United Airlines is committed to ensuring a seamless travel experience for families with infants and children. Whether you’re flying with a newborn or a toddler, understanding the airline’s policies and procedures will help make your journey stress-free. Here in this article, we will learn the United Airlines infant policy and how you can travel with an infant on board.

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What is United Airlines Infant Policy?

United Airlines infant policy states that you can carry infants and children on board the aircraft even without buying tickets, however, this depends on the destination of travel. So, if you are willing to carry infants, make sure to follow these policies before you book and board the flight.

United Airlines Infant Policy And Rules

If you are on United Airlines traveling with an infant, you must follow some set of rules that are devised by the airline. These rules are as follows-

Children under two years old can sit on a parent’s lap during flights to any destination.
Alternatively, infants can have their own seat if you bring an approved car seat.
Children older than two will need a ticket and their own seat on the plane.
You can not store breast milk in United fridges or coolers.
United Airlines infant documentation is required to prove the age of the infant you are carrying.

How To Book A United Ticket For A Lap Child?

If you are willing to book a seat for an Infant the procedure is almost the same as for an adult. However, there are some differences that we will list down in the steps you will have to follow-

Visit the official website of United Airlines.
Proceed to book your flight by entering the origin, destination, and date of travel.
Then, enter the passenger details, and here you will see an option to select the passenger as an infant.
Now proceed to complete the booking by paying the required charges and your confirmation will be sent to you via e-mail.

Family Boarding At United Airlines

Families with children less than two years old can board with the pre-boarding group.
Families having children under the age of 12 can book Economy and Basic Economy class ticket to get seats next to each other for free.
If seat assignments change due to last-minute bookings or unscheduled aircraft changes, you can switch to another flight with availability in the same cabin for free.

United Airlines Infant Bag Allowance

If you are traveling with an infant, you can use the United Airlines infant baggage allowance international policy to carry additional baggage. However, this depends on these policies-

If you’re traveling with an infant who has a ticket, you can check bags in their name following standard bag rules.
Oversized or overweight infant bags will be checked under the traveling adult’s name, and additional bag fees may apply at the airport.
Note that you cannot check bags in an infant’s name if they do not have a ticket.

Additional Tips for Travellers With Infant

Travelers always look for additional information that might help them in their journey, so here are some of the best tips for travelers traveling with infants:

Charge your child’s tablet fully in case you aren’t sitting next to an outlet.
Keep snacks on hand to relieve ear pressure during takeoff and landing.
Pack extra diapers, formula, bottles, and essentials in your carry-on bag in case of flight delays.
Use United Airlines’ flying social story to help anxious or excited kids prepare for their trip.

Boarding At the Airport

Now, boarding the plane with a United Airlines infant on your lap, you must be aware of these things in case you are not aware of them-

Children under 18 don’t need an ID to fly domestically but require a passport for international flights.
You can bring breast milk or formula through security, even if your child isn’t with you.
Standard strollers, folding wagons, and car seats are the options you can use to get to your gate and then check for free.
Collapsible strollers can be stored in-cabin, and car seats can be used onboard your flight.
You can nurse wherever is most comfortable for you.
You can bring your own ice to keep milk or formula cold.
You are allowed to breastfeed or pump from your seat or the bathroom.

Fees For Carrying Infants in Lap

United flying with an infant in a lap also incurs an additional fee depending on the route you are traveling on. The fee structure is as follows-

If you are traveling domestically within the US, you won’t be charged any fees for carrying infants on board. You won’t require any tickets to carry them with you.
If you are traveling on flights between the U.S., Canada & Mexico, there will be no fees for carrying infants on board, but you will have to pay for the taxes on it. You will have to book a separate ticket for the infant as well.
While traveling internationally, you will have to buy a ticket for the infant. The fees charged on international flights will be in the form of partial payment of the fare based on the destination you are traveling to.

Summary:

Adhering to the United Airlines infant policy will help you carry your baby on board with you without any trouble. The policies differ for different age groups so make sure to go through them correctly. If you face any trouble you can always contact us via the toll-free number mentioned below.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1) Do I need to prove that my child is less than 2 years old?
Yes, you will have to present the birth certificate of the child to prove that he/she is less than 2 years old.

2) What can I carry if I am traveling with an infant?
United Airlines allows you to carry various items on board if you are traveling with an infant. Here are the things you might carry on board-

FAA-approved car seat
Compact folding stroller that meets carry-on bag size guidelines when collapsed, like the gb Pockit
Milk
Breast pump
Formula
Diaper bag

3) Which Aricrafts have a changing table on board?
The aircrafts that accommodate changing tables on board are-

Boeing 757-300
Boeing 767
Boeing 777
Boeing 787
Select Boeing 757-200

4) Can I use a CARES device?
Yes, if your child is up to 40 inches tall and can sit upright, you can use the CARES harness instead of a car seat to let them occupy their own seat.

5) Can I fly with a newborn baby?
No, if your baby is less than 7 days old, unfortunately, you will not be allowed to fly with them.

6) What items can I check in for my infant on board?
You are allowed to check in one United Airlines infant car seat and one stroller or folding wagon per child with whom you are flying. You may check in at the gate or ticket counter.

United Airlines Infant Policy