The question of the day: should babies be flying on their parents’ laps?<\/p>\n
Why Lap-Sitting Has Been the Status Quo<\/h2>\n![\"Father](\"https:\/\/otwp-admin.fareportal.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Father-holding-baby-on-plane.jpg\")
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<\/h2>\nIf you\u2019ve flown with a baby recently, you\u2019ve probably heard the same thing from the airlines. Infants under the age of two can ride free (or very close to free) on your lap for domestic flights<\/a>, and many international routes only charge taxes or a small percentage of the adult fare. It\u2019s a budget-friendly policy that\u2019s been standard for decades and feels like a rare win for families who are traveling.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s be honest: Most parents choose lap seating because it\u2019s more economical during a very expensive life phase — diapers, bottles, strollers, car seats, toys, toys, toys… But lap seating is also about convenience. Less gear. Simpler logistics. And it\u2019s what most of us experienced ourselves when we were little, so it feels kind of normal, even cozy — almost like a rite of passage (albeit one that includes wrestling your infant while trying not to spill your ginger ale at 38,000 feet).<\/p>\n The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)<\/a> has gone one step further. For years, they\u2019ve been pushing for a rule requiring all passengers — including infants — to have their own seat and restraint. After all, we buckle our babies into car seats for even the shortest drive — so it\u2019s worth thinking about how that mindset might carry over to the skies. There\u2019s even been talk of legislative changes, though none have passed yet — at least not in the United States. Still, the movement is growing.<\/p>\nWhat the FAA and Other Authorities Say<\/h2>\n
![\"Family](\"https:\/\/otwp-admin.fareportal.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Family-on-vacation.jpg\")
Right now, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)<\/a> allows infants under two to ride on their caregiver\u2019s lap. However — and this is a big one — they don\u2019t recommend it due to safety concerns. We’ve all heard the stories about what happens to people when they aren’t wearing their seatbelts and the plan encounters significant turbulence. Now imagine what could happen to your baby in such a situation. The FAA\u00a0 strongly encourages parents to have their babies fly in a FAA-approved car seat or restraint system in their own paid seat. So even though you might not technically be breaking any rules by holding your baby while flying, you may want to see what other options are out there.<\/p>\nAlternatives to Lap Travel<\/h2>\n
![\"Child](\"https:\/\/otwp-admin.fareportal.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Child-in-plane-seat.jpg\")
So, what can you do instead? One option — per the FAA’s guidance — is to book your baby their own airplane seat and use a government-approved car seat or restraint device. Many infant-size car seats double up as FAA-approved seats — just look for the sticker that says it meets \u201cFAA requirements.\u201d These seats install relatively easily in most airplane seats (especially window ones), and it can help keep your baby snug, safe, and perhaps more likely to sleep, too.<\/p>\n
![\"Baby](\"https:\/\/otwp-admin.fareportal.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Baby-eating-on-plane.jpg\")
So what\u2019s actually happening on the tarmac these days? According to recent surveys and anecdotal reports, more parents are shelling out for the extra seat. They\u2019re doing their homework and buying the FAA-approved car seats. They\u2019re asking airlines tough questions, using social media to share experiences, and reshaping the family travel space one flight at a time.<\/p>\n