What Is American Airlines’ Unaccompanied Minor Policy?

Traveling by air can be overwhelming at times, even for adults, and adding children into the mix only increases the stress levels. But what happens when children need to travel alone? Many airlines offer an unaccompanied minors service, ensuring that children are well looked after from check-in through to arrival, when they are picked up by an authorized adult.

Photo: Yaroslav Astakhov | Shutterstock

American Airlines is one of the several US carriers to provide this service. The airline charges a fee of $150, plus applicable taxes, in addition to the ticket price for its unaccompanied minors service. However, the additional fee is only payable once for two or more unaccompanied minors from the same immediate or extended family.

What does American Airlines’ unaccompanied minors service include?

The oneworld member airline’s unaccompanied minors service is mandatory for all children between the ages of 5-14 traveling alone, and is also available as an optional extra for those aged 15-17. The service includes:

• Early boarding – allowing extra time to get settled and meet the flight attendants
• Kids-only lounges – at hub airports for those on connecting flights
• Complimentary Kids’ Kits from Quaker – including snacks and activities (for children aged 5-10 traveling from or through hub airports)
• An airport escort – to help children navigate their way through the airport and arrive at the gate on time. At the other end, the children are also escorted to the authorized adult collecting them.

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

There are also certain restrictions that go with American Airlines’ unaccompanied minors service. For example, those aged 5-7 cannot travel on connecting flights, while children under 4 years old cannot travel alone on any flight or route. When it comes to booking flights for unaccompanied minors, this cannot be done online, and tickets must instead be booked by phone.

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A useful service for families

Several other airlines worldwide offer an unaccompanied minors service, including KLM, Delta Air Lines, and ITA Airways. Having their children taken care of throughout their journey is a useful service for many families looking to take to the skies. However, the service does not always go to plan…

Photo: Ceri Breeze | Shutterstock

At the end of last year, a Florida mother filed a lawsuit against American Airlines when, according to The Independent, she claimed that the carrier had held her children in a room overnight without food, water, or blankets. The incident allegedly took place when the children’s connecting flight from American Airlines’ hub at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) to Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) was canceled.

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Have you or someone you know flown as an unaccompanied minor on American Airlines or another carrier? Would you make use of the service for your children? Share your thoughts and experiences by commenting below.