Which airline is best for flying with kids?

Southwest Airlines is best for families overall due to family boarding (between A and B groups), no change fees, competitive UM pricing, and flexible cancellation. Delta is the best legacy carrier with free family seat selection, kids' snack packs, and strong reliability.

Do airlines charge to seat families together?

No. Under the DOT family seating policy, all major US airlines must seat children 13 and under adjacent to an accompanying adult at no additional charge. This applies to all fare classes including basic economy. Airlines must make reasonable efforts during booking and check-in.

How much does unaccompanied minor service cost?

UM fees typically range from around $50 to $150+ each way per child depending on the carrier. Not all airlines offer UM service. Most airlines require UM service for children around ages 5–14 flying alone and offer it optionally for older teens. Confirm current fees directly with your airline.

Can a 5 year old fly alone?

Yes, on most US airlines with unaccompanied minor service. Most major carriers accept UMs starting around age 5, though not all airlines offer UM service. Children under 5 generally cannot fly without an accompanying passenger. Confirm UM availability and minimum age with your specific airline.

Do car seats fly free?

Yes. All US airlines allow you to gate-check car seats and strollers for free — they don't count toward your checked bag allowance. You can also bring an FAA-approved car seat onboard if you purchased a seat for your child (recommended by the FAA for safety).

Which airline has the best in-flight entertainment for kids?

JetBlue has seatback entertainment on every seat (free, no app download required) — ideal for kids. Delta offers seatback screens on most aircraft with a kids' content section. United has seatback screens on newer planes. Southwest has no seatback screens (streaming only via app).

Best Airlines for Families with Kids (2026 Guide)

Which US airline is best for family travel? Comparison of family seating policies, unaccompanied minor fees, baggage costs, and kid-friendly amenities.

Last updated: July 2026

Quick Answer

Southwest Airlines is the best US airline for families — offering family boarding, no change fees, and competitive unaccompanied minor pricing.
Delta is the best legacy carrier for families with DOT-compliant family seating, free seat selection for families, and complimentary kids' snacks.
All major US carriers now comply with the DOT family seating policy requiring children 13 and under to sit next to an accompanying adult at no extra charge.
Not all airlines offer unaccompanied minor service — confirm UM availability directly with your carrier before booking.

DOT Family Seating Policy: What Airlines Must Do

The U.S. Department of Transportation's family seating dashboard tracks airline compliance with the policy that children aged 13 and under must be seated adjacent to an accompanying adult at no additional cost. As of 2026, all major US carriers have committed to this policy. Key provisions:

Source: U.S. DOT Family Seating Dashboard (transportation.gov/airconsumer/airline-family-seating-dashboard). All 10 major US carriers listed as compliant.

Airlines must seat children 13 and under next to at least one accompanying adult
No extra charge for adjacent seating — airlines cannot require families to pay for seat selection to sit together
Applies to all fare classes including basic economy
Airlines must make reasonable efforts during booking and check-in to assign adjacent seats

Unaccompanied Minor (UM) Fees Comparison

Unaccompanied minor service allows children to fly alone with airline supervision. Fees, age requirements, and restrictions vary significantly between carriers.

Source: Individual airline websites and Upgraded Points unaccompanied minor policies guide (2026). Fees are per child per direction unless noted. Some airlines offer sibling discounts.

Family-Friendly Features by Airline

Beyond seating and UM policies, several features make a significant difference for family travel:

Family Baggage Costs: The Hidden Expense

For a family of four checking bags on a round trip, baggage fees can add $360–$720 to the total cost. Here's how to minimize this:

Pro Tips for Flying with Kids

Planning a family trip? Camli's travel specialists can find the best fares on family-friendly airlines and ensure your seats are together — before you book. Search flights on Camli or call our team for personalized family travel recommendations.

Related Airline Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Which airline is best for flying with kids?: Southwest Airlines is best for families overall due to family boarding (between A and B groups), no change fees, competitive UM pricing, and flexible cancellation. Delta is the best legacy carrier with free family seat selection, kids' snack packs, and strong reliability.
Do airlines charge to seat families together?: No. Under the DOT family seating policy, all major US airlines must seat children 13 and under adjacent to an accompanying adult at no additional charge. This applies to all fare classes including basic economy. Airlines must make reasonable efforts during booking and check-in.
How much does unaccompanied minor service cost?: UM fees typically range from around $50 to $150+ each way per child depending on the carrier. Not all airlines offer UM service. Most airlines require UM service for children around ages 5–14 flying alone and offer it optionally for older teens. Confirm current fees directly with your airline.
Can a 5 year old fly alone?: Yes, on most US airlines with unaccompanied minor service. Most major carriers accept UMs starting around age 5, though not all airlines offer UM service. Children under 5 generally cannot fly without an accompanying passenger. Confirm UM availability and minimum age with your specific airline.
Do car seats fly free?: Yes. All US airlines allow you to gate-check car seats and strollers for free — they don't count toward your checked bag allowance. You can also bring an FAA-approved car seat onboard if you purchased a seat for your child (recommended by the FAA for safety).
Which airline has the best in-flight entertainment for kids?: JetBlue has seatback entertainment on every seat (free, no app download required) — ideal for kids. Delta offers seatback screens on most aircraft with a kids' content section. United has seatback screens on newer planes. Southwest has no seatback screens (streaming only via app).