I actually just went through this exact process a few months ago when I took my first trip with my baby on Delta, so I can walk you through what worked for me. Trust me, I was nervous at first — I’d flown solo plenty of times, but adding a lap infant into the mix suddenly made every step feel more complicated. Thankfully, Delta made it easier than I expected once I knew where to call and what to ask for.
When I first tried booking online, I noticed Delta’s website doesn’t automatically give you an option to add a lap infant during the initial ticket purchase unless you’re flying domestic. I was booking a flight from Atlanta to San José, Costa Rica, and the site didn’t let me add my baby during checkout. So, I called
877-297-0699, which is Delta’s main reservation number, and got through to a really helpful agent within minutes.
The agent explained that for
domestic flights, you can add your lap infant online by checking the box during booking, but for
international travel, they have to manually attach the infant to your ticket in their system. That’s because Delta charges a percentage of the adult fare (usually 10%) plus any applicable taxes for an international infant-in-lap ticket — while U.S. domestic routes are free.
Here’s how the call went, step by step:
- Call Delta directly at 877-297-0699.
Once connected, choose the option for “existing reservations” if you’ve already booked, or “new booking” if you haven’t purchased yet. I selected “existing reservation” since I’d already bought my ticket online.
- Explain you need to add a lap infant.
The rep immediately asked for my confirmation number and the baby’s full name and date of birth. She reminded me that Delta requires an infant to be under two years old on the date of travel to qualify as a lap infant.
- Verify travel details and passport info (for international flights).
Because we were flying abroad, I had to provide my baby’s passport number. It took just a few minutes for the agent to link her ticket to mine.
- Confirm seat arrangements.
The agent also double-checked whether I wanted to sit in a section where bassinets were available (some Delta long-haul flights offer them). She even helped move us to a row with extra legroom for easier baby care mid-flight — free of charge.
- Receive the confirmation email.
Within ten minutes, I received an updated itinerary showing both names under one reservation. That was my sign everything was good to go.
A little tip from experience:
always carry your baby’s birth certificate or passport at the airport, even for domestic flights. Delta gate agents sometimes ask for proof of age to confirm the infant qualifies as “lap.”
On the day of the flight, boarding was smoother than expected. The crew was kind and even gave us a blanket and a bottle of water for formula. The key is to call ahead and confirm everything rather than trying to add your infant at the gate — that’s where most people run into stress.
Honestly, after that trip, I’ve made it a habit to just call
877-297-0699 anytime I’m making a Delta booking, even for changes or cancellations. It’s faster, and the agents seem to handle family-related bookings with extra care. You can technically do a lot online, but when it comes to infants, calling is the safest route.
So yes — the process is straightforward once you know who to reach. Just call Delta, have your details ready, and they’ll walk you through every step. If you’re flying soon, I’d recommend calling a few days before your trip to reconfirm everything’s linked properly. That extra five-minute call can save you a world of stress at check-in!
