At American Airlines, we fly over borders – across the country and the world – to connect people and communities. Providing this service and making the world a smaller, more inclusive place, is a huge part of who we are.
All transportation of passengers and bags provided by American Airlines is subject to the terms of these Conditions of Carriage, in addition to any:
All terms, fare rules, and tariffs are incorporated herein by reference and constitute part of your agreement with American Airlines.
American Airlines General Rules of the International Tariff Opens a PDF document in a new window
Good or bad, we want to hear from you. Please contact us with your comments, concerns and feedback. Our Customer Relations team is here for you and will respond promptly.
When you buy a ticket or travel on a flight provided by American Airlines, you agree:
Here's what we mean by things like 'domestic' and 'FAA.' If you can't find something or have questions, please get in touch.
Under the name "American Airlines" we operate mainline flights as American Airlines and regional codeshare flights (doing business as American Eagle) operated by:
The Landline Company
| What we say | What it means |
|---|---|
| American Ticket Office | A ticket sales office of American Airlines, Inc. / American Eagle or one of our appointed travel agents |
| Ancillary services | Additional fees we collect for optional services like seats, and Wi-Fi, which are not included in your base ticket fare. |
| Assistive device | Equipment used by passengers with special needs (Disabled Passenger or Qualified Individual with a Disability) to hear, see, communicate, maneuver or perform daily functions; includes medical devices and medications |
| Automated re-shopping (Auto re-shop) | The use of a robotic or automated process of re-booking a ticket for the same passenger and itinerary on American with the purpose of taking advantage of a reduced fare where there is no change fee payable to American for the administrative costs of the re-booking. |
| Baggage | Personal property that's either checked in or carried on the plane |
| Codeshare | Codeshare agreements allow us to sell seats on flights operated by other airlines, giving American customers access to more flights and destinations; partners include British Airways, Iberia, Alaska Airlines and more |
| Customs and Border Protection (CBP) | CBP is our country's primary border control organization. It regulates and facilitates international trade, collects import duties, and enforces U.S. regulations, including trade, customs and immigration |
| Disabled Passenger or Qualified Individual with a Disability | An individual who has a physical or mental impairment that, permanently or temporarily, substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment as further defined in the U.S. Department of Transportation regulations in 14 C.F.R. Section 382.3 |
| Domestic | The 50 federated states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, also see 'U.S.' |
| Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) | An agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation that regulates all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S. including operation of airports, air traffic and the certifying personnel and aircraft |
| Fare | The price you pay for your ticket; also, the rules associated with that ticket including whether it's refundable |
| Flight segment | A flight segment is a nonstop point-to-point flight that consists of one takeoff and one touchdown |
| International | Outside the 50 federated states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; also, outside of your home country |
| Montreal Convention and Warsaw Convention | International agreements that set the rules for airlines' liability when we carry passengers, baggage and goods internationally |
| Oversold flight | When the number of checked-in passengers exceeds the number of seats |
| Stopover | A planned stop in a city/airport for over 4 hours |
| Ticket | Passenger ticket, bag check and boarding pass which incorporate these conditions of carriage, including tickets issued electronically |
| Transportation Security Administration (TSA) | An agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security with authority over the security of the traveling public in the U.S. |
| U.S. | The 50 federated states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands |
| U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) | A federal Cabinet department of the U.S. government that regulates aspects of air transportation |
As a passenger, you're required to act in way that's consistent with ensuring the safety of everyone on board. This includes complying with the laws and travel requirements of the countries we fly to, from or over. Traveling can be stressful, and we appreciate your patience and courtesy for other passengers and American Airlines team members.
To fly on American, you must:
Be sure your driver’s license complies with REAL ID and that your passport is valid or you may not be allowed to board your flight. Some countries require your passport be valid for 3 – 6 months beyond your departure date, so be sure you know the rules before you travel.
We are not responsible for any loss, damage or expense if you do not meet the travel document requirements.
The safety and comfort of our customers and team members is our top priority. We will respond seriously to any language or behavior that threatens the well-being or functionality of our crew or any American Airlines team member. Violent or inappropriate actions may result in the denial of boarding, removal from the terminal or legal prosecution.
To ensure a safe environment for everyone, you must:
If your physical or mental condition is such that in American's sole opinion, you are rendered or likely to be rendered incapable of comprehending or complying with safety instructions without the assistance of an attendant, American may refuse to transport you.
