Can a 2 year old fly without a car seat?

Once your child is 2 years old, you'll need to purchase a seat for them. The FAA recommends that children under 40 pounds continue to use a car seat and that children over 40 pounds use the seat belt on the airplane seat.



Once a child reaches their second birthday, they are legally required to have their own purchased seat on the aircraft, but they are not strictly required by FAA or airline regulations to use a car seat (Child Restraint System). At age two, a child can use the standard airplane lap belt. However, the FAA and safety experts strongly recommend the use of an approved car seat or a harness device like CARES for children up to 40 lbs. This is because a standard lap belt is designed for adults and may not properly secure a small child during severe turbulence or an emergency. While you can fly without one, a two-year-old is often too small for the belt to sit correctly across their hips, which can lead to injury in a sudden jolt. If you choose not to bring a car seat, the child will sit directly in the passenger seat just like an adult. In 2026, most parents find that bringing a familiar car seat not only increases safety but also helps the child remain calm and comfortable in a familiar environment during the duration of the flight.

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Children 2 or older are required to have their own seat, a ticketed adult fare. Children under 5 can't travel alone under any circumstances.

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Most U.S. airlines will permit children who have reached their fifth birthday to travel unaccompanied. Kids ages 5 through 11 who are flying alone must usually travel pursuant to special “unaccompanied minor” procedures. On some airlines, these procedures are required for unaccompanied children as old as 14.

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A baby must be under two years of age to qualify as a lap infant. Once your infant turns 2 years old, they will be considered a child and will need to travel in their own seat.

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You can check one car seat and one stroller or folding wagon per child you're traveling with, for free. This can be done at the gate or ticket counter. Large or non-collapsible strollers, and non-folding wagons must be checked at the ticket counter.

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Even better, car seats are not usually counted as luggage, so you don't have to pay a fee to check them! The same goes for booster seats; even though they cannot be used on the plane, they are typically considered checked baggage free of charge.

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Diaper bags, soft-sided cooler bags with breast milk, child safety seats, strollers and medical or mobility devices don't count toward your personal item or carry-on.

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Changes of clothes: You can never be too prepared—one for you, one for your toddler. Toys: Books, stuffed animals, or simple puzzles are safe bets. Sippy cups: Bringing an empty sippy cup is beneficial if your toddler uses one, as the flight attendant can fill it during drink rounds.

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Liquid Formula, Breast Milk, Toddler Drinks, and Baby/Toddler food (to include puree pouches) Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters are allowed in carry-on baggage and do not need to fit within a quart-sized bag.

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Typically, minors under the age of 18 do not have to present identification for domestic U.S. travel. Airlines will accept identification from the responsible adult on behalf of the minor(s). For international travel, minors under the age of 18 must present the same travel documents as the adult.

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Children's strollers and child safety seats are not counted as part of the standard baggage and therefore can be easily checked for free. For your convenience, these items may be checked at the curbside, the ticket counter or at the gate. Child safety seats may be brought on board the plane in certain circumstances.

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Although children who have not reached their second birthday are permitted to travel as lap children, the FAA strongly discourages this practice and recommends that you secure your child in an approved CRS in their own seat for the entire flight.

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Parents/guardians should remove infants and children from strollers and car seats and carry them in their arms through the walk-through metal detector. Infants may be carried in a sling/carrier through the walk-through metal detector. Children will not be separated from their parent/guardian.

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To prove your child's age to an airline, one of the following documents will suffice: Child's passport (how to get a U.S. passport for an infant and things to know about children's passports) Child's birth certificate. Child's immunization form or other medical records may also work domestically.

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Infants under 2 years old can travel at no charge in the lap of their parent (any age), or an accompanying adult 16 years or older traveling in the same cabin. We welcome infants as young as 2 days old, but infants less than 7 days old require a 'Passenger Medical' form to be completed before your flight.

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Each passenger may carry liquids, gels and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or100 milliliters. Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, gels and aerosols.

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Water for babies is allowed in reasonable quantities in carry-on bags. Remove this item from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from the rest of your belongings.

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Foods you can't pack in your carry-on
Think: creamy cheeses, liquid chocolate, liquid coffee, creamy dips and spreads, gravy, honey, hummus, ice cream, jam, jelly, juice, syrup, peanut butter, salad dressing, sauce, salsa, soda, soup and yogurt.

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Toddlers may ride on your lap at no added cost but will need their own ticket if you are installing the car seat on the plane. If you plan to bring your car seat on board, bring a copy of the FAA regulations4 along with you, as some flight attendants may not be fully informed about car seat rules.

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