TRAVEL GUIDE
American Airlines
| Traveling With Children and Infants |
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| The following information will provide the answers to many common questions regarding children and infants traveling on American. |
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Age Ranges For Travel
| The following information applies to infants and children traveling within the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For further information, please contact Reservations . |
Passengers under the age of 15 who are traveling on American have special requirements that vary according to age. Please see the chart below to determine how your child may travel:
| Special Requirements for Chidren Under 5 Years of Age |
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. 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.
See Fares for information on a 50% discount for travel within the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Children two years of age and older must travel in a purchased seat. See Seating Restrictions below for additional information. |
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Fares
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. For more information regarding fares for children and infants traveling internationally, please contact Reservations .
See Seating Restrictions below for additional information.
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 .
Infants under the age of two are eligible for a 50% discount off the applicable adult fare. This discount is subject to travel...
- Wholly within the United States on American Airlines, American Eagle or AmericanConnection
- Between the United States/Canada and Hawaii/Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands on American Airlines, American Eagle or AmericanConnection
- Wholly within the United States on codeshare flights operated by Hawaiian Airlines
The 50% discount does not apply to any of the following:
- Any other discount, coupon, promotion, certificates or offer.
- Codeshare flights except those operated by Hawaiian Airlines.
- To any special charges such as excess baggage, service charges, cancellation and/or change fees.
- AA.com web fare specials or Net SAAver fares requiring instant ticketing.
- Companion fares.
Other restrictions based on discount fares may apply. In order to confirm this discount, please contact American Reservations at 1-800-433-7300
†When your travel involves the U.S. Virgin Islands, a ticket and payment of applicable taxes may still apply. Check with Reservations prior to travel for more information.
Seating Restrictions
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. See Fares for information on a 50% discount.
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 (see Fares above). The maximum number of infants per adult passenger is two.
Exit Seats
Children (or adults with children) under the age of 15 may not be seated in an exit seat.
FAA Approved Infant Seat or Child Restraint 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.
FAA Approved Infant Seat or Child Restraint Device Seat Locations
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
FAA Non-Approved Infant Seat or Child Restraint Devices
The following may not be used when an infant seat or child restraint device is required:
- Any device without an approval label
- Booster seats without an approval label or shoulder harness
- 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
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
- Diaper bag for lap or ticketed child
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Infant Seat or Child Restraint Devices
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
Tip: You may want to consider checking the infant seat or child restraint device at the ticket counter.
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.
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.
Traveling While Pregnant
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.
For more information, please contact a Special Assistance Coordinator through AA Reservations at 800-433-7300.
| Carry-on Allowance |
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Size and Number of Pieces
- FAA security measures limit customers on all AA flights to one carry-on bag plus one personal item.
- All carry-on pieces, including laptops, must fit either underneath the seat in front of you or in an overhead bin.
- The one carry-on bag must fit in an overhead compartment or under the seat. It should not exceed 45 linear inches (length + width + height) or weigh more than 40 lbs/18 kgs.
- Carry-on items which appear too large or irregularly shaped to fit under a seat, in an overhead compartment, or in a closet will not be accepted as carry-on baggage and will need to be checked.
- At times, additional limits may be placed on carry-on baggage based on the main cabin stowage capacity of specific aircraft.
- These limits may be imposed after the boarding process has begun.
- Some carry-on baggage may be stowed in a cargo compartment on selected American Eagle aircraft.
- At some airports, carry-on baggage may be more restricted. All other luggage must be checked at curbside or at the ticket counter.
- Passengers exceeding the carry-on limit will not be allowed through the security checkpoint.
- All portable electronic devices, including laptops, must remain off during taxi, takeoff, approach and landing until we arrive at the gate and the seat belt sign is turned off.
Remember: Carry-on items are counted in the free baggage allowance. Please see Dimensions, Weight, and Number of Pieces.
For a list of articles which may not be carried on board, please see Restricted Articles. Personal Items
Personal items include the following:
- Purse
- Briefcase
- Laptop
- Small book-bag style backpack
- Other similar items that do not exceed 36 linear inches (length + width + height) will be allowed such as a small tote bag or shoulder bag.
Additional items that will be allowed above and beyond the restrictions listed above include:
- Outer garments such as coats/wraps/hats
- Approved safety seat for lap or ticketed child
- Umbrella stroller for lap or ticketed child
- Diaper bag for lap or ticketed child
- Book or newspaper
- Bistro sized or smaller bag of food that is consumable
- Assistive devices for passengers such as wheelchairs, walkers and CPAP machines
- Therapeutic oxygen provided by the airline
| Baggage Allowance |
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NOTE: The following applies only to travel within the United States unless otherwise stated. Please check with our Reservations personnel for International policies or information not covered below.
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| Why is There a Free Baggage Allowance? |
The standard free baggage allowance is the maximum number, size, and weight of bags that each customer is allowed with no additional charge. We have based this allowance on extensive studies of variables that influence the maximum capacity of baggage on an aircraft. These variables include size of aircraft cargo compartments, dimensions of the doors, fuel requirements, typical number of passengers on board, and government regulations. Our evaluation resulted in the establishment of a standard free baggage allowance that is applied to all flights.
