Flying with a baby
Lap infant vs own seat on international flights
A child under 2 can fly on an adult's lap, but the CDC says the safest place is a government-approved child restraint, and the NTSB has asked since 1979 for under-2s to be restrained in their own seat. The lap fare is lower, and the rules for a baby who turns 2 mid-trip differ by airline. This guide sets out what the agencies say and what two airlines publish.
Last checked 21 October 2026. Airlines change these rules, so use this guide to compare and the airline's page to confirm before you book. The percentages are airline policy figures, not fares. This is a data guide, not medical or safety advice. We did not rank the airlines, and we only list an airline when we could read its own page.
What the agencies say
The CDC says the safest place for a child on an airplane is in a government-approved child safety restraint system (CRS) or device. It says the FAA strongly urges travelers to secure children in a CRS for the duration of the flight. The CDC also warns that car seats cannot be used in all seats or on all planes, so ask your airline about its rules.
The NTSB has asked the FAA since 1979 to require that children under 2 be restrained in their own seat. There is no mandate.
What the airlines publish
Each airline sets its own fares and rules. Two airlines have a page we could read in full on 21 October 2026, and both are in the table. Not stated means the page we read does not give one.
| Airline | Lap fare, international | One infant per adult | Child turns 2 during the trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Canada (source) | 10% of the adult fare, excluding taxes and fees. Free within Canada. Canada to the US, taxes only | Yes. An adult aged 16 or older may only be responsible for one infant during a flight | Pay the full child fare with a seat both ways, or the infant fare out and the child fare back (by phone) |
| Delta (source) | Usually 10% of the adult fare, and fees are country specific. Free on flights within the US | Not stated. The companion must be at least 18 | Not stated |
What the table shows. Air Canada and Delta both give 10% of the adult fare for an international lap infant, and Delta says it is usually that figure and varies by country. They differ on the second birthday: Air Canada gives two options, and Delta's page says nothing, so call before you book.
How to choose between a lap and a seat
- Read the safety position first. The CDC calls an approved child restraint the safest place, and the NTSB has asked since 1979 for under-2s to be restrained in their own seat.
- Price both. Ask the airline for the lap fare and the child fare on your route. The family trip budget calculator shows what each does to the total.
- Check the second birthday. If your child turns 2 between the outbound and return flights, ask which fare and seat apply to each.
- Check the car seat. If you choose a seat, ask whether your restraint is allowed on that aircraft and in that seat.
- Check the number of infants. Air Canada limits an adult to one infant. Ask about two infants and one adult.
What to ask the airline before booking
- What is the lap fare on my route, and does it include taxes and fees?
- How many lap infants can one adult travel with?
- My child turns 2 during the trip. What do I pay, and for which flight do I need a seat?
- Is my car seat allowed on this aircraft and in this seat?
- Will you seat us together, and is there a bassinet? See the airline bassinet guide.
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Airlines not in this table
On 21 October 2026 we could not confirm the lap infant rules from the airline's own page for Lufthansa, American Airlines, Air France, Emirates or British Airways, and we did not find a verified United page. We do not copy numbers from other sites, and we will add them as we verify them. The FAA's child travel page could not be loaded either, so the FAA's position here comes from the CDC and the NTSB.
Sources
- CDC Yellow Book, traveling safely with infants and children: cdc.gov, sourced 21 October 2026
- NTSB, child passenger safety on aircraft: ntsb.gov, sourced 21 October 2026
- Air Canada, travelling with children: aircanada.com, sourced 21 October 2026
- Delta, children and infant travel: delta.com, sourced 21 October 2026
Questions
Can a baby fly on my lap on an international flight?
Yes. Airlines carry children under 2 on an adult's lap, and Air Canada and Delta both publish a lap fare for international flights. The CDC says a government-approved child restraint is the safest place, and the NTSB has asked the FAA since 1979 to require restraints for children under 2, but there is no mandate.
How much is a lap infant on an international flight?
Air Canada charges 10% of the adult fare, excluding taxes and fees. Delta says usually 10% of the adult fare, with fees that are country specific. Other airlines set their own, so ask yours.
What if my child turns 2 during the trip?
It depends on the airline. Air Canada says to pay the full child fare for both flights, or the infant fare out and the child fare back by phone. Delta's page does not say, so ask before you book.
Is a car seat safer than a lap?
The CDC says the safest place for a child on an airplane is in a government-approved child safety restraint. The NTSB has asked the FAA since 1979 to require restraints for children under 2, but there is no mandate. Ask the airline whether your seat fits.
Can one adult fly with two lap infants?
Air Canada says an adult aged 16 or older may only be responsible for one infant during a flight. Delta's page does not say. Check your airline before you book.