Japan Airlines infant and child policy: lap infants, strollers and kids flying alone
Guide to Japan Airlines infant and child policies. Find rules for lap infant fares, newborns over 8 days old, baggage for strollers, and kids flying alone.
Japan Airlines offers a clear infant fare for international travel, charging 10% of the adult fare for a baby on your lap. The airline’s rules also specify that newborns must be at least 8 days old to fly. For flights within Japan, one adult can travel with two children between 8 days and 2 years old, though only one can be a lap infant without a ticket.
| Topic | What Japan Airlines says |
|---|---|
| Who counts as a lap infant | An infant is defined as a child under the age of 2 on the departure date of an international flight. This rule applies to JAL operated flights.Source |
| Lap infant, international flights | For international flights, an infant not occupying a seat is charged 10% of the adult fare, which is the Infant Fare.Source |
| Lap infant limits | On flights within Japan: one adult is permitted to accompany up to two children between 8 days and 2 years old, but only one of them can travel on the adult's lap without a ticket.Source |
| Turning 2 during the trip | If a child will turn two years old during the trip, reservations must be made by contacting the JAL contact center, especially if the itinerary includes flights on other airlines.Source |
| Youngest age to fly | Newborns aged 7 days or less are not permitted to fly. An infant must be at least 8 days old to travel.Source |
| Stroller | On flights within Japan: you can check your personal baby stroller for free. If the stroller, when folded, meets the carry-on baggage size allowance, you may bring it into the cabin.Source |
| Checking a car seat | On flights within Japan: if you are not bringing a child seat onboard the aircraft, you can check it as baggage free of charge, and no reservation is needed.Source |
| Youngest age to fly alone | Children under the age of 5 are not permitted to travel unaccompanied.Source |
Lap infants and infant fares
On Japan Airlines international flights, a child under the age of 2 is considered an infant and can travel on an adult’s lap. The cost for this is 10% of the adult fare, which the airline calls an Infant Fare. On flights within Japan, one adult can travel with up to two children between 8 days and 2 years old, but only one of them can be a lap infant without a ticket. If your child will turn two during your trip, you must contact the JAL contact center to make the reservation.
“Infant: Under the age of 2 on the day of departure of the international flight.
* The provisions above are only applied to JAL operated flights.”Official wording, jal.co.jp, checked Oct 21, 2026
“If not using a seat 10% of the Adult Fare (Infant Fare)”
Official wording, jal.co.jp, checked Oct 21, 2026
“One adult may accompany up to two children between 8 days and 2 years old, of whom only 1 may travel without ticket purchase (in the adult's lap).”
Official wording, jal.co.jp, checked Oct 21, 2026
“For reservations for children who will turn two years old during the trip, including itineraries with flights operated by other airlines, please contact JAL contact center.”
Official wording, faq-jp.jal.co.jp, checked Oct 21, 2026
Newborns and proof of age
Japan Airlines has a specific rule for the youngest travelers. Newborns who are 7 days old or less are not permitted to fly on the airline. To be eligible for travel, an infant must be at least 8 days old. The information we reviewed did not specify what kind of age verification may be required, so it is a good practice to carry a copy of your child’s birth certificate or other official identification when you travel.
“Newborns age 7 days or less may not fly. Infants must be 8 days or older to fly.”
Official wording, jal.co.jp, checked Oct 21, 2026
Strollers and car seats
For travel on flights within Japan, you can check your personal baby stroller free of charge. If your folded stroller meets the airline’s carry-on size requirements, you may bring it into the cabin. You can also check a child seat as baggage for free if you are not bringing it onboard. The airline page we checked did not specify the policy for international flights, so be sure to confirm the rules for your specific itinerary.
“You may check in your own baby stroller free of charge. If your stroller fits within the carry-on baggage allowance when folded, you may bring it on board in its folded state.”
Official wording, jal.co.jp, checked Oct 21, 2026
“No reservation is required if you wish to check a child seat as baggage instead of bringing it aboard. We will gladly check it free of charge.”
Official wording, jal.co.jp, checked Oct 21, 2026
Kids flying alone
Children under the age of 5 are not permitted to travel alone on Japan Airlines. For older children, the airline offers a program called Family Service. This service is available for unaccompanied children aged 12 to 15 who are traveling on an eligible fare. The purpose of the travel must be to visit family living outside Japan or to return from such a visit. For other situations or different ages, you should confirm the rules with the airline.
“Children age less than 5 may not travel unaccompanied.”
Official wording, jal.co.jp, checked Oct 21, 2026
“JAL provides a Family Service for unaccompanied children age 12 to 15 who travel on eligible fare when visiting family living outside Japan or returning from such a visit.”
Official wording, jal.co.jp, checked Oct 21, 2026
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