What Does A Baby Need To Travel For Domestic Flight (2024)

To prove your child’s age to an airline, you need to provide a valid passport, birth certificate, or immunization form. Domestic travel generally requires a birth certificate if your child is under 2 and flying as a lap child. Some airlines may request additional documentation, such as a notarized consent letter. TSA Cares. Traveling with children. All passengers are required to undergo screening, but TSA has developed modified screening procedures for children who appear to be under 2 days old.

Most airlines don’t require purchasing a ticket for babies younger than 2 years old for domestic flights, but they must sit on the passenger’s lap. If you do purchase a ticket for a separate seat, 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. Due to FAA safety requirements, 1 adult passenger may only carry 1 lap-held infant. If an adult passenger is traveling with 2 infants, a seat must be purchased for the additional infant.

A valid passport is usually the only identification your baby will need to fly on a domestic flight, unless you have proof of your child’s birthday. All US-based airlines and most likely international airlines technically require you to prove your child’s birthday. Babies from the US don’t need an ID when flying domestically, per the TSA. For domestic travel, it’s a good idea to bring a copy of your child’s birth certificate in case you need to verify their age and/or your own.

Individuals at least 16 days old may be accepted for travel, but infants (less than 2 years old) travelling without seats must be held by an adult. Children above 3 days and under the age of 2 years can travel as infants. Some airlines may ask for an infant’s proof of age for domestic flights, which could be a birth certificate, passport, or other document.

What does a baby need to fly domestically?

Domestic flights require a valid passport as the only identification for a baby, unless a discounted child fare is required. Children under 18 do not need a Real ID. The best time to fly with a baby is not clear, but some infants may sleep better at nighttime after the first few weeks. If you and your baby can sleep on the plane, a late-night flight may be the best option. Check with your airline before leaving to ensure the best experience for your family.

Do babies need ear plugs for flying?

Airplane cabin noise is loud, especially during takeoff, which can affect a baby’s sleep. To reduce this, use cotton balls, noise-canceling headphones, or small earplugs. Infant car seats are certified for air travel, and airlines often allow caregivers to ride on a baby’s lap during flight. The Federal Aviation Administration recommends using properly secured safety seats. If an infant doesn’t purchase a ticket, inquire about open seats when boarding the plane.

How old does a baby have to be to fly domestically?

Infants under two years old are considered for travel, and healthy newborns can travel after seven days of delivery without medical clearance. Families are encouraged to travel together, and seat selection is available for domestic and international flights. International services require infants to have their own ticket. Online infants are booked without a seat and must travel either in the lap of an adult or be placed in the bassinet if available during flight.

What is the best age to fly with a baby?

The ideal age for flying with a baby is between four months and 22 months, according to a nursing mom. Nursing the baby to sleep upon takeoff ensures a smooth flight. Flying with a toddler who is no longer nursing is more challenging and requires bringing snacks and activities. The mother’s son, who didn’t fly until 22 months, was very active and needed to be engaged with toys on his first trip.

Do babies under 2 fly free internationally?

Infants or children under two years old can travel on the lap of an adult for free within the United States or at a reduced fare for international travel. For children under two, it is recommended to purchase a seat on the aircraft and use an approved child safety seat. Delta supports breastfeeding on board Delta and Delta Connection aircraft and in Delta facilities, with breast pumps allowed on board.

Private lactation rooms or spaces are available at many airports. Allowing extra time between flights for rest or bathroom breaks can be helpful, and airport maps can help plan layovers before reaching the airport.

Does a diaper bag count as carry-on?

To travel, you must bring one personal item and one carry-on item. Your personal item must fit under the seat and should not exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches. Other items like diaper bags, breast pumps, coolers, child safety seats, strollers, and medical devices are not considered personal items. Carry-on items can only be brought with your personal item and must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat. If not, they must be checked. Label all carry-on items for identification. Some airports may have additional restrictions.

How to protect baby ears during flight?

Baby headphones or earmuffs can help muffle sound and reduce pressure discomfort during flights. Pack them in your carry-on or crossbody pack belt bag to block out some noise. To ease baby’s airplane ears, use ear muffs, pacifiers, or breastfeeding during the flight. Tushbaby’s clip-on pacifier case, The Pod, can keep your pacifier handy during high flight pressure. This saves you from ruffling through bags for binky when needed. Baby ear protection products like baby ear muffs can also help muffle out scary noises.

Another way to help babies relieve pressure or pain in their ears is to allow them to cry. Cries open their eustachian tubes, similar to how ours open when we yawn or chew gum on a plane. This can help clear up the baby’s ears and reduce pressure and pain during the flight.

What do you need to bring to the airport for a baby?

Strollers, umbrella-strollers, baby carriers, car and booster seats, and backpacks must be screened by X-ray. These items can be placed in stroller pockets, baskets, carry-on bags, or on the X-ray belt for screening. Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food in quantities greater than 3. 4 ounces or 100 milliliters are allowed in carry-on baggage and do not need to fit within a quart-sized bag. These items are considered medically necessary liquids and can be used as cooling accessories.

The TSA officer must inform the officer at the beginning of the screening process that they are carrying formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food in excess of 3. 4 ounces. These items should be removed from the carry-on bag to be screened separately from other belongings. Clear, translucent bottles of formula and breast milk are helpful to officers, as plastic bags or pouches may not be screened by Bottle Liquid Scanners. Alternate screening methods like Explosive Trace Detection and Vapor Analysis may be required for liquid explosives.

What are the rules for infants on domestic flights?

It is not permitted for infants to occupy their own seats; they must be seated on an adult’s lap. Furthermore, additional seats cannot be reserved for them.

What proof do you need for a baby to fly?

An infant is considered fit to fly if they can provide a passenger medical form signed by a physician and a copy of their birth certificate as proof of age. Planning a trip with children can be both exciting and stressful, as it involves coordinating flight paths, travel times, customs lines-ups, and currency exchanges. However, the procedures and documentation required for traveling with children, especially flying, don’t have to be overwhelming.

Researching ahead of time can ensure a straightforward and easy-to-manage experience. This guide provides a list of documents, common practices, and airline-specific requirements to make the journey to your destination as simple and painless as possible.

Do kids under 2 fly free?

Infants or children under two years old can travel on the lap of an adult for free within the United States or at a reduced fare for international travel. For children under two, it is recommended to purchase a seat on the aircraft and use an approved child safety seat. Delta supports breastfeeding on board Delta and Delta Connection aircraft and in Delta facilities, with breast pumps allowed on board.

Private lactation rooms or spaces are available at many airports. Allowing extra time between flights for rest or bathroom breaks can be helpful, and airport maps can help plan layovers before reaching the airport.