In addition, you may be asked to give up your seat if a government official needs space, for weather conditions requiring reduced aircraft load, or for other conditions beyond our control.
We may not let you fly (temporarily or permanently) for any reason, including if you:
You may also be liable for any loss, damage or expense resulting from your conduct. For example, you may be liable for the costs if we have to divert to another city because of your conduct. Also, under U.S. law you may be liable if you assault a federal, airport or airline employee with security duties. Failing to meet passenger responsibilities is a material breach of this contract.
We welcome children of all ages on board. Be sure you know the rules for your child based on his or her age. We count "age" based on the child's age the day of departure.
Traveling with children and infants
Traveling with children and infants
Our unaccompanied minor service ensures your child is escorted on the plane, introduced to the flight attendant, chaperoned during connections and brought to the person you designate when they arrive. Keep in mind, flight attendants can't continuously monitor children during flight.
We're dedicated to providing customers with special needs dignified, professional and courteous service at all times. Customers with special needs may need to board the plane early.
You can request special assistance when you book on aa.com (our site is accessible) or call us anytime at 400-818-7333.
When you request special assistance, a coordinator will contact you before your flight to make sure necessary medical paperwork is complete and requests are arranged.
They can help with:
*We require at least 48 hours advance notice if you need to travel with a service animal, or a POC.
Call us anytime:
If you’re traveling with any medical device, a wheelchair or other mobility device, we’re here to help. If we're able, we offer early boarding, help getting off the plane and airport assistance. Contact us to make sure your device is approved for travel and to make any special requests.
If you had a special-assistance issue on your trip, please go to the American Airlines customer service desk. We have local complaint resolution officials (LCRO) available during operating hours, and a corporate complaint resolution official is available to assist our LCROs 24/7. You can also call our disability team 24/7 at +1-800-892-3624.
When it comes to checking in and arriving at the airport, earlier is better. Give yourself extra time if you're checking bags or traveling internationally.
Before you head to the airport, you can check for travel alerts that impact the cities in your trip and get flight status information like gates and times.
Download the American Airlines app to get real time updates about your travel.
You can check in on aa.com and in the app beginning 24 hours before departure. All airports have minimum check-in times. If you're not checked in by the minimum check-in time, we may reassign your seat to another passenger.
In most cities, you must be checked in:
Some airports require you to check in earlier.
Be at the gate and ready to board the plane at least:
You must have a boarding pass with a valid seat assignment to board the plane.
Boarding ends 15 minutes before departure. If you’re not on board, we may reassign your seat to another passenger. You will not be allowed to board once the doors close.
If you're on a codeshare flight operated by one of our partners, check with that airline.
Sometimes we have to make adjustments to our operation, and between the time you book and the time your flight departs, there may be changes to:
When there are changes or cancellations that affect your trip, we'll try to contact you in advance to rebook another flight or move you to a similar seat or cabin, though we can't make any guarantees.
We do our best to be on time but our flight schedule is not guaranteed and not part of this contract. We are not liable if:
If we or our airline partner cancels your flight or your departure or arrival is delayed for 3 or more hours (domestic) / 4 or more hours (international), our sole obligation is to refund the unused ticket value and any optional fees according to our involuntary refunds policy, subject to our policy for rebooking your delayed / canceled flight.
Rules for delays on international trips are governed by the Montreal Convention and Warsaw Convention. The full linked page provides more information and is incorporated by reference.
When there's an event we can't control like weather, a strike or other civil disorder, we may have to cancel, divert or delay flights. If your ticket still has value (if you were, for example, re-accommodated in a different class of service) we'll refund the unused portion to the original form of payment, but beyond that we are not liable.
Such "Force Majeure" events include:
International air transportation liability is regulated by the Montreal Convention and Warsaw Convention.
A flight is “oversold” when there are more checked-in passengers than seats. When this happens, our team gets involved as early as possible to find volunteers to change flights.
When, despite our best efforts, we don’t have enough volunteers, we'll have to choose customers to change flights involuntarily, and deny boarding. If this happens, we will follow the DOT's compensation rules. We will do our best to get those customers on the next possible flight.
We will not involuntarily remove a revenue passenger who has already boarded to give a seat to another passenger.
We will ask for passengers who are willing to voluntarily give up their seats in exchange for compensation in an amount and form to be determined solely at American’s discretion.
When you volunteer to give up your confirmed seat on a flight, we will compensate you in a form and in an amount we think is fair.
If there aren’t enough volunteers, we will choose customers to change flights involuntarily and deny boarding.
Boarding priority is given to certain customers, including to those who:
The selection of customers who are involuntarily denied seats is solely at American’s discretion.
You will not receive involuntary denied boarding compensation if:
DOT rules determine how much you're compensated based on how late you’ll be to your stopover or destination. Our goal is to get you to your next scheduled stopover or final destination as soon as possible, so we may offer flights on other airlines and non-air travel such as by train. If your flight is oversold and you're not allowed to board, we'll give you a check or travel credit the same day at the airport or mail it within 24 hours.
If you're not allowed to board an oversold, nonstop flight from the EU to the U.S., you may be eligible to receive one of these:
If you’re not allowed to board a flight to or from Canada, the Canada Air Passenger Protection Regulations may provide additional protections, including compensation.
Our goal is to provide timely, frequent and helpful updates – from the time you are ticketed, at the airport and on board – when there are delays, cancellations and diversions.
When your flight is canceled or a delay could cause you to miss your connection, we'll rebook you on the next American Airlines flight with available seats at no additional cost. If no American flights are available until the next day, and the disruption is caused by us, we’ll rebook you on one of our partner airlines with available seats at no additional cost. We’ll rebook you in your originally ticketed cabin or class with your original form of payment.
If your flight was delayed or canceled and you don’t accept our alternative arrangements, or none were available, we'll refund the remaining ticket value and any optional fees according to our involuntary refunds policy. Beyond that, we have no further contractual obligation.
According to the << Flight Management Regulations >> (Ministry of Transport Order No. 56 of 2016) issued by the Ministry of Transport of China, at airports in mainland China, if there is a delay of more than three hours on board and no definite departure time, Aviation safety and security regulations, we will arrange for passengers to board the aircraft waiting.
If the disruption is our fault or you're diverted to another city, and we don't board before 11:59 p.m. local time on your scheduled arrival day, we'll arrange an overnight stay or cover the cost of an approved hotel with available rooms if you’re away from your city of residence. We don’t guarantee reimbursement for hotel expenses if you book directly without written authorization from American Airlines.
If the delay is beyond our control, or you book your own arrangements without written authorization from American Airlines, you're responsible to pay for your hotel, meals and other expenses. An American Airlines agent may be able to help you find a hotel.
We'll do our best to ensure delayed passengers are as comfortable as possible. Gate agents are asked to look after customers with special needs including unaccompanied minors, customers with disabilities and the elderly.
For long delays on the plane, we'll make every reasonable effort to ensure you have food (such as crackers or biscuits), water, access to the restroom and basic medical assistance if needed.
We are not responsible for any special, incidental or consequential damages if we're unable to meet this commitment.
If your flight is delayed or cancelled due to reasons within our control, the Canada Air Passenger Protection Regulations may provide additional protections, including compensation.
All bags are subject to inspection. We will not accept checked or carry-on bags we think are unsuitable for transportation for reasons like size, weight or character.
Before you go to the airport, be sure to check our baggage page for information on all our checked and carry-on baggage policies.
You can only check bags on the day you travel, and your bags must travel to the same ticketed final destination as you. Be sure your name is on all bags before you check them.
If you're flying from one of these airports, you can't check bags more than 4 hours before departure:
The number of bags you can check depends on your destination. Checked bag fees apply with some exceptions. All bag fees are non-refundable and apply per person, each way. Additional fees may apply for overweight / oversize bags or specialty items.
Also, you may have to pay bag fees again if:
Hang on to your baggage claim tickets; you may have to show your ticket to claim your bags. The airport baggage office will release bags to the person with the baggage claim ticket that matches. If you lose your ticket, we may ask for ID.
When you arrive in the U.S. from an international city, you will claim your checked bags before going through Customs.
Our goal is to promptly return your bags if they don’t arrive with you at your final destination on an American flight.
Some of the reasons it may take us longer to get you your delayed bags include if:
If you arrive at your final destination on another airline, please check with that airline for information.
In general, you're allowed 1 bag and 1 personal item:
Diaper bags, child safety seats, strollers and medical or mobility devices don’t count as your bag or personal item. You may carry on a fully collapsible stroller if it's under 20 lbs. and fits in an overhead bin. All other strollers must be checked at a ticket counter.
