American Airlines Minor Policy – What It Is And How It Works?

Last Updated on Jul 10th, 2024 by Renu Dahiya, Leave a Comment

Is your child traveling alone with American Airlines? Whether traveling to camp or school or heading off to visit family, sometimes allowing your child to fly alone just can’t be avoided. But, don’t worry, American Airlines’ minor policy guarantees their safety and well-being from the moment you drop them up at the departure airport, throughout the journey, and until they are met at the destination. The airline staff will be with your child at all times. 

Check all the necessary information about the American Airlines policy for minors below. This will help you to plan a journey for your child with American Airlines accordingly to avoid future unforeseen hassles. 

American Airlines Minor Policy – Rules & Requirements 

When a child flies without the presence of a legal guardian, they are referred to as an unaccompanied minor and require special supervision – which also provides peace of mind for parents or guardians. Each airline has its own rules concerning unaccompanied minors such as age requirements, cost, flight limitations, and amenities. So, it is important to look into the rules of the airline you plan on booking with. And, here we’ll learn the rules and requirements of the American Airlines policy on minors flying alone. 

• Children Aged 5 To 14 – As per the American Airlines minor travel policy, children between the ages of 5 and 14 are required to use the unaccompanied minor service when they fly alone. 
• Young Flyers Aged 15 To 17 – The service of American Airlines policy on unaccompanied minors is optional for children aged 15-17, but if requested, then the fee applies.  If you are not using the unaccompanied minor service for your child (aged 15 – 17) and their flight is delayed or canceled, they will be accommodated as an adult customer. Please know that many hotels won’t allow young people to check in unless they are accompanied by an adult. Please remind them not to leave the airport for any reason unless they are accompanied by a uniformed team member or police officer, or have spoken with a parent or designated adult. 
• Fee – The airline charges a $150 unaccompanied service fee (plus tax, where applicable) each way, added to the flight ticket price for those using the service. This fee covers additional siblings on the same flight. So, a round-trip will cost you $300 (plus tax, where applicable), added to the airline ticket price. For example, for a one-way San Francisco to Bangalore flight, the service fee will be $150 (plus tax, if applicable), and for a round-trip SFO to Bangalore flight, the service fee will be $300 (plus tax, if applicable).

American Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Service Includes 

• Early boarding, allows extra time to get settled and meet the flight attendants or airline representatives. 
• Complimentary kids’ kits from Quaker with delicious snacks and fun activities (for ages 5-10, in hub cities). The kit includes puzzles, activities, and 2 complimentary snacks to enjoy at the airport or on the flight. 
• Kids-only lounges in the hub cities for flight connections. 
• An airport escort to take care of your child to the gate for flight connections. 
• Escorting the child to the authorized adult who comes to pick them up when they land.

Age & Flight Restrictions For Unaccompanied Minors

Here’s the complete information about the age and flight restrictions imposed by American Airlines on children traveling alone or unaccompanied minors – 

Age Between 0-4

• Children aged between 0-4 years cannot travel alone with American Airlines.

Age Between 5-7

• Unaccompanied minor service required
• Gate escort and guardian contact required
• Nonstop flights only

Age Between 8-14

• Unaccompanied minor service required
• Gate escort and guardian contact required
• Nonstop flights, or connecting flights through Charlotte, NC (CLT), New York, NY (JFK and LGA), Chicago, IL (ORD), Washington Reagan, D.C. (DCA), Dallas Fort Worth, TX (DFW), Los Angeles, CA(LAX), Phoenix, AZ (PHX), Philadelphia, PA (PHA), and Miami, FL (MIA).

Age Between 15-17

• Unaccompanied minor service is optional. But, if requested, then the service fee applies. 
• Gate escort and guardian contact required
• Nonstop flights, or connecting flights through Charlotte, NC (CLT), New York, NY (JFK and LGA), Chicago, IL (ORD), Washington Reagan, D.C. (DCA), Dallas Fort Worth, TX (DFW), Los Angeles, CA(LAX), Phoenix, AZ (PHX), Philadelphia, PA (PHA), and Miami, FL (MIA).

Note – Minors ages 2-14 can travel as an accompanied minor with someone 16 years old or older. 

Required Documents & Check-In Process

The airline advises the parents to arrive at least 2 hours before the scheduled departure time of the child’s flight and speak with a ticket counter agent. Minors traveling alone can’t check in online or at the kiosk. You can check the complete details regarding the American Airlines check-in policy here. 

You’ll need to fill out an unaccompanied minor form and any required Customs and Immigration documents for the day of departure. This format will remain with your child during their journey. During the time of check-in, parents or guardians will also need to provide the following documents – 

• Identification proof of child – a birth certificate or passport.
• The government-issued photo ID of an adult with a current address.
• Valid contact number so that the airline can contact you.
• The name, address, and valid phone number of the adult meeting your child at their destination.

