How Axel worksThe best airlines for families
Updated October 26, 2026 · Data: Airline websites, Axel, U.S. Department of Transportation · How this guide was made
The short answer
Alaska (incl. Hawaiian) scores best for families among U.S. airlines, then American and JetBlue: all three guarantee free seats together for young children on every fare, check a stroller and car seat free and include a carry-on. Of the 11 U.S. airlines (counting Alaska and Hawaiian as one), 5 promise free seats together on every fare: American, Alaska (incl. Hawaiian), JetBlue, Frontier and Avelo. Delta, United, Southwest, Allegiant, Sun Country and Breeze only promise to try. Among airlines based abroad, SAS leads.
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- airlines checked guarantee free seats together for young children on every fare
- 16 of 45
- U.S. airlines with that guarantee: American, Alaska (incl. Hawaiian), JetBlue, Frontier, Avelo
- 5 of 11
How these picks work
Families lose money and patience in three places: paying to sit together, paying for bags and seats, and delays. These picks weight free seating together most (30%), then fees (30%), reliability (20%) and the extras that make flying with small children easier. Policies were checked on airline websites on Oct 26, 2026; scores come from facts, not opinions, and the rating behind each airline is on its Axel rating page 4.
Best U.S. airlines for families
Top U.S. airlines
- 1
Alaska (incl. Hawaiian)
Score 8.5/10. Strongest on seats together for kids and carry-on in the lowest fare; weakest on bag and seat fees. 56
- Seats together for kids:
- Guaranteed free on every fare
- Bag and seat fees:
- First checked bag $45, seats: partly free
- Carry-on in the lowest fare:
- Included in the cheapest fare
- Strollers and car seats:
- Stroller and car seat free
- Family boarding:
- no data (scored at the median)
- 2
American
Score 7.6/10. Strongest on seats together for kids and carry-on in the lowest fare; weakest on bag and seat fees. 7
- Seats together for kids:
- Guaranteed free on every fare
- Bag and seat fees:
- First checked bag $45 to $50 online, seats: fee on the cheapest fare
- Carry-on in the lowest fare:
- Included in the cheapest fare
- Strollers and car seats:
- Stroller and car seat free
- Family boarding:
- Yes, children under 2
- 3
JetBlue
Score 7.2/10. Strongest on seats together for kids and carry-on in the lowest fare; weakest on reliability. 89
- Seats together for kids:
- Guaranteed free on every fare
- Bag and seat fees:
- First checked bag $45 to $49, seats: fee on the cheapest fare
- Carry-on in the lowest fare:
- Included in the cheapest fare
- Strollers and car seats:
- Stroller and car seat free
- Family boarding:
- With a car seat or stroller
- 4
Avelo
Score 6.8/10. Strongest on seats together for kids and strollers and car seats; weakest on carry-on in the lowest fare. 1011
- Seats together for kids:
- Guaranteed free on every fare
- Bag and seat fees:
- First checked bag $47 to $75, seats: fee on the cheapest fare
- Carry-on in the lowest fare:
- Not in the cheapest fare
- Strollers and car seats:
- Stroller and car seat free
- Family boarding:
- Yes, children under 2
- 5
Frontier
Score 6.5/10. Strongest on seats together for kids and strollers and car seats; weakest on carry-on in the lowest fare. 1213
- Seats together for kids:
- Guaranteed free on every fare
- Bag and seat fees:
- First checked bag varies by route and date, seats: fee on the cheapest fare
- Carry-on in the lowest fare:
- Not in the cheapest fare
- Strollers and car seats:
- Stroller and car seat free
- Family boarding:
- Yes, children under 2
Best foreign airlines for families
Top airlines based outside the U.S., for trips abroad
- 1
SAS
Score 8.9/10. Strongest on seats together for kids and carry-on in the lowest fare; weakest on bag and seat fees. 1415
- Seats together for kids:
- Guaranteed free on every fare
- Bag and seat fees:
- First checked bag costs extra on the cheapest fare, seats: fee on the cheapest fare
- Carry-on in the lowest fare:
- Included in the cheapest fare
- Strollers and car seats:
- Stroller and car seat free
- Family boarding:
- Yes
- 2
Emirates
Score 8.3/10. Strongest on seats together for kids and carry-on in the lowest fare. 1617
- Seats together for kids:
- Guaranteed free on every fare
- Bag and seat fees:
- First checked bag included, seats: fee on the cheapest fare
- Carry-on in the lowest fare:
- Included in the cheapest fare
- Strollers and car seats:
- One item free (stroller or car seat)
- Family boarding:
- Yes
- 3
Air France
Score 8.2/10. Strongest on seats together for kids and carry-on in the lowest fare; weakest on bag and seat fees. 18
- Seats together for kids:
- Guaranteed free on every fare
- Bag and seat fees:
- First checked bag costs extra on the cheapest fare, seats: fee on the cheapest fare
- Carry-on in the lowest fare:
- Included in the cheapest fare
- Strollers and car seats:
- Stroller and car seat free
- Family boarding:
- Yes
- 4
Copa Airlines
Score 8.2/10. Strongest on seats together for kids and carry-on in the lowest fare; weakest on bag and seat fees. 1920
- Seats together for kids:
- Guaranteed free on every fare
- Bag and seat fees:
- seats: fee on the cheapest fare
- Carry-on in the lowest fare:
- Included in the cheapest fare
- Strollers and car seats:
- One item free (stroller or car seat)
- Family boarding:
- no data (scored at the median)
- 5
Iberia
Score 8.0/10. Strongest on seats together for kids and carry-on in the lowest fare; weakest on bag and seat fees. 2122
- Seats together for kids:
- Guaranteed free on every fare
- Bag and seat fees:
- seats: fee on the cheapest fare
- Carry-on in the lowest fare:
- Included in the cheapest fare
- Strollers and car seats:
- One item free (stroller or car seat)
- Family boarding:
- no data (scored at the median)
Which airlines guarantee families can sit together for free?
16 of the 45 airlines checked promise to seat young children next to an adult at no extra charge on every fare, basic economy included. Among U.S. airlines that is American, Alaska (incl. Hawaiian), JetBlue, Frontier, Avelo. Delta, United, Southwest, Allegiant, Sun Country and Breeze only promise to try, which matches the U.S. DOT's own dashboard 23. There is no federal rule yet: the DOT proposed one in August 2024 and has not finalized it.
