United car seat and stroller policy
Your guide to United Airlines rules for strollers, car seats, and family seating. Learn about checking gear, baggage for lap infants, and sitting with kids under 12.
United allows you to check standard strollers, folding wagons, and car seats for free at the gate, which simplifies getting through the airport. Some collapsible strollers may even be stored in the cabin. The airline also has a policy to help families with children under 12 sit together.
| Topic | What United says |
|---|---|
| Stroller | Standard strollers and folding wagons can be used up to the gate and then checked for free. Collapsible strollers are permitted to be stored in the cabin.Source |
| Checking a car seat | Car seats can be brought to the gate and checked for free.Source |
| Car seat on board | Booster seats and harnesses that secure an infant to your chest, like a papoose, are not allowed for use on board the aircraft.Source |
| Infant baggage | You can check bags for a lap infant without a purchased ticket on international flights, or for an infant with a purchased seat on any flight. You cannot check bags for a lap infant on a domestic flight.Source |
| Family seating | For families with children under 12, the first adult on the reservation can sit next to up to two children for free, provided seats are open.Source |
Strollers and car seats
You can use your standard stroller, folding wagon, or car seat all the way to the gate, where United will check it for free. If you have a collapsible stroller, it may be permitted for in-cabin storage. This can be very convenient, but it’s a good idea to confirm the specific requirements with the airline.
Note that United does not allow the use of booster seats or chest harnesses, such as a papoose, on board the aircraft. The page we checked did not specify rules for using other types of car seats in a purchased seat.
“Standard strollers, folding wagons and car seats can be used to get to your gate and then checked for free. … Collapsible strollers can be stored in-cabin.”
Official wording, united.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“Standard strollers, folding wagons and car seats can be used to get to your gate and then checked for free.”
Official wording, united.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“Booster seats and harnesses that hold an infant to your chest, such as a papoose, cannot be used onboard your flight.”
Official wording, united.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Baby baggage
United’s checked bag policy for infants depends on your destination and ticket type. If you are traveling on a domestic flight with an infant on your lap, you cannot check a bag in the infant’s name. However, a checked bag is allowed for a lap infant on international flights.
For any flight, domestic or international, an infant flying in their own purchased seat is permitted to have a checked bag. Be sure to factor this into your packing plans.
“If you’re traveling internationally with a lap infant (no purchased ticket), or on an international or domestic flight with an infant who has a seat (purchased ticket) you can check bags in their name. … If you’re traveling domestically with a lap infant, you cannot check bags in their name.”
Official wording, united.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Sitting together
To help families travel together, United has a policy for children under 12. The first adult listed on the reservation can sit next to up to two children in their group for free, provided seats are open. This is helpful for avoiding seat selection fees to keep your family together.
This seating arrangement is subject to seat availability. When booking, it is a good practice to check your seat map and confirm your family’s assignments with the airline.
“If you’re traveling with children under 12, they won’t have to sit by themselves. The first adult listed on the reservation can sit next to up to two children in their party for free, if the seats are open.”
Official wording, united.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Related pages
More on United:
- United infant and child policy: lap infants, strollers and kids flying alone
- United unaccompanied minor policy: ages, fee and rules
Same topic, other airlines: