Do lap children get a personal item?

Luggage allowance for lap infants Infants flying on paid tickets get the same baggage allowance as adults on paid tickets, but that's not the case when your under-2-year-old is flying for free on your lap. Children not occupying a paid seat are not given a checked baggage allowance on most U.S. domestic airlines.



Generally, no—lap children (under age 2) do not receive their own personal item or carry-on allowance on most domestic and international airlines in 2026. Because they do not have a paid seat, their luggage is typically tied to the accompanying adult's allowance. However, most 2026 carriers—including Southwest, JetBlue, and Air India—do allow parents to bring a diaper bag as an extra "essential" item in addition to the adult's standard carry-on and personal item. Furthermore, almost all airlines allow you to check one stroller and one car seat free of charge for a lap infant, either at the ticket counter or the gate. If you want your child to have their own baggage allowance, you must purchase a separate seat for them, which then grants them the full carry-on and personal item quotas of a standard "ticketed passenger."

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Under 7 days old requires a Passenger Medical Form. Lap infants are not allowed an extra bag. Your plane ticket allows for one carry-on bag, one diaper bag, one stroller, one car seat, and a breast pump with an associated cooler, free of charge. Under 7 days old requires a pediatrician letter.

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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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Only 1 infant may be seated in the lap of each ticketed accompanying adult and the infant must be included in the reservation. Additional infants under 2 years old must be ticketed and occupy an infant safety seat or in a separate aircraft seat.

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When you are flying with a baby on your lap, you will need a separate ticket issued by the airline, even if it is free. You can do this by calling the airline and asking them to add your baby to your ticket. They will usually ask the age of your infant and then any other specific information they might need.

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Lap infants do not qualify for any checked baggage allowance. Checking a child safety seat will not count towards your checked baggage allowance and there is no fee assessed; however, playpens, wagons, and other infant beds will count as a checked bag and must meet size and weight requirements.

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Your personal item like a purse or small handbag must fit under the seat in front of you. Dimensions should not exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm). These don't count as your personal item or carry-on: Diaper bags (1 per child)

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They're available for passengers in select seats for some flights. You can request one when you reserve your tickets. If you use a sleeper seat or skycot, your child still needs to be buckled into a car seat or held in your lap during takeoff and landing and if there's any turbulence.

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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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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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In general, a backpack is considered a personal item if it fits under the seat in front of you. This means that the backpack must be no larger than 22 inches in length, 14 inches in width, and 9 inches in height. If the backpack is larger than this, it will be considered luggage and must be checked.

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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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In general, travelers are permitted to bring into the plane one personal item and one carry-on bag with them on most flights. The personal item is often a small bag, such as a handbag or laptop bag, that is able to be stowed away beneath the seat that is directly in front of you.

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Backpacks, totes, and crossbody bags are typically considered personal items too.

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Age: 0 to 2 Years Old
Unless your child already has a passport that can be used to prove their birth date, you may need to bring a copy of their birth certificate. While some airlines are more lenient than others, it's always best to come prepared.

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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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If you do not have your car seat, be aware that it is against FAA regulations for a baby to be in the baby carrier during takeoff and landing.

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You may transport this item in carry-on or checked bags. For items you wish to carry on, you should check with the airline to ensure that the item will fit in the overhead bin or underneath the seat of the airplane.

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