Alaska Airlines Alaska Airlines is an American airline based near Seattle, Washington. It offers flights throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Here’s a recap of Alaska Airlines’ pregnancy, infant and children travel policies.
*This is for informational purposes only and may not reflect current airline policies. For specific questions on traveling with children on Alaska Airlines, please click here or contact the airline directly.
Expectant Mothers Flying with Alaska Airlines
There are no restrictions at any point in pregnancy for flying pregnant. However, please consult a physician if you have questions about flying while pregnant.
Infants (under 2 years old) Flying with Alaska Airlines
There is no minimum age for infants traveling on Alaska Airlines. However, we recommend checking with your child’s doctor if you are unsure your infant should be traveling via plane.
Children are no longer considered infants on the day of their 2nd birthday. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires all children who have reached their 2nd birthday to occupy their own seat on an aircraft. Accordingly, children of ages 2 or older will not be allowed to travel unless they hold a valid ticket.
Alaska Airlines reserves the right to require proof of age for any child traveler before permitting travel. Please be prepared to provide documentation (birth certificate, passport, etc.) upon request.
If a child turns two en route, a ticket must be purchased for all segments on which the child will be two.
Infants are not required to have their own seat. You must, however, inform Alaska Airlines that you will be traveling with an infant on your lap. Lap children can only be held by passengers who are at least 16 years of age.
Only one lap child is allowed per adult. If one adult is traveling with more than one infant under 2 years of age, a seat will have to be purchased for each additional infant.
You can also choose to purchase a seat for your infant as long as you have the proper child restraint device.
No taxes are applicable on domestic flights for lap infants. All standard taxes are applicable on infant seat fares. A $7 (USD) immigration fee is applicable when an infant is traveling as a lap infant from either Canada or Mexico.
Lap infants traveling to an international destination (outside of North America) must be ticketed at 10% of the accompanying adult’s fare. This does not guarantee them a seat. Infants can travel as lap infants for free (limit one lap infant per accompanying adult). If there is an empty seat available on that flight, the infant may occupy that seat for no extra charge.
Baggage Allowance for Infants
A diaper bag counts toward the standard carry-on policy allowance. A seated (ticketed) infant would follow the standard carry-on policy allowance.
An adult traveling with a lap infant may check the infant’s child restraint seat and/or stroller free of charge in addition to the regular baggage allowance. These items may be checked at the gate using a claim-at-gate tag if preferred.
Children (2 years old or older) Flying with Alaska Airlines
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- Must travel in their own seat.
- Children must pay full fare when flying on Alaska Airlines.
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Child Restraint Devices
Infants traveling on a regular fare are strongly recommended to be secured in an appropriate child restraint system (CRS). Lap infants sharing a seat with their parent may bring a child restraint seat on board provided there is an empty seat available for the infant. If the flight is full, the car seat will be checked at the gate using a claim-at-gate tag. The car seat will be returned to you at the gate upon arrival.
All child restraint systems must bear the following two required labels:
1. This restraint system conforms to all applicable federal motor vehicle safety conditions
2. This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft. (in red lettering) (NOTE: Labels that indicate U.S. or Foreign Government approval or show the seat was manufactured under the standards of the United nations are also valid.)
In addition to the standard CRS mentioned above, children between 22 to 44 pounds and 40 inches or less may use an Aircraft Safety Device (ACSD) for added security. Currently the AmSafe CARES Restraint is the only approved ACSD and must bear a label that reads:
FAA APPROVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH 14 CFR 21.302(d) APPROVED FOR AIRCRAFT USE ONLY
Use of the ACSD is the same as use of any approved CRS. Any other child booster seats and other types of child restraints may not be used during take-off, landing, and surface movements regardless of what stamp/seal of approval these booster or harness devices carry.
The window seat is the preferred location for a child restraint system, although it may be placed in the middle seat if the window seat is vacant, or if the restraint system does not block access to the aisle. If you are uncertain, the Flight Attendant can assist in determining if middle seat is acceptable. For safety, a child restraint system must not be placed in the aisle seat. Child restraint systems are not permitted in the emergency exit rows, in the rows forward or aft of exit rows on any Alaska Airlines flight or in any bulkhead row seat (rows 1 and 6) on Alaska Airlines flights 001-999.
Related Reading
- Bottle Feeding and Formula Feeding Travel Tips
- Best Travel Beds for Babies, Toddlers and Young Children
- How to Travel While Potty Training + Potty Training Essentials Packing List
*This is for informational purposes only. For more information on traveling with children on Alaska Airlines, click here.