Traveling with Kids on American Airlines? Here is What You Must Know!

Air travel can be stressful at times. Long security lines, cramped seating, and crowded waiting areas can be quite a handful even for a single passenger. Imagine a situation where someone is flying with kids. It indeed can turn out to be quite hassling.

Some kids, especially infants, might not warm up to flying and be itchy and impatient. They are also more prone to ear discomfort and motion sickness that come with air travel.

Well, worry no more. American Airlines has an elaborate policy regarding children and minors that can help reduce stress and inform the parents regarding the facilities and amenities available to the kids as they jet off to their destination. Read on!

American Airlines Policy for Traveling with Infants (under two years)

• Infants under 7 days must be medically cleared to travel.
• An adult traveling companion is allowed to carry only 1 infant in his lap.
• If there is more than 1 infant below 2 years, they need to carry a valid ticket and will be seated in an infant safety seat or on a separate seat on the plane. 
• The infant has to be below 2 years for the entire duration of the trip; in case they turn 2 on the flight, they need to have a separate seat for the remaining part of the journey.
• Those traveling within the US and Puerto Rico can add an infant to their trip while booking their ticket on the airline’s official website or even after they have made their booking.
• In case the infant on board is under 7 days, the reservation needs to be informed, particularly when traveling outside the US or Puerto Rico.

American Airlines Policy for Traveling with Children Above 2 Years

• Children above 2 years must have a legitimate ticket. However, those below 5 years cannot travel alone.
• In cases when the seats are not selected in the main cabin or basic economy, the airlines will assign seats a few days after the purchase of tickets, ensuring that children below 15 years are seated next to an accompanying adult.

American Airlines Policy for Children Traveling Alone

• Children between the ages of 5 and 14 are required to use the airline’s unaccompanied minor service if they are traveling alone.
• These services are not mandatory for children between the ages of 15 and 17. However, in case the service is requested, then it will come at a cost.   

American Airlines Policy for Carry-On and Checked Bags

• A ticket will be issued to the infant in case he/she is traveling on an international flight on the lap of an accompanying traveler.
• 1 bag for the infant can be checked in at the rate of the adult’s first checked bag.
• 1 stroller and 1 car seat can be checked for free for every traveler.
• Strollers exceeding 20 lbs need to be checked at the ticket counter.   
• Other strollers need to be checked at the gate before boarding the plane. 
• If a traveler is carrying a stroller and a car seat, only 1 of these can be checked at the gate.
• Breast pumps and a small, soft-sided cooler of breast milk are not clubbed in the carry-on or personal items category.
• Playpens, wagons, cribs, and 'pack and play' fall under the regular bags category.
• Exceeding the permissible limits will attract a penalty.

American Airlines Policy for Check-In & Required Documents

• A birth certificate or passport to verify the child’s age.
• Contact number of parents.
• The name, address, and phone number of the adult set to meet the child at his destination.
• The government-issued photo ID with the current address of the adult.

Children Traveling Outside the U.S.

• Someone from the airline will escort your child to the gate and stay with him till departure at some airports where parents/relatives are denied entry for security reasons.
• If both parents are not accompanying, the child below 18 years would require a Letter of Consent for boarding an international flight.