Flying LATAM Airlines with Kids: Bassinets, Boarding & Unaccompanied Minors
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, bassinets require phone reservation at least 3 hours pre-flight — the strictest deadline among major carriers. Widebody international only; A320/A321 domestic flights carry none.
- Verified against 5 official sources
- Cites FAA & airline policy pages, not blogs
- Published by Velivolo, family travel platform
- Reviewed quarterly for policy changes
Atomic 1-line answers — copy any one for a featured snippet.
- 1Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, lap infants aged 7 days to 24 months are charged 10% of the adult fare plus taxes on both domestic intra-LATAM and international routes.
- 2Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, bassinets must be reserved by phone at least 3 hours before departure — the industry-strictest pre-flight reservation deadline among the 28 carriers surveyed.
- 3Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, bassinets are available only on widebody international aircraft (767-300ER, 777-300ER, 787, A350); A320/A321 narrow-body flights carry no bassinets.
- 4Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, families with children under 5 board after passengers needing special assistance and before Black Signature elite frequent-flyers.
- 5Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, unaccompanied minor service costs USD 50 each way on domestic intra-LATAM routes — the lowest fee in the Latin American carrier cluster — and USD 100 on international routes.
- 6LATAM Airlines left the oneworld alliance on 1 May 2020 as part of its Chapter 11 restructuring; Delta Air Lines holds a 20% strategic equity stake as of 2026.
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, the carrier's most parent-actionable differentiator is its bassinet reservation deadline — phone-only, at least 3 hours before departure — the industry's strictest cutoff, applying to widebody international flights only. The trade-off: A320/A321 intra-LATAM narrow-body routes carry no bassinets at all, and lap infants are charged 10% of the adult fare on every route. On the plus side, families with children under 5 board before Black Signature elite, and the USD 50 domestic unaccompanied-minor fee is the cluster's lowest.
How family-friendly is LATAM Airlines?
We score every airline on six factors that matter to parents — from lap-infant cost to gate-checking gear. Here's how LATAM performs.
Weighted across 6 family-travel factors. Updated May 4, 2026.
Score is consistent across all Velivolo airline guides — directly comparable.
Tap any category to see why it earned this score.
Does LATAM charge for lap infants?
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, infants aged 7 days to 24 months may travel as lap infants on a parent's ticket, subject to a fare of 10% of the adult base fare plus applicable taxes on both domestic intra-LATAM and international routes. A separate seat is not included.
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, the 10% lap-infant fare applies to the base adult fare; government-mandated taxes and airport fees are added on top, which can be substantial on long-haul South American routes. Unlike US domestic carriers where lap infants often travel for nothing, LATAM families should budget the 10% charge into their total trip cost for every route, domestic or international. Always request an itemised booking summary to verify the actual infant fare before confirming purchase.
Purchasing a dedicated seat becomes worthwhile on flights longer than four hours or when bringing an FAA/R44/R129/ANAC-certified child restraint seat for in-cabin use. Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, children in their own seat receive the full adult baggage allowance for their fare class, which can offset seat cost on longer itineraries with checked luggage. Families flying solo with multiple children under 2 must purchase at least one additional seat regardless.
- One lap infant per fare-paying adult — additional infants require a paid seat
- Lap infants receive no carry-on or personal item allowance beyond one diaper bag
- If the infant turns 24 months during a round-trip, the return leg requires a full purchased seat
- Lap infants may not be seated in exit rows or emergency-exit adjacent bulkhead positions
- Codeshare or partner-operated flight segments may have different rules — verify each segment
Source: LATAM Airlines official policy
How to add an infant to your LATAM booking
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, adding a lap infant online is supported for straightforward itineraries on LATAM-operated metal; however, codeshare segments or complex multi-carrier bookings typically require a phone call to complete the infant addition.
- 1
Book your adult ticket on latamairlines.com — confirm the itinerary is LATAM-operated on every segment.
- 2
During booking or in Manage My Booking, select 'Add infant (lap)' and enter the infant's full legal name and date of birth.
- 3
For codeshare or partner-operated segments, request lap-infant addition through LATAM's customer-service channels after completing the adult booking.
- 4
Provide the infant's date of birth and supporting document type (birth certificate for domestic; passport for international).