| Airline | Promise | What the airline says |
|---|---|---|
| American | Guaranteed on every fare | Children under 15 on the same reservation are auto-seated beside at least one adult before travel day, Basic Economy included, if the family books together and picks... 7 |
| Delta | Best effort | Delta 'strives' to seat families together on request. Main Basic fares carry no guarantee of sitting with family; parents of a young child are told to call Reservations.... 24 |
| United | Best effort | Children under 12, Basic Economy included: the first adult may pick seats beside up to two children free when open seats exist. Not a hard guarantee; free flight switch... 25 |
| Southwest | Best effort | Southwest will 'endeavor' to seat a child 12 or under beside one companion 13+ on the same reservation at no cost. Basic fares get seats at check-in; agents offer the... 26 |
| Alaska (incl. Hawaiian) | Guaranteed on every fare | Children 13 and under sit next to at least one adult free, Saver fares included, if on one reservation, seats chosen or skipped for all, adjacent seats existed at... 5 |
| JetBlue | Guaranteed on every fare | Free adjacent seats guaranteed for children under 13 and an adult, Main Base included, if on one reservation, seats picked or skipped for all, adjacent seats existed at... 8 |
| Frontier | Guaranteed on every fare | Free adjacent seats for kids 13 and under plus an accompanying adult on every fare, if on one booking, seats are open at booking and the adult makes no seat changes.... 12 |
| Allegiant | Best effort | No guarantee: Allegiant says it tries to seat families together but cannot promise it. Advance seats cost a fee; otherwise seats are assigned at check-in. DOT's... 27 |
| Sun Country | Best effort | Sun Country recommends paying for advance seats; without them, free random seats come at check-in and it tries to seat each child with at least one adult on the booking... 28 |
| Breeze | Best effort | Free Family Seating for travellers with children 2-12: standard-section seats for up to two adults with one child, or one adult per child. Subject to availability and... 29 |
| Avelo | Guaranteed on every fare | Avelo commits that children 14 and under sit with an accompanying adult at no extra cost if on one booking and the adult picks or skips seats for everyone; if no... 10 |
| Hawaiian | Guaranteed on every fare | Children 13 and under sit next to at least one adult free, Saver fares included, if on one reservation, seats chosen or skipped for all, adjacent seats existed at... 5 |
| Air Canada | Guaranteed on every fare | Air Canada promises kids under 14 sit close to a parent at no charge: it pre-assigns nearby seats before check-in, and if it cannot, you may switch flights or cancel... 30 |
| WestJet | Guaranteed on every fare | WestJet auto-assigns free seats for groups with a child under 14 on all bookings. If it still cannot seat you nearby, you may move to the next flight with fare... 31 |
| Porter Airlines | Best effort | Porter auto-reserves seats about 24 h before departure 'where possible' and makes reasonable efforts to seat each child under 14 with an adult; adjoining seats requested... 32 |
| Aeromexico | Not stated | No family-seating promise found on Aeromexico's US-English passenger, infant or trip-extras pages; seats are sold as extras (AM Plus, kits). Branded-fare page would not... 33 |
| Volaris | Only with a paid seat | Volaris sells seat selection per passenger per flight and its seat page makes no promise to seat children with adults; only exit-row limits for infants and minors are... 34 |
| Viva Aerobus | Only with a paid seat | Viva's minors pages promise no free adjacent seating; children 2-17 buy full seats, and a paid seat for a baby next to the parent can be reserved only via customer... 35 |
| Copa Airlines | Guaranteed on every fare | Copa's seat-assignment terms grant children under 12 a free seat close to a parent or guardian at check-in; on Canada flights under-14s get a free seat next to a parent.... 19 |
| Avianca | Only with a paid seat | Avianca's help center sells seat selection as an extra when the fare excludes it and advises buying the child's seat too if you upgrade yours; no free adjacent-seating... 36 |
| LATAM Airlines | Guaranteed on every fare | For a child with their own seat, LATAM randomly assigns two adjacent seats (child plus one adult on the booking) free 48 hours before departure; choosing specific seats... 37 |
| British Airways | Guaranteed on every fare | BA says every child under 12 is seated with an accompanying adult even without paid seats; others may be split. Seat selection is free for the whole booking (up to 9)... 38 |
| Virgin Atlantic | Not stated | Current help pages only promise a free seat at check-in in Economy and say bassinet-row families are seated as close as possible; no explicit commitment to seat children... 39 |
| Lufthansa | Best effort | Lufthansa will do its best to seat children 2-11 beside an adult, assigning seats free at check-in; guaranteed adjacency needs paid seats. Canada flights add a... 40 |
| Air France | Guaranteed on every fare | Air France seats children 2-11 next to their accompanying adult in a standard seat at no charge, assigned by departure day at the latest. Some seats are held for... 18 |
| KLM | Guaranteed on every fare | KLM assigns family seats free at check-in and says children under 12 always sit next to an adult on the booking (14 and under on Canada flights, 15 and under on Brazil... 41 |
| Aer Lingus | Best effort | Without paid seats, Aer Lingus allocates seats at check-in and says it will do its best to seat companions together, especially with children, subject to remaining... 42 |
| Iberia | Guaranteed on every fare | Iberia guarantees that on bookings with children aged 2-12 at least one companion is automatically seated in the same or an adjacent row; paying to pick seats is... 21 |
| TAP Air Portugal | Best effort | TAP auto-assigns free Standard-area seats at ticketing to adults and children on the same booking, on every fare. Adjacency is explicitly promised only on Brazil flights... 43 |
| Swiss | Only with a paid seat | SWISS pages only suggest families reserve (paid) seats to sit together; no free child-adjacency promise was found except the Italian ENAC rule (free adjacent seats at... 44 |
| SAS | Guaranteed on every fare | SAS says it always seats children under 12 with an adult on the booking; seats are auto-assigned free 30 hours before departure. Advance seat choice costs extra. 14 |
| Icelandair | Best effort | Icelandair does its best to seat families together and children beside parents; guaranteed adjacency needs paid seats for adults, but Economy seat selection is free for... 45 |
| Turkish Airlines | Not stated | Turkish Airlines' infant, child and FAQ pages loaded state no policy on seating children next to parents; seats (including bassinet-row extra-legroom seats) are sold... 46 |
| Emirates | Guaranteed on every fare | Children under 13 are guaranteed a seat beside an accompanying adult at no charge (under 16 on Brazil routes). Bookings with an infant pay nothing for regular, bassinet... 16 |
| Qatar Airways | Not stated | Anyone travelling with an infant can pick seats free for everyone in the same booking. No adjacent-seat promise is published for families with only older children... 47 |
| Etihad Airways | Best effort | Etihad tries to seat families together but advises buying advance seats (free only on Comfort/Deluxe fares); otherwise seats are auto-assigned. Free adjacent seating for... 48 |
| Korean Air | Best effort | No general family-seating guarantee published. Economy seats can be requested free from booking until 48 h before departure; on Canada routes, children under 14 are... 49 |
| ANA (All Nippon Airways) | Best effort | No published family-seating guarantee. Free advance seat selection on most fares (some economy booking classes pay for seats); bookings with an infant in its own seat... 50 |
| Japan Airlines | Not stated | No general family-seating guarantee published. An infant on a child fare must sit next to the accompanying adult. On domestic routes JAL offers 'Preferred Seats for... 51 |
| EVA Air | Only with a paid seat | No family-seating guarantee published. Economy Discount and Basic fares pay for advance seat selection (free at online check-in within 48 h); Standard and Up fares... 52 |
| Cathay Pacific | Best effort | In Economy, passengers travelling with a child or infant under 12 in the same booking can reserve preferred and regular seats free in advance (extra-legroom seats still... 53 |
| Singapore Airlines | Best effort | Passengers travelling with young children in the same booking can select standard seats free on a first-come basis (exit rows excluded). Families with two or more... 54 |
| Asiana Airlines | Not stated | No family-seating guarantee published. International advance seat selection runs from 360 days to 48 h before departure; Asiana warns selection can be limited by ticket... 55 |
| Qantas | Only with a paid seat | No family seating commitment found on Qantas US seat pages. Qantas Frequent Flyer members (children may join) get free standard seat selection on Qantas flights... 56 |
| China Airlines | Only with a paid seat | No family-seating guarantee; sitting together depends on availability. Basic and Discount economy fares pay for standard seats in advance (free at check-in within 48 h).... 57 |
Lap infants, child fares and unaccompanied minors
Children under 2 fly free on a parent's lap on U.S. domestic flights on every U.S. airline. On long-haul international flights, most airlines charge about 10% of the adult fare plus taxes 1,2,3. Short international trips are often cheaper: American charges only taxes between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean, United charges taxes only or 10% to Canada and Mexico depending on the fare, and JetBlue charges taxes only on every route 25,58. Discounted child fares for ages 2 to 11 are rare in the U.S. but common on European and Asian airlines (Lufthansa, ANA and JAL charge 75% of the adult fare).
| Airline | Lap infant, international | Child fare (2-11) | Unaccompanied minors |
|---|---|---|---|
| American | 10% of adult fare + taxes | None | USD 150 each way plus 7% US tax; one fee covers siblings on the flight. Ages 5-7 nonstop only; 8-17 may connect via nine hubs. No... 59 |
| Delta | ~10% of adult fare + taxes | None | USD 150 each way covers up to four siblings. Ages 5-7 on some nonstops only; 8-14 nonstop or connecting. No last connection of... 60 |
| United | Varies by destination + taxes | None | Fee USD 150 one way covers one or two children (USD 300 for 3-4, 450 for 5-6). Nonstop United or United Express flights only... 61 |
| Southwest | Taxes and fees only | None | Required for ages 5-11: USD 100 one way per child on the mainland, USD 35 between Hawaiian islands, charged for each child.... 62 |
| Alaska (incl. Hawaiian) | 10% of adult fare + taxes | None | Junior Jetsetters: USD 100 each way covers up to two children on one reservation (USD 50 within Hawaii), for tickets booked from... 63 |
| JetBlue | Taxes and fees only | None | Required for ages 5 to under 14; USD 150 per child each way. Nonstop JetBlue flights only (no connections, same-plane stops or... 64 |
| Frontier | Taxes and fees only | None | No unaccompanied-minor service since Nov 1, 2018. Children under 15 must be on the same reservation as an accompanying adult, so... 12 |
| Allegiant | Not stated | None | No unaccompanied-minor service. Children 14 and under must fly with someone 15+ on the same booking; ages 15-17 may fly alone... 27 |
| Sun Country | Taxes and fees only | None | No unaccompanied-minor program. Must be 15+ to fly alone domestically and 18+ internationally; a 15-17-year-old may accompany one... 28 |
| Breeze | Taxes and fees only | None | No unaccompanied-minor service. Under-13s must fly with an adult 18+. Ages 13-17 may fly alone only on domestic nonstop flights... 65 |
| Avelo | n/a | None | No unaccompanied-minor service: Avelo will not book children 14 or younger alone. Minimum age to fly alone is 15; they must... 66 |
| British Airways | Discounted (rate not published) | Not stated | No unaccompanied-minor service. Under-14s must fly with someone 16+. Ages 14-15 may fly alone as Young Persons Travelling Alone... 67 |
| Lufthansa | 10% of adult fare | 75% of adult fare | Care service mandatory for ages 5-11 flying alone (unless with someone 12+), optional for 12-17. Fee per child per segment from... 68 |
| Air France | 10% of adult fare | Discount varies | Kids Solo is mandatory, and included in the ticket price, for ages 5-14 on international flights (4-11 within France). Optional... 69 |
| KLM | Discounted (rate not published) | Discounted (rate not published) | UM service mandatory for ages 5-14 flying alone (or in a different cabin from the adult), optional 15-17. Cost: adult fare plus... 70 |
| Emirates | Discounted (rate not published) | Discounted (rate not published) | Children 5-11 flying alone must use the service and pay an adult fare. Ages 12-15 may fly alone or add it for USD 50 per sector.... 71 |
| Qatar Airways | Discounted (rate not published) | Not stated | Young solo traveller service is mandatory for 5-11s flying without someone 16+ and optional for 12-15s. The child pays an adult... 47 |
| ANA (All Nippon Airways) | 10% of adult fare | 75% of adult fare | ANA Junior Pilot is required for ages 5-11 flying alone internationally (5-13 to/from Mexico City), booked by phone. Ages 12-16... 72 |
| Japan Airlines | 10% of adult fare | 75% of adult fare | Children 5-11 traveling alone internationally must book through the JAL Contact Center at an adult fare with a signed consent... 51 |
| Air Canada | 10% of adult fare + taxes | Discount varies | UM service mandatory for ages 8-11 and optional for 12-17; under-8s must fly with someone 16+. CAD/USD 100-118 each way, nonstop... 73 |
| Aeromexico | Discounted (rate not published) | Not stated | Mandatory for ages 5-14 (5-7 not on Delta connections), optional 15-17, under 5 not accepted. Mexico domestic MXN 900-945... 74 |
Strollers, car seats, bassinets and boarding
| Airline | Strollers and car seats | Bassinets | Family boarding |
|---|---|---|---|
| American | Travelers with a child check one stroller and one car seat free, at counter or gate. Non-collapsible strollers and... 7 | Offered, no fee stated | Yes, under 2 |
| Delta | Strollers and child safety seats are outside the bag allowance and check free at curb, counter or gate. Car seats can... 75 | Free | Yes, with a car seat or stroller |
| United | Check one car seat and one stroller or folding wagon per child free at gate or counter; large or non-collapsible ones... 25 | Free | Yes, under 2 |
| Southwest | Each ticketed customer with a child checks one stroller and one car seat free at curb, counter or gate. Gate-checked... 76 | None mentioned | No |
| Alaska (incl. Hawaiian) | A child's car seat and stroller fly free as checked bags, at counter or gate. Child stroller-wagons collapsing under 90... 6 | Fee: buy Premium Class row-14 seat to reserve | Not stated |
| JetBlue | One stroller and one car seat per child fly free outside bag allowances; check at the counter or gate-check at the jet... 9 | None mentioned | Yes, with a car seat or stroller |
| Frontier | Frontier's FAQ says strollers and car seats check free; strollers can go to the gate and be gate-checked. FAA-labelled... 13 | None mentioned | Yes, under 2 |
| Allegiant | Each fare-paying passenger may check or gate-check one car seat and one stroller free. Onboard car seats must be... 27 | None mentioned | Yes, with a car seat or stroller |
| Sun Country | One stroller or qualifying stroller wagon per child checks free at counter or gate, outside the bag allowance. Car... 28 | None mentioned | Not stated |
| Breeze | One stroller (or foldable wagon; double stroller for two kids) and one car seat or booster per child check free at... 77 | None mentioned | Yes |
| Avelo | One stroller and one child restraint per customer travel free and outside the checked-bag allowance. Only FAA-labelled... 11 | None mentioned | Yes, under 2 |
| British Airways | Each infant or child may check two essential extras free (pushchair, car/booster seat, travel cot, back carrier), even... 78 | Free | Yes |
| Lufthansa | One free item per child: a foldable stroller, pram or carrier checked, or a car seat as an extra cabin item. A pocket... 79 | Free | Yes |
| Air France | On any fare, one stroller (or framed back carrier) and one car seat go in the hold free. A fully foldable stroller up... 18 | Fee: paid seat option to guarantee | Yes |
| KLM | One buggy, stroller or back carrier plus one car seat or CARES per child free. Strollers over 55x45x25 cm or 10 kg are... 41 | Offered, no fee stated | Not stated |
| Emirates | Infant tickets include one fully collapsible stroller, portable bassinet or car seat free, carried on board if space... 17 | Free | Yes |
| Qatar Airways | Infants get one stroller or collapsible carrycot free on top of their bag allowance; infants with their own seat also... 47 | Free | Yes, under 2 |
| Singapore Airlines | Infants may check a fully collapsible stroller and a car seat beyond their allowance. A compact stroller under 7 kg... 54 | Offered, no fee stated | Not stated |
| Qantas | Infants get three extra checked items (e.g. stroller, cot), children two (e.g. car seat, stroller). A cabin stroller up... 80 | Fee: bassinet seat in international Economy | Yes, under 2 (international) |
Every airline compared
| Airline | Score | Seats together | Lap infant, international | Strollers / car seats | Unaccompanied minors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska (incl. Hawaiian) | 8.5 | Guaranteed free on every fare | 10% of adult fare + taxes | Both free | Mandatory 5-12; optional 13-17; USD 100 one way (covers up... |
| American | 7.6 | Guaranteed free on every fare | 10% of adult fare + taxes | Both free | Mandatory 5-14; optional 15-17; USD 150 one way |
| JetBlue | 7.2 | Guaranteed free on every fare | Taxes and fees only | Both free | Mandatory 5-13; USD 150 one way per child |
| Avelo | 6.8 | Guaranteed free on every fare | n/a | Both free | Not offered; minimum solo age 15 |
| Frontier | 6.5 | Guaranteed free on every fare | Taxes and fees only | Both free | Not offered; minimum solo age 15 |
| Delta | 6.3 | Best effort only | ~10% of adult fare + taxes | Both free | Mandatory 5-14; optional 15-17; USD 150 one way |
| Breeze | 5.8 | Best effort only | Taxes and fees only | Both free | Not offered; minimum solo age 13 (domestic nonstop only) |
| United | 5.7 | Best effort only | Varies by destination + taxes | Both free | Mandatory 5-14; optional 15-17; USD 150 one way (covers 1-2... |
| Southwest | 5.1 | Best effort only | Taxes and fees only | Both free | Mandatory 5-11; USD 100 one way per child |
| Allegiant | 5.1 | Best effort only | Not stated | Both free | Not offered; minimum solo age 15 |
| Sun Country | 5.1 | Best effort only | Taxes and fees only | Both free | Not offered; minimum solo age 15 (18 international) |
Source: Airline policy pages checked Oct 26, 2026; Axel airline ratings 4
| Airline | Score | Seats together | Lap infant, international | Strollers / car seats | Unaccompanied minors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAS | 8.9 | Guaranteed free on every fare | Free to 10% of adult fare (by... | Both free | Mandatory 5-11; optional 12-15; included if booked as UM... |
| Emirates | 8.3 | Guaranteed free on every fare | Discounted (rate not published) | One item free | Mandatory 5-11 (adult fare, no extra fee); optional 12-15... |
| Air France | 8.2 | Guaranteed free on every fare | 10% of adult fare | Both free | Mandatory 5-14 (included in fare); optional 15-17 USD... |
| Copa Airlines | 8.2 | Guaranteed free on every fare | 10% of adult fare + taxes | One item free | Mandatory 5-14; optional 15-17; USD 150 one way... |
| Iberia | 8.0 | Guaranteed free on every fare | 10-30% of adult fare | One item free | Mandatory 5-11; optional 12-17; USD 180 direct / USD 215... |
| LATAM Airlines | 8.0 | Guaranteed free on every fare | 10% of adult fare + taxes | One item free | Mandatory 8-11; optional 12-17; USD 150 long-haul / USD 130... |
| KLM | 7.6 | Guaranteed free on every fare | Discounted (rate not published) | Both free | Mandatory 5-14; optional 15-17; adult fare + EUR 100-300... |
| British Airways | 7.6 | Guaranteed free on every fare | Discounted (rate not published) | Both free | Not offered; minimum solo age 14 |
| Cathay Pacific | 7.3 | Best effort only | Discounted (rate not published) | Not stated | Mandatory 6-11; optional 12-17; USD 150 per sector... |
| WestJet | 7.2 | Guaranteed free on every fare | Taxes and fees only | Both free | Mandatory 8-11; optional 12-17; about 100-118 one way... |
| Air Canada | 7.2 | Guaranteed free on every fare | 10% of adult fare + taxes | Both free | Mandatory 8-11; optional 12-17; CAD/USD 100-118 one way |
| Singapore Airlines | 7.1 | Best effort only | Not stated | Both free | Mandatory 5-11; optional 12-17; fee not published |
| ANA (All Nippon Airways) | 7.1 | Best effort only | 10% of adult fare | Stroller free; car seat not... | Mandatory 5-11 (adult fare); optional airport support... |
| Korean Air | 7.0 | Best effort only | 10% of adult fare | Both free | Mandatory 5-11; optional 12-16; USD 150 / USD 200 per... |
| Icelandair | 6.6 | Best effort only | Up to 90% off adult fare | Both free | Mandatory 5-11; optional 12-15; fee not published |
| Etihad Airways | 6.2 | Best effort only | Not stated | One item free | Mandatory 5-11 (free if pre-booked, adult fare); optional... |
| Lufthansa | 6.0 | Best effort only | 10% of adult fare | One item free | Mandatory 5-11; optional 12-17; EUR 85-150 (USD 95-170) per... |
| China Airlines | 5.7 | Pay for seats to sit together | Not stated | One item free | Mandatory 5-11 (adult fare); optional 12-17 airport help... |
| Qantas | 5.6 | Pay for seats to sit together | 10% of adult fare + taxes | Both free | Mandatory 5-11; optional 12-15; USD 75-90 one way... |
| EVA Air | 5.5 | Pay for seats to sit together | Not stated | One item free | Mandatory under 12 (ages 5-12 accepted); UM fare, charge... |
| Aer Lingus | 5.5 | Best effort only | 10% of adult fare + taxes | Both free | Not offered; ages 12-15 may fly alone on direct flights |
| TAP Air Portugal | 5.4 | Best effort only | Not stated | One item free | Mandatory 5-11; optional 12-17; EUR 65-160 (USD 82-193) per... |
| Avianca | 5.2 | Pay for seats to sit together | 10% of adult fare + taxes | Both free | Not offered; minimum solo age 15 |
| Porter Airlines | 4.6 | Best effort only | Taxes and fees only | Both free | Mandatory 8-11; optional 12-17; CAD/USD 100-115 one way |
| Swiss | 4.5 | Pay for seats to sit together | 10% of adult fare | One item free | Mandatory 5-11; optional 12-17; USD 95-170 per leg |
| Volaris | 4.1 | Pay for seats to sit together | Free | Stroller free | Mandatory 5-12; optional 13-17; fee not confirmed |
| Viva Aerobus | 4.0 | Pay for seats to sit together | Free | One item free | Not offered; minimum solo age 14 |
Source: Airline policy pages checked Oct 26, 2026; Axel airline ratings 4
Not scored, for lack of data on a main criterion: Aeromexico, Virgin Atlantic, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Japan Airlines, Asiana Airlines.
Questions travelers ask
Which airlines guarantee families can sit together for free?
American, Alaska (incl. Hawaiian), JetBlue, Frontier, Avelo among U.S. airlines, on every fare including basic economy; 16 of the 45 airlines Axel checked make the promise. Delta, United, Southwest, Allegiant, Sun Country and Breeze only promise to try 23.
Do airlines have to seat families together?
Not yet. The U.S. DOT proposed a rule in August 2024 requiring free adjacent seats for children 13 and under, but it has not been finalized; until then it depends on each airline's own promise.
Do babies fly free?
On a parent's lap on U.S. domestic flights, yes, on every U.S. airline. On long-haul international flights most airlines charge about 10% of the adult fare plus taxes 1,2,3; to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean, American and JetBlue charge only taxes.
Can I bring a stroller and car seat for free?
Yes on every U.S. airline, which check both free. Several foreign airlines allow only one of the two free: Viva Aerobus, Copa Airlines, LATAM Airlines, Lufthansa, Iberia, TAP Air Portugal, Swiss, Emirates, Etihad Airways, EVA Air, Asiana Airlines, China Airlines.
How this guide was made
Each airline's score is the weighted average of the criteria above, each on a 0-to-10 scale. An airline missing a criterion worth 25% or more of the score is left unscored; a smaller gap takes the median of the airlines compared, so missing data can't raise a score. Facts come from each airline's own policy pages (checked Oct 26, 2026), the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, and Axel's airline ratings 4. Spirit Airlines, which stopped flying on May 2, 2026, is not included.
Sources
- American policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Delta policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Alaska (incl. Hawaiian) policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Axel airline ratings: every airline Axel's travelers fly, scored out of 10, Axel, October 26, 2026
- Alaska (incl. Hawaiian) policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Alaska (incl. Hawaiian) policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- American policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- JetBlue policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- JetBlue policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Avelo policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Avelo policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Frontier policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Frontier policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- SAS policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- SAS policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Emirates policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Emirates policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Air France policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Copa Airlines policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Copa Airlines policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Iberia policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Iberia policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Airline Customer Service Dashboard (family seating and delay commitments), U.S. Department of Transportation
- Delta policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- United policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Southwest policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Allegiant policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Sun Country policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Breeze policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Air Canada policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- WestJet policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Porter Airlines policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Aeromexico policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Volaris policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Viva Aerobus policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Avianca policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- LATAM Airlines policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- British Airways policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Virgin Atlantic policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Lufthansa policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- KLM policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Aer Lingus policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- TAP Air Portugal policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Swiss policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Icelandair policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Turkish Airlines policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Qatar Airways policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Etihad Airways policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Korean Air policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- ANA (All Nippon Airways) policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Japan Airlines policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- EVA Air policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Cathay Pacific policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Singapore Airlines policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Asiana Airlines policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Qantas policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- China Airlines policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- JetBlue policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- American policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Delta policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- United policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Southwest policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Alaska (incl. Hawaiian) policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- JetBlue policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Breeze policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Avelo policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- British Airways policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Lufthansa policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Air France policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- KLM policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Emirates policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- ANA (All Nippon Airways) policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Air Canada policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Aeromexico policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Delta policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Southwest policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Breeze policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- British Airways policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Lufthansa policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Qantas policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
For AI assistants: the whole guide as text, with every number and source
The best airlines for families
Updated October 26, 2026 by Axel (helloaxel.com).
