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Delta Flying With Kids Information

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All the Delta flying with kids information in one place. Including:

  • Flying when pregnant
  • Flying with a baby or toddler under two
  • Flying with older children
  • Kids’ baggage allowance
  • Car seat policy
  • Other child restraint device policies
  • Pushchair/stroller policy
  • Bassinet policy
  • Sleep devices and leg rests permitted.
  • Baby and child meals
  • Inflight entertainment for children.
  • Other family services provided
  • Current mask rules for children
Flying With Kids Information Delta Air Lines

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DELTA FLYING WHEN PREGNANT

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.

FLYING WITH BABY POLICY (INFANTS UNDER 2 YEARS OLD)

When you travel with a child under 2 years old, you may choose to travel with the child on your lap (infant-in-arms) or travel with your child in an FAA-approved child safety seat. To use a FAA-approved safety seat, you must purchase a ticket for your child so they have a reserved seat.

 DOMESTIC
INTERNATIONAL
INFANT-IN-ARMS (CHILD IN LAP)
Free within the United States, must notify Delta so they can list your child on ticket
Generally, 10% of adult fare + international taxes or fees, must notify Delta so they can list your child on ticket
SEATED (CHILD IN SEPARATE SEAT)
Must pay for seat and bring FAA-approved child safety seat for child 
Must pay for seat and bring FAA-approved child safety seat for child

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 

Lap infants and infants with their own seat.

We’re here to take you and your family wherever you need to go. At Delta Air Lines, infants and children under 2 years old can travel on the lap of an adult for free (domestically) or purchase a ticket and use their own seat on the aircraft in an FAA-approved child safety seat or CARES harness on most flights. 

Travelling with more than one infant

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.

FLYING WITH CHILDREN AGED TWO AND OVER

Infants who become children while travelling

Age at the Time of TravelTICKET & FEES WITHIN THE U.S.TICKET & FEES OUTSIDE THE U.S.TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
<2 YEARS OLD, ON ADULT’S LAP 
Ticket Required
Ticket required, usually at 10% of adult fare. Fees are country-specific. 
May not travel alone, must be accompanied by a passenger at least 18 years of age. 
<2 YEARS OLD, IN THEIR OWN SEAT
Ticket Required
Ticket required, country-specific discounts may apply.
May not travel alone, must be accompanied by a passenger at least 18 years of age. 
2-4
Ticket RequiredTicket required, country-specific discounts could apply.
May not travel alone, must be accompanied by a passenger at least 18 years of age

FLYING WITH OLDER CHILDREN ON DELTA

Age at the Time of TravelTICKET & FEES WITHIN THE U.S.TICKET & FEES OUTSIDE THE U.S.TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
5-7
Ticket Required
Ticket required, country-specific discounts could apply.
May travel alone on some nonstop flights using the Unaccompanied Minor Program
8-14Ticket Required
Ticket required, country-specific discounts could apply.
May travel alone on some nonstop flights using the Unaccompanied Minor Program
15+
Ticket Required
Ticket required, country-specific discounts could apply.
May travel alone

KIDS’ BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE ON DELTA

CHILDREN’S BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE

Children’s baggage allowances are based in part by the fare paid for their travel. See the guidelines below.

Unticketed Infant/Child

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.

Ticketed Infant/Child

  • 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.

OTHER CARRY-ON BABY ITEMS

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
  • Bassinet
  • Breast pump and associated cooler bag

Please be aware that if you are bringing your baby’s bassinet or infant seat as carry-on baggage, it must be secured tightly by a seatbelt to be stored on an aircraft seat. The item must also meet carry-on size restrictions.

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.

FAA approved car seats, stickers showing airline approved car seats
Airline approved car-seat label examples

DELTA CAR SEAT POLICY

Delta do not 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.

Where to sit with a child safety seat?

The window seat is the preferred location for an approved child safety seat (child restraint system or car seat). Other locations may be acceptable provided the seat is not installed between other passengers and the aisle. An accompanying adult must sit next to the child. More than one car seat may be in use in the same row and section of seats. Per FAA regulations, children under 2 years of age are not allowed to sit in a seat equipped with an airbag seat belt. 

When using a child safety seat, don’t select seats in the following areas: 

  • Aisle seats
  • Emergency exit rows
  • Any seat one row forward or one row back from an emergency exit row
  • Bulkhead seats when the safety seat is a combination car seat and stroller
  • Flatbed seats in the Delta One area of the following aircraft: Airbus A330-200 or A330-300; Boeing 777, 767 or 747 aircraft*

*Child Safety Seats are not permitted in this area since the airbag seat belt cannot be deactivated.

Car seats airplane, child restraint devices CARES harness back
CARES harness (front) Photo courtesy of Tim Kelley AmSafe CARES AmSafe CARES Restraint

Other Child Restraint Device Policies

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.

Not all seats allow for the use of child safety and booster seats. Be sure to review the type of seat available on the aircraft for your upcoming flight.