- 5
Receive an updated booking confirmation listing the infant fare (10% + taxes) separately on your itinerary.
- Infant's full legal name (must match travel document exactly)
- Infant's date of birth
- Birth certificate number (South American domestic routes)
- Passport number (international routes)
- Adult booking confirmation code
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, infants must be at least 7 days old to travel. Lap-infant additions should be made well before departure, as last-minute additions may not be processable within a few hours of the flight. If the itinerary includes a codeshare segment, plan to call rather than rely solely on the online flow to avoid errors in the infant record. Always verify the completed booking shows the infant's name before departing.
Already booked? See Lap Infant Policy for cost details, or Stroller & Car Seat to plan your gate-check.
Source: LATAM Airlines official policy
Does LATAM have family boarding?
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, passengers travelling with children under 5 years of age are invited to board after passengers requiring special assistance and before Black Signature (top-tier) elite frequent-flyer members — one of the most generous pre-board sequences in the Latin American cluster.
Family Boarding
- Available
- Yes
- Boarding zone
- After special-assistance passengers, before Black Signature elite
- Age eligibility
- Children under 5 years of age
- Travel with at least one child under 5 years of age
- No additional fee — included with any fare class
- Standard travel documents required for the child
Seating Together
Seat adjacency is not guaranteed on basic economy fares without paid seat selection.
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, seat selection on basic and light fares is not included, meaning the system may assign seats that separate family members unless seats are pre-purchased. Families are encouraged to select seats at the time of booking or manage seating in advance through My Booking. On flexible and premium fares, complimentary seat selection is typically available. Gate agents may assist with reseating at the airport if space permits, but this is not guaranteed and depends on flight load. Early check-in online is recommended to increase adjacency chances.
Source: LATAM Airlines official policy
LATAM stroller & car seat policy
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, strollers and car seats are accepted free of charge and may be gate-checked at major hub airports including Santiago, São Paulo, Lima, and Bogotá; secondary stations may return items at the baggage carousel rather than the jet bridge.
| Item | Fee | Where to Check | Size Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
Standard Stroller Gate (major hubs) or counter · No published size restriction for gate check Gate return available at GRU, SCL, LIM, BOG; carousel return possible at smaller secondary stations. | Free | Gate (major hubs) or counter | No published size restriction for gate check |
Car Seat Gate or counter · FAA/R44/R129/ANAC label required for in-cabin use on a purchased seat One car seat per ticketed child accepted free; must carry appropriate certification label for in-cabin use. | Free | Gate or counter | FAA/R44/R129/ANAC label required for in-cabin use on a purchased seat |
Booster Seat Gate or counter · Treated as child safety device Standard backless or high-back boosters without a harness are not FAA-approved for in-flight use; accepted in cargo free. | Free | Gate or counter | Treated as child safety device |
Pack-n-Play / Travel Crib Counter only · Standard checked-baggage dimensions and weight limits apply per fare class Not included in the free child-equipment allowance; subject to standard checked-bag fees or included in fare-class allowance. | Counts as checked baggage | Counter only | Standard checked-baggage dimensions and weight limits apply per fare class |
Tag your stroller and car seat at the ticket counter on arrival — counter staff can apply gate-check tags faster than the boarding gate during busy periods.
Use the stroller through the terminal and through security — TSA and local security allow children to ride through standard lanes.
Proceed to the boarding gate; at the jet bridge entrance, present the tagged items to the gate agent for loading into the hold.
Collect stroller and car seat at the jet bridge upon arrival at major hub airports, or proceed to baggage claim at secondary stations where jet-bridge return is not available.
Inspect items for damage before leaving the baggage area; report any damage to the LATAM Airlines baggage desk before exiting the airport.
Diaper Bag
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, one diaper bag per infant is treated as an exempt item and does not count toward the carry-on or personal item allowance. The bag should contain reasonable quantities of diapers, wipes, formula, baby food, and a change of clothing. Formula and liquid baby food are permitted through airport security screening in quantities exceeding the standard 100 ml liquid limit when travelling with an infant.