Alaska (incl. Hawaiian) scores best for families among U.S. airlines, then American and JetBlue: all three guarantee free seats together for young children on every fare, check a stroller and car seat free and include a carry-on. Of the 11 U.S. airlines (counting Alaska and Hawaiian as one), 5 promise free seats together on every fare: American, Alaska (incl. Hawaiian), JetBlue, Frontier and Avelo. Delta, United, Southwest, Allegiant, Sun Country and Breeze only promise to try. Among airlines based abroad, SAS leads.
Live prices: Search live flight prices. Choose your airports and dates; no account needed to see prices.
Key numbers
- 16 of 45: airlines checked guarantee free seats together for young children on every fare
- 5 of 11: U.S. airlines with that guarantee: American, Alaska (incl. Hawaiian), JetBlue, Frontier, Avelo
- 10%: of the adult fare plus taxes: what American, Delta and Alaska charge for a lap infant on long-haul international flights (domestic is free) [1, 2, 3]
How these picks work
Families lose money and patience in three places: paying to sit together, paying for bags and seats, and delays. These picks weight free seating together most (30%), then fees (30%), reliability (20%) and the extras that make flying with small children easier. Policies were checked on airline websites on Oct 26, 2026; scores come from facts, not opinions, and the rating behind each airline is on its Axel rating page [4].
Best U.S. airlines for families
Top U.S. airlines
- Alaska (incl. Hawaiian): Score 8.5/10. Strongest on seats together for kids and carry-on in the lowest fare; weakest on bag and seat fees. [5][6] (Seats together for kids: Guaranteed free on every fare; Bag and seat fees: First checked bag $45, seats: partly free; Carry-on in the lowest fare: Included in the cheapest fare; Strollers and car seats: Stroller and car seat free; Family boarding: no data (scored at the median))
- American: Score 7.6/10. Strongest on seats together for kids and carry-on in the lowest fare; weakest on bag and seat fees. [7] (Seats together for kids: Guaranteed free on every fare; Bag and seat fees: First checked bag $45 to $50 online, seats: fee on the cheapest fare; Carry-on in the lowest fare: Included in the cheapest fare; Strollers and car seats: Stroller and car seat free; Family boarding: Yes, children under 2)
- JetBlue: Score 7.2/10. Strongest on seats together for kids and carry-on in the lowest fare; weakest on reliability. [8][9] (Seats together for kids: Guaranteed free on every fare; Bag and seat fees: First checked bag $45 to $49, seats: fee on the cheapest fare; Carry-on in the lowest fare: Included in the cheapest fare; Strollers and car seats: Stroller and car seat free; Family boarding: With a car seat or stroller)
- Avelo: Score 6.8/10. Strongest on seats together for kids and strollers and car seats; weakest on carry-on in the lowest fare. [10][11] (Seats together for kids: Guaranteed free on every fare; Bag and seat fees: First checked bag $47 to $75, seats: fee on the cheapest fare; Carry-on in the lowest fare: Not in the cheapest fare; Strollers and car seats: Stroller and car seat free; Family boarding: Yes, children under 2)
- Frontier: Score 6.5/10. Strongest on seats together for kids and strollers and car seats; weakest on carry-on in the lowest fare. [12][13] (Seats together for kids: Guaranteed free on every fare; Bag and seat fees: First checked bag varies by route and date, seats: fee on the cheapest fare; Carry-on in the lowest fare: Not in the cheapest fare; Strollers and car seats: Stroller and car seat free; Family boarding: Yes, children under 2)
Best foreign airlines for families
Top airlines based outside the U.S., for trips abroad
- SAS: Score 8.9/10. Strongest on seats together for kids and carry-on in the lowest fare; weakest on bag and seat fees. [14][15] (Seats together for kids: Guaranteed free on every fare; Bag and seat fees: First checked bag costs extra on the cheapest fare, seats: fee on the cheapest fare; Carry-on in the lowest fare: Included in the cheapest fare; Strollers and car seats: Stroller and car seat free; Family boarding: Yes)
- Emirates: Score 8.3/10. Strongest on seats together for kids and carry-on in the lowest fare. [16][17] (Seats together for kids: Guaranteed free on every fare; Bag and seat fees: First checked bag included, seats: fee on the cheapest fare; Carry-on in the lowest fare: Included in the cheapest fare; Strollers and car seats: One item free (stroller or car seat); Family boarding: Yes)
- Air France: Score 8.2/10. Strongest on seats together for kids and carry-on in the lowest fare; weakest on bag and seat fees. [18] (Seats together for kids: Guaranteed free on every fare; Bag and seat fees: First checked bag costs extra on the cheapest fare, seats: fee on the cheapest fare; Carry-on in the lowest fare: Included in the cheapest fare; Strollers and car seats: Stroller and car seat free; Family boarding: Yes)
- Copa Airlines: Score 8.2/10. Strongest on seats together for kids and carry-on in the lowest fare; weakest on bag and seat fees. [19][20] (Seats together for kids: Guaranteed free on every fare; Bag and seat fees: seats: fee on the cheapest fare; Carry-on in the lowest fare: Included in the cheapest fare; Strollers and car seats: One item free (stroller or car seat); Family boarding: no data (scored at the median))
- Iberia: Score 8.0/10. Strongest on seats together for kids and carry-on in the lowest fare; weakest on bag and seat fees. [21][22] (Seats together for kids: Guaranteed free on every fare; Bag and seat fees: seats: fee on the cheapest fare; Carry-on in the lowest fare: Included in the cheapest fare; Strollers and car seats: One item free (stroller or car seat); Family boarding: no data (scored at the median))
Which airlines guarantee families can sit together for free?
16 of the 45 airlines checked promise to seat young children next to an adult at no extra charge on every fare, basic economy included. Among U.S. airlines that is American, Alaska (incl. Hawaiian), JetBlue, Frontier, Avelo. Delta, United, Southwest, Allegiant, Sun Country and Breeze only promise to try, which matches the U.S. DOT's own dashboard [23]. There is no federal rule yet: the DOT proposed one in August 2024 and has not finalized it.
