Flying for Free???

I've flown Southwest, USAir, Hawaiian, VIrgin America and American when my daughter was under 2 and never had to pay any fees for her to sit on my lap. However, when I did fly overseas, Lufthansa charged me 10% of the ticket price. USAir and Virgin America were the only 2 to ask about a lap child prior to my arrival to the airport. I never had any trouble with any airlines. Just be prepared to show proof of age. My daughter is tall for her age, and from about 18 months on, we were asked for proof of age.

Call the airline now and ask to add your son as a "lap child". While they do not need a "ticket" -- they DO need a boarding pass! As long as he is under 2 at the time, it is free (kids 2 and over cannot be lap children). Also ask that the airline ensures you are seated on the proper side of the plane with the extra mask if you are flying on a small commuter jet instead of a large Boeing or Airbus plane (small commuter jets only have the extra mask on the right side usually -- the right side of the plane if you are in a seated position that is). If they have to re-seat you on a different side of the plane, it will be easier to do now than at check-in when you and your husband might end up getting separated! Also, take your son's birth certificate with you in case they ask for proof of age, etc. I have flown probably a dozen or more times when one of my kiddos was under 2 (they are now 3.5 and 2.5, with a baby on the way). Mostly United or American or their commuter partner lines.

If your child under 2 is going to be sitting on your lap, then it probably won't cost anything additional (except your legs going numb!) Check and see what kind of aircraft you'll be flying in. I flew a small Embraer with my 15 month old DD on my lap in a single seat row and it was TORTURE! (The plane was so tiny). In that case you might want to look into purchasing a seat for the little guy.
Either way DO let the airline know that you'll have a "lap child" because not all rows on the planes are equipped with additional oxygen masks and they won't let you sit there with a lap child if it doesn't. At least this way, if you call ahead, you might be able to confirm decent seats with an extra oxygen mask (otherwise you could end up separated from your Dh during the flight or end up sitting in the last row where they usually have an extra O2 mask for an extra flight attendant! Not the best seating...right next to the latrine!)
Good luck!

I used to work in the airline industry... you need to contact your airline and tell them that you're travelling with an infant on your lap (doesn't matter whether you say infant or toddler, just as long as he's under 2 years old). There are newer FAA restrictions on the number of lap children allowed per plane. If you do not notify them in advance that you're bringing a child on your lap, it is possible that you could get to the airport and be told there is no room for him because they've already given away all of the slots for other babies.

There is no major US airline that charges for lap babies. Also, bring your child's birth certificate to prove that he's under 2.

On domestic flights, the lap child is free, but if you can afford it, get the child his/her own seat. It is SO much more comfortable to have them sit in their carseat while you have space to eat/drink/read/play with the kid/whatever. We flew with ds in the lap once and then were offered a seat for him on a not full flight. What a difference! After that we bought him a seat every time until he hit 2 and we had to get him a seat anyway.

International flights you pay a reduced fair for young kids, but they are not free.

We few many times with our kids under 2 yrs for free, now since your toddler is hitting the 2 yr mark they may ask to see proof of age. We had this happen although we were warned but sometimes they don't give you a warning. So that being said bringing a birth cirtificate would be a good idea just in case otherwise they can request you to pay.

For Delta and United- as long as he is under 24 months and travelling with a legal guardian 18 or older in the continental US he is free. If it is an international flight to Canada, Puerto Rico or Mexico, they had to pay 10% of a ticket price. I have a friend that flies AirTran regularly, and they don't charge for babies in lap either.

A child under two who is sitting in your lap doesn't need a ticket and flies for free. It's good to call the airline and let them know once you've made your reservation so they have a record of everyone traveling on the flight.

I've flown Southwest a couple times with my son, who is under 2. After I booked my ticket I called and said I had a child under 2 that will be flying with me. I didn't pay anything but I had to bring his birth certificate and check in at the desk when I got to the airport. Southwest made flying with my kid very very easy. I would definitely do it again with them.

I've never paid for a child under 2. I just booked tickets on Southwest and USAir and both times I had to call the airline to add the lap child. Southwest requires a birth certificate to prove age. If your son is 20 months, you should have one in case his age is questioned.

If you book the ticket online you will have to call the airline directly to have "Child on Lap" added to one of the tickets. It costs nothing.

Children under the age of 2 fly free IF they are sitting on your lap.

Make sure to bring your child's birth certificate...in case you need to verify their age. If the airline has no proof of age they can demand you pay for another ticket.

I don't believe airlines charge for children sitting on your lap. We were never charged. However, they usually need to know if a child will be traveling with you so it's best to check with the airline directly just to validate. However, be prepared. It's so much easier when they have their own seat unless your son is good at saying still :) We paid for a seat on our last trip (my daughter was about 20 months old) and it was such a relief :)