Source: LATAM Airlines official policy
Baggage allowance for kids on LATAM
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, ticketed children receive the same baggage allowance as an adult in the same fare class; lap infants on international routes are entitled to 1 free checked bag up to 10 kg in addition to the accompanying adult's allowance.
| Age Group | Carry-On | Personal Item | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
Lap Infant (Under 24 months) No additional carry-on or personal item beyond the diaper bag; international 10 kg checked-bag entitlement is a meaningful family benefit. | 1 diaper bag (exempt, does not count as carry-on) | Diaper bag treated as personal item at no charge | 1 free checked bag up to 10 kg on international routes; domestic governed by adult fare class |
Infant with Purchased Seat (Under 24 months) Purchasing a seat unlocks the full adult allowance for the infant; useful when bringing a car seat and extra gear. | Same carry-on allowance as adult in the same fare class | 1 personal item + diaper bag (diaper bag remains exempt) | Same checked-baggage allowance as adult in the same fare class |
Child 2+ (Purchased Seat) No child-specific discount on baggage fees; allowance mirrors the fare class purchased for the child's ticket. | Same carry-on allowance as adult in the same fare class | 1 personal item per fare class rules | Same checked-baggage allowance as adult in the same fare class |
Source: LATAM Airlines official policy
Does LATAM have bassinets and onboard amenities for babies?
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, bassinets are available on widebody international aircraft (767-300ER, 777-300ER, 787 Dreamliner, A350) and must be reserved by calling LATAM Airlines at least 3 hours before the flight's departure — the industry-strictest pre-flight reservation deadline. A320/A321 narrow-body aircraft do not carry bassinets.
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, bassinets must be reserved exclusively by phone — online self-service is not available. Contact LATAM Airlines customer service no later than 3 hours before scheduled departure. Availability is limited: the 767-300ER carries 1 bassinet position, the 777-300ER and 787 Dreamliner each carry 2, and the A350 offers multiple positions. Early reservation is strongly recommended as positions fill quickly on popular routes.
In-flight amenities for kids
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, jar baby meals are available on long-haul wide-body flights upon prior request through the airline's special meal ordering process. Requests should be placed well before departure — ideally at the time of booking or no later than 24 hours before departure. The meal is appropriate for infants beginning solid foods. Breastfeeding is supported throughout the cabin.
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, a children's special meal (SPML) can be requested for children travelling on long-haul international routes. This typically includes age-appropriate portions and simpler flavour profiles. The SPML should be requested at booking or in Manage My Booking no later than 24 hours before departure. Availability may vary by route and aircraft type.
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, the in-flight entertainment system on wide-body international aircraft includes a dedicated children's channel with age-appropriate movies and programming. Seat-back screens are standard on 777, 787, and A350 aircraft. Narrowbody A320/A321 aircraft operating domestic intra-LATAM routes may offer streaming via the LATAM Play app on personal devices, though the children's content library may be more limited on those services.
Wide-body international aircraft operated by LATAM Airlines include lavatories with fold-down changing tables. Narrow-body A320/A321 aircraft typically also have at least one lavatory with a changing surface. Pack a compact changing pad, disposable bags, extra diapers and wipes — no diaper stock is carried on board.
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, breast milk and infant formula are exempt from the standard 100 ml liquid limit and may be carried in reasonable quantities in hand luggage. Ice packs and cooling accessories for breast milk are also permitted. At security checkpoints, declare these items separately for screening. Formula powder and ready-to-feed cartons are both accepted.
Source: LATAM Airlines official policy
Do kids fly free or get a discount on LATAM?
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, a child fare discount of approximately 10–25% off the adult base fare is available for children on eligible routes; the exact discount varies by route, fare class, and market.
- Age range
- 2–11 years
- Discount
- Approximately 10–25% off adult base fare (route and fare-class dependent)
- Discount percentage varies by route and fare class — not a flat rate
- Basic and promotional economy fares may not carry a child discount
- International routes may carry higher discount percentages than domestic intra-LATAM
- Child discount is on base fare only; taxes and fees are charged at the same rate as adults
- Verify the child fare at time of booking — the system applies it automatically for ages 2–11
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, children aged 2 to 11 years travelling on a purchased seat may qualify for a reduced child fare on eligible routes. The discount, estimated at 10–25% off the adult base fare, is comparable to Aeromexico's published child discount and is among the better offerings in the Latin American carrier cluster. The discount is applied automatically at booking when the correct date of birth is entered. Taxes, government fees, and airport charges apply at the full adult rate regardless of age. Always review the fare breakdown before confirming to understand the net cost, and verify directly at latamairlines.com before booking as promotional or sale fares may supersede the child-discount structure.
