Delta Air Lines Infant Policy: Quick Facts
Delta Air Lines primary sources reviewed February 8, 2026. Check the child’s travel date, operating carrier, route and payment currency against the live Delta Air Lines record. This summary covers Delta infant-in-arms and ticketed infant guidance.
Can your infant travel alone on Delta Air Lines? The short answer is no. Infants cannot travel alone. Delta's Unaccompanied Minor Program begins at age five and is a separate policy. This guide breaks down the entire policy for traveling with an infant, from ticketing and documents to the airport process, to help you plan with confidence.
Can an Infant Fly Alone on Delta Air Lines?
The first thing to check is your child's age. Infants, defined as children under the age of 2, cannot travel alone. They must always be accompanied by an adult. Delta offers two main options for traveling with an infant: as a lap child (Infant-in-Arms) or in a purchased seat with an FAA-approved restraint. The infant must be added to the reservation, even if no base fare is charged for domestic travel. This rule applies to all Delta-operated flights.
Age Limits and Travel Requirements
The age rule for infants is straightforward: a child under 2 on the date of each flight is considered an infant. A child's age on both the outbound and return flight dates determines eligibility. If your child has a birthday during the trip, it will affect the ticket and seating requirements. Make sure you provide the airline with the correct date of birth. For newborns, Delta may require a physician's approval letter. Always contact Delta before booking a flight for a very young infant.
What the Infant Policy Includes
It's important to understand what Delta's infant policy covers and what it doesn't. The policy allows for two basic travel arrangements: a lap child or a ticketed seat. For a lap child, the infant sits on an adult's lap. For a ticketed seat, the infant must be secured in an FAA-approved child restraint system. The airline does not provide car seats. SkyCots (bassinets) are available on some aircraft but are limited and not guaranteed. The infant policy is separate from Delta's Unaccompanied Minor Program, which begins at age five.
How to Book Travel for an Infant
You can add an infant to your reservation online through 'My Trips' by selecting the Infant-in-Arms option under Special Service Requests. For international travel or if you are purchasing a separate seat for your infant, you will need to contact Delta Reservations directly. When you make the booking, use the infant's full legal name and correct date of birth. Once the infant is added, save the confirmation. The infant must be listed on every Delta-operated segment of your journey.
Before You Pay
Before you finalize payment, review the itinerary to ensure the infant is properly listed on all flights. Confirm the fare type (lap infant vs. ticketed seat) and that any restraint or bassinet request is noted.
After You Book
Save your booking reference, the ticket number, and any written confirmation of the infant's addition. Reopen the booking to double-check that the infant's name and age are correctly listed on every flight segment.
Passports, Visas, and Consent Forms
Documentation is critical, especially for international travel. You will need proof of age for the infant. For international travel, the infant must have their own passport and any required visas. Consent documents may also be required for one-parent travel. The names on the ticket, passport, and any consent letters must all match. Keep these documents in an easy-to-reach place, and never put the only copy in checked baggage.
Fees and Fares
The fee structure depends on the type of travel. For domestic U.S. flights, a lap infant has no base fare. For international flights, a lap infant typically pays about 10% of the adult fare plus taxes. A separate seat requires a full ticket. Always ask for an itemized quote that breaks down the airfare, taxes, and any service charges. This way, you'll know exactly what you're paying for.
Baggage Allowance and What to Pack
The baggage allowance depends on the infant's ticket. One stroller and one child safety seat can be checked for free under Delta's family rules. Pack a small, manageable cabin bag for the infant's essentials. Include diapers, wipes, a change of clothes, feeding supplies (formula, breast milk, baby food), and any permitted medicine. Keep all essential documents and any necessary feeding supplies in this easily accessible bag.
Strollers, Car Seats, and Baby Equipment
You are allowed to bring one stroller and one child safety seat for free. For a car seat to be used in the cabin, you must purchase a seat for the infant and use an FAA-approved restraint. SkyCots (bassinets) are limited and not guaranteed. Ask the airline if the item can be used in the cabin, must be checked in, or can be returned at the aircraft door. The answer can change if the aircraft type changes, so it's a good idea to check again before your trip.
