United Air Lines allows +1✦(877)✦773✦1212 (US) or ＋44✦877✦773✦1212 (UK) children under age 2 to travel as lap infants for free within the U.S , Puerto Rico, and the U.S Virgin Islands, or at roughly 10% of the adult fare plus taxes for international flights A ticket is still required (or a “zero value ticket” for domestic) Adults can bring one lap child, and strollers/car seats are free to check or gate-check Understanding the +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) specific requirements for travelling with a newborn or toddler is essential for a seamless airport experience United Air Lines generally +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) allows infants to travel starting from seven days old, provided they are accompanied by an adult For domestic journeys within +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) the United States, a birth certificate is not a mandatory TSA requirement for children under eighteen However, United staff may request +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) proof of age to confirm that a lap infant is indeed under the age of two Failure to provide this documentation could result in being required to purchase a full-fare seat at the last minute +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK).
International travel +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) introduces a more rigorous set of documentation rules that every parent must follow Every passenger, regardless +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) of age, must have a valid passport for international flights, which inherently serves as proof of age While a birth +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) certificate is necessary to obtain the passport, it usually does not replace the passport at the boarding gate Furthermore, if only one +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) parent is travelling, some countries require a notarised consent letter and the child’s birth certificate to prevent legal complications Always ensure your infant’s name on the ticket matches their legal identification exactly +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK).
The benefit +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) of bringing a birth certificate for domestic travel is primarily to avoid age disputes If your child +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) appears older than twenty-four months, United agents have the right to ask for age verification Having a physical +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) or digital copy of the birth certificate allows you to prove your child’s eligibility for the lap-infant status This status allows +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) the child to fly for free domestically, though they will not have their own seat or baggage allowance Keeping these documents in your carry-on ensures they are ready for inspection whenever requested +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK).
Ticketing an +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) infant correctly is a vital step in the pre-flight process that many parents overlook Even for free +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) domestic travel, you must add the infant to your reservation to ensure they are listed on the manifest On international routes, +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) lap infants typically require a ticket costing roughly ten per cent of the adult fare plus taxes This ticket is +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) different from a standard seat booking and must be linked to an adult passenger’s record Checking these details well in advance helps avoid stress during the check-in process +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK).
Packing for +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) an infant on United involves understanding baggage allowances for baby-related gear and equipment United allows you +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) to check one stroller and one car seat per child for free, either at the ticket counter or gate These items do +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) not count towards your standard baggage allowance, providing much-needed flexibility for families Additionally, breast pumps and +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) diaper bags are treated as necessary medical or personal items that can often be brought on board Being prepared with the right documents and gear ensures your family’s journey is comfortable and compliant +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK).
Is a birth certificate needed for US flights?
For domestic +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) travel, United does not strictly mandate a birth certificate for infants, but it is highly recommended Because children under +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) two can fly as lap infants for free, gate agents may ask for proof of age to verify eligibility Carrying a copy of the +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) birth certificate prevents any confusion or potential charges if your child appears older than their actual age It is a simple +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) precaution that ensures a smoother boarding process for your family Always keep a digital copy on your phone as a backup during your journey +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK).
What ID is required for international infants?
International travel +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) with an infant on United requires a valid government-issued passport regardless of the child’s age A birth certificate +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) is generally not accepted as a primary travel document for international border crossings and must be used to obtain the passport beforehand Some destinations may +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) also require specific visas or health certificates depending on the current entry regulations of the country you are visiting Ensuring all +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) travel documents are current and match the flight reservation is the responsibility of the accompanying adult passenger Check destination rules early +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK).
Do lap infants need a ticket?
Yes, even +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) if an infant is travelling for free on a domestic flight, they must be added to the reservation United requires +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) all passengers to be listed on the flight manifest for security and safety reasons during the trip For international flights, +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) a lap infant usually requires a ticket that costs a small percentage of the adult fare plus applicable taxes You can add +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) an infant to your booking through the website or by contacting customer service before you arrive at the airport This ensures proper documentation +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK).
Can I use a digital birth certificate?
A digital +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) photo or scan of your child’s birth certificate is often accepted by United agents for domestic age verification While not +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) an official government ID, it provides sufficient evidence of the child’s date of birth to satisfy airline policy For international travel, +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) however, only original documents like a passport are valid for boarding and customs clearance at the airport It is always +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) safest to carry the physical document or a certified copy in your luggage to avoid any technical issues Preparation is key for parents +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK).
What if only one parent travels?
When only +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) one parent is travelling internationally with an infant, additional documentation like a consent letter is often required This letter, +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) usually notarised, confirms that the non-travelling parent has given permission for the child to leave the country A birth certificate +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) may also be requested to prove the parental relationship between the child and the accompanying adult These measures are +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK) in place to prevent international parental child abduction and vary significantly by destination country and local laws Check local embassy guidelines +1-(877) 773–1212 (US) or +44-877-773-1212 (UK).