Source: LATAM Airlines official policy
LATAM unaccompanied minor policy
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, unaccompanied minor (UM) service is mandatory for children aged 5–11 travelling without an adult, and optional for ages 12–17. The domestic intra-LATAM fee is USD 50 each way — the lowest in the Latin American cluster — and USD 100 each way for international routes. Connections within LATAM-operated metal are permitted, a unique flexibility for the region.
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, children under 5 years of age are not permitted to travel as unaccompanied minors under any circumstances and must be accompanied by a fare-paying adult at all times.
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, UM service is mandatory for all children aged 5 to 11 travelling without an accompanying adult. The fee is USD 50 each way for domestic intra-LATAM flights and USD 100 each way for international routes. Booking is phone-only.
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, children aged 12 to 17 may travel independently without UM service, but parents may optionally enrol them in the UM programme for an additional fee. Check with LATAM Airlines for current optional-UM pricing for this age group.
- Booking is phone-only — online booking is not supported for UM service
- Interline connections (travel on another carrier's flights) are not permitted for UM passengers
- Connections within LATAM-operated metal (LATAM-ticketed and LATAM-operated flights only) are allowed — a unique regional flexibility
- Children under 5 may not travel as unaccompanied minors under any circumstances
- Red-eye or overnight flights may have additional restrictions — verify per route at time of booking
- 1
Contact LATAM Airlines reservations by phone — UM service cannot be booked online.
- 2
Provide the child's full legal name, date of birth, and flight details for each segment.
- 3
Submit full details of both the drop-off adult and the authorised pick-up adult at the destination, including government-issued ID information.
- 4
Arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes before departure to complete UM paperwork and hand-off at the ticket counter.
- 5
The pick-up adult at the destination must present a valid matching government-issued ID before the child is released by LATAM Airlines staff.
Source: LATAM Airlines official policy
How LATAM Airlines compares with Latin American and global family standards
LATAM Airlines holds the largest fleet in Latin America — a 2026 projection of 410 aircraft — yet its family-travel score of 6.0 places it in the mid-range of the 28 carriers surveyed. Its most distinctive feature for parents is structural: the bassinet reservation deadline of at least 3 hours before departure by phone is the industry's strictest cutoff, making early planning non-negotiable on widebody international routes.
LATAM left the oneworld alliance on 1 May 2020 as part of its Chapter 11 restructuring. Delta Air Lines holds a 20% strategic equity stake as of 2026. Per Delta Air Lines' published policy, family pre-boarding covers children 2 and under — a narrower window than LATAM's under-5 before Black Signature elite, giving LATAM a boarding edge over its equity partner.
LATAM's bassinet 3-hour phone deadline is the industry-strictest — call days ahead, not hours.
Within Latin America, LATAM undercuts Avianca (USD 57) on domestic unaccompanied-minor fees at USD 50, and unlike Avianca, connections within LATAM-operated metal are permitted for UM passengers. Per Aeromexico's published policy, bassinets are available only on 787 Dreamliner aircraft — fewer aircraft types than LATAM's four widebody variants.
Against global benchmarks, LATAM's 10 kg bassinet cap is below the industry-highest 14 kg cap published by Singapore Airlines, and its phone-only reservation system contrasts sharply with Singapore Airlines and Emirates, which auto-allocate bassinet seats at the time of booking — the gold standard. Iberia, a long-running Spain–Latin America codeshare partner, applies an under-8-month age cap on bassinets — stricter on age but more generous on timing.
The verdict: LATAM is a capable regional carrier with genuine family benefits — pre-elite boarding, free stroller check, USD 50 domestic UM — but the 3-hour phone deadline and 10% lap-infant charge on every route require parents to plan carefully.
See the full breakdown in the airline comparison table below.
LATAM for families: pros & cons
What works and what doesn't when flying LATAM with kids.
