Do babies fly free Southwest?

One child over 14 days old and under two (2) years of age not occupying a seat may be carried free of charge when traveling with someone 12 years of age or older. If you plan to travel with an infant as a Lap Child, you must pay the taxes and fees that apply to the international portion of the infant's itinerary.



Yes, on Southwest Airlines in 2026, one child over 14 days and under two years of age can fly as a "Lap Child" for free on domestic flights. They do not require a paid seat as long as they sit on the lap of an adult (aged 12 or older). However, even though the flight is free, you must still register the baby on your reservation and provide a Boarding Verification Document (BVD) at the airport. For international flights, the baby still flies "free" from a fare perspective, but you are required to pay the applicable government-imposed taxes and fees, and a specific ticket will be issued. It is a peer-to-peer essential to bring a birth certificate or passport for the baby, as Southwest gate agents frequently verify age to ensure the child is under two. If you want a guaranteed seat and the ability to use a car seat for safety, you would need to purchase a standard fare for the baby, though Southwest often offers a "Child Fare" discount for these situations.

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Customers with children are allowed to check one stroller and one car seat without charge. This allowance applies to any type of stroller and/or car seat and is in addition to the regular baggage allowance. Customers may check the stroller and car seat at the curb, ticket counter, or gate.

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Lap infant fares on international flights Most international flights allow children under 2 to fly as lap children, but with one big difference — it's usually not 100% free. Typically, if you're flying on a revenue ticket, you must pay the taxes and fees for your lap infant plus, in some cases, 10% of the fare.

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Infants or children under two are not required to have their own seat and therefore pay an infant fare (0 – 23 months) if they travel on an adult's lap as a 'lap infant'. Crew will issue a lap belt to secure around you and the baby. Alternatively, you can book a separate seat for your infant and pay a child's fare.

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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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Your infant can sit on your lap for a fee (see Fees and charges). It is recommended that an infant on an adult's lap be forward-facing or in the cradled position for take-off and landing. On all of our aircraft we can allow up to one infant on a lap for each row of three seats.

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If you choose to travel with your infant on your lap (at no additional charge), they don't need a boarding pass; however, you'll need a Boarding Verification Document (BVD) for the infant so they can board. BVDs can be printed at the airport on the day of travel at a kiosk or the ticket counter.

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Up to two adults traveling with a child six years old or younger may board during Family Boarding, which occurs after the “A” group has boarded and before the “B” group begins boarding. There should be enough open seats to enable the child to sit next to at least one accompanying adult.

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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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If you think your toddler is likely to cry, yell and be noisy on the plane, you might want to book seats near the back of the aircraft. This section of the plane, behind the wings, is generally noisier, thanks to the engine, and the background hum might cover the sound of your child.

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The safest way for baby to fly Infants weighing less than 20 pounds should be bucked into a rear-facing car seat during airplane travel. Children who weigh 20 to 40 pounds should be restrained in a car seat. They should not be switched to using just the airplane's lap belt until they reach at least 40 pounds.

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Employees may ask for age verification at any point, so please travel with a copy or original form of any government-issued ID, such as a birth certificate or passport for your child. A medical release for travel is required for any infant under 14 days old.

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Additional infants under 2 years old must be ticketed and occupy an infant safety seat or in a separate aircraft seat. The infant must be under 2 years of age for the duration of the trip. If they turn 2 during a trip, they will need their own seat for the remainder of the trip.

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If a child turns 2 years during the trip, they need to have a child ticket instead of infant ticket, due to the seating on the return flight.

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Every US citizen, regardless of age, must have a passport to travel abroad. Newborn babies, infants, and toddlers all need a passport to leave and enter another country. Just as if an adult was applying for a passport, babies must have Form DS-11 filled out and submitted.

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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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