You will need to address many things if you are travelling with a baby on American Airlines. If you are using a domestic flight, it is essential to understand that the lap rule for children below two years will save you some money.
In American Airlines, infants below two days old are not allowed to travel using flights. Also, for infants who might have passed their sixth day, a medical statement will be required from a doctor and should state whether the child is stable for travel. Besides, infants who are already seven days old can travel through American Airlines flights if they are accompanied by an adult of at least 16 years. So what should I know about travelling with a baby on American Airlines?
In most cases, an American Airlines flight will require you to purchase a ticket for your baby if your child is at least two years old at the time of travel. Only one child is allowed per adult lap, so you will need a ticket for children younger than that if they don't have an adult's lap to sit on for the duration of the flight.
For international travels, you will be able to travel irrespective of your child's age and whether the baby will be sitting on your lap. Thus, in most cases, you are not needed to purchase a ticket for your child who will be travelling as an infant and sitting on your lap in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
For domestic flights, an infant can travel on your lap for free. Thus, American airlines do not offer any discounted prices for children of any age who will use domestic flights. For international flights, the availability of fares for children and infants varies depending on the travel plans you have set.
If you are accompanied by an infant below the age of 2 years who will not sit on your lap, you will pay 10 % of the total adult fare for international flights. Besides, taxes will also be assessed and will be significant. American Airlines also offers a 25% discount for infants and children occupying a seat and using the main cabin for international flights.
If you are going to travel with your child, you can follow up on your baggage allowance based on whether you will have reserved a seat or not. For instance, an approved safety seat and a diaper bag will be checked.
Also, light strollers and car seats weighing less than 9kg will be checked at the gate. It is important to note that only one will be checked at the gate. Thus, if you have a car seat and a stroller, one will be checked at the ticket counter. Also, large strollers that are above the normal 9 kg can be checked at the counter.
On most occasions, you might travel with an infant sitting on your lap until the baby reaches their second birthday for free. This only applies to domestic flights that are mainly operated by American Airlines. However, it is essential to note that you will incur some charges for infants who travel on your lap if you are using an international flight.
Also, American airlines reserve the right to request your child's proof of age for any traveller below two years of age. Currently, you cannot book any reservations to carry your infant on your lap. Thus, you are required to contact American Airlines Reservations.
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