Depending on the child's age, there are different rules for boarding. While traveling with a baby, one must be aware of the necessary documents and formalities. On this page, you will find information on the United Infant policy and learn how to fly with kids securely.
What is United Airlines Infant Policy?
United Airline infant policy allows passengers to travel with their kids securely. However, whether you have to buy a ticket or they can sit on your lap, it all depends on the child’s age. If the child is under 2 years old (but older than 7 days), he or she can sit on their parent's lap. The ticketing cost for an infant will depend on the destination.
United Infant Policy: Terms and Conditions
United Airlines has a set of rules and regulations if you are planning to travel with your infant. Some of the important considerations of United Airlines child policy are as follows:
- United Airlines says no to accept infants in incubation or children less than 7 days old.
- Children under the age of two years traveling within the U.S. with their parents or adults are allowed to sit on their lap till the destination free of cost.
- Children more than two years don’t need to have their own seat.
- Informing the airline when you are traveling with your child on your lap is necessary.
- As per the United lap child policy, only 1 lap child is allowed per parent/adult.
Documents Required During Travel With Infants On United Flight
Traveling with kids or infants requires all the necessary documentation to be handled smoothly. However, in accordance with United Airlines child policy, all the documents listed below must be carried out.
- Passport - Every child must have a passport, no matter what their age. Moreover, their passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the anticipated return date.
- Birth Certificate - For infants traveling without a passport, United Airlines guidelines ask parents to carry a copy of their birth certificate. Authorities may use this certificate as proof of their age and parentage.
- Medical Records - Parents or legal guardians must carry proof of the baby’s medical records, including vaccination and other prescriptions.
- Visa - As mentioned under the United Airlines child policy, before traveling, parents should check the visa requirements of their destination country. Then, they can obtain the necessary visa for their child.
Note - To know what documents you have to carry with you while traveling with our child, dial 1-800-UNITED-1 or +1–800–865–1848 (additional number) and talk to flight experts available 24/7 for you.
How To Book A United Ticket For A Lap Child?
As per the United lap baby policy, to book an infant ticket on United Airlines, you need to follow some simple steps as given below -
- First - Open the official website of United Airlines.
- Second - Enter your search parameters, including origin, city, and destination.
- Third - In your booking, under “travelers,” select the number of passengers.
- Fourth - If you want to purchase a ticket for your child under 2 years of age, select “Infant (under 2).”
- Fifth - if you don’t want to purchase a ticket, “childs on lap.”
- Sixth - Submit the necessary documents.
- Seventh - Pay the fee if required.
United Airline Infant Policy: Ticketing Options
There are various ticketing options for children under the United Airlines infant policy. You should keep the following considerations in mind when booking your ticket and deciding what to bring.
1 - United Child On Lap Policy
- Children under two years can sit on their parent’s lap during travel to any destination as mentioned in the United lap child policy.
- For U.S. domestic flights, there will be no ticket needed for an infant.
- For flights between the United States, Canada, and Mexico, a ticket will be needed for an infant, but paying taxes will be required.
- As per the United Airlines child policy, for infants traveling on international flights, tickets will be required. Additionally, passengers will be asked to charge a partial fare based on the destination.
2 - United Infant Seat Policy
- In accordance with United Airlines child seating policy, passengers may let their infants have their own seats if they are traveling with an approved car seat.
- Car seats can be used on flights with certain exceptions. Kids in car seats should sit in a window seat. This car seat is secured to the main seat itself.
- Your child should be in their seat throughout the takeoff, landing, and turbulence.
3 - United Ticketing Rules For All Other Kids
- Kids older than two years will need a ticket to have their own seat on the plane.
- Also, parents and other legal guardians make sure that they submit copies of all the supporting documents requested by the airline.
United Flying With A Lap Babies: Fees And Regulations
In general, lap babies, referring to children under the age of two years who sit on an adult's lap on board, can travel for free (on domestic flights) or at a discounted fare (for international routes). However, check the table below to know about the charges for infants:
| United infant fare |
Free hold luggage allowance for infant gear |
Cost of additional seat for infant |
|
Free on domestic flights.
Infant costs vary on international flights.
|
1 pushchair + 1 car seat + 23 kg of hold luggage.
|
Full adult fare on domestic flights.
