American Airlines Travel Policies - Pregnancy, Infant, Children

American Airlines is an American carrier serving North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. Below is a summary of American Airlines’ pregnancy, infant and child policies.

*This is for informational purposes only. For more information on flying with children on American Airlines, click here or contact the airline directly.

Expectant Mothers

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 Coordinators.

International/Over Water Travel

For international travel or any flights over the water, travel is not advised within four weeks of the delivery 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.

Infants (under 2 years old)

- - Infants are accepted two days after delivery, however, at least seven days is recommended.
  - Infants up to 2 years old (24 months), are not required to have their own seat for travel within the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
  - You must inform American Airlines (1-800-433-7300) that you will be traveling with an infant on your lap.
  - The maximum number of infants per adult passenger is two.
  - Lap children can only be held by passengers who are at least 15 years of age.
  - Only one lap child is allowed per adult. If one adult is traveling with more than one infant under 2 years of age, a seat will have to be purchased for each additional infant.
  - You may purchase a seat for your infant as long as you have the proper child restraint device.
  - A ticket will have to be purchased for any flight on which the infant will be over 2 years old.

International Flights

- - 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 even if the infant will be on the lap of another passenger for the flight..
  - A ticket will have to be purchased for any flight on which the infant will be over 2 years old.

Baggage Allowance for Infants

If a seat was not purchased for an infant, that infant does not have a carry-on or checked baggage allowance.
When traveling internationally, infants without a seat but paying 10% of an adult fare are allowed one piece of checked baggage not to exceed 45in/115cms 50lbs/23kgs.
The following items are allowed over and above the carry-on allowance for the adult traveling with any infant (lap or ticketed child):
- Approved safety seat (may also be checked)
- Umbrella stroller
- Diaper bag

Children (2 to 11 years old)

- - The use of an approved child restraint device is optional for children age 2 and up.
  - Children 2 through 11 years of age must travel with another passenger at least 16 years of age or they will be considered Unaccompanied Minors.
  - Adult fare is charged for domestic flights (United States/Canada and Hawaii/Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands) for children 2 to 11 years old.
  - Child fare for international flights (outside the United States/Canada and Hawaii/Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands) fares for children varies depending on your travel plans.

Stroller and Child Restraint Devices

Strollers

Stroller Type	Features
Umbrella Stroller	AA highly recommends using this type of stroller May be taken onboard the aircraft as long as it fits in the overhead bin Exempt from carry-on allowance and baggage charges 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 charges
Large Stroller Jogging, Non-Collapsible Stroller or Heavy Stroller Weighing Over 20 lbs.	Strongly discouraged to avoid damage. Facilities were not designed to accommodate these types of strollers Must be checked at the ticket counter May not be carried on the aircraft or checked at the gate Exempt from baggage charges when accompanying a child or infant who is traveling

Child Restraint Devices

- - Approved restraint devices include:
    - Models manufactured in Canada after January 1, 1981 must bear the National Safety Mark, which indicates the number of the standard(s) to which the restraint device conforms
    - Models manufactured to United States standards:
      - Models manufactured between January 1, 1981 and February 25, 1985 must bear the following label: “This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.”
      - Models manufactured on or after February 26, 1985 must bear the following two labels: “This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards” and “THIS RESTRAINT IS CERTIFIED FOR USE IN MOTOR VEHICLES AND AIRCRAFT” (in red lettering).
    - 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.). This 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.

Special Services

- - Changing tables are available in the lavatories of all wide-body aircraft.
  - 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

American Airlines Pregnancy, Infant and Children Travel Policy