gate, or 15-30 hours of their international flight arriving at the gate, depending on the length of the flight.
• Extra services not provided: Passengers will be entitled to a refund for the fee they paid for an extra service — such as Wi-Fi, seat selection, or inflight entertainment — if an airline fails to provide this service.

DOT’s final rule also makes it simple and straightforward for passengers to receive the money they are owed. Without this rule, consumers have to navigate a patchwork of cumbersome processes to request and receive a refund — searching through airline websites to figure out how make the request, filling out extra “digital paperwork,” or at times waiting for hours on the phone. In addition, passengers would receive a travel credit or voucher by default from some airlines instead of getting their money back, so they could not use their refund to rebook on another airline when their flight was changed or cancelled without navigating a cumbersome request process.

The final rule improves the passenger experience by requiring refunds to be:

• Automatic: Airlines must automatically issue refunds without passengers having to explicitly request them or jump through hoops.
• Prompt: Airlines and ticket agents must issue refunds within seven business days of refunds becoming due for credit card purchases and 20 calendar days for other payment methods.
• Cash or original form of payment: Airlines and ticket agents must provide refunds in cash or whatever original payment method the individual used to make the purchase, such as credit card or airline miles. Airlines may not substitute vouchers, travel credits, or other forms of compensation unless the passenger affirmatively chooses to accept alternative compensation.
• Full amount: Airlines and ticket agents must provide full refunds of the ticket purchase price, minus the value of any portion of transportation already used. The refunds must include all government-imposed taxes and fees and airline-imposed fees, regardless of whether the taxes or fees are refundable to airlines.

The final rule also requires airlines to provide prompt notifications to consumers affected by a cancelled or significantly changed flight of their right to a refund of the ticket and extra service fees, as well as any related policies.

In addition, in instances where consumers are restricted by a government or advised by a medical professional not to travel to, from, or within the United States due to a serious communicable disease, the final rule requires that airlines must provide travel credits or vouchers. Consumers may be required to provide documentary evidence to support their request. Travel vouchers or credits provided by airlines must be transferrable and valid for at least five years from the date of issuance.

Copyright 2024 WKYT. All rights reserved.

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The Sphere in Las Vegas really is a 'quantum leap' for live music: Inside the first shows

LAS VEGAS − Last September, U2 changed the concert experience as we knew it.

On a stage designed as a turntable, the illustrious rockers broke into “Zoo Station” and the concrete walls towering over them trembled and broke apart.

Or at least it looked that way thanks to a massive 160,000-square-foot wraparound LED screen.

As a static backdrop hissed, Bono roared: “I’m ready! Ready for what’s next.”

It was an apt proclamation for the first concert at Las Vegas’ new toy, the Sphere , an imposing domed venue on the Strip that promises to be the next frontier in live entertainment through design and technology.

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Since September, Phish and Dead & Company have also had turns at the Sphere, and The Eagles have announced their run will start Sept. 20. This prompted us to ask if the $2.3 billion venue is really the "quantum leap forward" The Edge described to USA TODAY before that first show, or another Vegas landmark where you can take a spectacular photo?

After seeing all three bands at the Sphere and talking with fans and stakeholders, we can say it turns the mundane into magical.

More: The Eagles are officially coming to the Las Vegas Sphere: Dates and ticket details

What is inside the Las Vegas Sphere?

On the Vegas skyline, the Sphere is the rotund counter to its towering neighbors The Venetian and Wynn Las Vegas.

It's the size of two city blocks and is taller than a football field is long. The Sphere has the seating capacity of an arena with all of the jaw-dropping wonder of a "Star Wars" ride at a Disney theme park, felt from the moment fans enter the futuristic atrium.

Built over four years, the Sphere is a uniquely fashioned venu e with immersive sound from 167,000 individual speakers installed behind a 160,000-square-foot (about 3½ acres) LED screen with stunning 16k resolution.