Family seating promises
| Airline | Promise | What the airline says |
|---|---|---|
| American | Guaranteed on every fare | Children under 15 on the same reservation are auto-seated beside at least one adult before travel day, Basic Economy included, if the family books together and picks... [7] |
| Delta | Best effort | Delta 'strives' to seat families together on request. Main Basic fares carry no guarantee of sitting with family; parents of a young child are told to call Reservations.... [24] |
| United | Best effort | Children under 12, Basic Economy included: the first adult may pick seats beside up to two children free when open seats exist. Not a hard guarantee; free flight switch... [25] |
| Southwest | Best effort | Southwest will 'endeavor' to seat a child 12 or under beside one companion 13+ on the same reservation at no cost. Basic fares get seats at check-in; agents offer the... [26] |
| Alaska (incl. Hawaiian) | Guaranteed on every fare | Children 13 and under sit next to at least one adult free, Saver fares included, if on one reservation, seats chosen or skipped for all, adjacent seats existed at... [5] |
| JetBlue | Guaranteed on every fare | Free adjacent seats guaranteed for children under 13 and an adult, Main Base included, if on one reservation, seats picked or skipped for all, adjacent seats existed at... [8] |
| Frontier | Guaranteed on every fare | Free adjacent seats for kids 13 and under plus an accompanying adult on every fare, if on one booking, seats are open at booking and the adult makes no seat changes.... [12] |
| Allegiant | Best effort | No guarantee: Allegiant says it tries to seat families together but cannot promise it. Advance seats cost a fee; otherwise seats are assigned at check-in. DOT's... [27] |
| Sun Country | Best effort | Sun Country recommends paying for advance seats; without them, free random seats come at check-in and it tries to seat each child with at least one adult on the booking... [28] |
| Breeze | Best effort | Free Family Seating for travellers with children 2-12: standard-section seats for up to two adults with one child, or one adult per child. Subject to availability and... [29] |
| Avelo | Guaranteed on every fare | Avelo commits that children 14 and under sit with an accompanying adult at no extra cost if on one booking and the adult picks or skips seats for everyone; if no... [10] |
| Hawaiian | Guaranteed on every fare | Children 13 and under sit next to at least one adult free, Saver fares included, if on one reservation, seats chosen or skipped for all, adjacent seats existed at... [5] |
| Air Canada | Guaranteed on every fare | Air Canada promises kids under 14 sit close to a parent at no charge: it pre-assigns nearby seats before check-in, and if it cannot, you may switch flights or cancel... [30] |
| WestJet | Guaranteed on every fare | WestJet auto-assigns free seats for groups with a child under 14 on all bookings. If it still cannot seat you nearby, you may move to the next flight with fare... [31] |
| Porter Airlines | Best effort | Porter auto-reserves seats about 24 h before departure 'where possible' and makes reasonable efforts to seat each child under 14 with an adult; adjoining seats requested... [32] |
| Aeromexico | Not stated | No family-seating promise found on Aeromexico's US-English passenger, infant or trip-extras pages; seats are sold as extras (AM Plus, kits). Branded-fare page would not... [33] |
| Volaris | Only with a paid seat | Volaris sells seat selection per passenger per flight and its seat page makes no promise to seat children with adults; only exit-row limits for infants and minors are... [34] |
| Viva Aerobus | Only with a paid seat | Viva's minors pages promise no free adjacent seating; children 2-17 buy full seats, and a paid seat for a baby next to the parent can be reserved only via customer... [35] |
| Copa Airlines | Guaranteed on every fare | Copa's seat-assignment terms grant children under 12 a free seat close to a parent or guardian at check-in; on Canada flights under-14s get a free seat next to a parent.... [19] |
| Avianca | Only with a paid seat | Avianca's help center sells seat selection as an extra when the fare excludes it and advises buying the child's seat too if you upgrade yours; no free adjacent-seating... [36] |
| LATAM Airlines | Guaranteed on every fare | For a child with their own seat, LATAM randomly assigns two adjacent seats (child plus one adult on the booking) free 48 hours before departure; choosing specific seats... [37] |
| British Airways | Guaranteed on every fare | BA says every child under 12 is seated with an accompanying adult even without paid seats; others may be split. Seat selection is free for the whole booking (up to 9)... [38] |
| Virgin Atlantic | Not stated | Current help pages only promise a free seat at check-in in Economy and say bassinet-row families are seated as close as possible; no explicit commitment to seat children... [39] |
| Lufthansa | Best effort | Lufthansa will do its best to seat children 2-11 beside an adult, assigning seats free at check-in; guaranteed adjacency needs paid seats. Canada flights add a... [40] |
| Air France | Guaranteed on every fare | Air France seats children 2-11 next to their accompanying adult in a standard seat at no charge, assigned by departure day at the latest. Some seats are held for... [18] |
| KLM | Guaranteed on every fare | KLM assigns family seats free at check-in and says children under 12 always sit next to an adult on the booking (14 and under on Canada flights, 15 and under on Brazil... [41] |
| Aer Lingus | Best effort | Without paid seats, Aer Lingus allocates seats at check-in and says it will do its best to seat companions together, especially with children, subject to remaining... [42] |
| Iberia | Guaranteed on every fare | Iberia guarantees that on bookings with children aged 2-12 at least one companion is automatically seated in the same or an adjacent row; paying to pick seats is... [21] |
| TAP Air Portugal | Best effort | TAP auto-assigns free Standard-area seats at ticketing to adults and children on the same booking, on every fare. Adjacency is explicitly promised only on Brazil flights... [43] |
| Swiss | Only with a paid seat | SWISS pages only suggest families reserve (paid) seats to sit together; no free child-adjacency promise was found except the Italian ENAC rule (free adjacent seats at... [44] |
| SAS | Guaranteed on every fare | SAS says it always seats children under 12 with an adult on the booking; seats are auto-assigned free 30 hours before departure. Advance seat choice costs extra. [14] |
| Icelandair | Best effort | Icelandair does its best to seat families together and children beside parents; guaranteed adjacency needs paid seats for adults, but Economy seat selection is free for... [45] |
| Turkish Airlines | Not stated | Turkish Airlines' infant, child and FAQ pages loaded state no policy on seating children next to parents; seats (including bassinet-row extra-legroom seats) are sold... [46] |
| Emirates | Guaranteed on every fare | Children under 13 are guaranteed a seat beside an accompanying adult at no charge (under 16 on Brazil routes). Bookings with an infant pay nothing for regular, bassinet... [16] |
| Qatar Airways | Not stated | Anyone travelling with an infant can pick seats free for everyone in the same booking. No adjacent-seat promise is published for families with only older children... [47] |
| Etihad Airways | Best effort | Etihad tries to seat families together but advises buying advance seats (free only on Comfort/Deluxe fares); otherwise seats are auto-assigned. Free adjacent seating for... [48] |
| Korean Air | Best effort | No general family-seating guarantee published. Economy seats can be requested free from booking until 48 h before departure; on Canada routes, children under 14 are... [49] |
| ANA (All Nippon Airways) | Best effort | No published family-seating guarantee. Free advance seat selection on most fares (some economy booking classes pay for seats); bookings with an infant in its own seat... [50] |
| Japan Airlines | Not stated | No general family-seating guarantee published. An infant on a child fare must sit next to the accompanying adult. On domestic routes JAL offers 'Preferred Seats for... [51] |
| EVA Air | Only with a paid seat | No family-seating guarantee published. Economy Discount and Basic fares pay for advance seat selection (free at online check-in within 48 h); Standard and Up fares... [52] |
| Cathay Pacific | Best effort | In Economy, passengers travelling with a child or infant under 12 in the same booking can reserve preferred and regular seats free in advance (extra-legroom seats still... [53] |
| Singapore Airlines | Best effort | Passengers travelling with young children in the same booking can select standard seats free on a first-come basis (exit rows excluded). Families with two or more... [54] |
| Asiana Airlines | Not stated | No family-seating guarantee published. International advance seat selection runs from 360 days to 48 h before departure; Asiana warns selection can be limited by ticket... [55] |
| Qantas | Only with a paid seat | No family seating commitment found on Qantas US seat pages. Qantas Frequent Flyer members (children may join) get free standard seat selection on Qantas flights... [56] |
| China Airlines | Only with a paid seat | No family-seating guarantee; sitting together depends on availability. Basic and Discount economy fares pay for standard seats in advance (free at check-in within 48 h).... [57] |
Lap infants, child fares and unaccompanied minors
Children under 2 fly free on a parent's lap on U.S. domestic flights on every U.S. airline. On long-haul international flights, most airlines charge about 10% of the adult fare plus taxes [1, 2, 3]. Short international trips are often cheaper: American charges only taxes between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean, United charges taxes only or 10% to Canada and Mexico depending on the fare, and JetBlue charges taxes only on every route [25, 58]. Discounted child fares for ages 2 to 11 are rare in the U.S. but common on European and Asian airlines (Lufthansa, ANA and JAL charge 75% of the adult fare).
