Infants and toddlers
Infant fares

Within the U.S. or between the U.S. and Canada
  • One child less than 24 months of age may travel free when accompanied by an adult and not occupying a separate seat. For travel to and from Canada, applicable taxes apply.
  • Only one child may travel for free per ticketed adult.
  • One adult customer traveling with more than one infant must purchase an adjacent seat for each child except the first, at the applicable fare.
  • Additional children must be properly secured in their seats.
  • A passenger must be at least 18 years old in order to travel with an infant on his or her lap.
  • A child who reaches the age of two during travel may travel as a lap child on flights before his or her birthday, but will require a purchased seat on continuing and/or return flights. For portions of the trip requiring a purchased seat, a separate itinerary must be created.

Between the U.S. and Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands
  • One child less than 24 months of age may travel at a discounted price equal to 10% of the applicable adult fare when accompanied by an adult and not occupying a separate seat.
  • Only one child per ticketed adult may travel at the discounted fare.
  • One adult customer traveling with more than one infant must purchase an adjacent seat for each child except the first, at the applicable fare.
  • Additional children must be properly secured in their seats.
  • A passenger must be at least 18 years old in order to travel with an infant on his or her lap.
  • A child who reaches the age of two during travel may travel as a lap child on flights before his or her birthday, but will require a purchased seat on continuing and/or return flights. For portions of the trip requiring a purchased seat, a separate itinerary must be created.

International (For travel to or from a location outside the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands)

  • A ticket must be purchased for each child, regardless of age.
  • Often a discounted fare may apply. The discount will vary depending on the international destination.
  • One adult customer traveling with more than one infant must purchase an adjacent seat for each child, at the applicable fare.
  • Children must be properly secured in their seats.
  • Passengers with newborns and infants may be required to show proof of age in order to travel. United does not accept infants in incubation or infants less than seven days old.

Booking a seat for an infant
There are two options when traveling with an infant (under two years of age):

Infant traveling in an adult’s lap
  • Within the U.S. or between the U.S. and Canada
    Although infants are not required to occupy a seat, your reservation must be documented as including an infant. If you decide to fly with an infant in your lap, please book your travel on united.com and then contact United Reservations to advise that an infant will be traveling on your itinerary.
  • Between the U.S. and Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands
    The infant fare is equal to 10% of the applicable adult fare. Please contact United Reservations to purchase a ticket for an infant who will be traveling in your lap.
  • International
    An infant is required to have a ticket in order to travel as a lap child. Infant discounts may be offered based on your destination. Please contact United Reservations to inquire about infant discounts or to purchase an international ticket for your infant.
Infant occupying a seat
  • Within the U.S. or between the U.S. and Canada, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands
    You may purchase a separate seat for your infant for increased comfort. Infants occupying a separate seat are subject to the full adult fare. To book a separate seat for your infant, please contact United Reservations.
  • International
    Infant discounts may be offered based on your destination. Contact United Reservations to inquire about infant discounts or to purchase an international ticket for your infant.

Child safety seats
You may use an approved infant car seat on board the aircraft when you purchase a seat for your child. The seat must be an FAA-approved child safety seat device. Please note the following infant car seat placement restrictions: on one-aisle aircraft, car seats must be placed in window seats, on two-aisle aircraft, car seats must be placed in window seats or the middle seat of a center section. Car seats are not permitted in rear-facing seats on any aircraft.

If manufactured after February 1985, the car seat should also be certified for use in aircraft. You should seat your child in the child safety seat for takeoff, landing and during turbulence.

The FAA has approved the use of a child safety restraint system for travel. The system, named “CARES”, uses an additional belt and shoulder harness that goes around the back of the seat and attaches to the lap belt. Children weighing between 22 and 44lbs may use this device. More information is available at www.kidsflysafe.com.

The following child restraint devices may not be used on board the aircraft: booster seats, belly belts which attach to adult seat belts only, and vests or harnesses which hold the infant to the chest of the adult.

Bassinets
A limited number of bassinets can be reserved for use, free of charge, on international aircraft (Boeing 747, 767 and 777). These bassinets are large enough to hold a child up to approximately six months old. They may not be used for takeoff or landing, or when the seat belt sign is illuminated. To request a bassinet for your flight, please contact United Reservations at 1-800-UNITED-1 (1-800-864-8331) within the United States, or call the appropriate worldwide contact. Bassinet reservations are subject to availability. We recommend making your request early, as bassinets may no longer be available for your flight once you are at the airport.

Changing tables and diapers
We recommend that you have an adequate supply of diapers for your trip. Changing tables are available on certain types of aircraft. Your flight attendant will direct you to the proper lavatory.

Seating
If you are traveling with an infant or any child under 15 years old, you cannot sit in a designated exit row, in keeping with U.S. Federal Aviation Administration regulations. Only one infant per each grouping of seats on the aircraft is acceptable due to the availability of oxygen masks.

Strollers
Strollers may be checked to your final destination without a fee, in addition to your normal baggage allowance.

Children can be transported in their strollers throughout the airport. However, strollers must be checked at the gate. No strollers of any size are permitted as carry-on baggage. Your child's stroller will be delivered to you at the aircraft door upon request at your connecting city or destination. Large-sized, non-collapsible strollers cannot be checked at the gate. Please see a United representative at the airport check-in counter to check your large-sized, non-collapsible stroller.

United is not responsible for damage that occurs to strollers that are not packaged in a box and checked at the check-in counter.

General information
We recommend that you bring your child's favorite toy, coloring books and storybooks. We also recommend that you give your child something to eat or drink when the plane is taking off and landing. This may help alleviate ear pain caused by the pressure as the cabin adjusts to the altitude.