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Flying with an infant is one of the most stressful travel challenges for new parents — how do you buy an infant ticket? What does it cost? Where can infants sit? What documents do you need? Airlines tend to give only brief answers on their websites, but the reality is far more complex. This article draws on 2026 Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) regulations and actual airline practices to give you a complete, practical guide to flying with infants aged 14 days to 2 years.
1. Basic Definitions and Fare Rules
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Under CAAC regulations, an infant is defined as a child who is at least 14 days old but under 2 years of age (some international routes require a minimum of 14 days after birth; rules vary slightly by airline). Infants must travel accompanied by an adult passenger and do not occupy a separate seat.
Domestic infant fares: Uniformly set at 10% of the adult published fare. Airport construction fees and fuel surcharges are waived. For a domestic flight with an adult fare of ¥1,000, the infant fare would be ¥100 (excluding fuel surcharges and airport fees). Note that infant fares are calculated against the adult published fare (full price), not the discounted fare — if an adult books a deeply discounted ticket, the infant fare is still 10% of the published fare, not 10% of the discounted price.
International and regional infant fares: Vary by airline, typically 10%–50% of the adult fare. On China–US routes, for example, infant fares on United Airlines and Korean Air are typically 10% of the adult economy fare. Some airlines (certain low-cost carriers or special fare products) may charge 25%–50% for infant fares. If an infant needs their own seat, a child ticket (ages 2–12, priced at 75%–100% of the adult fare) must be purchased and a child safety seat used.
2. Infant Fare Comparison by Major Airline
| Airline | Domestic Infant Fare | International Infant Fare | Meals | Baggage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air China (CA) | 10% of published adult fare | 10%–25% of published adult fare | Not provided | 1 piece 23kg free with accompanying adult |
| China Eastern (MU) | 10% of published adult fare | 10%–25% of published adult fare | Not provided | 1 piece 23kg free with accompanying adult |
| China Southern (CZ) | 10% of published adult fare | 10%–25% of published adult fare | Not provided | 1 piece 23kg free with accompanying adult |
| Xiamen Air (MF) | 10% of published adult fare | 10%–25% of published adult fare | Not provided | 1 piece 23kg free with accompanying adult |
| Hainan Airlines (HU) | 10% of published adult fare | 10%–25% of published adult fare | Not provided | 1 piece 23kg free with accompanying adult |
| Spring Airlines (9C) | 10% of published adult fare | Generally not applicable | Not provided | No free baggage allowance for infants |
Spring Airlines special rules: As a low-cost carrier, Spring Airlines may not offer infant tickets on some international routes, or may charge up to 50% of the adult fare. Infants do not receive a free baggage allowance. Always read the infant ticket terms carefully on the Spring Airlines website before booking, or call their customer service line to confirm.
Infant and child baggage allowances: Infants may check one stroller for free (foldable; no size restriction; some airlines require packaging). Infants may also bring the following items on board free of charge: infant food, breast milk or formula (liquids must be opened for security inspection), diapers, and a change of clothing. Strollers are typically checked at the gate rather than at the check-in counter — check with your specific airline for procedures.
3. Bassinet Requests: Essential for Long-Haul Flights
Wide-body aircraft operating flights of 3+ hours typically offer bassinets (restricted to infants under 1 year, maximum 10 kg and 70 cm in length). The bassinet attaches to the front bulkhead wall and is approximately 75 cm long with a weight limit of 10–12 kg.
Booking window: Request a bassinet immediately after booking your tickets — each flight has a limited number (typically 2–4), and on popular international routes, they fill up fast. On China Eastern’s MU583/588 (Shanghai–Los Angeles), for example, bassinets are often fully claimed before check-in even opens.
How to request:
- Online/app: Some airlines let you add infants and request a bassinet directly during booking
- Customer service hotline: For most Chinese carriers, infant tickets and bassinet requests are handled by phone
- Check-in counter: Last-minute requests at the counter cannot be guaranteed — request in advance
Bassinet usage notes: Bassinets are for infants lying flat only. During turbulence and takeoff/landing, infants must be held in your arms. The bassinet must be stowed during taxi, takeoff, and landing, so the effective use time is only during level cruise flight.
4. Document Requirements for Infant Travel
Domestic flights: Infants need one of the following:
- Household registration booklet (hukou) — most commonly used
- Birth certificate (accepted at most airport security checkpoints)
- National ID card (if already issued)
International and regional flights: Document requirements are stricter:
- Passport (required; validity must meet destination entry requirements)
- Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau + endorsement (for Hong Kong/Macau travel)
- Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan + endorsement (for Taiwan travel)
- Some countries require infants to hold their own independent visa (infants cannot share parents’ passports or visas)
Important note: An infant’s ticket must be booked at the same time as the accompanying adult’s ticket — infant tickets cannot be purchased independently. If parents book separately and need the infant’s ticket linked, contact the airline’s customer service to ensure the infant ticket is on the same PNR (Passenger Name Record) as the adult.
5. Health Considerations for Infants Flying
Airline refusal to carry: Airlines may refuse to board infants in the following situations:
- Full-term newborns less than 14 days old (preterm infants may face a longer waiting period)
- Infants with symptoms of acute respiratory infection such as fever or severe cold (may affect other passengers)
- Infants with serious congenital cardiovascular or respiratory conditions without a physician’s fitness-to-fly certificate
Premature infant special rules: Infants born before 32 weeks of gestation typically require a physician-issued Airline Originating Clearance (AOC) confirming that the infant will not experience respiratory difficulties during flight. Contact the airline at least 48 hours before departure to request a medical assessment for premature infants.
In-flight ear discomfort: Infants are prone to ear discomfort during takeoff and landing due to pressure changes. Breastfeeding, bottle feeding, using a pacifier, or encouraging swallowing can help relieve this. Decongestant nasal sprays and sugary medications are not recommended for infants under 2 years.
FAQ
Q1: How many infants can one adult bring on a flight? One adult may bring a maximum of 2 infants (under 2 years old), but only one infant can travel on an infant fare (no seat). The second infant must purchase a child ticket (occupying a seat) and use an approved child safety seat. Airlines also limit total infant counts per flight — typically no more than 10–15 infants.
Q2: Can I buy a discounted adult ticket for an infant? No. Infant tickets are calculated at 10% of the adult published fare (full public tariff) regardless of what discount the adult paid. Even if the adult booked a deeply discounted promotional fare, the infant fare is still based on the full published adult price. Occasionally, airlines run special infant fare promotions (must be applied for in advance), but these are rare.
Q3: Can a stroller be brought on the plane or does it have to be checked? A stroller can be checked for free (at the check-in counter or gate) or brought on board as carry-on luggage, provided it fits within the carry-on size limits (typically must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat). Gate-checking is recommended to avoid cabin congestion. Gate-checked strollers incur no additional fee.
Q4: Can an infant ticket be changed or refunded? Infant tickets are linked to the accompanying adult’s ticket — changes and refunds must be processed together. If the adult ticket is changed, the infant ticket can be changed for free on the same airline once (subject to each airline’s specific rules). When refunding, the infant ticket is fully refundable (no cancellation fee). If you need to cancel just the infant ticket separately, contact the airline’s customer service.
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