Note: All information on this page was found on the airline’s website.
We’re here to help families take flight – whether your family is traveling within or outside the United States or your child is traveling as an unaccompanied minor.
Table of Contents
For more detailed information, visit the airline’s website below:
Lap Infant
Infants or children under 2 years of age can travel on the lap of an adult for free (within the United States) or at a reduced fare (for international travel).
Infants under 7 days old may not travel unless accompanied by an approval letter from a physician that gives permission for newborn to fly.
Due to FAA safety requirements, 1 adult passenger may only carry 1 lap-held infant. If an adult passenger is traveling with 2 infants, a seat must be purchased for the additional infant. Infants occupying a seat on domestic flights require a ticket and pay the applicable fare.
Children
A child that is 2 years old or older, or turns 2 during the trip, must have a ticket.
Identification & Boarding Pass
YOU WILL NEED TO PURCHASE A TICKET FOR YOUR CHILD IF YOU:
- Have a child that is 2 years old or older
- Have a child that turns 2 during the trip
- Prefer the child sit in a seat with an FAA-approved child safety seat
- Already have a child that will be sitting in your lap, regardless of age
- Want your child to earn miles for their SkyMiles account
- Will be traveling between countries, regardless of whether or not the child occupies a seat
For more detailed information, visit the airline’s website.
Proof of Age
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International Documentation
If your travel destination requires a passport and/or travel visas, you will need a passport for your child, and possibly extra documentation. To review required documentation in each country you’re visiting or stopping over in, visit the U.S. Department of State’s Special Requirements for Children, opens in a new window.
Bassinets
For some of our smallest passengers on some international flights, we offer onboard baby bassinets. They’re ideal for babies weighing up to 20 lbs. (9 kg) and up to 26 inches (66 cm) long.
- Onboard bassinets, also known as SkyCots, are available free of charge for passengers in select seats on equipped aircraft for some international flights
- SkyCots can be requested by contacting Reservations before arriving at the airport and then speaking with the gate agent at the boarding gate, but cannot be guaranteed due to a limit of two SkyCots per aircraft and weight restrictions
- Please note that all infants must be held during takeoff, landing and whenever the seat belt light is on
Changing Tables
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Carry Ons
If children are traveling for free, they don’t have a baggage allowance. So any baggage for the child counts as part of the adult’s baggage allowance.
Children traveling on an international ticket that is 10% of the adult fare are allowed one checked bag up to 20lbs. (10kg) with a maximum outside dimension (length+width+height) of 45 inches, plus one checked fully collapsible stroller or push-chair.
An Infant in arms on a Transatlantic (TATL) Basic Economy Fare is not eligible for a free baggage allowance. There is no change to Main Cabin infant in arms or other Basic Economy International markets.
Children traveling on a ticket that is 50% or more of the adult fare, children are entitled to the standard baggage allowance.
Personal Items
Children’s baggage allowances are based in part by the fare paid for their travel. See the guidelines above.
Diaper Bags, Pumps, Coolers
In addition to the one bag carry-on allowance, passengers may bring breast pump and associated cooler bag as an additional free item.
Car Seats
Child restraint seats may be brought on board the plane in certain circumstances. For instance, if there is an open passenger seat in your row or if you purchased a seat for your child, you may place your child in an FAA-approved child restraint in that seat during take-off and landing.
If an empty passenger seat is not available for your child restraint, the item must be checked at the gate by a Delta representative.
All child safety seats or restraints include labeling that indicates their compliance with safety requirements. Restraints that meet the qualifications and labeling are approved for use on Delta flights.
Find full safety seat requirements on the airline’s website here.
Strollers
For your convenience, we don’t charge any fees for traveling with strollers or child-restraint seats, like an FAA-approved car or booster seat. These don’t count towards your (or your ticketed child’s) baggage allowance. You can easily check these items before you go through security; or if you prefer, you can check them at the gate.
Additional Gear
In addition to the one bag carry-on allowance, passengers may bring the following infant items onto the plane as an additional free item:
- Booster seat or other infant seat
- Breast pump and associated cooler bag
Please be aware that if you are bringing your baby’s FAA-approved infant seat as a carry-on item, it must be tightly secured to the seat using the aircraft seatbelt. Booster seats may be brought onboard, but cannot be used during taxi, takeoff or landing. These items must also meet the carry-on size restrictions.
Pregnancy
At Delta, we don’t impose restrictions on flying if you’re pregnant and don’t require a medical certificate for your travel. If you’re traveling after your eighth month, it’s a good idea to check with your doctor to be sure travel is not restricted. Keep in mind, ticket change fees and penalties cannot be waived for pregnancy.