75% of adult fares on international flights.
|
United Airlines Infant Policy: All The Fare Class
United Airlines is the largest airline in the U.S. and offers multiple-class service to customers who are flying with their children. Let's take a look at the features of United Classes to help you decide which ticket is best for you and your child.
1- Basic Economy
If you booked the basic economy fare, then as per the United Child seat policy, the airline does not count the diaper bags against your carry-on allowance, so you are good to bring it on. Also, if you are traveling with children under 12, United offers new tools that make it easier for children to sit next to an adult at your party for free.
If seats next to each other are not available on your flight because of unscheduled aircraft changes or last-minute bookings, you can switch to another flight with availability in the same cabin for free and won't be charged for the difference in fare.
2- Economy
With the exception of the exit rows, which children under the age of thirteen are not allowed to sit in, you can book any seat with economy class. With this economy fare class, you can book a window seat for some added entertainment so that there is a spot without anyone next to you or walking by you. If you reserve your little one their own seat, United always recommends that it be the window seat.
3- Premium Economy
With premium economy, you will get a bassinet seat on a larger and especially international flight. These seats on United Airlines have more legroom and are most pleasant to fly with a baby when you can swing it.
4- Polaris Business Class
United Airlines provides free onboard bassinets in United Polaris Business class on some international flights. Also, they can be used anytime during the flight when the seatbelt sign is off.
United Airlines Child Seating Policy: On the Plane
Boarding on the plane can be challenging sometimes with kids. With United Airlines infant policy, it is uncomplicated. There are two facilities United passengers may avail on the plane. These facilities are “Car Seats” and “United Airlines bassinet for baby.” Car seats are attached to the main seat on the plane in a window seat. The second is Bassinet. United Airlines provides free bassinets in the United Polaris business class (United bassinet business class) and in the Economy class seats on some international flights.
United Airlines Child Flying Policy: When To Purchase A Ticket For Your Baby?
When it comes to child travel, United Airlines is extremely accommodating. There are, nevertheless, some unbreakable norms under the United child policy. United Airlines requires you to purchase a ticket for your child in the following conditions:
- When your child is two years old or older, you have to purchase a ticket as per the United child policy.
- When your baby turns two after the outbound flight for the continuing or return flight.
- When a passenger is traveling with two babies (under the age of two years), he/she has to purchase a ticket for the baby who is not sitting in the lap.
- When a passenger is traveling internationally. Regardless of the baby’s age and whether the child travels as an child on a lap.
United Airlines Child Seat Policy: For Reserved Seat
Infants who have their own flight ticket and are unable to sit comfortably with the seat belt are accommodated by United Airlines by conveying them in an approved child restraint device (infant seat). As mentioned in the United child on lap policy, only FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) approved safety seat devices can be utilized throughout the time of takeoff and landing.
Infant seats must be secured at all times in an airline seat unless stored as luggage. There are a few seating restrictions mentioned under the United Infant Seat Policy.
- Infant seats cannot be used in a rear-facing seat.
- Infant seats can’t be used in an exit row (the row immediately before and after an exit row).
- The infant seat should be placed in a window seat.
- Infant seats can’t be used in United Polaris business class on these Boeing aircraft - B767, B777, and B787.
Do Babies Under Two Fly Free Internationally?
No, a child under the age of two is usually charged 10 % of an adult fare plus taxes on an international flight. However, infants traveling from Mexico to the United States or Canada, or between the United States and Canada, only pay taxes.
Furthermore, remember that according to the United Infant Seat Policy, tickets for children occupying their own seats may be the same price as an adult flight ticket. The best way to check the ticket price for a child is to search for flights using the "Make flight reservation" feature from the official United Airlines website and select the number of children under the travelers' section.
United Airlines Infant Policy International Requirements
As per the United Airlines infant policy international, while traveling internationally, a child must have his/her own ticket. Your baby is allowed to board sitting on your lap with an extension seat belt supplied by the airline. Flight that takes a long time to land, you have to check if you can book the United Airlines bassinet for baby.
How Much Will I Pay For A Lap Infant Flight Ticket On An International Itinerary?
The lap baby fare varies based on destination. For example, if you book a round-trip flight from Newark to Frankfurt in economy class for two adults and one lap baby. Then you have to pay $113 per adult, including fees and taxes, and $118 for the lap child, including taxes and fees. An infant's ticket cost is just a fraction of the price of an adult flight ticket.
