Lap infant assistance
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Adding an Infant on Lap to Your Booking
Flying with a child under two? Call an independent travel agent to check how the airline adds a lap infant to your trip, what proof of age it may ask for, and whether a fare or taxes apply. You can also ask about booking your baby their own seat.
- Lap infant or their own seat
- Age and document rules checked
- No charge added without your OK
Call About a Lap Infant
Phone hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Independent travel agency · Not affiliated with any airline · Service fees may apply.
Independent travel agency · Not affiliated with any airline · Service fees may apply.
Options
What you can ask about
Lap infant rules are set by each airline, and they can differ between domestic and international trips.
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Adding a lap infant
Adding a child under two, who will sit on an adult's lap, to a booking that already exists.
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A seat for your baby
Buying your child their own seat, so they can travel in a car seat approved for use on aircraft.
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Proof of age
Airlines may ask for a birth certificate or passport showing your child is under two on the day of travel.
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Turning two during the trip
If your child turns two before a later flight on the same trip, the airline will generally require a seat for that flight.
Good to know
How lap infants work
The airline decides how a lap infant is added, what it costs, and where you can sit together.
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Under two years old
A lap infant must be under two on the date of travel, and airlines generally allow one lap infant for each adult.
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Charges depend on the trip
Lap infants often travel without a fare on domestic flights. On international trips, airlines commonly charge part of the adult fare plus taxes and fees.
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Some seats aren't allowed
Airlines limit where an adult with a lap infant can sit, for example away from exit rows, and may limit lap infants in each row.
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The FAA recommends a seat
The Federal Aviation Administration recommends that young children fly in their own seat in an approved child restraint, rather than on a lap.
Call About a Lap Infant
Phone hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Independent travel agency · Not affiliated with any airline · Service fees may apply.
Costs
What a lap infant can cost
Whether a lap infant costs anything depends on the airline and the route.
Airline infant fares and taxes
Set by the airline. Often no fare on domestic flights, while international trips usually carry part of the adult fare plus taxes. A seat for your baby is a separate ticket.
Our service fee
Quoted on the call before you authorize
Charged by Travelz Portal for our own help with this request: a flat fee per passenger, separate from the airline’s charges and not paid to the airline. There is no charge to discuss your options, and nothing is charged until you authorize it.
Special situations
Car seats, bassinets, and more than one baby
Want to use a car seat on board? A car seat can only be used in a seat you've paid for, and it must be approved for aircraft use. Buying your child a seat is the only way to be sure you can use one. FAA guidance on child seats
Two children under two? Airlines generally allow only one lap infant per adult, so a second child under two usually needs their own seat.
Hoping for a bassinet? Some airlines offer bassinets on certain aircraft, in limited numbers. They are requested with the airline and are not guaranteed.
Preparation checklist
Before you call about your baby
Having these details ready makes it quicker to check how the airline adds your baby and what it would cost.
You can also contact your airline or original booking provider directly to add a lap infant.
- Your booking reference
- Your baby's full name, as shown on their ID or birth certificate
- Your baby's date of birth
- Which adult on the booking your baby will sit with
- Whether your baby turns two before any flight on the trip
- Your baby's passport, if any part of the trip is international
- Whether you'd like to compare the price of a seat
- Whether you plan to bring a car seat or stroller
Lap infant FAQs
Questions about flying with a baby
The airline always sets the rules and charges for lap infants.
Do lap infants fly free?
Not always. Lap infants often travel without a fare on domestic flights, but on international trips airlines commonly charge part of the adult fare plus taxes and fees. If you ask us to add your baby to the booking, our own service fee applies as well. We explain both before you authorize anything.
How old can a lap infant be?
Under two on the date of travel. If your child turns two before a later flight on the same trip, the airline will generally require a seat for that flight.
Can I add a lap infant to a booking I already have?
Usually, where the airline allows it. We can review your booking, explain any fare or taxes, and request the change with your authorization.
Should I buy my baby a seat instead?
The Federal Aviation Administration recommends that young children fly in their own seat in an approved child restraint. A seat lets you use an aircraft-approved car seat, but it is a separate ticket. See the FAA guidance on child seats.
What documents does my baby need?
Airlines may ask for proof of age, such as a birth certificate. For international trips, your baby needs their own passport and any other documents the destination requires.
Can I add a lap infant directly with the airline?
Yes. You can contact your airline, or the company you originally booked with, directly. You do not need to use our service to add a lap infant.
Talk through flying with your baby
Call to check how the airline adds a lap infant to your trip, and whether any fare or taxes apply, before you decide.
Call About a Lap Infant
Phone hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Independent travel agency · Not affiliated with any airline · Service fees may apply.