Infant Policies of 10 best US Airlines

Sometimes traveling can be challenging. For instance, long haul-flights can wear you out. One such circumstance that may be overwhelming is traveling with infants.

Since air travel is the most popular and quickest mode of transport, airlines have their infant policies to make your flight as comfortable and safe as possible.

So, listed below are ten best US Airlines and their infant policies. Take a quick look at the privileges and regulations of each air carrier.

1. American Airlines

• Age

Passengers with children younger than two years of age qualify as infants. If you are flying with infants younger than seven days old, your physician must duly fill a passenger medical form.

Also, parents, or guardians older than 16 years must accompany the infant in the same cabin.

• Facilities

Early boarding is possible for passengers traveling with children younger than two years. Lavatories have changing tables.

On certain aircraft such as 767-300, 777-200, 777-300, and 787 aircraft, bassinets are provided as per the availability. Finally, you can use safety seats if the infant is not able to sit upright.

• Limitations

You can carry one diaper bag per child. Business or First Class Cabins do not provide bassinets.

2. Delta Airlines

• Age

Children under the age of 2 are eligible for the infant policy. An approval letter from your physician is mandatory if the infant is a newborn or under seven days old.

• Facilities

Infants below the age of 2 can travel domestic on their guardian’s lap for free. On international flights such as Los Angeles to Mumbai, the fare is 10% of the adult and additional international taxes.

Free bassinets or sky-cots are available. To use them, make sure the infant weighs no more than 9 kg. Lastly, most aircraft have CARES harness, and an FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) approved safety seat.

• Limitations

Passengers that are traveling with two infants must purchase a seat for both. Then, according to the flight deal, if an infant occupies a seat, charges are applicable.

3. Southwest Airlines

• Age

Infants younger than 14 years old need require a medical release for travel.

• Facilities

Infants on the lap that do not occupy a seat can travel for free on all domestic as well as international flights. So, it doesn’t matter whether you have air tickets for India or Indianapolis.

Online check-in with an infant is available, provided the age of the child is verified. If you are to reserve a safety seat for your infant, you can avail of affordable infant fare on flight booking offers.

• Limitations

Infant fares and not available on the internet. You need to call customer support. Flying on international routes may accrue fees and taxes limited to the international portion of the infant’s itinerary.

4. Alaska Airlines

• Age

Alaska Airlines policy doesn’t state a minimum age required for infants to travel. If you are in doubt, always check with your doctor before you book your air tickets.

• Facilities

Infants on the lap may occupy an extra seat for free of cost, as per the availability. Check out the airline’s ‘Fly for All’ app for a better flight experience with your infants.

On top of the standard Child Restraint System, infants that weigh more than the FAA-approved safety seat can use Aviation Child Safety Device (ACSD).

• Limitations

Diaper bags and other such supplies for an infant will count as onboard luggage. Infants do not have any hand baggage allowance. Infants will not be given complimentary meals if flying in the First Class.

5. United Airlines

• Age

No ticket for infants under the age of 2 traveling within the USA, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. You cannot travel on a United Airlines flight with infants in incubation or younger than seven days old.

• Facilities

Passengers can avail cheap flight booking via special infant offers. Bassinets are provided on a complimentary basis on all international flights such as New York to Mumbai.

Wagons and strollers can be checked-in for free in addition to the baggage allowance. Compact strollers can be taken on board. Further, changing tables and kids’ snack boxes are available on specific routes and aircraft.

• Limitations

Travelers flying with infants on the lap may face certain seating restrictions. Passengers with two or more infants aged less than two years can only travel one infant on the lap.

6. Allegiant Air

• Age

Passengers on Allegiant Air flights can travel with infants between the ages of 15 days and two years free of cost. However, they must not occupy a seat.

• Facilities

If you are paying fare for the infant, whether USA travel deals or international, you can carry a stroller or a car seat to the boarding area. One stroller per fare-paying flier can be checked-in for free.

Besides, you can bring one personal item and carry-on luggage. Also, the diaper bag onboard will not count as hand baggage.

• Limitations

One infant on lap per fare-paying passenger is allowed. On flights with weather advisory, infants cannot travel unless accompanied by a passenger of or older than 18 years of age.

7. JetBlue Airways

• Age

Children under the age of 2 can benefit from the JetBlue Airways infant policy. Although there is no minimum age specified, you can check with your doctor before finalizing the ticket booking.

• Facilities

Lap infants traveling on a cost can carry a stroller, a diaper bag, and a car seat. They are not considered as checked-in or hand baggage. Infants between 3 days to 2 years old can travel as an infant on the lap.

Moreover, if you are traveling on JetBlue flight tickets within or outside the USA, you can check-in using the kiosks at the airport or even check-in online.

• Limitations

Minor travel consent is mandatory if the infant is traveling with one parent. One infant on lap per person is allowed by JetBlue Airways.

8. Hawaiian Airlines

• Age

As per the Hawaiian Airlines Infant Policy, passengers under the age of 2 are infants and can travel either as an infant on the lap or as a ticketed passenger. Infants less than seven days old need a letter of approval from a registered physician.

• Facilities

Strollers, Child Restraint Systems (CRS), and wagons qualify as check-in baggage. However, only CRS and stroller can be brought on board. Bassinets are available on most international routes.

• Limitations

A car seat will count as carry-on luggage. However, you can use an unoccupied seat to place the car seat.No individual baggage allowance available as a part of the flight deal for infants on the lap.

9. Frontier Airlines

• Age

Frontier Airlines’ infant policy is applicable to passengers under the age of 2 years.

• Facilities

You can check-in strollers for free of cost. The infant on the lap can travel free on cost. You can carry strollers, car seats, and a diaper on board free of charge.

Frontier permits the use of FAA-approved AMSafe Aviation CARES child harness device.

• Limitations

Children from two years of age need to purchase a flight ticket.

10. Spirit Airlines

• Age:

 Infants must be older than 15 days.

• Facilities

No flight ticket required for an infant under the age of two. Passengers traveling with infants can carry one diaper bag on board. Also, one stroller and one car seat can be checked-in for free. It doesn’t count towards your regular baggage allowance.

• Limitations

Passengers with an infant on the lap may face seating restrictions. For instance, they cannot sit in the emergency rows. Infants on the lap or car seats cannot occupy seats with an inflatable seatbelt.

Lastly, infants on a life support system or incubator cannot board Spirit Airlines flight.

Make your next flight a better one by being aware of airline policies. If you are traveling with children and infants, you need to pay attention to airline infant policies.

If you did not find the answer to your queries above, you could get in touch with the airlines.

And, make sure you only use FAA-approved Child Restraint System. Have a happy and memorable flight!