Can my 5 year old sit on my lap on the plane?

Although airlines allow for children under 2 to sit on a parents lap, the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) recommends for all young children to sit in a FAA approved car seat at all times during a flight. Flight attendants with the AFA are pushing for FAA to update safety regulations to not allow lap babies.



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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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If you're traveling with a toddler or infant that may fuss and kick the seat in front of you, have your three other family members fill those seats to avoid passenger complaints. If that's the case, three seats directly behind and in front of one another is your best bet.

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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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Whilst our seating system will always try to seat families together, seats are allocated on a first come first served basis so the earlier you check in the more likely you are to be seated together.

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A Lap Child may be carried free of charge domestically. For international travel, applicable government-imposed taxes and fees must be paid, and a ticket will be issued for each person, regardless of age.

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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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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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You can either add the lap child at the time of booking or you can call at a later date and add the child. Note that even after your child has been born, most airlines have minimum age requirements to fly, usually starting at 7 days old. Check with your airline to confirm how young your baby can be when they fly.

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An adult must take the child to the departure gate and stay until the flight is airborne. When you get to the gate, tell the gate agent you have an unaccompanied minor traveling on the flight. We'll board your child early so they can meet the flight crew and learn about the plane's safety features.

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Before she even asks, so that she won't ask as soon as the fasten seatbelt sign goes on.
  1. Keep her fed and hydrated so she's less likely to get grumpy. ...
  2. Distract and entertain. ...
  3. Calm your little one. ...
  4. Calm yourself. ...
  5. Introduce yourself to your neighbors at the start of the flight. ...
  6. As kids get older, teach and pre-teach.


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This may be requested at certain points during the journey. ID is not required for children under 16 years old qhen they're travelling with adults, however NY children 14 or 15 years old travelling alone will be required to have valid photographic ID with them.

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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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16 Tips for Flying With Toddlers and Young Kids
  1. Book an Early Morning Departure.
  2. Save Your Upgrades for Toddler-Free Travel.
  3. Talk to Your Kids About What to Expect.
  4. Dress in Layers and Skip Shoes With Laces.
  5. Bring Surprises.
  6. Consider Using a Smaller Stroller.
  7. Pack Just Enough.
  8. Plan Your Packing List.


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12-18 Months Old One year olds are often highly mobile yet totally uncontrollable, making for a potentially dangerous travel combination. At this age, children are still too young to understand and follow instructions, so discipline is ineffective.

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In the front, you'll have a smoother, quieter ride compared to other areas of the plane. If your little one is a light sleeper, this will be important.

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