Family Pros
- Families with children under 5 board before Black Signature elite — one of the most generous pre-board sequences in Latin America
- USD 50 domestic unaccompanied-minor fee is the cluster's lowest, undercutting Avianca and Aeromexico
- Strollers and car seats accepted free; gate return available at all major hubs (GRU, SCL, LIM, BOG)
- UM connections within LATAM-operated metal are allowed — uniquely flexible for multi-city LATAM itineraries
- Bassinets available on four wide-body international aircraft types with a structured (if strict) reservation process
- Lap infants on international routes receive 1 free checked bag up to 10 kg — uncommon generosity
Family Cons
- Lap infants are charged 10% of the adult fare on every route — no free-domestic option unlike US legacy peers
- Bassinet reservation must be made by phone at least 3 hours pre-flight — the industry's strictest deadline and no online self-serve option
- A320/A321 narrow-body intra-LATAM domestic flights carry no bassinets at all
- No alliance membership since May 2020 — frequent-flyer redemptions require working through LATAM's own programme or Delta partner benefits
- Secondary hub airports may return strollers at baggage carousel rather than jet bridge
Don't forget anything before your LATAM flight
An interactive checklist tailored to LATAM's family policies. Your progress saves to your browser automatically.
Your LATAM pre-flight checklist
11 tactical tasks from booking through boarding, anchored to LATAM Airlines' specific family policies and the 3-hour bassinet phone-reserve deadline.
Insider tips for flying LATAM with kids
Practical advice you won't find on the airline's own page.
Reserve bassinet days in advance
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, bassinets are phone-only and the minimum deadline is just 3 hours before departure — but with only 1–2 positions per aircraft on most wide-body types, they fill up fast on popular routes. Call days before your flight rather than hours. Confirm the specific aircraft type for your booking to verify a bassinet position exists.
Check your aircraft type before booking
Bassinet availability on LATAM Airlines depends entirely on aircraft type. Wide-body international routes (767-300ER, 777-300ER, 787, A350) carry bassinets; A320/A321 narrow-body flights do not. For intra-LATAM regional flights, bassinet service is not available regardless of distance — factor this into your decision on which flights to book.
Use major hubs for jet-bridge stroller return
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, gate-return of strollers is available at major hub airports including Santiago (SCL), São Paulo Guarulhos (GRU), Lima (LIM), and Bogotá (BOG). At secondary stations, strollers may be returned at the baggage carousel — which adds 10–20 minutes. Route your itinerary through major hubs when travelling with infant gear if jet-bridge return is a priority.
Book UM early — phone only
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, unaccompanied minor service cannot be booked online. Call as early as possible, especially during school holidays when UM slots fill quickly. Have the authorised pick-up adult's full name and ID details ready for the call. Remember that intra-LATAM connections on LATAM-operated metal are permitted — ask the agent to confirm each segment is LATAM-operated.
How LATAM Airlines compares to Latin American and partner carriers
Side-by-side family policies for LATAM Airlines and its key Latin American cluster rivals plus its 20% strategic-equity partner. Scores reflect overall family-friendliness on a 10-point scale.
| Airline | Lap Infant | Family Boarding | Stroller | Car Seat | Diaper Bag | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LATAM AirlinesThis guide | 10% + taxes (all routes) | Before Black Signature elite (under 5) | Free | Free | Free (exempt) | 6.0 |
| Avianca | 10% + taxes | Before Star elite (under 6) | Free | Free | Free (exempt) | 5.8 |
| Aeromexico | 10% + taxes | Before Premier elite (under 4) | Free | Free | Free (exempt) | 6.2 |
| Delta Air Lines | Free (domestic) / 10% (intl) | Before main cabin (under 2) | Free | Free | Free (exempt) | 6.1 |
LATAM family travel FAQ
Quick answers to the most-asked questions about flying LATAM with babies and kids.
Are infants charged a fare on LATAM Airlines?
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, lap infants aged 7 days to 24 months are charged 10% of the adult base fare plus applicable taxes and government fees on every route — both domestic intra-LATAM and international flights. There is no free-infant domestic option as exists at some US carriers. The 10% charge applies to the base fare only; taxes are calculated separately and can be substantial on long-haul South American routes. Parents should request an itemised fare breakdown at booking to understand the total cost. International lap infants are also entitled to 1 free checked bag up to 10 kg, which partially offsets the fare cost. Always verify the current infant fare directly at latamairlines.com before finalising your booking, as fees can change.
Does my infant need their own seat on LATAM Airlines?