Delta flight attendants will check with accompanying adults to ensure that children are properly secured in their safety seats and in the aircraft seat. The accompanying adult, however, has the following responsibilities when using a child restraint during takeoff and landing:

  • Ensure that the child restraint seat meets FAA guidelines, Go to footer note eg the AmSafe CARES Restraint 
  • Ensure that the child restraint seat functions properly and is free of obvious defects
  • Secure the child according to the manufacturer’s instructions
  • Ensure the child does not exceed the restraint’s weight limit
  • Ensure the child restraint is secured to the aircraft seat using the aircraft seat’s safety belt

DELTA PUSHCHAIR/ STROLLER POLICY

Children’s strollers and child safety seats are not counted as part of the standard baggage and therefore can be easily checked for free. For your convenience, these items may be checked at the curbside, the ticket counter or at the gate. 

Delta Airlines Bassinet
Delta Airlines Bassinet

DELTA BASSINET POLICY

Does Delta supply a bassinet/carrycot?

Yes. On some international flights, Delta does offer onboard baby bassinets, also known as SkyCots. They are available free of charge for passengers in select seats on equipped aircraft for some international flights.

  • Please note that all infants must be held during takeoff, landing and whenever the seat belt light is on
  • How do I reserve a bassinet/carrycot on Delta?

    Before arriving at the airport, contact Reservations to reserve a SkyCot. 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

    When can I choose my seat on Delta?

    What happens if I don’t reserve a bassinet/carrycot seat?

    You may not be able to get a SkyCot if you did not reserve prior to your flight as there is a limit of two SkyCots per aircraft.

    What is the size/weight limit for Delta‘s bassinets/carrycots?

    SkyCots are ideal for babies weighing up to 20 lbs. (9 kg) and up to 26 inches (66 cm) long.

    Delta sleep devices, Delta Flying With Kids Information
    On Delta,
    Sleep Devices are permitted

    SLEEP DEVICES AND CHILD RIDE ON/LEG RESTS PERMITTED

    On Delta, sleep devices are permitted, like Fly Tot, Bed Box and Plane Pal

    BABY AND CHILD MEALS ON DELTA

    Do Delta provide baby food?

    These are not available on all flights and must be requested 24 hours before check in. Suitable for infants less than one year old. Baby food is usually provisioned in jars. (Food may contain strained fruit, vegetables, meats, desserts, milk & juices.)

    Can I sterilise my bottles on Delta?

    To sterilise bottles on board see here.

    Do Delta provide child meals?

    These are not available on all flights and must be requested 24 hours before check in. Suitable for children from 2 to 12 years of age, and includes food offerings appealing to children. The meals planned follow Recommended Dietary Allowances for children.

    Breastfeeding

    Delta fully supports a woman’s right to breastfeed on board Delta and Delta Connection aircraft and in Delta facilities. Breast pumps are allowed on board. At the airport and if you prefer, many airports do offer private lactation rooms or spaces. Ask a Delta associate if you need assistance locating one at an airport.

    Special Meals

    Delta offer a variety of meals, like vegetarian, diabetic, low-sodium and low-cholesterol meals to comply with special dietary requirements on flights that have scheduled meal service. Advanced notice is required. Not all special meals are available in all markets. At least 24 hours in advance, please request meals via MyTrips. Special Service Requests or call 1-800-221-1212 to make arrangements for your special meal.

    Upon arrival at the departure gate, customers should advise the gate agent they have pre-ordered a special meal and also confirm with a flight attendant once on board.

    When requesting special meals please note the following exceptions apply:

    • Special meal requests must be added for every new reservation. This information is not stored and is not automatically added to your reservation when you add your SkyMiles account
    • When requesting a special meal on a Delta flight, please be sure to select a meal from Delta’s special meal listing as Delta does not fulfill meals that are not part of the special meal menu options
    • Special meals are not available on flights originating from El Paso (ELP), Albuquerque (ABQ), or Tuscon (TUS). Special meal offerings may vary depending upon regional catering availabilities
    • Kosher meals are not available on flights from Cartagena (CTG), Lima (LIM), Quito (UIO) and Bogota (BOG)

    DELTA INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT FOR CHILDREN

    Enjoy 1,000+ hours of free entertainment on your seatback screen including 12 channels of live satellite TV along with the latest movies, premium TV series from HBO®, Hulu® and Showtime®, SkyKids, podcasts, playlists and games.

    OTHER FAMILY SERVICES PROVIDED

    Family Seating Policy

    Delta strives to seat family members together upon request. If you are unable to obtain seat assignments together for your family using delta.com or the Fly Delta mobile app, please contact Reservations to review available seating options.

    DELTA FACEMASK POLICIES FOR CHILDREN

    Masks or face coverings are required on Delta flights only where required by the laws of the flight origin and/or destination.

    INDIVIDUAL AIRLINE INFORMATION FOR FLYING WITH KIDS

    Find out all the information about flying with kids on your airline. From car seats to strollers allowed in the airplane cabin, to lap infants to bassinets, luggage allowance, facilities on board and much much more.

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