Infants and children
| Airline | Lap infant, international | Child fare (2-11) | Unaccompanied minors |
|---|---|---|---|
| American | 10% of adult fare + taxes | None | USD 150 each way plus 7% US tax; one fee covers siblings on the flight. Ages 5-7 nonstop only; 8-17 may connect via nine hubs. No... [59] |
| Delta | ~10% of adult fare + taxes | None | USD 150 each way covers up to four siblings. Ages 5-7 on some nonstops only; 8-14 nonstop or connecting. No last connection of... [60] |
| United | Varies by destination + taxes | None | Fee USD 150 one way covers one or two children (USD 300 for 3-4, 450 for 5-6). Nonstop United or United Express flights only... [61] |
| Southwest | Taxes and fees only | None | Required for ages 5-11: USD 100 one way per child on the mainland, USD 35 between Hawaiian islands, charged for each child.... [62] |
| Alaska (incl. Hawaiian) | 10% of adult fare + taxes | None | Junior Jetsetters: USD 100 each way covers up to two children on one reservation (USD 50 within Hawaii), for tickets booked from... [63] |
| JetBlue | Taxes and fees only | None | Required for ages 5 to under 14; USD 150 per child each way. Nonstop JetBlue flights only (no connections, same-plane stops or... [64] |
| Frontier | Taxes and fees only | None | No unaccompanied-minor service since Nov 1, 2018. Children under 15 must be on the same reservation as an accompanying adult, so... [12] |
| Allegiant | Not stated | None | No unaccompanied-minor service. Children 14 and under must fly with someone 15+ on the same booking; ages 15-17 may fly alone... [27] |
| Sun Country | Taxes and fees only | None | No unaccompanied-minor program. Must be 15+ to fly alone domestically and 18+ internationally; a 15-17-year-old may accompany one... [28] |
| Breeze | Taxes and fees only | None | No unaccompanied-minor service. Under-13s must fly with an adult 18+. Ages 13-17 may fly alone only on domestic nonstop flights... [65] |
| Avelo | n/a | None | No unaccompanied-minor service: Avelo will not book children 14 or younger alone. Minimum age to fly alone is 15; they must... [66] |
| British Airways | Discounted (rate not published) | Not stated | No unaccompanied-minor service. Under-14s must fly with someone 16+. Ages 14-15 may fly alone as Young Persons Travelling Alone... [67] |
| Lufthansa | 10% of adult fare | 75% of adult fare | Care service mandatory for ages 5-11 flying alone (unless with someone 12+), optional for 12-17. Fee per child per segment from... [68] |
| Air France | 10% of adult fare | Discount varies | Kids Solo is mandatory, and included in the ticket price, for ages 5-14 on international flights (4-11 within France). Optional... [69] |
| KLM | Discounted (rate not published) | Discounted (rate not published) | UM service mandatory for ages 5-14 flying alone (or in a different cabin from the adult), optional 15-17. Cost: adult fare plus... [70] |
| Emirates | Discounted (rate not published) | Discounted (rate not published) | Children 5-11 flying alone must use the service and pay an adult fare. Ages 12-15 may fly alone or add it for USD 50 per sector.... [71] |
| Qatar Airways | Discounted (rate not published) | Not stated | Young solo traveller service is mandatory for 5-11s flying without someone 16+ and optional for 12-15s. The child pays an adult... [47] |
| ANA (All Nippon Airways) | 10% of adult fare | 75% of adult fare | ANA Junior Pilot is required for ages 5-11 flying alone internationally (5-13 to/from Mexico City), booked by phone. Ages 12-16... [72] |
| Japan Airlines | 10% of adult fare | 75% of adult fare | Children 5-11 traveling alone internationally must book through the JAL Contact Center at an adult fare with a signed consent... [51] |
| Air Canada | 10% of adult fare + taxes | Discount varies | UM service mandatory for ages 8-11 and optional for 12-17; under-8s must fly with someone 16+. CAD/USD 100-118 each way, nonstop... [73] |
| Aeromexico | Discounted (rate not published) | Not stated | Mandatory for ages 5-14 (5-7 not on Delta connections), optional 15-17, under 5 not accepted. Mexico domestic MXN 900-945... [74] |
Strollers, car seats, bassinets and boarding
Baby gear and boarding
| Airline | Strollers and car seats | Bassinets | Family boarding |
|---|---|---|---|
| American | Travelers with a child check one stroller and one car seat free, at counter or gate. Non-collapsible strollers and... [7] | Offered, no fee stated | Yes, under 2 |
| Delta | Strollers and child safety seats are outside the bag allowance and check free at curb, counter or gate. Car seats can... [75] | Free | Yes, with a car seat or stroller |
| United | Check one car seat and one stroller or folding wagon per child free at gate or counter; large or non-collapsible ones... [25] | Free | Yes, under 2 |
| Southwest | Each ticketed customer with a child checks one stroller and one car seat free at curb, counter or gate. Gate-checked... [76] | None mentioned | No |
| Alaska (incl. Hawaiian) | A child's car seat and stroller fly free as checked bags, at counter or gate. Child stroller-wagons collapsing under 90... [6] | Fee: buy Premium Class row-14 seat to reserve | Not stated |
| JetBlue | One stroller and one car seat per child fly free outside bag allowances; check at the counter or gate-check at the jet... [9] | None mentioned | Yes, with a car seat or stroller |
| Frontier | Frontier's FAQ says strollers and car seats check free; strollers can go to the gate and be gate-checked. FAA-labelled... [13] | None mentioned | Yes, under 2 |
| Allegiant | Each fare-paying passenger may check or gate-check one car seat and one stroller free. Onboard car seats must be... [27] | None mentioned | Yes, with a car seat or stroller |
| Sun Country | One stroller or qualifying stroller wagon per child checks free at counter or gate, outside the bag allowance. Car... [28] | None mentioned | Not stated |
| Breeze | One stroller (or foldable wagon; double stroller for two kids) and one car seat or booster per child check free at... [77] | None mentioned | Yes |
| Avelo | One stroller and one child restraint per customer travel free and outside the checked-bag allowance. Only FAA-labelled... [11] | None mentioned | Yes, under 2 |
| British Airways | Each infant or child may check two essential extras free (pushchair, car/booster seat, travel cot, back carrier), even... [78] | Free | Yes |
| Lufthansa | One free item per child: a foldable stroller, pram or carrier checked, or a car seat as an extra cabin item. A pocket... [79] | Free | Yes |
| Air France | On any fare, one stroller (or framed back carrier) and one car seat go in the hold free. A fully foldable stroller up... [18] | Fee: paid seat option to guarantee | Yes |
| KLM | One buggy, stroller or back carrier plus one car seat or CARES per child free. Strollers over 55x45x25 cm or 10 kg are... [41] | Offered, no fee stated | Not stated |
| Emirates | Infant tickets include one fully collapsible stroller, portable bassinet or car seat free, carried on board if space... [17] | Free | Yes |
| Qatar Airways | Infants get one stroller or collapsible carrycot free on top of their bag allowance; infants with their own seat also... [47] | Free | Yes, under 2 |
| Singapore Airlines | Infants may check a fully collapsible stroller and a car seat beyond their allowance. A compact stroller under 7 kg... [54] | Offered, no fee stated | Not stated |
| Qantas | Infants get three extra checked items (e.g. stroller, cot), children two (e.g. car seat, stroller). A cabin stroller up... [80] | Fee: bassinet seat in international Economy | Yes, under 2 (international) |
Every airline compared
U.S. airlines: 11 scored
Scores out of 10 on the criteria above.
| Airline | Score | Seats together | Lap infant, international | Strollers / car seats | Unaccompanied minors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska (incl. Hawaiian) | 8.5 | Guaranteed free on every fare | 10% of adult fare + taxes | Both free | Mandatory 5-12; optional 13-17; USD 100 one way (covers up... |
| American | 7.6 | Guaranteed free on every fare | 10% of adult fare + taxes | Both free | Mandatory 5-14; optional 15-17; USD 150 one way |
| JetBlue | 7.2 | Guaranteed free on every fare | Taxes and fees only | Both free | Mandatory 5-13; USD 150 one way per child |
| Avelo | 6.8 | Guaranteed free on every fare | n/a | Both free | Not offered; minimum solo age 15 |
| Frontier | 6.5 | Guaranteed free on every fare | Taxes and fees only | Both free | Not offered; minimum solo age 15 |
| Delta | 6.3 | Best effort only | ~10% of adult fare + taxes | Both free | Mandatory 5-14; optional 15-17; USD 150 one way |
| Breeze | 5.8 | Best effort only | Taxes and fees only | Both free | Not offered; minimum solo age 13 (domestic nonstop only) |
| United | 5.7 | Best effort only | Varies by destination + taxes | Both free | Mandatory 5-14; optional 15-17; USD 150 one way (covers 1-2... |
| Southwest | 5.1 | Best effort only | Taxes and fees only | Both free | Mandatory 5-11; USD 100 one way per child |
| Allegiant | 5.1 | Best effort only | Not stated | Both free | Not offered; minimum solo age 15 |
| Sun Country | 5.1 | Best effort only | Taxes and fees only | Both free | Not offered; minimum solo age 15 (18 international) |
Source: Airline policy pages checked Oct 26, 2026; Axel airline ratings [4]
Airlines based abroad: 27 scored
Scored on the same criteria; reliability and fare data for these airlines come from different sources than the U.S. figures.