Check-in and the Airport Process
The airport process requires extra time. You'll need to check in at the staffed counter to verify the infant is listed on the reservation. At security, you must declare any feeding liquids (breast milk, formula, baby food). At the gate, ask where your gate-checked equipment (like a stroller) will be returned. The adult traveling with the infant will handle all aspects of the journey, as the infant cannot travel alone.
Connections, Codeshares, and International Travel
These are the most complex areas. The infant must be listed on every Delta-operated segment. Partner airlines may have different rules for restraints, bassinets, and baggage. You must check the 'operated by' line for every flight. For international travel, a lap infant must have an international ticket, their own passport, a visa if required, and any necessary consent or transit documents.
Accessibility and Special Assistance
If your infant has special needs, you must discuss newborn, disability, medical-equipment, and medication needs with Delta before travel. Cabin crew cannot provide clinical care. If your infant cannot manage essential care on their own (which is typical for an infant), you will be responsible for their care during the flight.
A Real-World Planning Example
Let's say you are planning an international trip with a 10-month-old. Your first step is to check the age: your child is an infant. You will need to choose between a lap infant ticket or a purchased seat. For a lap infant, you will pay about 10% of the adult fare plus taxes. You will need to add the infant to the reservation and ensure they have their own passport and any required visas. On the day of travel, arrive early with all necessary documents and feeding supplies.
Parent Tips and Final Checklist
Choose a nonstop flight when possible. Add the infant to your reservation well before the travel day. Pack more feeding and diaper supplies than you think you need. Measure your car seat and ensure it has an FAA approval label. Treat a SkyCot (bassinet) request as a request, not the only sleep plan. Recheck the child's age and ticket on every return segment.
Delta Air Lines Infant Travel Comparison Table
| Age/category | Solo eligibility | Service | Fee or fare | Key note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newborn | Adult required | Physician approval letter may be required | Route-specific | Contact Delta before booking |
| Under 2, U.S. lap infant | Adult required | Infant-in-Arms | No base fare; infant must be listed | One lap infant per adult |
| Under 2, international lap infant | Adult required | Ticketed lap infant | Usually ~10% adult fare + taxes | Passport/visa required |
| Under 2 in own seat | Adult required | FAA-approved restraint | Applicable ticketed fare | Avoid restricted airbag-belt seats |
| Age 2+ | Adult required by child rules | Own seat | Applicable fare | No longer lap infant |
Use this table as a question list. The operating airline's approval is required to accept the real trip.
Primary Source for This Delta Air Lines Guide
We used one main Delta Air Lines source for the time-sensitive facts on this page. Check the source again before payment and departure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use these answers with the route-specific detail in this Delta Air Lines infant guide; each question addresses a separate travel decision.
What is Delta's policy for traveling with an infant?+
Delta offers two options for infants under 2: as a lap child (Infant-in-Arms) or in a purchased seat with an FAA-approved restraint. The infant must be added to the reservation.
How much does it cost to fly with an infant on Delta?+
For domestic U.S. flights, a lap infant has no base fare. For international flights, a lap infant typically pays about 10% of the adult fare plus taxes. A separate seat requires a full ticket.
Are there route restrictions for traveling with an infant on Delta?+
The infant must be listed on every Delta-operated segment. Partner airlines may have different rules for restraints, bassinets, and baggage.
How do I book a ticket for my infant on Delta?+
You can add Infant-in-Arms through 'My Trips' on Delta's website or by contacting Delta Reservations. This is especially important for international travel or if you are purchasing a separate seat.
What documents does my infant need to travel on Delta?+
You will need proof of age for the infant. For international travel, the infant must have their own passport and any required visas. Consent documents may also be required for one-parent travel.
What is the baggage policy for an infant on Delta?+
One stroller and one child safety seat can be checked for free. The infant's baggage allowance depends on the type of ticket purchased (lap infant vs. ticketed seat).
