Are you planning to fly with your baby or toddler and are on a tight budget? Then Spirit Airlines might be one of your best options. This ultra-low-cost carrier offers some mega deals on flights!
As you would before flying on any airline, you’ll want to be well-versed in Spirit’s infant policy before your flight. We’re doing the work for you and are laying out all the rules and details about Spirit Airlines’ infant policy, so you can be prepared for your upcoming trip and avoid any setbacks at the airport. If you’re ready to get into the nitty-gritty, keep reading.
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Eligibility Requirements for Infants
If you are planning to travel with an infant on Spirit Airlines, there are certain eligibility requirements you need to meet to bring your baby on Spirit Airlines for free. Here are the two most important requirements you need to keep in mind:
Age Restrictions
According to Spirit Airlines’ infant policy, infants must be at least 7 days old to be eligible for travel. If your infant is over 7 days old and younger than 2 years old, you can carry them in your lap for the duration of the flight, free of charge. However, if you prefer to have your child in a car seat, you can purchase an airplane seat for your infant. If your infant turns two years old before your return flight, you will have to purchase a seat for your baby for that leg of the flight.
It’s important to note that only one lap child is allowed per guest 15 years of age or older. So, if you’re traveling alone with twins, you’ll have to purchase a seat for one of the infants and bring an FAA-approved child car seat or safety harness for your child.
Documentation Needed for Proof of Age
When traveling with an infant on Spirit Airlines, you should carry proper proof of age documentation with you. Airlines employees have the right to request document proof of your infant’s age, such as an official birth certificate, passport, and hospital or immunization records in some instances. They might not ask for it, but you’ll want to be prepared just in case! When we traveled with my 18-month-old daughter who was big for her age, we did get asked for a birth certificate to prove that she was not 2 years of age already.
Also, while babies can fly for free, you must let the airlines know before your flight that you are bringing your child. You can do this when booking your flight, or you can call the airline after booking.
Overall, if you meet the eligibility requirements for Spirit Airlines’ Infant Policy, you can enjoy a hassle-free travel experience with your little one.
Ticketing and Baggage Fees
If you are traveling with an infant on Spirit Airlines, you may be wondering about the ticketing and baggage fees. Here is what you need to know:
Infant Fare Options
As mentioned above, children younger than two can travel FREE as lap infants on Spirit Airlines without their own seats. When traveling domestically, babies or toddlers who are traveling as lap infants do not require a ticket, although you must alert the airlines that you’re traveling with an infant.
For international travel, infants who are traveling as lap infants will need to pay applicable taxes and fees, but they will not require a ticket.
If you decide to purchase a seat for your infant, you’ll have to pay the same fare as you would for an adult. There are no discounts for babies.
Baggage Allowance for Infants
When traveling with a lap child on Spirit Airlines, you are allowed to bring one diaper bag per infant as a carry-on item. The diaper bag must fit under the seat in front of you.
In addition to the diaper bag, you are also allowed to check one stroller and one car seat per infant at no additional charge. If you choose to purchase a seat for your infant, you can bring an additional carry-on and checked bag for them for an additional charge.
Keep in mind that any additional bags beyond the allowance will be subject to applicable fees. It’s always a good idea to check the Spirit Airlines website for the most up-to-date information on baggage fees and allowances. As an experienced Spirit flyer, I try to pack everything in a personal item bag to avoid the expensive baggage fees. When you’re traveling with baby gear this gets a little tougher, but it will save you quite a bit of money if you can pull it off!
Spirit Airlines’ Infant Policy: Seating
There are some restrictions for both lap children and children in car seats that aren’t important to note when booking your flight.
- Emergency exit rows and the row in front or behind the emergency exit row are off-limits to lap children and children in car seats
- Any seat equipped with an inflatable seat belt is also off-limits to lap children and children in car seats
- If your child requires an incubator or other life-support devices, they will not be allowed to board the plane.