| Airline | Score | Seats together | Lap infant, international | Strollers / car seats | Unaccompanied minors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAS | 8.9 | Guaranteed free on every fare | Free to 10% of adult fare (by... | Both free | Mandatory 5-11; optional 12-15; included if booked as UM... |
| Emirates | 8.3 | Guaranteed free on every fare | Discounted (rate not published) | One item free | Mandatory 5-11 (adult fare, no extra fee); optional 12-15... |
| Air France | 8.2 | Guaranteed free on every fare | 10% of adult fare | Both free | Mandatory 5-14 (included in fare); optional 15-17 USD... |
| Copa Airlines | 8.2 | Guaranteed free on every fare | 10% of adult fare + taxes | One item free | Mandatory 5-14; optional 15-17; USD 150 one way... |
| Iberia | 8.0 | Guaranteed free on every fare | 10-30% of adult fare | One item free | Mandatory 5-11; optional 12-17; USD 180 direct / USD 215... |
| LATAM Airlines | 8.0 | Guaranteed free on every fare | 10% of adult fare + taxes | One item free | Mandatory 8-11; optional 12-17; USD 150 long-haul / USD 130... |
| KLM | 7.6 | Guaranteed free on every fare | Discounted (rate not published) | Both free | Mandatory 5-14; optional 15-17; adult fare + EUR 100-300... |
| British Airways | 7.6 | Guaranteed free on every fare | Discounted (rate not published) | Both free | Not offered; minimum solo age 14 |
| Cathay Pacific | 7.3 | Best effort only | Discounted (rate not published) | Not stated | Mandatory 6-11; optional 12-17; USD 150 per sector... |
| WestJet | 7.2 | Guaranteed free on every fare | Taxes and fees only | Both free | Mandatory 8-11; optional 12-17; about 100-118 one way... |
| Air Canada | 7.2 | Guaranteed free on every fare | 10% of adult fare + taxes | Both free | Mandatory 8-11; optional 12-17; CAD/USD 100-118 one way |
| Singapore Airlines | 7.1 | Best effort only | Not stated | Both free | Mandatory 5-11; optional 12-17; fee not published |
| ANA (All Nippon Airways) | 7.1 | Best effort only | 10% of adult fare | Stroller free; car seat not... | Mandatory 5-11 (adult fare); optional airport support... |
| Korean Air | 7.0 | Best effort only | 10% of adult fare | Both free | Mandatory 5-11; optional 12-16; USD 150 / USD 200 per... |
| Icelandair | 6.6 | Best effort only | Up to 90% off adult fare | Both free | Mandatory 5-11; optional 12-15; fee not published |
| Etihad Airways | 6.2 | Best effort only | Not stated | One item free | Mandatory 5-11 (free if pre-booked, adult fare); optional... |
| Lufthansa | 6.0 | Best effort only | 10% of adult fare | One item free | Mandatory 5-11; optional 12-17; EUR 85-150 (USD 95-170) per... |
| China Airlines | 5.7 | Pay for seats to sit together | Not stated | One item free | Mandatory 5-11 (adult fare); optional 12-17 airport help... |
| Qantas | 5.6 | Pay for seats to sit together | 10% of adult fare + taxes | Both free | Mandatory 5-11; optional 12-15; USD 75-90 one way... |
| EVA Air | 5.5 | Pay for seats to sit together | Not stated | One item free | Mandatory under 12 (ages 5-12 accepted); UM fare, charge... |
| Aer Lingus | 5.5 | Best effort only | 10% of adult fare + taxes | Both free | Not offered; ages 12-15 may fly alone on direct flights |
| TAP Air Portugal | 5.4 | Best effort only | Not stated | One item free | Mandatory 5-11; optional 12-17; EUR 65-160 (USD 82-193) per... |
| Avianca | 5.2 | Pay for seats to sit together | 10% of adult fare + taxes | Both free | Not offered; minimum solo age 15 |
| Porter Airlines | 4.6 | Best effort only | Taxes and fees only | Both free | Mandatory 8-11; optional 12-17; CAD/USD 100-115 one way |
| Swiss | 4.5 | Pay for seats to sit together | 10% of adult fare | One item free | Mandatory 5-11; optional 12-17; USD 95-170 per leg |
| Volaris | 4.1 | Pay for seats to sit together | Free | Stroller free | Mandatory 5-12; optional 13-17; fee not confirmed |
| Viva Aerobus | 4.0 | Pay for seats to sit together | Free | One item free | Not offered; minimum solo age 14 |
Source: Airline policy pages checked Oct 26, 2026; Axel airline ratings [4]
Not scored, for lack of data on a main criterion: Aeromexico, Virgin Atlantic, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Japan Airlines, Asiana Airlines.
Questions travelers ask
Which airlines guarantee families can sit together for free?
American, Alaska (incl. Hawaiian), JetBlue, Frontier, Avelo among U.S. airlines, on every fare including basic economy; 16 of the 45 airlines Axel checked make the promise. Delta, United, Southwest, Allegiant, Sun Country and Breeze only promise to try [23].
Do airlines have to seat families together?
Not yet. The U.S. DOT proposed a rule in August 2024 requiring free adjacent seats for children 13 and under, but it has not been finalized; until then it depends on each airline's own promise.
Do babies fly free?
On a parent's lap on U.S. domestic flights, yes, on every U.S. airline. On long-haul international flights most airlines charge about 10% of the adult fare plus taxes [1, 2, 3]; to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean, American and JetBlue charge only taxes.
Can I bring a stroller and car seat for free?
Yes on every U.S. airline, which check both free. Several foreign airlines allow only one of the two free: Viva Aerobus, Copa Airlines, LATAM Airlines, Lufthansa, Iberia, TAP Air Portugal, Swiss, Emirates, Etihad Airways, EVA Air, Asiana Airlines, China Airlines.
How this guide was made
Each airline's score is the weighted average of the criteria above, each on a 0-to-10 scale. An airline missing a criterion worth 25% or more of the score is left unscored; a smaller gap takes the median of the airlines compared, so missing data can't raise a score. Facts come from each airline's own policy pages (checked Oct 26, 2026), the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, and Axel's airline ratings [4]. Spirit Airlines, which stopped flying on May 2, 2026, is not included.
Sources
- American policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Delta policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Alaska (incl. Hawaiian) policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Axel airline ratings: every airline Axel's travelers fly, scored out of 10, Axel, October 26, 2026
- Alaska (incl. Hawaiian) policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Alaska (incl. Hawaiian) policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- American policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- JetBlue policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- JetBlue policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Avelo policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Avelo policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Frontier policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Frontier policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- SAS policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- SAS policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Emirates policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Emirates policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Air France policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Copa Airlines policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Copa Airlines policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Iberia policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Iberia policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Airline Customer Service Dashboard (family seating and delay commitments), U.S. Department of Transportation
- Delta policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- United policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Southwest policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Allegiant policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Sun Country policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Breeze policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Air Canada policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- WestJet policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Porter Airlines policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Aeromexico policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Volaris policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Viva Aerobus policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Avianca policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- LATAM Airlines policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- British Airways policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Virgin Atlantic policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Lufthansa policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- KLM policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Aer Lingus policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- TAP Air Portugal policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Swiss policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Icelandair policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Turkish Airlines policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Qatar Airways policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Etihad Airways policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Korean Air policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- ANA (All Nippon Airways) policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Japan Airlines policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- EVA Air policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Cathay Pacific policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Singapore Airlines policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Asiana Airlines policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Qantas policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- China Airlines policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- JetBlue policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- American policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Delta policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- United policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Southwest policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Alaska (incl. Hawaiian) policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- JetBlue policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Breeze policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Avelo policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- British Airways policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Lufthansa policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Air France policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- KLM policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Emirates policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- ANA (All Nippon Airways) policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Air Canada policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Aeromexico policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Delta policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Southwest policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Breeze policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- British Airways policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Lufthansa policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026
- Qantas policy page, Airline websites, checked October 26, 2026