The encompassing visuals are dizzying in the best way, whether they're the Elvis-inspired video creating a swooping feeling of movement during U2's "Even Better Than the Real Thing," the "scaffolding" that parted at the start of Dead & Company's “Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo” to display a quaint row of Haight-Ashbury houses then a hovering image of Earth's atmosphere or Phish's amber-lit floating fabric pods during "Leaves."

The "beamforming" sound technology in the venue allows sound to be controlled and targeted directly to certain sections, which Phish employed to head trippy effect. The absence of sound bleed from inside the dome into the concourse is another extraordinary element. Take a step out of the seating area and hear nothing but ambient background. Step back into the venue and feel an aural bear hug.

Why the Sphere is special for musicians: 'It's not just plug and play'

As Dead & Company frontman Bob Weir told USA TODAY in an email, the Sphere unlocks creative boundaries to "take storytelling in live performance to the level of opera – maybe even beyond. U2 and Phish got the ball rolling. Now it’s our turn."

Because it can take up to a year to create specialized content to accompany live productions, the Sphere is using the residency model – ideally at least eight shows – as its blueprint.

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The U2 extravaganza, which found the veteran hitmakers performing all of their 1991 album, “Achtung Baby,” along with a set of hits, extended from a rollout of five shows to 40. By its March 2 finale, about 800,000 fans experienced its marvel.

“It’s definitely not a touring venue. It’s not just plug and play,” said Josephine Vaccarello, executive vice president, live, for MSG Entertainment, who oversees concert bookings for the Sphere. “We need an act that has the fan base and the following, the artist that has the creative vision for what we can do with these creative tools and the journey they want to take their fans on.”

Dead & Company, which has dates through Aug. 10 , demonstrated the nimbleness of the Sphere's technology during its May 25 show when a camera atop the venue's roof captured a photo of the full moon. The image was quickly uploaded during the concert and appeared, along with a close-up of Weir, during “Black Peter.”

"Live concerts have always been the ultimate expression for music, and part of the joy of creating shows is making the most of what’s available in order to build a world with and around the music," John Mayer, Dead & Company guitarist and singer, said in an email to USA TODAY. "Having the Sphere as this giant new set of tools is a spectacular opportunity for musicians to tell a deeper, more immersive story. I’m honored to be one of the first explorers of this new frontier."

The Sphere offers an experience that's 'completely different' for fans

U2 fan Alejandro Familiar attended three of the band's shows, twice among the general-admission throng on the floor and once from the steep 400-level.

The Las Vegas resident is a devotee of the Irish rockers, whom he's seen at least seven times in stadiums, which made the 20,000 concert capacity at the Sphere a relatively intimate experience – and one that enthralled him.

"The technology is crazy , the sound is completely different than anything I've experienced in every other venue. It's just a whole immersive experience. (The band) can make you feel like you're in space, at a beach, they can transport you anywhere," he said. "You're used to going to a venue and looking at the band and maybe the guitars on stage for a minute, but there's no other place to look. Now, the band is what you pay the least attention to because of everything around you, but I don't think that's a bad thing."

Familiar surmised that some U2 fans – like himself – went to multiple shows so they could focus on different elements of the concert each time, as well as from various vantage points. (Be aware that the visuals can be obstructed by an overhang above the 100-level from about rows 24 to 37. Tickets are categorized as limited view.)

"It was a different experience sitting up top, like being in a huge movie theater. The band looks small from there and the stage looks really small, but the sound and visuals, that's what makes it," he said. "And you can be listening to a song and then they'll blast (images of) giant Bonos and the band on the screen and you go, 'Ah, OK, there they are.'"

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Sphere challenges: 'We'll continue to learn'

Jennifer Koester, president and chief operating officer of Sphere, said nearly 1 million guests traveled through the venue by the fiscal third quarter that ended March 31. Yet some skeptics remain.

For those who wonder just what the big deal is about a venue with groovy technology , extremely vertical seating and pristine sound, it’s difficult to verbalize how transformative it is to feel, see and hear a show at the Sphere.

