If you’re a parent travelling with children, you know how stressful it can be. From packing enough snacks to keeping them entertained, it can feel like a never-ending task. That’s where American Airlines comes in – making flying with kids easy and hassle-free. In this blog post, we’ll go over some of the top tips for travelling with kids on American Airlines and how to make the experience fun for the whole family. From pre-flight planning to in-flight entertainment, I’ve got you covered.
*This blog post is for informational purposes only. For specific questions on travelling with American Airlines, please click here or contact the airline directly.
Flying American Airlines when pregnant
If your due date is within 4 weeks of your flight, you must provide a doctor’s certificate stating that you’ve been recently examined and you’re fit to fly.
Domestic Travel
When you are travelling on a domestic flight that is under 5 hours, you won’t be permitted to travel within 7 days (before and after) your delivery date. However, If you need to travel within this time frame:
- Approval from your physician and a special assistance coordinator is required.
- Your physician will be required to fill out a passenger medical form before your flight. A special assistance coordinator will send the form directly to your physician.
International or travel over water
Clearance from a special assistance coordinator is required for international travel or travel over water:
- Within 4 weeks of your due date (travel also requires a physician’s note stating that you’ve been examined within the past 48 hours and you’re fit to fly)
- 7 days before or after your delivery (travel also requires a passenger medical form to be completed by your physician)
Flying American Airlines with a newborn
American Airlines allows babies to fly as young as 2 days old. For babies under 7 days old, you will be required to fill in a Passenger Medical Form before flying.
Flying American Airlines with an infant under two years old
American Airlines allow infants under 2 years old to travel at no charge. Although, they are required to sit in the lap of their parent (any age), or an accompanying adult 16 years or older travelling in the same cabin.
Important things to note –
- Only 1 infant may be seated in the lap of each ticketed accompanying adult and the infant must be included in the reservation.
- Additional infants under 2 years old must be ticketed and occupy an infant safety seat or in a separate aircraft seat.
- The infant must be under 2 years of age for the duration of the trip. If they turn 2 during a trip, they will need their own seat for the remainder of the trip.
American Airlines infant baggage allowance
If you’re flying internationally with an infant on your lap, American airlines issue the infant a ticket.
You may check 1 bag for the infant at the same rate as the adult’s first checked bag. You will also be allowed to travel with 1 diaper bag free of charge inside the cabin.
Other things you can carry for free if travelling with infants –
- Child safety seats, strollers and medical or mobility devices
- Breast pumps and a small, soft-sided cooler of breast milk don’t count as your carry-on or personal item
- Playpens, wagons, cribs and ‘pack and play’ count as regular bags
- If any of these exceed carry-on limits they’ll be checked and incur regular fees
American Airlines flying with kids over two years
Children 2 or older are required to have their own seat, a ticketed adult fare.
If you do not pre-book your seats, American Airlines will assign seats a few days after you buy your tickets. If you have booked your family on the same reservation, children under 15 will be sat next to at least 1 adult they’re travelling with.
Baggage allowance for children flying with American Airlines
A child (2–11 years old) with their own seat has the same basic baggage allowance as an adult travelling in the same travel class. This applies to both carry-on baggage and checked baggage.
American Airlines Onboard facilities
You’ll find changing tables in the bathrooms so you can comfortably change your baby on board.
Important Information for anyone flying with kids on American Airlines
American Airline’s strollers, bassinets and car seat policies
Taking a car seat on American Airlines
Most car seats that are approved for use in motor vehicles are acceptable for use in aircraft. 1 car seat to be checked free of charge, or taken onto the aircraft providing the following points are met.
The seat must have a solid back and seat. Restraint straps are installed to securely hold the child and a label indicating approval for use on an aircraft.
The label may include:
- These notes: ‘This child restraint system conforms to all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards’ and ‘this restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircrafts’ or ‘this restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.’
- Approval of a foreign government or a label showing that the seat was manufactured under the standards of the United Nations.
Important points –
- The safety seat can’t be used in an exit row or in the rows on either side of an exit row; window seats are preferred.
- Install the seat in the direction appropriate for the size of the child and according to the instructions on the label.
- The child must remain in the safety seat with the harness fastened during taxi, takeoff, landing and whenever the ‘fasten seatbelt’ sign is on.
- To carry on a safety seat, you must have bought a seat for the child, or a seat must be available next to you. If an unoccupied, adjoining seat is not available, the gate agent will check the safety seat to your final destination.
- Review seat dimensions before your trip.
Taking a Pushchair/stroller on American Airlines
Each ticketed customer is allowed 1 stroller, strollers over 20 lbs / 9 kgs must be checked at the ticket counter. All other strollers should be checked at the gate before boarding.
In the event that you are travelling with a stroller and a car seat only 1 can be checked at the gate
Requesting a Bassinet on an American Airlines flight
Bassinets are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the gate for travel only on 777-200, 777-300 and 787 aircraft. Infants using bassinets must be younger than 2 years old and weigh no more than 20lbs (9kg)
Bassinets are not available in First / Business cabins.
What sleep devices, leg rests and ride-on suitcases do American Airlines allow?
Sleepers and leg rests and extensions on American Airlines flights
This was a difficult one to get a straight answer for. As far as I’m aware, there is no ban on them being used inflight providing they are not blocking the exit rows or middle aisle. However, I would do some further research on your specific product before boarding.
I did also read that they can’t be used during taxi, takeoff and landing. Aside from this, I would say yes and then ask permission once boarded.
Ride‑on suitcases on American Airlines flights
Providing that the suitcase meets the carry-on baggage sizes then you are fine to take them onboard. Although, any suitcases that don’t meet the dimensions can be checked in.
American Airlines baby and children’s meals
Like most airlines, American Airlines offers children aged 2 and over inflight meals on long-haul flights.
If you are travelling with kids aged 2-5 you can request a child meal that will include foods that appeal to small children.
If you are travelling with an infant a selection of commercial baby food for children 2 and younger. You will need to request this at least 24 hours before travelling.
This food is pureed jars so if your child is weaned onto solids you will need to bring food yourself. You will also be allowed to travel with any milk/formula.
Children’s in-flight entertainment
American Airlines has a wide range of inflight films and programs available. They also have a dedicated children’s section. Tune in to the Kids Room, where you’ll find a fun selection of movies and TV for the young and young at heart.
Children can also enjoy the new educational entertainment from HOMER, where kids can explore subjects like reading, music, science and more.