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| Dimensions, Weight and Number of Pieces |
For flights wholly within the United States and between the United States and Canada
The maximum amount of baggage each ticketed passenger is allowed free of charge is:
- 2 pieces checked and one carry-on
Please note that one carry-on personal item (see " Carry-on Allowance ") does not count toward the free bag allowance.
The size limitation of your luggage is calculated by adding the total outside dimensions of each bag, that is, length + width + height.
- Two checked bags at 62 in/157 cm each
- One carry-on bag at 45 in/114 cm
The maximum weight per checked bag is 50 lbs/23 kgs.
The maximum weight per carry-on bag is 40 lbs/18 kgs.
For flights to/from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
The maximum amount of baggage each ticketed passenger is allowed free of charge is:
- 2 pieces checked and one carry-on
Please note that one carry-on personal item (see " Carry-on Allowance ") does not count toward the free bag allowance.
The size limitation of your luggage is calculated by adding the total outside dimensions of each bag, that is, length + width + height.
- Two checked bags at 62 in/157 cm each
- One carry-on bag at 45 in/114 cm
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Tickets Issued on or after March 1, 2005
The maximum "free" weight per checked bag is 50 lbs/23 kgs.
The maximum weight per carry-on bag is 40 lbs/18 kgs.
For flights to international destinations
- 2 pieces checked and one carry-on
Please note that one carry-on personal item (see " Carry-on Allowance ") does not count toward the free bag allowance.
The size limitation of your luggage is calculated by adding the total outside dimensions of each bag, that is, length + width + height.
- Two checked bags at 62 in/157 cm each
- One carry-on bag at 45 in/114 cm
Tickets Issued on or after March 1, 2005
The maximum "free" weight per checked bag is 50 lbs/23 kgs
Bags checked to/from Japan will initially be exempt from the new maximum bag weight of 50lbs/23kg pending approval from the Japanese government. The maximum free bag weight for checked bags to/from Japan will continue to be 70lbs/32kg until further notice.
Also note the following:
- Baggage checked to London
Passengers connecting between London Gatwick and London Heathrow are required to claim their checked baggage upon arrival in London, clear Customs with checked and hand baggage, and proceed directly to the connecting airport.
- Baggage checked to/through/from Europe and Asia
The maximum allowed weight for each bag checked to/through/from any destination in Europe or Asia is 70lbs/32kgs. American will no longer accept overweight baggage (70-100 lbs.) in these international markets. This policy is in conjunction with the British Airport Authority mandate prohibiting checked baggage into the United Kingdom that weighs over 70lbs/32kgs.
This policy only applies to passengers traveling on American to/through/from any destination in Europe or Asia. If you have baggage weighing over this new limit, please repack or redistribute the weight into other baggage.
| Excess, Oversize and Overweight Baggage and Fees |
We realize that at times it may be necessary to travel with an item that exceeds the size or weight limitations or is in excess of the free allowance. Additional charges apply to this type of baggage.
Baggage connecting to other airlines will also be subject to the connecting airline's excess charges and/or oversize, overweight charges in addition to American Airlines charges.
All charges are calculated on a one-way basis and are collected at the airport ticket counter.
The following information for excess baggage applies to flights within the United States and Puerto Rico. For excess baggage information for all other destinations, please contact an American Airlines representative.
Excess Baggage
Checked baggage in excess of the free baggage allowance will be charged as follows:
- $80 per piece for the first three additional pieces
- $105 per piece for the fourth, fifth, and sixth additional pieces
- $180 per piece for the seventh and any additional pieces
Overweight Baggage
- For travel within the 50 United States and between the 50 United States and Canada, checked baggage weighing over 50 lbs/23 kgs but not more than 70 lbs/32 kgs will be charged at the rate of $25 per piece.
- For travel within the 50 United States and between the 50 United States and Canada, checked baggage weighing over 70lbs/32 kgs but not more than 100 lbs/45 kgs will be charged at the rate of $50 per piece.
- For tickets issued on after March 1, 2005, for travel to all American Airlines destinations, (including international) checked baggage weighing over 50 lbs/23 kgs but not more than 70 lbs/32 kgs will be charged at the rate of $25 per piece. Any such bags will also be identified with a special tag to alert handlers.
- For overweight baggage information for all other destinations, please contact an American Airlines representative.
- These charges are in addition to any charge assessed for additional or oversized baggage.
- Baggage weighing more than 100 lbs/45 kgs will not be accepted as checked baggage.
Oversized Baggage
- Checked baggage which is larger than American Airlines stated size limits will be charged at the rate of $80 per piece.
- These charges are in addition to any charge assessed for additional or overweight baggage.
- Baggage measuring more than 115 in/292 cm (total outside dimensions; length + width + height) will not be accepted as checked baggage.
Oversized and Overweight Baggage
- The charge for oversized baggage and the charge for overweight baggage will be added together.
Note: Bicycle boxes purchased from American Airlines which measure 118 in/300cm will be accepted.
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SOURCE: http://www.aa.com
Copyright © 2005 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.
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