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Do I need to reserve a seat for my infant?

Children up to 2 years old (24 months) are not required to have their own seat. You must, however, inform United Airlines that you will be traveling with an infant on your lap.

Only one lap child is allowed per adult. If one adult is traveling with more than one infant under 2 years of age, a seat will have to be purchased for each additional infant.

You can also choose to purchase a seat for your infant as long as you have the proper child restraint device.

A passenger must be at least 18 years old in order to travel with an infant on his or her lap.

Will I pay for my infant to travel domestically?

A child under 2 years old (24 months) can travel for free as long as the infant will be on the lap of another passenger for the flight.

Will I pay for my infant to travel internationally?

Yes, a child under 2 years old (24 months) is usually charged 10% of an adult fare plus taxes, even if the infant will be on the lap of another passenger for the flight.

What if my child turns 2 on the trip; will I have to buy a ticket for the return flight?

Yes, a ticket will have to be purchased for any flight on which the infant will be over 2 years old.

What types of child restraint devices are allowed?

Country: Certification: Details:
United States
US FMVSS #213
or
Federal Aviation Authorities (FAA)
Manufactured after 26 February 1985; red sticker bearing text "This restraint is certified for use in Motor Vehicles and Aircraft" and “This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.”

Manufactured before 1985; it must state “This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.”
Canada
Transport Canada
 
European Union
Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA)
 
Germany
TÜV: TÜV/958-01/2001
 
U.N.
United Nations ECE R 44-03 (or later versions)
 

If your device does not have the labels noted above, you will not be allowed to use it during take-off, landing, and surface movements. This includes booster seats and other types of harnesses.

What infant amenities are available on the aircraft I'll be flying (i.e. bassinets)?

infant iconInfant amenities vary by aircraft. When you're on the airplane page, look for the Infant Amenity Icon. If it is present, clicking on it will tell you what infant services are available on that airplane. If you do not see it, infant amenities are not offered on that aircraft.
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, 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. It is recommended that you make your request early, as bassinets may no longer be available for your flight once you arrive at the airport.

What is United Airlines policy with respect to 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.

Which aircraft have baby changers in the lavatories?

There are no baby changers on the following aircraft:

  • Boeing 737-300 US 1 (733)
  • Boeing 737-300 US 2 (733)
  • Boeing 737-500 US 1 (735)
  • Boeing 737-500 US 2 (735)
  • Boeing 757-200 (752)
  • Boeing 757-200 p.s. (752)
  • Boeing 767-300 US (763)

There are baby changers in at least one lavatory on the following aircraft:

  • Airbus A319 (319)
  • Airbus A320 (320)
  • Airbus A320 TED (32S)
  • Boeing 747-400 Vers. 1 (744)
  • Boeing 747-400 Vers. 2 (744)
  • Boeing 767-300 WW 1 (763)
  • Boeing 767-300 WW 2 (763)
  • Boeing 777-200 US (772)
  • Boeing 777-200 WW 1 (772)
  • Boeing 777-200 WW 2 (772)
  • Boeing 777-200 WW 3 (772)

The United Express regional aircraft are inconsistent in their baby changer offerings.

Can I sit in the exit row with my infant?

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.

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