Planning air travel with a newborn can bring up a lot of questions, especially for first-time parents. One of the most common concerns is determining the earliest age a baby can safely fly. While the idea of jet-setting with your little one might seem daunting, understanding the guidelines and recommendations can make the decision-making process much smoother and safer.
Chandani DeZure, M.D., FAAP
Navigating newborn air travel involves considering various factors, from airline policies to medical advice. Let’s delve into what you need to know before you book that plane ticket and take to the skies with your infant.
Airline Regulations on Newborns Flying
Airlines generally set their own rules regarding the minimum age for infant passengers. It’s crucial to check directly with your chosen airline, as policies can vary. However, here’s a general overview of what major carriers typically stipulate:
- Delta Airlines: Allows newborns younger than seven days old to fly, provided they have a doctor’s note confirming their fitness for travel.
- American Airlines: Similar to Delta, American Airlines permits newborns under seven days old to travel if accompanied by a medical certificate.
- United Airlines: Sets a slightly stricter minimum age, requiring infants to be at least one week (7 days) old to fly.
- JetBlue: Permits infants to fly from 14 days (2 weeks) old.
- Southwest Airlines: Also aligns with JetBlue, allowing babies to travel once they are 14 days (2 weeks) old.
Kaitlin Menza
While these airline policies provide a baseline, it’s essential to understand that these are just the minimum age requirements. Medical professionals often have more cautious recommendations for newborn air travel.
Medical Recommendations: When is it Medically Safe for a Newborn to Fly?
From a medical perspective, the question of “How Old Do Newborns Have To Be To Fly safely?” goes beyond airline regulations. Doctors prioritize the health and well-being of the infant, especially considering their still-developing immune systems.
Dr. Karin Nielsen-Saines, a professor of clinical pediatrics specializing in infectious diseases at UCLA Children’s Hospital, advises caution. “It’s not advisable at all to travel with a newborn, especially on an airplane that is enclosed with so many people,” she explains. Her concern stems from two primary factors:
- Immature Immune System: Newborns have virtually no developed immunity, making them highly susceptible to infections prevalent in crowded environments like airplanes.
- Diagnostic Challenges: Even a minor illness in a newborn can necessitate extensive and invasive medical evaluations. Dr. Nielsen-Saines points out that “if they have any slight illness, or even a low-grade fever, they’ll need to be brought to the hospital for a whole septic work-up,” potentially involving a 48- to 72-hour hospital admission. This process can be incredibly stressful for both the baby and parents.
toy airplanes lined up diagonally on a bright yellow background
Given these risks, doctors are unlikely to provide medical clearance for newborn air travel unless absolutely necessary.
For slightly older infants, the medical advice becomes nuanced. Dr. Mary Carol Burkhardt, a primary care pediatrician at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, notes, “There’s definitely some personal decision-making and risk-taking involved with flying with a newborn or an infant, but not a hard-and-fast rule.” She emphasizes that infants face the same germ exposure as adults on flights, but their immune systems are less equipped to handle them.
Many healthcare providers suggest that waiting until a baby has received their initial vaccinations, typically around two months of age, can offer an added layer of protection. However, Dr. Nielsen-Saines clarifies that “A child would not be really fully, totally protected against the most common pathogens until 7 months of age because then they would have received their primary immunization series – the ones they get at 2, 4, and 6 months.” By six months, babies can also receive vaccinations against seasonal illnesses like flu, COVID-19, and RSV, further bolstering their defenses.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) echoes this cautious approach, suggesting that families “rethink travel with infants under 6 months of age” and “avoid any trips with those under 2 months.”
Key Considerations Before Flying with a Newborn
Beyond age guidelines, several critical factors should influence your decision to fly with a newborn:
Baby’s Health Condition
As highlighted by medical experts, a newborn’s developing immune system is a primary concern. Dr. Burkhardt advises heightened caution for babies who were born prematurely or have any underlying health issues. These infants are inherently more vulnerable to infections.
Furthermore, the act of flying itself can be physically challenging for babies. Dr. Nielsen-Saines explains that pressure changes during ascent and descent can cause ear discomfort or pain. Infants’ cries during takeoff and landing are often attributed to this ear pressure.
To minimize ear pain, encourage your baby to suck on a pacifier, nurse, or bottle feed during these critical phases of the flight. While usually temporary and harmless, ear pressure can pose a significant problem if a baby has an existing ear infection. In such cases, Dr. Nielsen-Saines warns that “the pressurization could cause the tympanic membrane to rupture.” If you suspect an ear infection, consult your pediatrician and consider postponing travel.
Safety Measures Onboard
While it’s common for infants under two years old to fly as “lap infants” (without their own seat), safety experts strongly recommend using a car seat or child restraint device during air travel. Turbulence can occur unexpectedly, and holding a baby securely on your lap may not be sufficient to prevent injury.