But as Vaccarello summarized: “Seeing it on videos is not the same as experiencing it in person. Once people experience it, they fall in love because it touches all of the senses.”

Along with the indisputable wonders of the Sphere, though, some operational hiccups left some guests with a frustrated impression.

At several U2 concerts and during Phish’s opening show , the ingress left fans crammed on the pedestrian bridge from inside the Venetian to the Sphere’s entry for 45 to 90 minutes. The first night of Dead & Company, the lines to the men’s bathroom snaked into the atrium.

These “pain points,” as Koester calls them, were addressed by directing fans to other entry areas outside the venue for U2, opening doors earlier for Phish the second night of their residency, and reversing one of the women’s restrooms – not quite as busy at a Dead show – to accommodate men.

The venue has also worked to offer reasonable parking options , including valet and space for limos, taxis and tour group buses. Several hundred spaces are available on site at the Sphere, with concert parking starting around $50 (it's $18 for the ongoing Sphere Experience with Darren Aronofsky’s breathtaking film “Postcard From Earth.” ). The self-park garages at the adjoining Venetian and Palazzo are a minimum of $23 (event rates can vary), though casino visitors holding a certain level of player's club card can park free. The rideshare scene is typical of any major event, with significant congestion at peak entry and exit times.

As next-level as the Sphere is, it manages logistical issues with customer experiences faced by every event venue.

“Those are all adjustments,” Koester said. “And we’ll continue to learn.”

What will the Sphere be in five years?

Only live event ticket buyers will experience the sensory engulfment found inside the Sphere. But anyone can gape at the continually glistening digital exosphere, whether they are a photo-snapping tourist or one of the many airplane passengers scrambling for their phones on the descent to capture the newest landmark.

The Sphere's exosphere has shown playful emojis , glaring eyeballs , logos of its musical inhabitants, adorable memes , advertising and, coming July 4, student art . Only the truly apathetic can't be impressed.

The Sphere will also soon emit sound from its skeleton , an addition that has piqued the curiosity of some and pre-irritated others. The feeling among Sphere brass is that Las Vegas is already a cauldron of sound, so what's a little more?

But as eye-catching as the exosphere is, the future of the venue is all about what happens inside the dome.

The initial trio of Sphere bands leaned toward a middle-aged demographic, and the fourth, the Eagles , will park at the venue for eight shows beginning Sept. 20. Tickets are on sale at 1 p.m. ET June 21 via ticketmaster.com.

But there are plans to diversify the offerings and announce a few more performers, as well as other age-spanning multimedia events this year.

“We’re talking to a huge variety of artists. We’re just scratching the surface,” Vaccarello said.

One future ambition is being able to “flip” the venue within a single day; perhaps have a showing Postcard From Earth” – which plays most days there isn’t a concert at the venue – during the day and hold a live event that night.

The staging of the NHL Draft June 28-29 will mark the first live broadcast from the Sphere. Even corporate activity has emerged, with Hewlett Packard Enterprise scheduled to hold its keynote address at the venue June 18.

More: Jon Bon Jovi says 'Forever' pays homage to The Beatles, his wife and the working class

Koester knows that for the Sphere to thrive, constant movement is paramount.

“I go back to the premise upon which this was built, that this is a venue that is a disruptor,” she said. “The hope is that I can sit here in five years and say, 'We’re still ahead of everyone else and are continuing to evolve and push the boundaries with technology.' I wake up every day thinking about that.”

Does the Sphere live up to the hype?

The future of the Sphere is unquestionably intriguing. But in its nine months of existence, it has proven to be a game-changer for live experiences. Its bewitching presence has convinced most cynics that this flashy attraction on the Strip is more than a colorful orb with impressive sound and visual technology.

“Everyone is pushing the boundaries of the capabilities of that venue,” Koester said. “I was at U2 opening night – I’ve been going to see them since I was 13 – and it ruined me for every other concert."