Ticketing Requirements

No Ticket Required
You may travel with one¹ infant in your lap without purchasing a ticket if:

• the infant is less than two years old, and
• you are at least 18 years old or the infant's legal guardian, and
• your travel is within the U.S.²

Ticket Required
You'll need to purchase a ticket for your child when you:

• have a child that is age two or older
• have a child that turns age two during a trip — a reserved seat and ticket are required for the entire journey
• prefer the child to sit in a seat with an approved restraint
• have a second child, regardless of age and you already have a child who will be sitting in your lap¹
• want your child to earn miles for a SkyMiles account
• will be traveling between countries, regardless of whether or not the child occupies a seat

Child Fares & Special Discounts

Travel Within U.S.
Delta does not offer discounted infant and child fares within the U.S.

Travel Between Countries
You may find discounted child fares when traveling outside the U.S. or when traveling between certain countries. The price of the ticket will depend on the age of the child. Taxes & fees may also apply to infants held in the adult's lap.²

For assistance with your discounted child fare or infant ticket please call Delta Reservations Office. For infant tickets please have your confirmation code available or allow extra time and purchase at the airport.

¹Number of Infants per Adult: A limit of two infants, less than two years old, per adult may travel together.

²International Taxes & Fees:  For infants under the age of two and held in the adult's lap, the cost is usually about 10% of the adult fare, plus any international taxes and surcharges, which can be significant.

Traveling alone can be an exciting, adventurous experience for a young person. When it's time for your child to travel alone, Delta is glad to offer guidance and assistance. It's our goal to provide safe, reliable and comfortable travel for all of our travelers, especially for young, solo ones. The Unaccompanied Minor Program offers your child added safety and provides a reliable and comfortable process.

Quick Facts About Children Traveling Alone     

• A parent or designated accompanying adult must take the unaccompanied minor to the departure gate and remain until the flight has left the ground.
• Changes in Designated Adult assigned to pick up minor can only be made by calling 800-221-1212; changes cannot be made at the airport.
• If the minor is connecting though another city, the child will be assisted by a Delta or business partner employee.
• A parent or accompanying adult should report to the destination airport one hour before scheduled arrival to obtain a gate pass.
• A valid ID must be presented before the minor will be released.
• For questions or concerns, please contact Delta Air Lines at 800-221-1212.

• Unaccompanied Minor Program
  
• Program Rules
• Program Fee
• Travel Tips for Parents
• Check-in Requirements
• Boarding Gate Procedures
• Delta Sky Zone

Unaccompanied Minor Program
The Unaccompanied Minor Program is required for all children 5-14 years old when not traveling in the same compartment with an adult who is at least 18 years old or the child's parent/legal guardian. The program is optional for children 15-17 years old.

Program Rules   

• Unaccompanied Minors must be ticketed on an adult fare
  
• Travel is permitted on Delta and Delta Connection (excluding American Eagle flights operating as Delta Connection).
• Travel is permitted on Domestic and International itineraries.
• Unaccompanied Minors can only connect to other Delta, Delta Connection (excluding American Eagle), Air France and KLM flights.
• Travel is not permitted on the last connecting flight of the day.
  
• Travel is not permitted on Red Eye flights (Red Eye flights are between 9pm-5am).  Exceptions below apply only if a qualifying connection flight is not available from the airport.
  • International flights
  • Domestic short haul flights ( 2 hours or less, non stop)
  • Flights to/from Alaska and Hawaii
  • Markets with only one connection and it is the last flight of the day

Program Fee
The Unaccompanied Minor Program requires a fee of $100 UDS/CAD/EUR each way (CAD/EUR currency is used when departing Canada and Europe). This fee applies to both Domestic and International Travel (nonstop and/or connecting) and is in addition to the ticketed adult fare.

 Fee Details

• The fee is mandatory for ages 5-14 and when a parent/guardian elects to enter a 15-17 year-old into the program. Only one fee will be charged for up to 4 children traveling together.
• The fee can be paid one way or round trip at time of check-in or in advance through Reservations.
• The fee is non-refundable once flown.

 
Travel Tips for Parents

Booking
To book a reservation for an unaccompanied minor, you must contact Reservations to ensure that the travel is correctly documented. If you booked online or used a travel agency, please call 800-221-1212 to speak to an agent.

Baggage
Keep carry-on baggage to a minimum, and attach ID and contact information on or inside carry-on and checked baggage.

Entertainment and Food
Most flights do not offer meal service, so pack food for the flight, as well as books, games and other entertainment.

Special Needs
Explain flight procedures to your child: kids traveling alone should speak only to Delta Air Lines agents if they need help or have questions. And they should never leave the airport, the gate area or the aircraft unless accompanied by a Delta Air Lines representative wearing a badge. Be sure to let gate agents know if your child has any special needs. If there is a change to your child’s itinerary en route, an agent will contact you.

Check-in Requirements
Arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes prior to departure time for domestic flights and two hours prior to international flights. Look for the Special Services line at the Delta Air Lines counter to check in with an agent.

Note: You may not use self-service options to check in an unaccompanied minor.

Unaccompanied Minor Check-in Requirements
An adult (18 years of age or older) must accompany the unaccompanied minor at check in.

You may not be permitted to walk your unaccompanied minor to the boarding gate at some airports outside the United States. Upon check in, verify with the Delta agent where parents/guardians can wait for flight status; parents/guardians must remain at the airport until the flight is airborne.

Note: If the unaccompanied minor arrives at the counter alone, the Delta agent will not be permitted to complete check in. A parent/guardian will be contacted to return to the airport before the check-in process may begin.

The following information is required from the accompanying adult at check-in:      

• Photo Identification (e.g., drivers license)
• Address (as shown on identification)
• Contact phone number (in case of any changes or emergency)
• Name, address and phone number of the adult meeting the unaccompanied minor at the destination

Next Steps
After the check-in information is verified, the unaccompanied minor fee will be charged, along with any additional fees for checked baggage. The accompanying adult will be advised of the following important information:

• If the pickup person at the destination changes, the accompanying adult must call Delta at 800-221-1212 to provide the new information.
• Upon arrival, if someone other than the person named at check-in is at the destination to pick up the child, a Delta representative will contact the original accompanying adult to verify the identification of the pickup person at the destination.
• The pickup person at the destination must obtain a gate pass to pick up the unaccompanied minor at the gate.
• At the point of departure, the accompanying adult must remain at the gate until the flight is off the ground.

After reviewing these program rules, the accompanying adult will be required to sign a document stating all the information provided is understood and correct.

Check-in Completion
To complete the check-in process for an unaccompanied minor, the Delta agent will:       

• place a wristband around the wrist of the child for identification purposes
• create a package that will be used during the trip to include all travel documents (boarding cards, unaccompanied minor forms, etc.) and any additional documents (passport, receipts, baggage claim tickets, etc.)

Boarding Gate Procedures
Upon arrival at the gate, unaccompanied minors should check in with the gate agent and be prepared to board the aircraft at the beginning of the boarding process.

Note: The accompanying adult must be present at the time of boarding for the child to be permitted to board the aircraft. Once the plane is off the ground, the accompanying adult will be permitted to leave the gate area. This precaution ensures that the unaccompanied minor is escorted at all times.

Delta Sky Zone
The Delta Sky Zone is a secure area where unaccompanied children can wait for connecting flights, use complimentary phones to contact parents/guardians and take advantage of entertainment and activities like books, TV, games and toys. Staffed by Delta Air Lines employees to ensure children feel secure and comfortable, the Delta Sky Zone is located in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, New York-JFK, Los Angeles, Memphis, Minneapolis and Salt Lake City.

For the safety and comfort of all passengers, infants and small children must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or someone who is at least 18 years old — and the accompanying adult and child must travel in the same cabin. For children under the age of two, we recommend you purchase a seat on the aircraft and use an approved child safety seat.

If you're traveling with a newborn, Delta and Delta Connection® Carrier flights required an approval letter from a physician that states it’s appropriate for the newborn to fly. The following infant age restrictions apply to all Delta and Connection Carrier flights:

We want you and your children to have the safest, most comfortable flight possible. For kids under the age of two, we recommend you purchase a seat on the aircraft and use an approved child safety seat.

If you decide to use a child safety seat aboard the airplane, there are a few restrictions and guidelines you'll need to follow.

Aboard the Aircraft

Where to Sit with a Child Restraint
When using a child safety seat, don’t select seats in the following areas:         

• Aisle seats
  
• Emergency exit rows
• Any seat one row forward or one row back from an emergency exit row
• Bulkhead seats when the safety seat is a combination car seat and stroller

If your child is using the middle seat of a single-aisle aircraft, the accompanying adult must take the window seat so other passengers can easily access the aisle. A row may contain more than one child safety seat if the children are from the same family or travel group.

Takeoff and Landing
An adult (18 years or older) may hold an infant or place the infant in a FAA-approved child restraint during take off and landing. Booster-type car seats are not permitted for use during taxi, takeoff and landing.

Child Restraints & Adults' Responsibilities
Delta flight attendants will check with accompanying adults to ensure that children are properly secured in their safety seats and in the aircraft seat. The accompanying adult, however, has the following responsibilities when using a child restraint during take off and landing:      

• Ensure that the child restraint seat meets FAA guidelines (See guidelines below.)
• Ensure that the child restraint seat functions properly and is free of obvious defects
• Secure the child according to the manufacturer's instructions
• Ensure the child does not exceed the restraint's weight limit
• Ensure the child restraint is secured to the aircraft seat using the aircraft seat's safety belt

Approved Child Restraints
All child restraints include labeling that indicates their compliance with safety requirements. To find the labeling information on your child restraint, look for the letter “e” in a circle, followed by labeling that indicates its approved use.

Restraints that meet the qualifications and labeling below are approved for use on Delta flights.

Restraints manufactured within the U.S. after 2/25/85 with the following labels:     

• Conforms to all applicable federal motor vehicle standards
• Is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft

Restraints manufactured within the U.S. between 1/1/81 and 2/25/85 with the following label:    

• Conforms to all applicable federal motor vehicle standards

Restraints manufactured outside the U.S. with the following labels:       

• Has the approval of a foreign government
• Was manufactured under standards of the United Nations

Restraints that are not permitted:       

• Booster seats, even if they bear labels indicating they meet U.S., UN or foreign government standards
• Vest and harness-type child restraint devices other than the FAA approved CARES restraint device

For children under the age of two, we recommend you purchase a seat on the aircraft and use an approved child safety seat. Here are some other helpful tips for traveling with your infant or toddler:

Infant in Arms
Infants and children less than 2 years old may travel for free within the U.S. if an adult (18 years or older) holds the infant in arms or places the infant in an FAA-approved child restraint during take off and landing. Visit our Child Fares section to find out additional requirements and pricing information for infant travel.

Booking Your Trip
When traveling with an infant or toddler, you may find it helpful to allow a little extra time between flights to take rest or bathroom breaks along the way. Our Airport Maps can help you plan your layovers before you even reach the airport.

International Flights
If your travel destination requires a passport and/or travel visas, you will need a passport for your child, too. Learn how to submit a passport application for newborns and infants by visiting the U.S. Department of State’s Special Requirements for Children.

Seat Assignments
If your child is traveling as an Infant in Arms, your boarding pass will include a designation of Infant in Arms to alert the flight crew. After purchasing your ticket, and prior to arrival at the airport, you may view or change your seat assignment. Due to FAA regulations, travel with an infant restricts your ability to occupy some seats aboard the plane. To make sure that both you and your child are safe and comfortable during travel, read Infant and Child Seating  and Aircraft Types and Layout for more details.

Infant Baggage
Review our Infant & Children's Items guidelines for specific details on carry-on items, including child restraint seats, strollers and diaper bags. During security check in, the TSA will usually make a special provision for items like medications, breast milk and baby formula. Check out the Traveling with Kids section of the TSA website for information and helpful videos about travel with infants and carry-on baggage restrictions.

We try to make traveling with kids as easy and convenient as possible. So before you head out to the airport with your little ones, find out how much of your child's baggage you can bring onboard the plane with you and what items can be checked.

Children’s Baggage Allowance
Children’s baggage allowances are based on the fare paid for their travel.

Strollers, Child Restraint Seats & Other Infant Items
Children’s strollers and seat restraints are not counted as part of the standard baggage and therefore can easily be checked for free. For your convenience these items may be checked at curbside, the ticket counter, or at the gate.

Child restraint seats may be brought on board the plane in certain circumstances. For instance, if there is an open passenger seat in your row, you may place your child in an FAA-approved child restraint in that seat during take-off and landing. If an empty passenger seat is not available for your child restraint, the item must be checked at the gate by a Delta representative.

In addition to the one bag carry-on allowance, you may bring a booster seat, other infant seat or bassinet onto the plane as an additional free item (subject to carry-on size restrictions). If you carry on an infant seat or bassinet, it must be secured tightly by a seatbelt to be stored on an aircraft seat.

Any passenger under 18 travelling alone to Mexico must have a notarized letter with authorization from a parent and translated in Spanish, otherwise they will be refused entry.