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, infants aged 7 days to 24 months may travel as lap infants on a parent's ticket without a separate seat, subject to the 10% fare charge plus taxes. Purchasing a dedicated seat is optional but strongly recommended by safety authorities for infants who have outgrown the 10 kg bassinet weight limit or when bringing an FAA/R44/R129/ANAC-certified child restraint seat. If a seat is purchased, the infant receives the full adult baggage allowance for their fare class, which can make the investment worthwhile on longer trips. Only one lap infant is permitted per accompanying adult — additional infants must have a purchased seat. Verify the age and weight of your child carefully, as the 24-month limit applies to the date of travel, not the date of booking.
Can I reserve a LATAM Airlines bassinet?
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, bassinets are reservable by phone and must be booked at least 3 hours before the flight's scheduled departure — the strictest pre-flight reservation deadline among the 28 major carriers surveyed for this guide. Bassinets are available only on wide-body international aircraft: the 767-300ER carries 1 position, the 777-300ER and 787 Dreamliner each carry 2, and the A350 offers multiple positions. The bassinet weight limit is 10 kg and the length limit is 71 cm. A320/A321 narrow-body aircraft operating domestic and regional intra-LATAM routes do not carry bassinets under any circumstances. Because positions are limited, parents should call days before departure rather than relying on the 3-hour minimum. Online self-service reservation for bassinets is not currently available. Always confirm aircraft type before calling, and verify directly at latamairlines.com.
What is the child baggage allowance on LATAM Airlines?
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, children travelling on a purchased seat receive the same checked and carry-on baggage allowance as an adult in the same fare class — no separate reduced allowance applies. Lap infants on international routes receive 1 free checked bag up to 10 kg in addition to the accompanying adult's allowance, which is a meaningful inclusion compared to carriers that provide no separate infant baggage entitlement. On domestic intra-LATAM routes, the lap-infant baggage entitlement follows the accompanying adult's fare class. One diaper bag per infant is treated as an exempt item and does not count toward any carry-on limit. Standard excess-baggage fees apply to items beyond the fare-class allowance for all passengers. Confirm your specific fare-class allowance at the time of booking for the most accurate information.
What are LATAM Airlines' unaccompanied minor rules?
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, unaccompanied minor (UM) service is mandatory for children aged 5 to 11 travelling without an adult and optional for ages 12 to 17. The domestic intra-LATAM fee is USD 50 each way — the lowest in the Latin American carrier cluster — and USD 100 each way for international routes. Children under 5 may not travel as unaccompanied minors. A distinctive feature for the region: connections within LATAM-operated metal (LATAM-ticketed and LATAM-operated segments) are permitted, unlike Avianca which restricts UM to non-stop flights only. Interline connections on other carriers remain prohibited. Booking is available by phone only. The drop-off and pick-up adults must provide matching government-issued ID, and the pick-up adult must be present at the destination airport before the child is released. Verify current rules directly at latamairlines.com before booking.
When must a LATAM bassinet be reserved?
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, bassinets must be reserved by calling LATAM Airlines customer service no later than 3 hours before the flight's scheduled departure time — a deadline that is the strictest among the 28 major carriers included in this guide. Most other international carriers allow online self-service booking or accept bassinet requests up to 24 hours before departure; LATAM's 3-hour floor is a hard minimum enforced by phone only. However, given that bassinet positions are severely limited — just 1 on the 767-300ER and 2 each on the 777-300ER and 787 Dreamliner — calling days in advance is strongly advisable on popular routes. The 3-hour rule means you cannot reserve a bassinet at the gate or airport on the day of travel; call in advance to avoid missing availability. Confirm your aircraft type first, as A320/A321 narrow-body aircraft carry no bassinets at all.
Is LATAM Airlines still in the oneworld alliance?
According to publicly available information, LATAM Airlines left the oneworld alliance on 1 May 2020 as part of its Chapter 11 restructuring process. As of 2026, LATAM Airlines is not a member of any major global alliance — oneworld, Star Alliance, or SkyTeam. The restructuring included a strategic equity arrangement under which Delta Air Lines holds approximately a 20% stake in LATAM Airlines Group S.A. This means passengers cannot use frequent-flyer status from oneworld partner airlines to earn or redeem miles on LATAM flights through that alliance. LATAM operates its own loyalty programme, LATAM Pass, and maintains codeshare agreements including with Delta. For current codeshare and redemption partner details, verify directly at latamairlines.com before booking.