Flexibility is important when traveling with an infant. While it does come with more restrictions than traveling solo, these policies are made with the safety of everyone in mind.
Deciding Between Lap or Assigned Seat for Your Infant
If you’re debating between flying with an infant on your lap or purchasing a separate seat, we’ve laid out some info to help you decide…
(Disclaimer: This information in this article is for information purposes only, is our own opinion. Any advice taken is at your own risk.)
Infant in Lap
Here are a few reasons you might want to carry your infant as a lap child on board:
- If you’re on a tight budget, saving the money on that extra seat can mean big savings and might be the only way you can afford to fly
- If you’re traveling with a baby plus older children who need to sit near you, letting your baby sit on your lap will allow you to keep all your kids close. When I was traveling alone with a baby, toddler, and kindergartener, this was a necessity for me.
- If have a fussy infant who prefers to be held, carrying them in your lap may give you peace of mind (and peace to the passengers around you). I was able to breastfeed my fussy baby through take-off and landing, which was comforting for my daughter through the pressure changes on the flight.
- You don’t have a car seat that will fit and don’t want to buy a new one just for the flight.
- It’s predicted to be a not-full flight and there’s a possibility of having an empty seat near you. You may have a generous flight attendant or gate agent who can make this happen. It doesn’t hurt to ask!
While it is safer to have your child secured in an infant car seat, many fliers prefer to take the lap-child-route.
Assigned Seat for Infant
Here are some reasons why having a separate seat for your infant or toddler might be the best option for you:
- If safety is a major concern for you, then you’ll want to purchase a seat and bring an FAA-approved car seat on board for your infant or toddler. In the case of severe turbulence, you’ll have peace of mind that your child is strapped in safely. (Note: The risk of injury on an airplane is very low, but there is always some risk.)
- If you have a heavy baby that would be difficult to hold for hours or a very wiggly child you may want to bring a car seat. There’s a big difference between holding a newborn that will sleep most of the flight and a 25-pound toddler that can’t sit still.
- If you have twins or multiple children under the age of two, only one child will be able to fly for free on your lap.
- It’s predicted to be a packed flight and you can’t count on an empty seat next to you on the plane.
Onboard Amenities for Infants
Traveling with an infant can be a challenging experience, to say the least. The tight quarters and no-frills interior on a Spirit Airlines plane definitely make it extra challenging to meet your baby’s needs. But they do offer the following amenities for infants on board the flight:
Diaper Changing Facilities
Spirit Airlines provides diaper-changing facilities on all of its flights. At least one lavatory on board is equipped with a small changing table. I suggest you ask the flight attendant upon boarding for assistance in locating the nearest changing table.
If you want to avoid the tiny diaper changing table if at all possible, change your baby’s diaper right before your flight. Another suggestion is to use an overnight diaper when flying. Of course, when nature calls and your infant has to go number two, having a small diaper-changing kit to use on board is super helpful.
While it might seem easier, it is frowned upon to change your baby in your seat, especially if it’s more than a wet diaper. While as a mom I understand the inconvenience of an airplane bathroom, it’s super rude to other passengers around you to change them from your seat. No one wants to smell that when they’re trapped in a row near you.
Stroller Handling
If you are traveling with a stroller, Spirit Airlines allows you to bring your stroller to the gate, where it will be checked in and returned to you at the gate upon arrival. You can check one stroller per child, or opt for a double stroller if you’re traveling with two children.
Oversized wagon strollers might not fly as a free stroller, depending upon the airline employee, so I suggest that you check ahead of time to make sure your wagon qualifies as a stroller with Spirit Airlines
Safety Protocols
When traveling with an infant on Spirit Airlines, safety is a top priority. The airline has established safety protocols to ensure that all passengers, including infants, are safe throughout the flight.
