---
type: Airline Policy
title: LATAM Airlines — Child & Family Travel Policy
description: "Independent family travel guide summarizing LATAM Airlines' published infant, bassinet, stroller and boarding policies for parents flying with kids."
resource: https://www.velivolotravel.com/airlines-child-policy/latam-airlines/
tags: [airline, policy, latam, iata-la]
timestamp: 2026-06-03
---
# Flying LATAM Airlines with Kids: Bassinets, Boarding & Unaccompanied Minors

**Quick Answer**: 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.

**TL;DR**: 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.

## At a Glance
- **Lap Infant**: 10% fare + taxes (all routes) — Ages 7 days–24 months
- **Family Boarding**: Yes — before Black Signature elite — Children under 5
- **Stroller Check**: Free — Gate check at major hubs; carousel possible at secondary airports
- **Car Seat Check**: Free — FAA/R44/R129/ANAC label required for in-cabin use
- **UM Service**: USD 50 dom / USD 100 intl — Ages 5–11 mandatory; LATAM-metal connections allowed

## Quick Facts
- Per 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.
- Per 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.
- Per 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.
- Per LATAM Airlines' published policy, families with children under 5 board after passengers needing special assistance and before Black Signature elite frequent-flyers.
- Per 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.
- LATAM 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.

## Velivolo Family Score: 6/10 — Decent
- **Lap Infant Cost** (5/10): 10% fare on both domestic intra-LATAM and international routes — no free-domestic option.
- **Family Boarding** (7/10): Families with children under 5 board before Black Signature elite — a strong sequence.
- **Stroller & Car Seat** (7/10): Free gate-check at major hubs; secondary airports may return at carousel.
- **Bassinet & Onboard** (5/10): Bassinets on widebody intl only; 3-hour pre-flight phone-reserve deadline is industry-strictest.
- **Unaccompanied Minor** (6/10): USD 50 domestic (cluster-cheapest); connections within LATAM-operated metal allowed.
- **Baggage for Kids** (6/10): Ticketed children receive adult fare-class allowance; lap infants get 1 free 10 kg checked internationally.

## Lap Infant
- **Cost (Domestic)**: 10% of adult base fare + taxes
- **Cost (International)**: 10% of adult base fare + taxes
- **Age Limit**: 7 days–24 months at time of travel
- **Documents**: Birth certificate (for South American domestic routes), Passport (for international routes), Doctor's note if infant is under 7 days old (flight not permitted)

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.

**Source**: https://www.latamairlines.com/us/en/experience/before-the-flight/special-assistance/family

## Family Boarding
- **Available**: Yes
- **Boarding Zone**: After special-assistance passengers, before Black Signature elite
- **Age Eligibility**: Children under 5 years of age

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.

## Stroller & Car Seat
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.

- **Standard Stroller** — Fee: Free, Check at: Gate (major hubs) or counter, Size: No published size restriction for gate check. Gate return available at GRU, SCL, LIM, BOG; carousel return possible at smaller secondary stations.
- **Car Seat** — Fee: Free, Check at: Gate or counter, Size: 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.
- **Booster Seat** — Fee: Free, Check at: Gate or counter, Size: 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.
- **Pack-n-Play / Travel Crib** — Fee: Counts as checked baggage, Check at: Counter only, Size: 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.

## Baggage by Age
- **Lap Infant (Under 24 months)** — Carry-on: 1 diaper bag (exempt, does not count as carry-on); Checked: 1 free checked bag up to 10 kg on international routes; domestic governed by adult fare class; Personal: Diaper bag treated as personal item at no charge. No additional carry-on or personal item beyond the diaper bag; international 10 kg checked-bag entitlement is a meaningful family benefit.
- **Infant with Purchased Seat (Under 24 months)** — Carry-on: Same carry-on allowance as adult in the same fare class; Checked: Same checked-baggage allowance as adult in the same fare class; Personal: 1 personal item + diaper bag (diaper bag remains exempt). Purchasing a seat unlocks the full adult allowance for the infant; useful when bringing a car seat and extra gear.
- **Child 2+ (Purchased Seat)** — Carry-on: Same carry-on allowance as adult in the same fare class; Checked: Same checked-baggage allowance as adult in the same fare class; Personal: 1 personal item per fare class rules. No child-specific discount on baggage fees; allowance mirrors the fare class purchased for the child's ticket.

## Bassinet & Onboard
- **Bassinet Available**: Yes
- **Weight Limit**: 10 kg / 22 lb
- **Age Limit**: Under 24 months (combined 10 kg / 71 cm length limit applies)
- **Fee**: Free (included with lap-infant ticket on eligible aircraft)

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.

## Child Fare
- **Discount**: Approximately 10–25% off adult base fare (route and fare-class dependent) (ages 2–11 years)

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.

## Unaccompanied Minor
- **Available**: Yes
- **Fee**: USD 50 each way (domestic intra-LATAM) / USD 100 each way (international)

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.

## Industry Comparison
### 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.

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.

## Family Pros & Cons
**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

**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

## Parent Tips
- **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.

## FAQ
### 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.

## Related Airlines
- [Avianca](https://www.velivolotravel.com/okf/airlines/avianca.md) (family score 5.8/10) — Latin American peer (Star Alliance) — UM non-stop only vs LATAM's intra-metal connections.
- [Aeromexico](https://www.velivolotravel.com/okf/airlines/aeromexico.md) (family score 6.2/10) — Latin flag carrier peer (SkyTeam) — 787-only bassinets vs LATAM's four wide-body types.
- [Delta Air Lines](https://www.velivolotravel.com/okf/airlines/delta-air-lines.md) (family score 6.1/10) — 20% strategic-equity partner — free domestic lap infant vs LATAM's 10% on all routes.
- [Iberia](https://www.velivolotravel.com/okf/airlines/iberia.md) (family score 6.4/10) — Spain–Latin America historic partner with cross-redeemable Avios on LATAM routes.

## Related Concepts
- [Back to Airlines Catalog](https://www.velivolotravel.com/okf/airlines/index.md)
- [Flying with a Baby item × airline guides](https://www.velivolotravel.com/okf/flying-with-a-baby/index.md)

## Sources
- [LATAM Airlines — Family and Special Assistance (2026): Lap-infant, bassinet, family boarding, stroller and car-seat policies](https://www.latamairlines.com/us/en/experience/before-the-flight/special-assistance/family)
- [LATAM Airlines — Baggage Policy (2026): Carry-on, checked baggage, and child-specific allowances by fare class](https://www.latamairlines.com/us/en/experience/baggage/carry-on-baggage)
- [LATAM Airlines — Unaccompanied Minors (2026): Age requirements, fees, restrictions and booking process for UM service](https://www.latamairlines.com/us/en/experience/before-the-flight/special-assistance/unaccompanied-minors)
- [FAA — Flying with Children (2026): FAA child restraint system certification requirements and in-flight safety guidance](https://www.faa.gov/travelers/fly_children)
- [US DOT — Traveling with Children (2026): Family seating dashboard and passenger rights for families flying with children](https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/family-seating-dashboard)

**Last Updated**: 2026-06-03
**Author**: Lia Tuso — Founder & CPST