However, children over the age of 2 must pay for a flight ticket and have their own seat on the aircraft. Many airlines will only charge between 50% to 80% of an adult ticket, for a child flight ticket.

In 2026, the cost for a child's flight depends primarily on their age and the type of flight (domestic vs. international). Infants under 2 ("Lap Infants") typically fly for free on domestic U.S. flights, but for international travel, they are usually charged 10% of the adult fare plus taxes. For children aged 2 to 11, most 2026 airlines require them to have their own seat, and the "child discount" has largely vanished on domestic routes, meaning they pay the full adult fare. On international long-haul carriers (like Lufthansa, Emirates, or Singapore Airlines), you can still find child fares that are roughly 75% to 80% of the adult price. Once a child turns 12, almost all airlines globally classify them as an adult for pricing purposes. In 2026, families are also encouraged to check for "Family Seating" policies; many airlines now guarantee that children under 12 will be seated next to an adult at no extra cost, though the base ticket price remains the same as an adult's.