Airline bassinets, while offering convenience, are not designed for safety during turbulence. They primarily enhance comfort but require you to remove the baby and hold them during any unexpected air turbulence.
Choosing bulkhead seats, where bassinets are often placed, can offer more space, as Dr. Nielsen-Saines notes, “bulkhead seats are better because there’s more space for the baby at the front, and more space for the parents as well.” It’s worth noting that no specific section of the plane is inherently safer, except for exit rows, which are restricted to able-bodied adults.
Logistical Planning for Infant Care
Traveling with a newborn necessitates meticulous logistical planning to manage their basic needs effectively. Feeding, diaper changes, and sleep routines can be significantly disrupted during air travel.
Maintaining breast milk temperature and preparing formula bottles require forethought. Even diaper changes on an airplane require planning and using compact changing facilities, often in airplane lavatories.
Travel inevitably disrupts a baby’s established routines, which can be stressful for both the infant and parents. Dr. Burkhardt points out that “Changes with time zones are very hard for infants and young kids to reorient to.” Be prepared for potential alterations in your baby’s sleep and feeding patterns and offer them extra patience and flexibility during travel.
Postpartum Health of the Mother
A new mother’s health is also a vital consideration when contemplating newborn air travel. Postpartum recovery can be physically demanding. C-section incisions or perineal tears with stitches can cause discomfort when seated for extended periods with a seatbelt. Postpartum bleeding can also add to discomfort.
Dr. Nielsen-Saines also mentions that mothers who have had surgical deliveries might experience increased gas and abdominal discomfort at high altitudes due to pressure changes.
Furthermore, sleep deprivation, common in the postpartum period and exacerbated by travel, can weaken a mother’s immune system. Dr. Nielsen-Saines explains, “It takes a toll on your immune system to be fatigued…There’s an association between [exhaustion] and being more prone to respiratory infections.” If a parent becomes ill, the baby is also at higher risk of getting sick, emphasizing the interconnectedness of their health.
Tips for Minimizing Risks When Flying with a Newborn
Despite the challenges, sometimes air travel with a newborn is unavoidable or desired. Here are actionable steps to minimize risks and enhance safety:
- Thorough Sanitization: Pack ample hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes. Clean your hands frequently, and wipe down surfaces your baby might touch, such as tray tables, armrests, and window areas.
- Social Distancing in Airports: Minimize time spent in crowded airport areas as much as possible to reduce exposure to germs. Once on the plane, use the overhead air vent for increased ventilation.
- Hydration is Key: Airplanes have dry cabin air, increasing the risk of dehydration. Ensure both you and your baby stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids throughout the journey.
- Layered Clothing: Dress your baby in layers to adapt to fluctuating cabin temperatures, ensuring they remain comfortable throughout the flight.
- Consider Noise-Canceling Headphones: While airplane noise itself isn’t harmful, if your baby is sensitive to sound, infant-specific noise-canceling headphones can be helpful. However, be mindful that some babies may resist wearing them.
It’s also important to note what not to do. Dr. Burkhardt advises against using sedatives like Benadryl to help a baby sleep on a flight. This is generally not recommended by pediatricians.
Flying with a newborn requires careful planning, awareness of potential risks, and proactive measures to ensure safety and comfort. By considering both airline guidelines and medical recommendations, and by taking sensible precautions, you can make air travel with your infant as safe and smooth as possible.
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Sources
BabyCenter’s editorial team is dedicated to providing trustworthy and helpful pregnancy and parenting information. Our content relies on credible sources, including health organizations, medical professionals, and peer-reviewed studies. We believe in transparency and encourage you to learn more about our editorial and medical review policies.
American Academy of Pediatrics. Tips for Traveling with Young Ones this Holiday Season. https://www.aap.org/en/news-room/news-releases/health–safety-tips/american-academy-of-pediatrics-tips-for-traveling-with-young-ones-this-holiday-season/Opens a new window [Accessed January 2024]
Delta. Infant Air Travel. https://www.delta.com/us/en/children-infant-travel/infant-travelOpens a new window [Accessed January 2024]
American Airlines. Traveling with children. https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/special-assistance/traveling-children.jspOpens a new window [Accessed January 2024]
United Airlines. Traveling with children. https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/travel/accessibility-and-assistance/traveling-with-children.htmlOpens a new window [Accessed January 2024]
JetBlue. Traveling with lap infants. https://www.jetblue.com/help/traveling-with-lap-infantsOpens a new window [Accessed January 2024]
Southwest Airlines. Traveling with an infant. https://www.southwest.com/help/flying-with-children/flying-with-infantsOpens a new window [Accessed January 2024]
Mary Carol Burkhardt, M.D., M.H.A.Opens a new window, a primary care pediatrician with the division of general and community pediatrics at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
Karin Nielsen-Saines, M.D.Opens a new window, a professor of clinical pediatrics in the division of infectious diseases at UCLA Children’s Hospital
