Infants are always tough to carry and need constant attention for their safety. Most parents avoid flying with infants but if you are in urgent need of flying, you must follow extra precautions and take care of your child. So the American Airlines infant policy is important for everyone flying with infants so that they can enjoy the accessories and amenities provided by the airline for the infants. Here we will be discussing the policies, baggage allowance, fees, and many more in this article.

What is the American Airlines Infant Policy?

If you are American Airlines traveling with an infant, it is important for you to follow the American Airlines infant policy. These policies ensure a safe flight for you as well as your newborn baby. We will be discussing the policies in the following paragraph.

American Airlines Infant Policy and Rules

American Airlines’ infant policies are designed to ensure the safety and comfort of the youngest travelers. Here’s a concise overview:

Infants as young as 2 days old and those under 7 days can easily travel provided they provide doctor’s clearance.
If you have not purchased a separate seat for infants, only one infant per adult will be allowed to travel on the lap.
If you are traveling with infants under the age of 18, make sure to carry their proof of age, such as a birth certificate, with you.
Families with infants under 2 years old may get access to an early boarding facility.
Each baby is allowed to carry one carry-on diaper bag on board.
Approved safety seats by the FAA are recommended for use during the flight.
If you are traveling on domestic routes, you can carry babies for free, even on the routes to Puerto Rico.
For international flights, you will be charged a certain percentage of adult fares for the infants you carry.
In the American Airlines wide-body aircraft, changing tables are available in the lavatories.
If you are looking for bassinets in American Airlines’ fleet, they are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the gate for travel only on 777-200, 777-300, and 787 aircraft.
If you are looking for bassinets in First/Business class, they are not available in those cabins.

How To Book An American Ticket For A Lap Child?

Booking a ticket for a lap child with American Airlines can be done through several convenient methods. Whether you prefer the ease of online booking, the personal touch of customer support, or the immediacy of airport service, American has you covered. Here’s how to ensure your little one is all set for their journey.

Making Bookings Online

The digital age makes booking travel arrangements a breeze, and securing a ticket for your lap child is no exception. Here’s how to add an American Airlines lap infant to your American reservation online:

Navigate to the American Airlines website.
Select your flight and fill in the required travel details.
Look for the ‘Add a Lap Child’ option during the booking process.
Enter the child’s information, including their name and date of birth.
Review your reservation details to confirm the lap child has been added.
Proceed to checkout, where you’ll receive a confirmation of your booking.

Making Bookings via Customer Support

Booking your infants via Customer support is the easiest, as you will get a live person to take care of the booking process. There are certain steps you need to follow that are mentioned here:

Call the American Airlines customer support hotline using the number mentioned below.
Provide the flight details and mention that you’re booking for a lap child.
The agent will guide you with the booking process provided you present the approved documents for the child.
You’ll be confirmed of the booking via mail and text message.

Making Bookings at the Airport

Sometimes, you need to make travel arrangements on the fly. Booking a ticket for a lap child at the airport is straightforward with American’s helpful staff. Here’s what to do:

Visit the American Airlines ticket counter at the airport.
Inform the staff that you need to book a ticket for a lap child.
Provide the necessary details for the child as requested by the staff.
The staff will process your request and provide a boarding pass that includes the lap child.

Baggage Allowance for Infants

Traveling with infants, you are allowed to carry various items that are used only for the baby. If you wish to carry extra items, you will have to check it in with the standard baggage rule, and the charges will apply accordingly. Here are the American Airlines infant baggage and other items that you can carry:

Carry-On and Checked Bags:

If flying internationally with an infant on your lap, you will have the option for carry-on baggage on board.
For the infant, you can check in 1 bag that will be at the same rate charged for the adult’s first checked bag.

Strollers and Accessories:

Families traveling with children under 2 years old can check in 1 stroller and 1 car seat for free.
Each child onboard is allowed to carry 1 carry-on diaper bag.
If you are planning to carry breast pumps and a small, soft-sided cooler of breast milk, do it for free as they are not counted as carry-on or personal item.
On the other hand, playpens, wagons, cribs, and ‘pack and play’ are considered a regular bag, and it can be checked in with other baggage.

Fees For Carrying Infants On Board

American Airlines flying with an infant does not cost you anything on a domestic route. However, if you are traveling on an international route, the fees will be a percentage of the adult fare for that specific route. The percentage will depend on the destination and interval of the flight.

Summary

Traveling with infants, you need to take extra care and precautions so that the baby doesn’t end up being troubled or feel uncomfortable. Therefore, the American Airlines infant policy comes into play and ensures the safety and comfort of the baby onboard. If you need any kind of assistance from booking to boarding, feel free to contact us via the number mentioned below.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) What safety seats are allowed for infants?

Most safety seats approved for motor vehicles are acceptable for aircraft use. They must have a solid back and seat, restraint straps, and an approval label.

2) How many carry-on bags can I bring for my infant?

Families traveling with children under 2 years old can bring 1 carry-on diaper bag per child.

3) Do infants need documentation for international travel?

Yes, children or infants traveling outside the U.S. require the same documentation as adults.

4) Can I check a bag for my infant?

Yes, if flying internationally with an infant on your lap, you can check 1 bag for the infant at the same rate as the adult’s first checked bag.

5)( Is early boarding available for families with infants?

Families can ask to board early at the gate when traveling with children under 2 years old.

6) What if my child travels without both parents?

If anyone under 18 travels internationally without both parents, they may need to present a Letter of Consent.

American Airlines Infant Policy: Travel Comfort for Babies