EL AL infant and child policy: lap infants, car seats and kids flying alone
A guide to EL AL's infant and child policies. Covers rules for lap infants, baggage allowance, car seat use, newborns, and kids flying alone.
EL AL allows a checked bag for a lap infant on most tickets, which is a helpful policy. The airline also has a specific weight range of 10-20 kg for children using an approved car seat on board. These rules can be different from other carriers, so it is a good idea to review the details for your family.
| Topic | What EL AL says |
|---|---|
| Who counts as a lap infant | A baby is defined as a child who is not yet two years old. Infants up to 24 months must be accompanied by an escort.Source |
| Baby in its own seat | If you are flying with two babies under 24 months old, you can buy a child ticket for one of them to sit in a regulation child safety seat, while the other sits on a parent's lap.Source |
| Lap infant limits | Children younger than 5 years old must be accompanied on the flight by a parent or another adult who is at least 16 years old.Source |
| Youngest age to fly | Babies who are seven days old or younger need special advance approval from an EL AL doctor to be able to fly.Source |
| Checking a car seat | Passengers are allowed to bring one infant car seat, infant carrier seat, or a fully collapsible stroller to the gate to be checked.Source |
| Car seat on board | Approved child safety seats and restraint systems (CRS) are those with a label stating "This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft," or "Approved for aircraft use only." They are for toddlers weighing 10-20 kg.Source |
| Infant baggage | A passenger with a lap infant is entitled to check one bag for the infant at no extra cost, except with LITE tickets. The infant is not entitled to a carry-on bag.Source |
| Youngest age to fly alone | Children under the age of 5 are not permitted to travel alone and must be accompanied by a parent or an adult aged 16 or older.Source |
| Service required for | Children between the ages of 5 and 15 (under 15) can fly without an adult companion, but the Child Care service must be purchased for them.Source |
| Service optional for | The Child Care service can also be purchased for children aged 15 to under 18, but it is not required for them to fly alone.Source |
| Flights allowed | The Child Care service for unaccompanied minors is only available on bookings that contain nonstop EL AL flights and cannot be purchased for itineraries with connecting flights.Source |
Lap infants and infant fares
On EL AL, a child who is not yet two years old (24 months) can travel as a lap infant. Any child younger than 5 must be accompanied by a parent or another adult who is at least 16 years old. If you are flying with two babies under 24 months old, you can buy a child ticket for one of them to sit in a regulation child safety seat, while the other sits on a parent’s lap.
“A baby is classified as someone who is not yet two years of age. […] Babies up to the age of two (24 months) must travel with an escort.”
Official wording, elal.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“Flying with two babies (under the age of 24 months)? You may purchase a single seat (child ticket) and bring a regulation child safety seat. One of the babies can sit in the safety seat while the other one can sit on the parent’s lap.”
Official wording, elal.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“Children under the age of 5 must be accompanied by a parent or other adult (aged 16 or older) on the flight.”
Official wording, elal.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Newborns and proof of age
EL AL has a specific rule for very young babies. If your baby is seven days old or younger, you must get special advance approval from an EL AL doctor for the baby to be able to fly. Be sure to contact the airline well ahead of your travel date to understand the process for getting this medical approval, as the procedure is not detailed on the page we checked.
“Babies aged seven days or less require special advance approval by an EL AL doctor in order to fly.”
Official wording, elal.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Strollers and car seats
You are allowed to bring one infant car seat, infant carrier seat, or a fully collapsible stroller to the aircraft entrance to be checked. To use a car seat on board, you must have purchased a seat for your child. The car seat must have a label stating “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft,” or “Approved for aircraft use only,” and be intended for a toddler weighing 10-20 kg.
“You are entitled to take one of the items with you – a fully collapsible stroller, infant carrier seat, or infant car seat to the entrance of the aircraft.”
Official wording, elal.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“Regulation child safety seats and regulation child restraint systems (CRS) that are permitted for flight are those bearing the label "This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft," or "Approved for aircraft use only" and are intended for use for a toddler weighing 10-20 kg.”
Official wording, elal.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Baby baggage
A passenger with a lap infant is entitled to check one bag for the infant at no extra cost, except with LITE tickets. This baggage allowance does not apply to LITE tickets, so it is important to check your fare type. The lap infant is not entitled to a carry-on bag. The page we checked does not state the weight or size limits for this checked bag, so we suggest you confirm with the airline.
“A passenger traveling with an infant for whom a seat was not purchased is entitled to check one piece of baggage in the aircraft hold at no additional cost for the infant. However, the infant is not entitled to a carry-on bag. This baggage allowance applies to all ticket types except LITE tickets.”
Official wording, elal.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Kids flying alone
Children under 5 cannot fly alone. The Child Care service for unaccompanied minors is required for children from age 5 to under 15. The service is optional for those aged 15 to under 18. This service is only available on nonstop EL AL flights. Before you go to the airport, you must fill out the Child Care Form and bring four printed copies with you.
Full details, with the airline’s own wording: EL AL unaccompanied minor policy: ages, fee and rules.
“Children under the age of 5 must be accompanied by a parent or other adult (aged 16 or older) on the flight.”
Official wording, elal.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Related pages
More on EL AL:
Same topic, other airlines: