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"What a great idea!
Thank you so much."
Courteney Cox Arquette

American Airlines Baby

Infants are accepted two days after delivery, however, at least seven days is recommended.

Children under 5 years of age may not travel alone under any circumstances. Another passenger at least 15 years of age must accompany them. AA reserves the right to request documented proof of age for the adolescent accompanying a child under the age of 15.

Infants under 2 years of age who travel within the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands may be held in an adult's lap at no charge. For transatlantic/transpacific travel or travel to/from Latin America, children under two years of age are required to have a ticket in their name for 10% of the applicable adult fare for the International portion. A 10% ticket does not entitle infants to their own seats.

AA reserves the right to request documented proof of age for any traveler 2 years of age or younger. Please be prepared to provide documentation (birth certificate, passport, etc.) upon request.

For the safety of your child, American recommends purchasing a seat and using an approved child safety seat.

Children two years of age and older must travel in a purchased seat.

International

(outside the United States/Canada and Hawaii/Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands)

For fare purposes...

• an infant is defined as a passenger under 2 years of age
• a child is defined as a passenger 2-11 years of age.

Availability of fares for infants and children varies depending on your travel plans. AA.com is currently unable to book a reservation for an infant traveling internationally as a lap child. When traveling outside the U.S., infants under age two who do not pay a fare may be required to have a ticket. In addition, taxes may be assessed which can be significant.

Domestic

(United States/Canada and Hawaii/Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands)

Children two years of age and older must travel in a purchased seat, at an adult fare. See Seating Restrictions below for additional information.

Infants under two years of age may be held in an adult's lap at no charge.† However, for the safety of your child, American recommends purchasing a seat and using an FAA Approved Infant Seat or Child Restraint Device.

Traveling With An Infant On American Eagle Flights

If you will be traveling with an infant on an American Eagle aircraft as shown below, you must be seated in one of the following seats which are designated life vest-equipped rows:

SAAB 340B - seats 10C, 11C or 12C
ERJ 135 - seats 11C, 12C or 13C
ERJ 140 - seats 13C, 14C or 15C
ERJ 145 - seats 15C, 16C or 17C
Bombardier CRJ-700 - seats 15D, 16D or 17D

Child Held By An Adult

("Lap Child")

Infants under 2 years of age may be held in an adult's lap at no charge when traveling within the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. However, for the safety of your child, American recommends purchasing a seat and using an approved child safety seat.

When one adult travels with two infants, the adult passenger may only hold one infant. An additional seat must be purchased for the 2nd infant. Seats may also be purchased for both infants. The maximum number of infants per adult passenger is two.

Additionally, AA.com is currently unable to book a reservation for an infant traveling internationally as a lap child.



Children (or adults with children) under the age of 15 may not be seated in an exit seat.



The FAA-approved Aviation Child Safety Device (ACSD) provides all the protection of a traditional child safety seat by combining the use of the aircraft's lap belt and a four-point shoulder harness. Unlike typical child safety seats, the ACSD weighs less than 1 pound and fits into a 6" carrying case, making it much lighter and easier to transport.

The ACSD is approved for aircraft use only and should not be confused with other non-approved vest/harness-type devices.



Most restraints that are used in automobiles are acceptable for use in aircraft by an infant or small child. Acceptable restraints manufactured in the United States will bear one or both of the following labels:

• "This child restraint system conforms to all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards"

Additionally, the restraint may carry a second label with red lettering which states the following:

• "This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft."

Restraints manufactured outside the United States may be accepted provided that they bear either a label showing approval of a non-U.S. government OR a label showing that the seat was manufactured under the standards of the United Nations (U.N.).

U.N. approval is designated by a label with a circle surrounding the letter "E" followed by the distinguishing number of the country which has granted approval, plus an indication of the category and mass group of the child restraint which will be affixed.



If you are using an approved infant seat or child restraint device, please note that it...

• May face toward the front or rear of the plane in accordance with instructions on child seat label
• May not occupy an exit seat or the row in front of or behind an exit seat
• May not occupy the space between a customer and an aisle

The following may not be used when an infant seat or child restraint device is required:

• Any device without an approval label
• Booster seats with no approval label or shoulder harness
• Vest and/or harness-type devices except Aviation Child Safety Devices (ACSD) bearing FAA aircraft approval labels
• Belt extensions that attach to the parent or the parent's restraint
• Any device that positions a child on the lap or chest of an adult

Carry-on and checked item allowances for children vary depending on whether or not a seat is purchased for the child.

If a seat is purchased for a child, the standard carry-on baggage and free checked baggage allowance apply.

If a seat was not purchased for an infant, that infant does not have a carry-on or checked baggage allowance. However, the following items are allowed over and above the carry-on allowance for the adult traveling with an infant:

• Approved safety seat for lap or ticketed child (may also be checked)
• Umbrella stroller for lap or ticketed child (see details for stroller acceptance below)
• Diaper bag for lap or ticketed child

If you do not purchase a seat for your infant (under two years of age):

• An approved child safety seat can be carried on board
• The device cannot be used in a seat unless there is an unoccupied seat available next to the adult traveling
• Due to many events that occur during the last several minutes before departure time, we cannot be certain that an unoccupied seat that meets the above criteria will be available until the final boarding process
• If an unoccupied, adjoining seat is not available, the gate agent will check the infant seat/child restraint device to your final destination. Please check with the gate agent for further details

You may want to consider checking the infant/car seat or child restraint device at the ticket counter. However, American is not responsible for damage to infant/child restraint devices and loss/damage of any items attached to the device, whether these items are checked at the ticket counter or the gate. Infant/child restraint devices include, but are not limited to, strollers and car seats.

For taxi, takeoff, landing, during turbulence, or when the Fasten Seatbelt sign is on, American accepts only FAA approved infant seats/child restraint devices that are certified for use in aircraft.

Umbrella Stroller AA highly recommends using this type of stroller May be taken on-board the aircraft as long as it fits in the overhead bin Exempt from carry-on allowance and baggage fees May be checked at the gate Fully Collapsible Stroller Weighing Less Than 20 lbs. May be checked at the ticket counter May be checked at the gate May not be carried on the aircraft Exempt from baggage fees Large Stroller or Non-Collapsible Stroller or Heavy Stroller Weighing Over 20 lbs. Strongly discouraged to avoid damage, facilities were not designed to accommodate these type of strollers May be checked at the ticket counter May not be carried on the aircraft Exempt from baggage fees

Please note: American is not responsible for damage to any stroller not properly packed in original packaging.

Diaper Changers

Changing tables are available in the lavatories of all widebody aircraft.

Food

If you are traveling with an infant, please be sure to bring enough food and supplies with you. American does not provide baby food, bottles and other related items. However, baby bottles can be heated on all flights operated by American Airlines.

American Eagle and AmericanConnection flights are not equipped to heat baby bottles

Special children's meals are also not available. For more information on available food and beverage choices, please see our Dining page.

Entertainment

Parents may wish to pack an audio headset for their children to use during flight. Headsets may also be purchased onboard for $2 and kept for future use.



A medical certificate is required if travel is within 4 weeks of the delivery date in a normal, uncomplicated pregnancy

Domestic Travel

(Not Including Travel Over Water)

For domestic flights under 5 hours, travel is not permitted within 7 days before and after your delivery date. If you should need to travel within 7 days before or after delivery, a medical certificate is required as well as clearance from our Special Assistance Coordinator.

International/Over Water Travel

For international travel or any flights over the water, travel is not advised within 30 days of the due date, unless you are examined by an obstetrician within 48 hours of outbound departure and certified in writing as medically stable for flight. Travel within 10 days of the due date for International travel must have clearance from our Special Assistance Coordinators. Travel within 7 days after delivery requires clearance as well.

SOURCE: American Airlines Copyright © 2008 American Airlines. All rights reserved. Babies Travel Lite does not guarentee the accuracy of the information contained herein. Please visit aa.com to verify that the information is still current.