It is important to know American Airlines policy when traveling with children, whether infants or older. The American carrier has specific requirements regarding the travel of children, infants and their mothers on board its aircraft:
When infants travel by plane without their own seat and are held on their parents’ lap, it is generally permissible to bring food for their consumption during the flight. However, regulations can vary by airline and destination, so it’s important to check the specific policies of the airline you’re flying with.
Baby food in the cabin
Here are some general tips for baby food when traveling:
Breast milk or formula: If you are breastfeeding, you can breastfeed your baby during the flight. If you are using infant formula, you can bring small amounts of pre-measured formula in sterilized bottles. Be sure to check the regulations for liquids carried in the cabin, as there may be restrictions on quantities and containers allowed. Security guards may ask you to taste the milk or formula to verify its authenticity.
Baby food in jars: Baby food in jars is generally permitted in the cabin. Be sure to bring unopened jars and check the restrictions on the plastic containers they are transported in. You can request hot water from the cabin crew to heat up baby food if needed.
Homemade baby food: If you are preparing baby food yourself, it may be more convenient to prepare and transport it in food-safe containers. Check specific regulations for homemade foods and restrictions on containers.
Healthy snacks: In addition to the main meals, you can also bring healthy, age-appropriate snacks for your baby, such as pieces of fruit or vegetables cut into small pieces, baby crackers or specially made cereal bars for toddlers.
It’s best to check the airline’s policies before the flight to ensure you follow specific rules regarding in-cabin baby food.
Nursing mothers: American Airlines understands the importance of traveling with a breastfed baby. For breastfeeding mothers, the airline allows them to breastfeed or pump on board the plane. They can also take breast pumps and milk on board as hand luggage. Additionally, AA allows them to pre-board so they can settle in before the general boarding process begins.
Families traveling
If you are traveling with your family, American Airlines has certain policies in place to ensure that your family is seated together. Families with children under 15 can take advantage of the airline’s EarlyBird Check-In option for a fee, which ensures they are automatically checked in and given a better boarding position. Regarding seating, American Airlines will try to seat families together, but this is not guaranteed. To increase your chances of being seated together, it is recommended that you select your seats as early as possible.
Children (2 years or older)
For children two years of age or older, AA requires that they have their own seat on the plane. Children in this age group must be restrained in an FAA-approved child restraint system or in a seat with a seat belt. The airline also offers reduced fares for children aged 2 to 14.
Infants (under 2 years old)
For infants under 24 months, American Airlines allows them to sit on a parent or guardian’s lap during the flight at no additional cost. However, the parent or guardian must inform the airline that they will be traveling with an infant during the booking process. The airline also offers bassinets on select international flights for babies under 2 years weighing less than 20 pounds.
Children under the age of five are not permitted to fly alone with AA.
American Airlines allows newborn babies (less than 7 days old) to board its planes provided that their parent completes a medical form at check-in.
Booking for these travelers cannot be done online, only by phone. Call 800-433-7300.
Adding an infant to a booking can be done online, if traveling within the US or Puerto Rico.
Cradle for child in the cabin?
AA recently confirmed that it does not offer cribs or bassinets in its Business or First class cabins.
Although some parents may opt for economy class seats to have access to a crib, it is important to note that availability is not guaranteed and may vary depending on the aircraft and route. American Airlines recommends checking with their reservations team in advance to confirm crib availability on a specific flight.
Child traveling on a safety seats in the cabin?
Traveling with young children on a flight can be challenging, but choosing the right child safety seat can make all the difference. American Airlines understands the importance of keeping your child safe during air travel, which is why they have set out their policy on safety seats.
This means that if you have a car seat or booster seat certified for use in motor vehicles, chances are you can also use it on a US airline flight.
The seat carried in the cabin must have a label indicating that “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft”.
As a reminder to customers, American Airlines has said that safety seats are not permitted in first class or business class on some aircraft.
Aircraft affected include the Airbus 321T (First Class), Boeing 777-200, Boeing 777-300, Boeing 787-800 and Boeing 787-900 (Business Class). These aircraft have seating configurations that make it dangerous to install a safety seat in first class or business class. This rule applies to all customers, including those who have purchased a seat for their infant or toddler.
American Airlines Policy: How much luggage for a baby?
American Airlines offers a helpful policy for parents traveling with infants. If you are traveling abroad with a baby on your lap, the US carrier issues a ticket for it, and you can check one piece of baggage for the baby at the same price as the first piece of checked baggage for the adult.
If you’re planning a trip with your toddler and are considering traveling with AA, it’s important to know their policies for traveling with infants. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
– As far as baggage is concerned, American Airlines allows parents to check one piece of baggage for their baby at the same price as the first piece of checked baggage for the adult. This means you won’t have to pay extra for your baby’s luggage.
American Airlines allows its customers to carry strollers on board its planes. However, certain rules must be observed. Parents can bring a stroller as checked baggage or as carry-on baggage. When used as carry-on baggage, its can be checked at the boarding gate or at the ticket counter.
If the stroller is too big or heavier (it weighs more than 20 lbs / 9kg) to be placed in the overhead compartment, it will be checked in at the boarding gate free of charge.
It should also be remembered that parents have a choice between a stroller or car seat to take in the cabin.
Additional accessories (accepted in the cabin)
Apart from their hand luggage, passengers can carry a small cooler for their children containing breast milk (soft-sided) or any other personal item.
On the other hand, items such as playpens, carts, cradles, … are considered as hand luggage.
What documents are required for travel by a child on an American Airlines international flight?
Traveling outside the United States can be an exciting adventure for adults and children. However, it is important to remember that children and infants traveling outside the United States must have the same documentation as that of adult passengers. In addition, if a person under the age of 18 is traveling abroad alone on board, they must first provide a consent document signed by one of their parents.