What is the youngest age a baby can fly?

It depends on the airline. American allows infants from 2 days old, Delta and United from 7 days, and Southwest from 14 days, with a doctor's note often required below those thresholds. The FAA sets no minimum, but the AAP suggests waiting until 2 to 3 months when you can.

Is it safe for a 1-month-old to fly?

It is generally allowed once a baby is past the airline minimum, but the AAP suggests waiting until 2 to 3 months because a younger baby's immune system is still developing and airports are crowded. If you must fly at one month, limit exposure, feed during takeoff and landing, and ask your pediatrician first.

Should I avoid flying with a newborn during RSV season?

If you can, yes. RSV season runs roughly October through March, when crowded planes and terminals raise the risk for young babies. The CDC recommends protecting every infant with either a maternal RSV vaccine or an infant RSV antibody such as nirsevimab. Talk to your pediatrician before winter travel.

Can a premature baby fly?

Not without medical clearance. Cabin air has less oxygen, and a premature baby's lungs may still be maturing, which raises the risk of low oxygen in flight. The CDC notes babies with heart or lung conditions can be at risk for hypoxia, so check with your baby's clinician before any flight.

How do I protect my newborn's ears on a flight?

Have your baby suck during takeoff and the initial descent by nursing or offering a bottle or pacifier, which opens the eustachian tubes and equalizes pressure. Mayo Clinic suggests timing a feed so your baby is hungry during these windows. Start on descent early, since it can begin before landing.

Family

When Can a Newborn Fly or Travel?

Most airlines allow a newborn to fly somewhere between 2 and 14 days old, often with a doctor's note under about 7 days, but the AAP suggests waiting until your baby is 2 to 3 months old when you can. A few extra weeks lets the immune system strengthen and avoids peak germ exposure in crowded airports. For a healthy, full-term baby with no rush, later is easier and safer.

6 min read Family Updated June 2026

What the airlines require

Airlines set their own minimum age, and it is usually only a few days. American Airlines allows infants from 2 days old, and requires a medical release form completed by a doctor for a baby under 7 days. Delta and United allow infants from 7 days. Southwest requires a baby to be at least 14 days old, or younger with a physician's written release.

These are minimums, not recommendations. They mean a newborn is legally allowed on the plane, not that the trip is wise that early. Always check your specific airline's current policy when you book, since the rules and any required doctor's note can change.

US airline newborn minimums

Confirm current policy with your airline before booking; doctor-note rules vary.
Airline	Minimum age	Doctor note
American	2 days	Required if under 7 days (medical release form)
Delta	7 days	Approval letter required if under 7 days
United	7 days	Newborns under 7 days not permitted
Southwest	14 days	Physician's release required if under 14 days

What pediatricians actually advise

The AAP suggests waiting until your baby is about 2 to 3 months old before flying when you can, and notes it is generally safe once a newborn is at least 7 days old. The reasoning is exposure: air travel and crowded airports raise a newborn's chance of catching something, so the AAP advises delaying travel for a few weeks whenever possible to protect against colds, flu, and other illnesses.

There is also a developmental reason to wait. A baby's main round of vaccines starts at 2 months, including the first doses of DTaP, Hib, polio, pneumococcal, and rotavirus. Traveling after that first set has begun means your baby has started building protection rather than facing crowds with none.

Travel readiness by age

General guidance for a healthy, full-term baby; ask your pediatrician about your child.
Age	Readiness	Notes
Under 7 days	Avoid unless necessary	Most airlines need a doctor's note or bar it
7 days to 6 weeks	Only if needed	Immune system still developing; limit crowds
2-3 months	AAP's suggested earliest comfortable window	First vaccines have started
3-6 months	Generally manageable	More predictable feeds and sleep; still mind RSV season
6+ months	Easier in most ways	Sturdier immune system; ear tricks still help

Germs and RSV season

Newborns are most vulnerable to respiratory viruses, and RSV is the big one. RSV season runs roughly October through March across most of the US, which is exactly when crowded terminals and cabins are riskiest for a young baby. If you can shift a trip out of those months for a newborn, do.

There is now strong protection available. The CDC recommends every baby be protected from severe RSV either by a maternal RSV vaccine during pregnancy or by an RSV antibody such as nirsevimab given to the baby. The infant antibody is recommended for all babies younger than 8 months whose mothers did not get the vaccine, given shortly before RSV season or within a week of birth if born during the season. Ask your pediatrician about this before traveling in winter.

Ear pressure and the actual flight

Newborns feel cabin pressure changes in their ears just like adults but cannot equalize on their own. To help, offer the breast, a bottle, or a pacifier during takeoff and the initial descent, since sucking and swallowing open the eustachian tubes. Mayo Clinic suggests timing a feed so your baby is hungry during these windows.

Cabin air also holds less oxygen than ground level, which matters for some babies. Children with chronic heart or lung problems, and babies born prematurely whose lungs are still maturing, can be at risk of low oxygen in flight and should be cleared by a clinician before traveling. For a healthy, full-term baby, normal cabin pressure is not a concern.

Wait, and talk to your pediatrician first, if

Your baby was born prematurely or has a heart, lung, or breathing condition; get medical clearance before any flight.
Your baby is under 7 days old; most airlines restrict this and the immune system is at its most vulnerable.
It is RSV season and your baby has not been protected by the maternal vaccine or an infant RSV antibody.
Your baby has a fever, a cold, congestion, or an ear infection right before the trip.
Your baby is feeding poorly, unusually sleepy, or has fewer wet diapers than normal.

Reflects AAP HealthyChildren, CDC RSV and immunization guidance, CDC Yellow Book, and major US airline policies, 2024-2026.

Sources & further reading

ParentFlow: one free app, newborn to age six

ParentFlow is a free baby tracker that logs feeds, sleep, diapers, pumping and growth in one tap, with your daily summary, trends, and reminders based on your own logs. Free for everyday tracking on iPhone, Android, and the web.

App Store Google Play Open Web App

This article reflects current AAP, CDC, FDA, and other public-health guidance and is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. ParentFlow is a wellness companion — not a substitute for your pediatrician. For any medical concern, contact your healthcare provider.