Do children pay on flights?

YOU WILL NEED TO PURCHASE A TICKET FOR YOUR CHILD IF YOU: Have a child that turns 2 during the trip. Prefer the child sit in a seat with an FAA-approved child safety seat. Already have a child that will be sitting in your lap, regardless of age.



Whether children pay for flights in 2026 depends entirely on their age and the destination. Infants under 2 years old (24 months) can typically fly for "free" or for a small tax-only fee on domestic flights if they sit on an adult's lap. On international routes, lap infants are usually charged 10% of the adult fare plus taxes. Once a child turns 2, they are legally required to have their own seat and must purchase a Child Ticket, which typically ranges from 75% to 100% of the adult fare depending on the airline's policy. Some budget carriers do not offer any child discounts, charging the full adult rate for anyone over 2. It is also important to note that many airlines provide "unaccompanied minor" services for children aged 5 to 15 traveling alone, which involves a significant additional fee on top of the ticket price to cover the specialized supervision and security required for their journey.

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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.

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YOU WILL NEED TO PURCHASE A TICKET FOR YOUR CHILD IF YOU: Have a child that is 2 years old or older. Have a child that turns 2 during the trip. Prefer the child sit in a seat with an FAA-approved child safety seat. Already have a child that will be sitting in your lap, regardless of age.

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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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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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Babies age two and under can fly free on domestic U.S. flights with one paying passenger as long as they sit in the passenger's lap. It is safer for a child to ride in a car seat in the plane, and if you prefer that option, you'll need to pay full fare for a seat for the baby regardless of age.

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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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Related: Why you should travel while your baby is an infant If 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.

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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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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.

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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.

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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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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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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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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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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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