Go through a detailed guide to ID requirements of children for air travel here and clear all your doubts. 

Arrival & Pick-Up

Please remember to carry your government-issued photo ID for a seamless pick-up. You’ll need to show the ID to get a security pass, meet the child at the gate, and before the airline release the child to you. So, it is advisable to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before the child’s scheduled arrival time. You can also check our piece on ‘do I need a ticket to enter the airport?’, if you have any further queries. 

How Does The American Airlines Minor Policy Help In The Case Of Connecting Flights?

The airline also looks after them if they need to take a connecting flight (with American Airlines or its partner airlines). For example, suppose you have booked Atlanta to Delhi flight for your minor child and there are also connecting flights between these routes i.e. Atlanta (ATL) to Washington (DCA) to New York to Delhi flight. In that case, the airline staff will also take care of your child to take a connecting flight if the other flight is booked with the same airline or with partner airlines. 

If any unexpected situation arises, the airline staff will be by your child’s side and will keep you informed at all times. While your child is waiting for the connecting flight, the airline representative will take him to their unaccompanied minors lounge so that they can rest, play games, watch children’s films, and use the free wifi connection. 

Important Note – Children under 18 need a letter of consent to travel internationally without both parents. 

How To Book The Service Of American Airlines Minor Policy? 

Unaccompanied minor services need to be booked by phone. Here are the contact details of American Airlines for reservations – 

Within the USA and Canada 

Contact Number	Working Hours
800-433-7300	24 hours

Worldwide Phone Numbers 

Country	Contact Number	Working Hours
India	0124-601-4200 or 0124-417-6700	Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 7 PM; Saturday – 9 AM to 5:30 PM; Sunday – 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM
Australia	02-9101-1948	English – 24 hours; Japanese – 24 hours; Korean – 10 AM to 7 PM; Mandarin – 24 hours
Singapore	6349-8444	English – 24 hours
Japan	03-4333-7675	English – 24 hours Japanese – 24 hours
China	400-818-7333	Mandarin Chinese – 24 hours English – 24 hours
Philippines	02-8524-8625	Monday to Friday – 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM

If you want to avail of the services of American Airlines’ unaccompanied minor policy without any problem, please book it well in advance.

Tips – Also, check the American Airlines Baggage policy before packing for your child’s flight, so that you and your minor child won’t face any problems.  

Tips To Make Sure Your Kid Is Safe When Traveling Alone

• Parents or guardians of unaccompanied minors need to make sure their kids are adequately prepared. Inform them about the plan on the plane, and getting off the plane, and when they’re in need of something they can ask a flight attendant. 
• Parents should give their children a list of important contacts and phone numbers and put the list in their pockets as well as their carry-on luggage. 
• Parents may also want to consider using some tracking tools and should always monitor a child’s flight in case it arrives early or late. 
• Provide a picture of the person your child will be meeting at the airport, and write out the person’s complete contact information on the back of the photo. 
• It is advised by the airline that you bring the minor to the airport early, with all the required documentation.

Conclusion

While parents may be nervous to allow their children to fly alone, flying with American Airlines’s unaccompanied minor policy provides extra care throughout the whole process. Prepare for your child’s solo flight journey with our tips, and consult our guide to the ‘American Airlines Minor Policy mentioned above. When you’re ready to book, go through the exclusive flight deals and discounts on USA to India and India to USA flights on our website and score the cheapest flight possible. 

Tip – If you want to know about the American Airlines lost baggage policy & claim, check out our guide here. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can my minor child travel internationally alone with American Airlines?

A: Yes, your minor can travel internationally alone with American Airlines. The unaccompanied minor service is required in this case. And, children under 18 need a letter of consent to travel internationally without both parents.

Q: What happens if the connecting flight of my minor child gets delayed or canceled?

A: American Airlines will contact you at the phone number given on the unaccompanied minor form and arrange an alternate flight if your child is unable to make a connecting flight due to delays or cancellations. They will also arrange for overnight accommodations, meals, and supervision if needed.

Q: What is the American Airlines unaccompanied minor service fee?

A: American Airlines charges a $150 unaccompanied service fee (plus tax, where applicable) each way, added to the ticket price. This fee covers additional siblings on the same flight.

Now that you know everything about the American Airlines minor policy, plan a journey for your minor accordingly and avoid further hassles. If you need any more information or have any questions about the policy, please don’t hesitate to call us at our customer service number. We’ll provide you with a perfect solution as soon as possible.

Have your children flown solo? Share your experience in the comment section below. We’d love to hear from you.

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