The Guide to Flying Spirit Airlines With a Baby

Flying can be anxiety inducing for some, and when traveling with a baby in tow can be its own stressor. If you’re traveling Spirit Airlines with a baby for the first time, you may have quite a few questions. How much does a ticket for a baby cost? Can they travel on my lap? Is there an age requirement to travel? The list of questions can be long.

Here's a closer look at the Spirit Airlines infant policies, including how its car seat and stroller policies work.

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The Spirit infant policy states that a baby at least 7 days old but younger than 2 years of age counts as an infant, and an infant can sit on your lap for the duration of the flight for free — no ticket purchase required.

After their second birthday, you will be required to purchase your child their own ticket and seat. That includes if your kid turns 2 between your outbound flight and your return home. If that happens, you’ll have to purchase a seat for them for the return flight.

Other requirements for traveling with an infant on Spirit:

• A lap infant can only sit with a passenger 15 or older.

• Only one infant is allowed per passenger.

• Infants 6 days old and younger won't be permitted to board.

• Lap children aren’t allowed in exit rows or the rows immediately in front of or behind.

• You are required to check in with an agent at your gate before boarding.

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On Spirit Airlines, a stroller is always free to check either at the check-in counter or at the gate (if you need it in order to travel through the airport).

You’re allowed one stroller per child, but you can also opt for a two-seater if you’re traveling with more than one kid.

The Spirit car seat policy states you can check one car seat at the gate or the ticket counter per child free of charge.

If you don’t want to hold your baby on your lap the whole flight, you can also bring an FAA-approved car seat on board for your child assuming it physically fits in the seat. To do this, however, you will have to purchase a ticket for your infant.

If you do plan to go this route, check to make sure the seats on your aircraft are large enough to accommodate your car seat. Standard seats on Spirit planes can range from 15.5 inches to 17 inches wide, but upgrading to a wider Big Front Seat is also an option.

Also important to note is that collapsible cribs or pack-and-plays won’t be checked for free. You’ll have to pay for those items. Peruse Spirit’s baggage fees for pricing.

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There’s no official Spirit diaper bag policy; the airline treats these items as any other type of baggage or carry-on. That means your diaper bag can count as your personal item, which is free.

Alternatively, you can pay for a carry-on during booking or at check-in if the included personal item isn’t enough. You’ll save cash if you pre-pay for this allowance in advance.

Remember to measure and weigh your personal items and carry-on before you leave home, so you’re not surprised and hit with an unexpected fee once you arrive at the airport. A personal item can’t be larger than 18 x 14 x 8 inches and a carry-on must be within 22 x 18 x 10 inches.

If you’re ready to book travel with your infant — whether you want them in your lap or in a car seat in their own seat — Spirit makes it simple to do so. When booking online at Spirit.com, simply enter your preferred dates and routes, then select the dropdown menu at the top left of the flight search bar that says “Adult.”

When an option window pops up, you can enter the number of children traveling with you and their dates of birth. Check the “seat required” box if you want them to have their own seat and the minor will be counted as a child and be charged a ticket price accordingly.

Leave the “Seat Required” box unchecked, and as long as the date of birth is within the last 24 months, the child will be counted as an infant and not charged for a seat.

If you'd like to purchase a separate seat for your baby, keep the checkmark in the "Seat Required" box.

Click “Save,” then “Search flights,” and continue the flight selection process as usual.

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Flying Spirit with a baby is simple to book, and it’s free if they qualify as a lap infant (under age 2). Strollers and car seats can be checked for free at the ticket check-in counter or at the gate. If you would like your child to travel in their carseat, you will need to purchase a separate ticket for them. Either arrangement can be made during the booking process on Spirit's website.