Traveling with Children FAQs

Traveling with children can be stressful, but a little preparedness goes a long way to make your journey smoother! To help you get ready, we’ve highlighted key FAQs from Allegiant and Sun Country Airlines, including information about required documentation for lap children, as well as policies on car seats and strollers. Be sure to visit the official Allegiant and Sun Country websites for the most up-to-date and comprehensive travel FAQs.

Allegiant: Contract of Carriage

Lap Children (Under 2 Years Old, No Seat Purchased)

  • One child under age 2 can fly for free as a lap child when traveling with a paying passenger 15 years or older.

  • Allegiant does not guarantee an empty seat for lap children.

  • If you bring a car seat but don’t buy a seat for your child, the car seat may need to be checked as baggage if no extra seats are available.

Proof of Age Requirement – Effective April 1, 2025

  • Lap infants must show proof of age starting April 1, 2025.

  • Accepted documents:

    • Unaltered copy of birth certificate (digital or printed)

    • Government-issued ID (like a passport)

Children Under 2 With a Seat Reservation

  • If your child under age 2 has their own seat, you must pay the regular fare—whether or not you use a car seat.

Unaccompanied Minors

  • Allegiant does not allow children under 15 to fly alone.

  • Children 14 and younger must travel with someone 15 or older.

  • The airline does not provide special supervision for minors.

Teens Ages 15–17 Traveling Alone

  • Allegiant assumes no responsibilities for travelers aged 15–17.

→ Allegiant Contract of Carriage

Allegiant: Child Identification

 

→ All Traveling with Children FAQs

Allegiant: Car Seats

Using a Car Seat on the Plane

  • The FAA recommends using an approved car seat or harness for children under 40 pounds when flying.

  • Your child’s car seat must be FAA-approved. Look for labels that say:

    • FMVSS.213

    • Certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft

    • Meets all federal motor vehicle safety standards

  • Car seats wider than 17.88 inches may not fit in the airplane seat properly.

  • Not allowed on board:

    • Backless booster seats

    • Seat belt extenders (“belly belts”)

    • Vests or harnesses that attach to an adult

Harness Option

  • The only FAA-approved harness for flight use is the AmSafe Aviation CARES.

    • It’s for kids 22–44 pounds

    • Must have a label saying:
      “FAA Approved in Accordance with 14CFR 21.305(d), Approved for Aircraft Use Only.”

Checking a Car Seat

If your child isn’t using a car seat on the plane, you have two free options:

  1. Check it at the ticket counter and pick it up at baggage claim
  2. Gate check it before boarding and pick it up at the gate when you land

✅ One car seat per paying passenger can be checked or gate-checked for free.

→ All Traveling with Children FAQs

 

Allegiant: Strollers and Diaper Bags

Strollers

  • You can check a stroller for free at the ticket counter or gate check it before boarding.

  • One stroller per paying passenger can be checked at no charge.

  • Gate-checked strollers are stored in the cargo hold and returned to you at the gate when you arrive.

Diaper Bags

  • If you’re traveling with a child, you can bring one diaper bag for free.

  • The diaper bag does not count as your carry-on or personal item.

  • Each paying passenger can bring up to 2 items total onboard:

    • For example:

      • 1 diaper bag + 1 carry-on, or

      • 1 diaper bag + 1 personal item

→ All Traveling with Children FAQs

Sun Country: Contract of Carriage

Age Definitions and Who Can Travel Alone

  • A child is anyone under 15 years old.

  • A young adult is someone between 15 and 17 years old.

  • An adult is 18 or older.

  • Children under 15 must travel with someone who is at least 15.

  • Unaccompanied minors are not allowed on international flights.

Children Traveling with Young Adults

  • A young adult (15–17 years old) may travel with only one child under 15.

  • They must be on the same flight and sit in the same area.

  • Young adults cannot be responsible for another child unless they are the child’s parent.

Lap Children (Under 2 Years Old)

  • Infants 8 days to 24 months old can fly for free as lap children, but:

    • Must sit on a ticketed adult’s lap (no seat of their own).

    • Only one lap child per adult is allowed.

    • The child’s diaper bag or other carry-on counts toward the adult’s baggage limit.

    • Proof of age (like a birth certificate) may be required.

    • A young adult can only travel with a lap child if they are the child’s parent.

    • Only one lap child is allowed per row of seats.

→ Sun Country Contract of Carriage

Sun Country: Child Identification

→ All Traveling with Children FAQs

Sun Country: Car Seats and Strollers

Does my child need a car seat on the plane?

  • Car seats are not required, but they’re recommended if your child:

    • Can’t sit up on their own, or

    • Can’t be secured safely with a regular seatbelt

  • You must buy a seat for your child to use a car seat.

  • Booster seats are not allowed on the plane.

  • You can check car seats or booster seats for free at the ticket counter or gate.
    (They don’t count toward your baggage limit.)

Where can I use a car seat on the plane?

Car seats cannot be used in:

  • Aisle seats

  • Exit row seats

  • The row in front of or behind an exit row

Can I gate check a stroller?

Yes! You can:

  • Check your stroller at the gate before boarding, or

  • Check it at the ticket counter—your choice

  • There’s no charge, and it doesn’t count toward your baggage limit

→ All Traveling with Children FAQs