Typically, air travel is appropriate for most healthy, full-term infants. However, before you fly with your baby, consider: Your baby's age and health. Your baby's health care provider likely will discourage unnecessary air travel shortly after birth.

Long-haul flights are generally considered safe for healthy babies as young as 7 to 14 days old, but medical professionals in 2026 suggest waiting until a baby is 2 to 3 months old to allow their immune system to strengthen. The primary safety concern is not the flying itself, but the risk of infection in crowded airports and the potential for ear pain during cabin pressure changes. To ensure safety, the CDC and FAA strongly recommend using a government-approved car seat (CRS) in its own purchased seat rather than holding the baby as a "lap child," as this is the only way to protect them during severe turbulence. For comfort, many airlines offer "bassinets" on long-haul routes (usually at the bulkhead row), providing a safe, flat sleeping space. Always pack double the amount of supplies (diapers, formula, and changes of clothes) you think you'll need to account for delays, and utilize "feeding" (breast or bottle) during takeoff and landing to help equalize the pressure in their ears.