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Flying with a Lap Child: Infants and Long Plane Trips

When traveling with an infant or child under 2 years old, it is common practice for the child to travel as a “lap child”. A lap child does not require a seating assignment and airlines usually do not charge a passenger fare, although a 10% tax may apply.

This is a great situation for new parents since money is often tight and children of that age tend to want or need their parents to hold them during flights anyway.

To make check-in go smoothly when traveling with a lap child, you should notify your travel agent or airline in advance. Your lap child will require a boarding pass in his or her name. You still will need to handle all issues regarding proof of identification. Depending on your destination, you may potentially have passport and travel visas to organize for your child.

Traveling with a lap child restricts your ability to occupy some seats, such as those in exit rows. In addition, if you can manage to get a business class upgrade you will have more room and extra comfort. These are some of the reasons that you should work out the details about lap child travel with your airline in advance, even though a dedicated seat and fare for the child is probably not required.

When you have a child traveling as a lap child, use common sense with respect to seat belt safety. Never strap your child into the same seat belt that you are using. Doing so could cause the force of your own body to crush your child! It may sound incredible that a parent would overlook this extreme danger; but it happens and flight attendants do not always catch and correct the dangerous situation.

Some non-U.S. operated airlines require special seatbelt attachments be used with lap children. These devices attach to the parent’s seat belt and then provide a separate belt for around the child’s waist. FAA safety regulations do not allow such devices on U.S. planes.

Before deciding to travel with a lap child, keep in mind that your child will be safer if restrained in an aircraft approved child safety seat. This requires that your infant have a seat assignment so there is some added cost. However, most airlines offer discounts of up to 50% for infant fares. An unrestrained child could be difficult or impossible to hold on to as a lap child if there should be a significant event of turbulence. Consider the cost versus benefit of safety when making your decision about traveling with your infant sitting in your lap. You can find information on the FAA web site about safety recommendations for parents traveling with infants.

You should also discuss your travel plans with your pediatrician to get your doctor's recommendations about ear pain issues and sedation.

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The Parent-to-Parent Guide
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Quick Tips

	A child must be under 2 years old to qualify as a lap child.
	A lap child can typically fly free of charge.
	Lap children may only have to pay a 10% charge on some itineraries.
	Notify your travel agent or airline about your lap child in advance.

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Flying Kids Mission

As parents, we are responsible for molding our precious babies into well rounded adults who have an appreciation for the variety of opportunities that they have available to them as they grow and develop as individuals. Exposing children to varying geographical locations and cultures around the world is an important teaching method that many parents have the option to use for developing generations of culturally aware future leaders who have childhood experiences that help them understand and personally relate to global issues. It is the mission of Flying Rugrats to arm parents with information about flying with children, toddlers or infants strategies in an effort to dispel fear or apprehension about family travel so that families may travel freely and better educate our future world citizens through positive travel experiences.

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Flying with a Lap Child: Infants and Long Plane Trips

The Parent-to-Parent Guide to Air Travel with Babies and Toddlers

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Quick Tips

Help Support
Flying Rugrats

The Parent-to-Parent Guide
to Air Travel
with Babies and Toddlers