Can my 2.5 year old fly free?

It is an FAA regulation that children aged 2 and older require their own ticket and seat. I recommend buying a ticket even for children under the age of 2 and strapping them into an airline approved carseat.



No, in 2026, a 2.5-year-old cannot fly for free on any major commercial airline. The "lap child" policy, which allows children to fly for free (domestically) or for a small fee (internationally), applies strictly to infants and toddlers under the age of 2. Once a child reaches their second birthday, FAA and international safety regulations require them to have their own assigned seat for takeoff, landing, and during turbulence. Consequently, you must purchase a full-fare ticket (or a slightly discounted child fare if offered by the carrier) for a 2.5-year-old. The only rare exception is Frontier Airlines' "Kids Fly Free" program, which allows children 14 and under to fly free on select flights if an adult is a member of their "Discount Den" program and purchases a qualifying fare. For most travelers, however, you should budget for a full seat once your child turns two, as airlines view every occupied seat as a unit of lost revenue regardless of the passenger's age.

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Travel Restrictions and Required Documentation Is your child two years old? Or turning two years old en route? If yes, then a seat is required to be purchased for all flights in which your child is 2 years old.

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Ticket fares for babies and children On domestic flights, infants under the age of two often fly for free if seated on their parent's lap, and some airlines charge a (discounted) fare. On international flights, airlines often charge 10% of the adult ticket price.

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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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Planning your trip
  • Infants on lap. Children under two can sit on a parent's lap during flights to any destination.
  • Infant seats. Alternatively, infants can have their own seat if you bring an approved car seat.
  • All other kids. Children older than two will need a ticket and their own seat on the plane.


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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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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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Infants or children under 2 years of age can travel on the lap of an adult for free (within the United States) or at a reduced fare (for international travel).

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Technically, most airlines require you to show proof of age for your lap infant. This can include a birth certificate, passport or sometimes hospital or immunization records. In reality, most airlines will not ask you for that information unless your baby looks like a toddler who could be past that second birthday.

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Age requirements
A child between the ages of three days old until their second birthday is considered a lap infant. There is no cost to add lap infants to a reservation. If the child has their second birthday between the outbound and return flight, a seat will need to be purchased for the return flight.

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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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Standard strollers, folding wagons, and car seats can be used to get to your gate and then checked for free. They'll be returned to you on arrival. Collapsible strollers can be stored in-cabin. Car seats can be used onboard your flight too.

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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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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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Typically, children above the age of 2 require their own seat and will need a flight ticket. While some airlines may allow children under 2 to travel for free on domestic flights when sitting on an adult's lap, it's recommended to purchase a separate seat for their comfort and safety.

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Should I use a car seat on a plane? You're not required to, but experts strongly recommend that children under the age of 2 be securely fastened in certified child restraints on airplanes.

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But what about the snacks!?!? Dried fruits, nuts, granola bars, cereals, cracker, pretzel and cookies are all good options. Creamy items such as jams, peanut butter and yogurt however, are limited to travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces or less per item and will need to fit into a quart-sized bag.

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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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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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Can I take milk on a plane for my toddler? Travel with toddlers on planes, means you still need to think about food and drink for them. And yes, you can still bring milk or water on board for your toddler. It's usually advised to bring water in a sippy cup rather than a normal water bottle.

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TSA officers may need to test the liquids for explosives or concealed prohibited items. Although not required, to expedite the screening process, it is recommended that formula and breast milk be transported in clear, translucent bottles and not plastic bags or pouches.

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