Does LATAM Airlines have family boarding?
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, families travelling with children under 5 years of age are invited to board after passengers requiring special assistance and before Black Signature (top-tier) frequent-flyer members. This pre-elite boarding sequence is one of the more generous in the Latin American carrier cluster — Aeromexico, by comparison, extends pre-board to children under 4. The benefit is automatic and included with any fare class at no extra charge. Important caveat: early boarding does not guarantee adjacent seating if seat selection was not purchased. On basic and light fares, seat assignments may be made automatically by the system and could place family members in non-adjacent rows. Purchasing seat selection at booking is recommended if travelling with young children on these fare types. Verify boarding procedures at check-in, as gate sequences may vary by airport.
Are strollers free on LATAM Airlines?
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, strollers are accepted free of charge for families and can be gate-checked at all major LATAM hub airports including Santiago (SCL), São Paulo Guarulhos (GRU), Lima (LIM), and Bogotá (BOG). Gate-checked strollers on wide-body aircraft at major hubs are typically returned at the jet bridge upon landing, allowing parents to use them immediately in the terminal. At secondary and smaller regional airports, strollers may be returned at the baggage carousel rather than the jet bridge — an important operational detail to factor into your airport time planning. There is no published size or weight limit for strollers checked at the gate. Double strollers and travel systems are accepted. Car seats are also accepted free under the same child-equipment policy. Always tag your stroller at the ticket counter for smoother processing.
How big is LATAM Airlines' fleet in 2026?
According to publicly available information from LATAM Airlines Group, the airline's 2026 fleet projection stands at approximately 410 aircraft — the largest fleet among Latin American carriers. This fleet comprises a mix of wide-body international aircraft (Boeing 767-300ER, 777-300ER, 787 Dreamliner, and Airbus A350) and narrow-body domestic/regional aircraft (Airbus A320 and A321 families). The wide-body aircraft are the only types that carry bassinets for infant passengers. The breadth of the fleet allows LATAM to operate both long-haul international routes to North America, Europe, and Oceania as well as extensive domestic networks across Brazil, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and Argentina. Fleet composition is subject to change; verify current aircraft types for specific routes at latamairlines.com before booking.
Does LATAM Airlines offer a child fare discount?
Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, a child fare discount of approximately 10–25% off the adult base fare is available for children aged 2 to 11 years on eligible routes. The exact percentage varies by route, fare class, and market — it is not a fixed flat discount. The discount applies to the base fare only; taxes, government fees, and airport charges are levied at the full rate regardless of age. Basic and promotional economy fares may not carry the child discount structure, so the effective saving can vary significantly depending on when and how you book. The child fare is applied automatically at booking when the correct date of birth is entered for the child. Always review the fare breakdown before confirming to understand the actual net saving. Verify the current child-fare rules directly at latamairlines.com before booking, as pricing structures may be updated.
Compare similar airlines for family travel
Lia is the foremost expert in child passenger safety in aviation. A certified Child Passenger Safety Technician with credentials in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia, she built Velivolo to give every parent instant access to verified airline policies and trusted gear recommendations. Her work has been recognized by Brian Kelly, founder of The Points Guy, in his book "How to Win at Travel."
Sources
Last reviewed: May 4, 2026 · Reviewed quarterly for accuracy
- 1LATAM Airlines — Family and Special Assistance (2026)Lap-infant, bassinet, family boarding, stroller and car-seat policies.Open source
- 2LATAM Airlines — Baggage Policy (2026)Carry-on, checked baggage, and child-specific allowances by fare class.Open source
- 3LATAM Airlines — Unaccompanied Minors (2026)Age requirements, fees, restrictions and booking process for UM service.Open source
- 4FAA — Flying with Children (2026)FAA child restraint system certification requirements and in-flight safety guidance.Open source
- 5US DOT — Traveling with Children (2026)Family seating dashboard and passenger rights for families flying with children.Open source
Plan your LATAM family trip — tips, checklists and more
Velivolo helps parents navigate bassinet reservations, unaccompanied-minor bookings, and stroller gate-check logistics across every LATAM route — and every other airline your family flies.