American Airlines Infant policy


Have you ever traveled with your baby on a flight? What airline did you select, and could they provide the best services for your baby and make your journey more comfortable? If you are currently looking for the best airline to travel with, American Airlines might be one of your best choices.


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American Airlines Infant policy

With American Airlines, your child is assured of the highest level of care from when the plane takes off to when it lands. Their mission is to ensure you and your child have a happy and safe travel experience. As part of this page, you will find information on the complete AA infant policy, stroller, bassinet, car seat requirements, etc.

Highlights Of American Airlines Lap Infant Policy

American Airlines infant policy suggests knowing these terms and conditions when planning a trip with your little one.

  • Infants under the age of 2 years can travel on their parents' lap.
  • Only one lap infant is allowed per passenger.
  • Parents can purchase a seat for their infant or register them as lap infants and carry them on their laps throughout the journey. If they choose to buy a seat, they must use an FAA-approved car seat.
  • Lap infants must securely be seated on an adult’s lap during takeoff, landing, and when the fasten seatbelt sign is illuminated.
  • Parents should arrive at the airport early to handle security and check-in procedures. Please be prepared with the documentation required for your child’s age verification, like a birth certificate.

American Airlines Bassinet Policy

American Airlines infant bassinet policy states bassinets are unavailable in the first or business cabin. Instead, they are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the gate for travel only on 777-200, 777-300, and 787 aircraft. Please note that infants using bassinets must be younger than 2 years of age and weigh no more than 9 kg under the American Airlines infant policy.

American Airlines Stroller Policy

American Airlines stroller policy allows passengers to carry one stroller and one car seat, which can be checked at no cost. Strollers weighing more than 20 lbs / 9 kgs must be checked at the gate before boarding. However, all other strollers should be checked at the gate before boarding. Only one can be checked at the gate if you have both a stroller and a car seat.

American Airlines Car Seat Policy

Most safety seats/car seats approved for use in motor vehicles are also acceptable for use in aircraft. For security reasons, according to American Airlines car seat policy, the seat must have a solid back and seat, including restraint straps installed to hold the child securely.

Some of the significant safety seats/car seat requirements are mentioned below -

  • American Airlines car seat policy does not allow the use of car seats in an exit row or in rows on either side of an exit row. Instead, window seats are preferred over car seats.
  • It is mandatory to install the seat according to the instructions on the label and in the direction appropriate for the child.
  • An adult must purchase a seat for the child to carry a car seat. Additionally, the seat must be available next to the adult.
  • Please note that safety seats in First and Business class on select planes are not permitted due to their seat angles.

American Airlines Infant Carry-On & Checked Bags Policy

Accordign to the guidelines for AA travel with infant on international flights. Infants require a purchased ticket. In this case, an adult may check 1 bag for the infant at the same rate as the adult’s first checked bag.

Items that are allowed as carry-on and checked bags under the American Airlines infant policy are mentioned below -

  • Each fare-paying passenger can carry 1 stroller and 1 car seat to be checked without cost.
  • All other strollers are required to be checked at the gate before boarding.
  • If a passenger has both, one car seat and one stroller, only one can be checked at the gate.
  • A breast pump and a small cooler for breast milk do not count as your carry-on personal items.
  • Wagons, cribs, playpens, etc., count as regular bags. (If any of these exceed carry-on limits. They all will be checked and incur regular charges)

Documents For Flying With Infant American Airlines

To initiate the process for American Airlines add lap infant, an adult needs to be prepared with several documents, including a birth certificate and passport so that the child’s age can be verified and the airline may ensure that the infant is under 2 years of age.

How To Add Infant In Lap American Airlines Ticket?

American Airlines infant travel guidelines allow a passenger to use the official website and add their child to the booking as follows -

  • Step 1 - Open the official website of American Airlines.
  • Step 2 - Enter your origin, destination, departure, and return date. Tap on the search button.
  • Step 3 - After selecting a flight as per your preference.
  • Step 4 - enter your information in the passenger details sections.
  • Step 5 - Select “add infant in lap” and enter your infant’s details.
  • Step 6 - Proceed with the payment process.
  • Step 7 - Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.
  • Step 8 - Once your booking is complete, you will receive the confirmation on your registered mail ID.

American Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy

American Airlines ensures a safe and secure journey for children of all ages. For safety reasons, children between the ages of 5 and 14 planning to travel alone must use the  AA unaccompanied minor policy. However, this service is optional for children between 15 and 17, but an American Airlines unaccompanied minor fee would apply if requested.

Here are what the American Airlines unaccompanied minor services include -

  • AA suggests early boarding, which allows extra time to settle down on the flight and meet the flight attendants.
  • Kids-only lounges are available in American Airlines hub cities for flight connections.
  • An airport escort is available to help the child to the gate for flight connections.
  • Accompany the child to the authorized person, who will pick them up when they land.

Age And Flight Restrictions For AA Unaccompanied Minors

Although American Airlines permits children of a specific age to fly alone, there are restrictions in place.

Age (In years) Travel Restrictions
0-4 Cannot travel alone
5-7
  • May travel alone
  • Nonstop flight only 
  • Gate escort & guardian contact required
8-14
  • May travel alone 
  • Gate escort & guardian contact required
  • Nonstop flights, or any connecting flight through Charlotte, D.C. (DCA), Dallas Fort Worth, TX (DFW), New York, NY (JFK and LGA), Los Angeles, CA (LAX), Miami, FL (MIA), Chicago, IL (ORD), NC (CLT), Washington Reagan, Philadelphia, PA (PHL), and Phoenix, AZ (PHX)
15-17
  • Unaccompanied minor service is optional
  • Service fee applies 
  • Gate escort and guardian contact are required
  • Nonstop flights, or any connecting flight through Charlotte, Los Angeles, CA (LAX), Miami, NC (CLT), Washington Reagan, D.C. (DCA), FL (MIA), Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, TX (DFW), New York, NY (JFK and LGA), IL (ORD), Philadelphia, PA (PHL) and Phoenix, AZ (PHX)

American Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Fee

American Airlines' unaccompanied minor fee is 150 USD each way, including applicable taxes and the fare price. This fee also covers additional siblings on the same flights.

How to Speak to the American Airlines Live Agent For Infant Traveling?

There are numerous ways passengers can speak to the live agent at American Airlines and get assistance on different child-related queries, including documents required for traveling with infant on American Airlines, restrictions for carrying a lap infant on American Airlines, etc. Let’s explore all the methods below -

Method 1 - Phone Number

For any assistance, including American Airlines travel with an infant, passengers can speak to the AA live agent using their official reservation number: 1 (800) 433-7300. However, in some instances when the official representatives are not available due to any technical issues, you have the option to dial +1-800-633-0441 and get immediate assistance from the independent OTA flight experts.

Method 2 - Chat

On the official American Airlines website, passengers have the option to live chat with the representatives and get immediate assistance with different queries, including the guidelines for American Airlines traveling with an infant, American Airlines infant car seat and stroller requirements, etc.

Follow these steps and learn how to reach the executives through the AA chat service.

  • Step 1 - Open the official AA website.
  • Step 2 - Navigate to the footer section and click on “Contact American.”
  • Step 3 - On the Contact page, you will see the blue chat icon at the bottom right corner of the screen.
  • Step 4 - Tap on the blue chat icon.
  • Step 5 - Type your query and press the send icon.
  • Step 6 - The executive will respond with an appropriate resolution within a few seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How to add infant in lap American Airlines ticket?

Book your trip on the American Airlines website > On the passenger’s details page, enter your information > Choose the option “Add infant in lap” > Save > Process the payment > Wait until you receive the confirmation.

Q2. Do minors need ID to fly American Airlines?

Yes, children under the age of 18, whether traveling alone or with an adult, require proof of age like a birth certificate or a passport to fly on American Airlines.

Q3. What is American Airlines infant policy international?

For traveling with infants American Airlines internationally, taxes and a certain percentage of the adult fare may apply on infant’s international trips.

Q4. What are the American Airlines stroller and car seat requirements?

According to American Airlines stroller policy and car seat guidelines, each ticketed passenger is allowed to check one stroller and one car seat free of cost.

Q5. What is the restriction of American Airlines infant policy?

For American Airlines traveling with infants, infants under 7 days old must have a doctor's letter remarking that they are medically capable of traveling.

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