Airline Discounts for Children

All children over the age of 2 must have a ticket for their own seat. (Photo: Digital Vision./Photodisc/Getty Images )

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Air travel is often expensive, with many airlines charging fees for checked baggage, meals and extra legroom. In some instances, travelers with children are able to catch a break on airline fees by qualifying for a reduced fare child's ticket or even receiving a free ticket for a lap baby.

Infant Travel

Airlines typically offer parents of children under 2 years of age the opportunity to hold the child on their lap. Tickets for lap babies are generally free or require payment of airline fees and taxes only on domestic flights, though a small ticket fee is commonly included on international flights. In addition, some airlines, such as Southwest, give a ticket discount to infants traveling in a FAA-approved child restraint, such as a car seat, while other airlines, such as United offer complementary bassinets for use on international flights with an infant under 6 months of age.

Children on Domestic Flights

Parents of children over the age of 2 are typically required to pay the full adult fare for their kids. Select airlines offer reduced fares for children, such as Southwest, though the discount offers vary by flight. Though a few discounts are available for children flying domestically, most airlines allow a stroller and a car seat to be included in a child's baggage allowance for no cost.

Children on International Flights