Further, when it comes to tickets booked with United Mileageplus Miles, you will have to pay 10% of the revenue fare, which includes travel on United Airlines as well as on partner airlines. The lap baby fee is capped at $250, which comes in handy if you are reserving a pricey business-class ticket for the parent. To know more about the United Airlines infant policy and the exact cost, contact the airlines' agent at 1-800-UNITED-1 or get independent support at +1–800–865–1848 (an alternate number that avoids waiting time).
What Is United Airlines Child Flying Alone Policy?
United Airlines child flying alone policy allows child board alone by ensuring everyone stays safe. United Airlines provides unaccompanied minor service that is required for children under the age group of 5-14 and optional for the age group of 15-17.
How To Book A Ticket For A Child Flying Alone At United Airlines?
As per the United Airlines child flying alone policy, the following are the simple steps to book a ticket for your child and prepare them for the trip.
Step 1 - Open the official website of United Airlines.
Step 2 - Make sure you select the accurate age group for your child.
Step 3 - During booking, you have to mention the person who’s dropping your kids off and picking them up from the airport. (You can modify this info whenever you wish).
Step 4 - Within 72 hours after you finish the booking, the airline’s representative selects your child’s seat.
How To Add Lap Infant United After Booking?
In order to add Lap Infant to United Airlines after booking, you must visit the United website or search parameters, including destination and origin city, travel dates, and whether you need a round trip or an on-way flight ticket.
Under the "travelers" section, you will be able to select the number of passengers. If you want to purchase a ticket with a seat for your child under the age of two, then select "infants (under 2)". If you don't want to buy a flight ticket, then select the "infants on lap" option.
Does A 1 Year Old Need A Plane Ticket United?
No, As per the United Infant policy, if you are traveling on a US domestic flight, lap babies (1 year old) can travel on their parent ticket; there is no requirement. United only allows you to purchase a ticket for your child when:
- The child is two years or older.
- The child turns after an outbound United Airlines flight for the continuing or return flight only.
- You are flying alone with two babies under the age of 2 years - for the baby who will not sit in your lap.
- You are flying internationally, regardless of your child's age and whether or not the baby travels as an infant on your lap.
What Can I Carry On A United Flight If I Travel With My Child?
If you are flying with your child of any age, you can bring the following things for free in addition to your carry-on and personal items:
- Diaper bags
- Breast pumps, milk, or formula
- FAA approved Car seat
- A compact folding stroller that meets the guidelines of carry-on bag size when collapsed, such as the GB pocket.
Do I Have To Pay For An Infant's Seat When Flying United?
As per the rules of United Airlines child seating policy, you don't have to buy a seat for a child under two if you keep them in your lap for the duration of the flight. However, some circumstances require you to reserve a seat for your child.
- Your child turns two prior to the return portion of the route, and you have booked a round-trip ticket.
- You are an adult traveling with two children under two. You have to buy at least one seat for a seat because you can't hold more than one child in your lap.
How Much Does It Cost To Fly With A Lap Child?
With United Airlines, you can have them fly with you at no cost on domestic flights. However, if you choose to buy a separate seat for your child, you can expect that you will typically have to pay the same price that adults have to pay.
On international flights, you can expect to pay up to 10% of the adult fare; however, since United Airlines price is dynamic, it's not always going to be the same amount. It may come in slightly less or slightly more than you anticipated at different times.
Need Help? Obtain Assistance Regarding United Airlines infant policy
This page is a one-stop solution for travelers who want to know the rules and regulations about United Airlines infant policy. However, if you still want more clarification on how you can travel with your infant seamlessly, experts are there.
Having proper knowledge of the ticketing procedure and the facilities corresponding to the United Airlines infant policy is also significant by experts. Get in touch with the United Airlines customer support team at 1-800-UNITED-1. However, you may save time by dialing +1–800–865–1848 and talking to flight experts at the independent consolidation desk. They can explain all the tiny to significant details about United child policy and help you get rid of any issue immediately.
Note: Flying Rules are intended to provide passengers with information regarding airline policies. Therefore, all information presented here is authentic and has been taken from official sources. Nonetheless, as a service provider, we strive to enhance your travel experience, regardless of the airline. Please take note that we at Flying Rules are not liable for the actions of the official airlines and will not be held accountable for them.