Can I bring a stroller or car seat on Delta?+
Yes. For a car seat to be used in the cabin, you must purchase a seat for the infant and use an FAA-approved restraint. SkyCots (bassinets) are limited and not guaranteed.
What is the check-in procedure for traveling with an infant on Delta?+
At check-in, verify the infant is listed on the reservation. Declare any feeding liquids (breast milk, formula) at security. Ask where gate-checked items will be returned.
Can a child with special needs travel on Delta?+
Yes, but you must discuss newborn, disability, medical-equipment, and medication needs with Delta before travel. Cabin crew cannot provide clinical care.
Can an infant travel alone on Delta?+
No. Infants cannot travel alone. Delta's Unaccompanied Minor Program begins at age 5.
What happens if my Delta flight with an infant is delayed?+
Carry extra feeding and diaper supplies. Recheck the infant's ticket and seat assignment after any schedule or aircraft change.
Are there extra rules for international travel with an infant on Delta?+
Yes. A lap infant must have an international ticket, their own passport, a visa if required, and any necessary consent or transit documents.
Can siblings travel together on Delta?+
Yes, but you must ask Delta to review the ages of all children. The youngest traveler generally controls the route and service rule. Book them on one record only if the airline instructs you to do so.
Who is authorized to pick up my child from a Delta flight?+
Only the adult named in the Delta record is authorized. This person must arrive early with a valid, government-issued photo ID that matches the booking or handling form.
Can I change the pickup person for my child's Delta flight?+
Yes, but the change must be approved by Delta before the flight arrives. A message sent only to the child is not sufficient. Both adults must have a copy of the revised confirmation.
Will the flight crew give my child medicine on Delta?+
Do not assume so. Cabin crew cannot provide clinical care. If the child cannot manage essential medicine, you must discuss this with Delta.
Can a parent go to the gate with the child on Delta?+
This decision is made by the airline, airport, and security authority. Ask Delta at check-in, bring photo ID, and be ready to remain in the terminal until the flight departs.
Is a consent letter always required for a child flying on Delta?+
The need for a consent letter depends on citizenship, custody, the departure country, transit, and destination. The Delta form does not replace a government travel authorization.
What should I pack in my child's carry-on bag for Delta?+
Pack a paper contact card, travel documents, any permitted medicine, a charger, a warm layer, and simple delay essentials. Keep the bag light enough for the child to manage.
Does a codeshare flight follow the same Delta infant rules?+
Not automatically. The infant must be listed on every Delta segment. Partner aircraft can use different restraint, bassinet, and baggage rules. Read the operated-by line and ask the operating airline to confirm the child in its own system.
Should I reconfirm the Delta booking after a schedule change?+
Yes. Carry extra feeding and diaper supplies, and recheck the infant ticket and seat after a schedule or aircraft change. Check the operator, stops, service code, adults, fee, and documents again.
What is the first detail to verify for Delta infant travel?+
Confirm that the infant cannot travel alone. Delta's Unaccompanied Minor Program begins at age five.
What proof should a family save for Delta?+
Save the booking confirmation and the ticket number. Keep written proof of the Infant-in-Arms addition or the purchased seat. Save the receipt for any fees paid.
Which route details can change Delta infant travel?+
Check the operating carrier. The infant must be listed on every Delta segment. Partner airlines may have different rules for restraints, bassinets, and baggage.
How close to departure should I recheck my Delta booking with an infant?+
Check the live Delta record after every change and again shortly before travel. Use the operating airline's current instructions for the most up-to-date information.
Continue your planning
Editorial and verification note
For Delta infant-in-arms and ticketed infant policy, Delta Air Lines controls flight acceptance. Public authorities control passports, consent, transit and entry. The single primary carrier link appears in the source section above.
Delta infant-in-arms and ticketed infant policy editorial note: Updated February 8, 2026. AI assisted the research structure and quality checks. A person should still compare this itinerary with current Delta Air Lines instructions. We do not claim Delta Air Lines affiliation.