Children traveling aloneFor safety, we require children age 5 – 14 traveling alone to use our unaccompanied minor service. This service is optional for children age 15 – 17, but if requested, then the fee applies. The unaccompanied minor fee is $150* each way, plus applicable taxes†, in addition to the ticket price.
How much does a child ticket cost? The price of a child ticket will differ from airline to airline. Some airlines offer discounted prices for children, whereas others have a flat fare for adults and children. On average, discounted airline tickets for children are around 25—33% cheaper than adult tickets.
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.
We're here to take you and your family wherever you need to go. 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).
Can a child fly free on their 2nd birthday? No. After the age of 2, your child will need to purchase their own seat. Some airlines offer discounts for younger passengers, however, in many cases (especially when booking with miles or points) you will be responsible for paying the full fare for your child's seat.
If you're a family traveling with children under 15, and do not already have seats assigned, our system will search for seats together automatically before the day of departure. We'll try our best to keep you together, but if seats are limited, we'll assign seats so children under 15 are next to at least 1 adult.
Ticket fares for babies and childrenOn 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.
Children (2 years or older) 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.
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.
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.
Related: Why you should travel while your baby is an infantIf you have a trip that spans your child's second birthday, only the outbound flight will be free. On the return flight, you will be required to purchase your now-2-year-old a seat with a one-way ticket.
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.