3 Airline Rules You Need to Know for Flying with Children
3 Airline Rules You Need to Know for Flying with Children

Airline Rule #1: Age Regulations

  • American Airlines

  • Accepts infants as young as 2 days old. However, you will be required to present a passenger medical form filled out and signed by a physician before your flight. Infants must be accompanied in the same cabin by a person 16 years or older or by their parents (of any age).

  • United

  • United does not accept infants younger than 7 days old.

  • Delta

  • Infants under 7 days old must have an approval letter from a physician in order to fly.

  • Southwest

  • You must provide a medical release form for any infant traveling that is under 14 days old.



Airline Rule #2: Safety Seats

  • AA approved safety seats and child restraint systems (CRC) are accepted. The safety seats cannot be used in an exit row or in the rows on either side of an exit row; window seats are preferred. The seat must be installed in the age appropriate direction for the size of the child. The child must remain in the seat during takeoff, landing and whenever the fasten seat belt sign is on. Safety seats are not allowed in First or Business class due to the seat angles.

  • United

  • You may use FAA-approved child restraint system (CRS) or child safety seats in window seats on single-aisle aircraft, and in window seats or in the middle seats of a center section on two-aisle aircraft. Using a child restraint system is not acceptable in rear-facing seats or seats directly in front of, behind or in the exit row on any aircraft.

  • Delta

  • The window seat is the preferred location for an approved child safety seat or child restraint system. Other locations may be acceptable as long as the seat is not installed between other passengers and the aisle.

  • Southwest

  • Safety seats should be secured in a middle or window seat. If placed in a middle seat, it may not impede the exit path of a passenger in the window seat. The safety seat may not be placed in an exit seat or in a row directly forward or behind of an exit row of seats.


Airline Rule #3: Documents

If you are traveling with a child under the age of 18, they might require proof of age, so pack a birth certificate just to be safe. Southwest requires a copy of the child’s birth certificate for all infants under the age of two. If you are traveling internationally or outside of the U.S, children and infants must have the same documentation as adults. If anyone under 18 years of age is traveling without an adult, they may be required to present a letter of consent.