Infant Restraint Systems
Spirit Airlines allows the use of FAA-approved infant restraint systems (IRS) on board. These car seats and Child Harness Devices (CARES) are designed to provide additional protection to infants during takeoff, landing, and turbulence. If you plan to use an IRS, you must purchase an extra seat for your infant or there’s no guarantee there will be an empty seat on board. The car seat or harness must be labeled with the following: “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.”
The seats must also fit the Spirit airplane seats. Just because it’s FAA-approved doesn’t mean that it’s guaranteed to fit. Check your child’s car seat with the seat widths of the plane you’ll be flying on.
If you choose to hold your infant on your lap during the flight, the airline provides an infant safety belt that attaches to your own seat belt. The infant safety belt is available on a first-come, first-served basis and is free of charge.
Emergency Procedures
In the event of an emergency, flight attendants will provide instructions on how to properly hold your infant. If you are holding your infant during takeoff or landing, you must hold them facing forward, with one hand holding the infant’s torso and the other hand holding their legs. During turbulence, you must secure your infant with the infant safety belt.
If oxygen masks are deployed, you must secure your own mask before assisting your infant. Flight attendants will provide additional instructions on how to properly secure the mask on your infant.
Remember, safety is the top priority when traveling with an infant on Spirit Airlines. By following the airline’s safety protocols, you can ensure a safe and comfortable flight for you and your little one.
Wrapping Up
Spirit Airlines’ infant policy is pretty straightforward. I feel that they’ve made it fairly simple to fly with an infant if you know the policy ahead of time. If you are prepared by booking your child’s seat or alerting the airlines of a lap child, bring the proper size car seat, and bring any necessary documentation, you shouldn’t run into any issues. While it’s never easy to travel with a baby, we hope this guide makes your travel on Spirit Airlines a little bit easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring a stroller for my infant on a Spirit flight?
Yes, you can bring a stroller for your infant on a Spirit flight. According to the Spirit Airlines website, strollers can be checked at the ticket counter or gate, and they can also be used up until the boarding door. However, if you choose to use your stroller up until the boarding door, it will be checked at the gate and returned to you at baggage claim.
How do I secure a seat for my child on Spirit Airlines?
If you want a guaranteed seat for your child on a Spirit Airlines flight, you will need to purchase a separate seat for them. According to Baggage Circle, children under the age of two can travel as lap infants without their own seats, but if you want them to sit in their car seat during the flight, you will need to purchase a ticket.
Are there any specific car seats recommended for use on Spirit flights?
Spirit Airlines allows the use of FAA-approved car seats on their flights. However, they do not provide any specific recommendations for which car seats to use. It is recommended that you check with the car seat manufacturer to ensure that the seat is FAA-approved and will fit in the seat dimensions on the Spirit Airlines aircraft.
What’s Spirit Airlines’ infant policy on traveling with baby food, formula, or breastmilk?
According to the Spirit Airlines website, baby food, formula, and breastmilk are allowed on board a Spirit Airlines flight. It does not count as a carry-on or personal item and the items are not required to fit in a quart-sized baggie. It is recommended that you follow TSA guidelines when bringing any baby food, toddler food or drinks, formula, or breastmilk through security. And we suggest that you alert the TSA agent before screening that you are bringing these items with you.
At what age can my baby fly for free on Spirit Airlines?
Children under the age of two can travel as lap infants without their own seats on Spirit Airlines flights. However, if you want a seat for your child, you will need to purchase a ticket for them. According to SeatGuru, only one lap child is allowed per adult. If one adult is traveling with more than one infant under two years of age, a seat will have to be purchased for each additional infant.
Is a birth certificate required for my infant when flying with Spirit?
You may need to provide a birth certificate for your infant when flying with Spirit Airlines. It depends upon the agent and is more likely if your child looks to be over the age of two. It is recommended that you bring a copy of your child’s birth certificate just in case it is asked for. Other documents that show proof of age are a passport, government-issued identification card, or immunization/hospital records.
