American Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy allows children to travel on their flights alone without any discomfort. The staff of American Airlines (A.A.) keeps them entertained throughout their journey. This American Airlines Customer Service team remains available for them before, in-flight, and after their trip. They ensure that your child travels safely and lands at his destination on time.

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What is American Airlines Policy regarding unaccompanied minors?

The policy for unaccompanied minors by American Airlines offers specialized assistance for solo young travelers aged 5 to 14. American Airlines personnel are designated to accompany and assist these children throughout their journey.

Adults sending their children alone to another city through American Airlines are advised to remain connected with them during the entire journey. They need to help them complete the check-in process, explain the journey to them, submit their check-in bags, and accompany them to the boarding gates. The A.A. advises parents to wait for their ward at the boarding gate until their children’s flights take off.

Special services to unaccompanied minors on American Airlines

Priority boarding of minors is needed to introduce them to flight attendants and help them settle quickly.
Kid-friendly lounges in selected cities to spend quality time in case of connected flights.
The children of 5 to 10 years will get snacks and activities from Quaker.
An airport escort will help your child even at the gate for connecting flights.
Supervising your child during de-boarding and dropping him off to the authorized adult responsible for his pickup when he lands at the airport.
The American Airlines staff will be responsible for taking care of your child during the in-flight period.

Thus, American Airlines relaxes parents and guardians from any worries regarding their children travelling alone to their destination.

Age Restriction of the unaccompanied minor on American Airlines

You can send as many unaccompanied minors on American Airlines as you want until they meet the age criteria mentioned by the Airline. The Airline also imposes certain restrictions on the traveling of unaccompanied minors. These restrictions and age bars apply to all one-way, return, or multi-city tickets. The following are the eligibility conditions for unaccompanied minors-

0-4 years– American Airlines will not allow your minor child of this age group to travel alone.
5-7 years- You can send your child belonging to this age group of 5 to 7 years alone only on a non-connecting flight. At the airport, your child will require a gate escort and your presence with him until his flight takes off. You will have to pay $150 to send your child alone to another place through an American Airlines flight.
8-14 years- Children of this age group of 8-14 can travel without any adult on specified connecting flights. These flights should be connecting through the cities of Charlotte, Washington D.C, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Phoenix. Minors of this age group require an American Airlines escort and your presence with them at the airport. Again, USD 150 will be applied to their unaccompanied minor ticket.
15-17 years- It is optional to send your child between 15 and 17 years under the Unaccompanied Minors program of American Airlines. The service fee for them will still apply even if you did not choose unaccompanied minor services. Yet, a gate representative will be with the child, and your presence will be required. A fee of USD 150 will be applied for this age group, too. Your child can travel on connecting flights if they fly through selected cities such as Charlotte, Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles.

Restrictions for Unaccompanied Minors on American Airlines

Minor children aged 5-14 years cannot travel with American Airlines because of the following conditions-

If the connecting flight is of another airline
If the connecting flights are stationed at different terminals and your child needs to be transferred from one local airport to another
Last flight of the day.
Overnight connecting flights

American Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Journey Guidelines

American Airlines recommends that you should instruct your child about the safety steps during his journey. Explain to him how to identify the uniform of the American Airlines staff if he needs to contact them. Moreover, inform him to wait for the airline personnel to come and take him off the plane. Let your child know how to ring the ‘call’ button and ask for an attendant if he needs anything. Besides all these safety instructions, you need to ensure that your child carries with him the following essential items for his journey-

Your contact number
Books, games, and money
Snacks for in-flight enjoyment
An ID card and contact information on the child’s hand-carry
Fully charged electronic devices, chargers, and headphones

Documents required for check-in-

You are required to arrive at least 2 hours before the departure and meet the American Airlines Customer Service Agent to complete the check-in procedure. You can also access the information regarding drop-off and pickup for unaccompanied minor travel from this agent.

At the counter of this customer service agent, you need to fill out an unaccompanied minor form and submit the required immigration and customs documents in case of international travel. Besides, you have to share the following documents-

Birth certificate or any other photo I.D. proof of your child
Your government-issued photo I.D. proof
Your contact details
Identity proof documents of the person receiving your child at the destination

While at the airport, warn your child not to leave the airport premises or his flight seat without informing the American Airlines representative. In the case of the connecting flight, American Airlines allowed him to wait at the airport lounge managed by the Airline. This Airline manages airport lounges in the following cities-

Charlotte
Washington D.C.
New York
Miami
Chicago
Los Angeles
Philadelphia
Phoenix

Boarding & Takeoff of the Unaccompanied Minor

American Airlines advises you to stay with your minor at the departure gate and wait there until he boards the plane and takes off.

The gate agent will also inform you about the departure of your child’s flight so that you can leave the airport.

In-flight journey

Flight attendants of American Airlines will continuously monitor your child’s activities. They will always assist him with any need. The Airline recommends reminding your child about the following things-

Inform the attendants if your child feels any discomfort
Follow safety instructions such as wearing seat belts
Wait for a team member to take off the plane after landing

Pickup of the unaccompanied minor

American Airlines allows your child to be dropped off only by an authorized person. He is advised to reach the airport at least 2 hours before the arrival of your child. This authorized person for the pickup should be holding a valid photo identity proof and his signature at the airport. This identification proof is necessary to get a security pass and meet the child.

Flight delays and cancellations of the unaccompanied minor

American Airlines often delays and cancels connecting flights due to several reasons. Your unaccompanied minor child can also face this situation. But there is nothing to worry about.

This Airline will call and inform you to arrange an alternate flight that can connect to your child’s destination. If your child needs to stay overnight, then the Airline’s representatives will arrange for meals, accommodations, and supervision.

Flight booking under the American Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Program

You can book an American Airlines flight for your minor online and by calling the Reservations section at the numbers provided on the website for every country. You first need to book a ticket for your minor through the normal adult fare.

After completing the booking process, you are required to contact the provided numbers to access special services for unaccompanied minors. The American Airlines customer service agent in your region will assess whether your child meets the criteria for the unaccompanied minor program. Under this policy, a fee of $150 is required for your child to travel independently.