We always reserve the right to decide if your carry-on items are suitable to bring on board and if there is enough space in the overhead bins.
If you need to check your carry-on bags, be sure to take any fragile or valuable items like your keys, medication or computers with you on board. Also remove and carry on any e-cigarettes and spare batteries for laptops, cameras or other mobile devices.
There are additional carry-on restrictions for certain fares, aircraft and airports. We may have to check your bag at the gate if the overhead bins are full or if there are restrictions. Overhead bin size varies, and some planes and American Eagle flights have smaller bins.
For everyone's safety on board, some common items are restricted by the TSA and FAA. Be sure you know what you can carry on and what you can check in your bags before you go to the airport.
We don't transport hazardous materials, except for small amounts of dry ice, and we may remove and dispose of any hazardous material in your bags.
You can travel with firearms in checked baggage only. Firearms must be declared to an agent at check-in. There are other rules or temporary policies that apply; be sure you understand the rules before you go to the airport.
Depending on the animals' breed, size and requirements, pets can travel as a carry-on, be checked or transported with American Airlines Cargo. We only allow you to travel with your pet cats and dogs.
Service animals are welcome at no charge if they meet the requirements. The animal must fit on your lap, at your feet or under your seat, and cannot block the aisle. Dogs trained to detect explosives/drugs or trained for search and rescue (documentation required) are also welcome at no charge.
If your checked bag is lost, damaged or delayed, we will pay the provable value of the losses up to $3,800 (or up to $5,000 if you declare excess value).
A good rule of thumb is never to check anything you can't live without. If it's irreplaceable, sentimental or you depend on it for your well-being, keep it on you or leave it at home.
We don't cover loss or damage to:*
*Wheelchairs or other assistive devices are covered
We strive to be as careful as possible during the normal transport of your belongings. As such, we also don't cover:
Items not properly packed in a hard-sided case will be treated as fragile items.
We are not liable for any incidental, punitive or special damages that result from lost, damaged or delayed bags including damages for lost revenue or business interruption.
We are not liable if and to the extent that the damage resulted from the inherent defect or quality of the bag.
Excess valuation coverage is not available for and does not apply to items we don't cover.
If your bags are lost or delayed, you should file a report before you leave the airport.
If your bags are damaged, you should file a report before you leave the airport.
For any follow-up reports or action you must:
We may reject your claim if you:
For international travel, the Warsaw Convention and the Montreal Convention govern liability for personal injury, death or damage. The terms and conditions are set by these international conventions and are not subject to change or modification by American Airlines. These conventions set compensation amounts for death, injury and baggage loss and damage. The full linked page is incorporated herein by reference.
Each passenger must have a valid ticket to fly. A ticket is non-transferrable – it can't be used by or refunded to any other passenger. All refunds are made to the original form of payment.
In general, a ticket is valid for 1 year:
So for an unused ticket issued June 1, 2024, you must begin travel on the new ticket by June 1, 2025.
For a roundtrip ticket that was partially flown on March 1, 2024, you must complete all new travel by March 1, 2025.
These rules apply unless your ticket states otherwise.
Generally, you have up to 24 hours from when you buy your ticket to get a full refund if you booked at least 48 hours before departure. You must cancel your trip within 24 hours of purchase for a refund. If you bought your ticket through a travel agency or another booking source, contact them for a refund. Some countries have different rules about refunds, and if so, we will follow those rules.
Refunds will be made only to the person who paid. Tickets issued for official government travel will be refunded only to the government agency that issued the transportation request.
We promptly and automatically refund customers for:
Additionally, we promptly refund a customer with a disability if they inform us they do not wish to travel because of:
If the customer with a disability does not wish to travel for one of these reasons, we’ll also refund individuals traveling on the same reservation who inform us they do not wish to travel without the customer with a disability.
Read our Refunds FAQs for additional information.
If you bought a refundable ticket, decide not to travel and want a refund, we'll pay:
We'll refund the original credit card within 7 days (allow 1-2 billing cycles for credit to show). For all other forms of payment, we'll process refunds within 20 days of receiving all your paperwork.
Some requests may take longer, for example, tickets bought outside the U.S. in another currency or tickets that require research or verification. We are not liable for longer processing times.
We don't refund cash for non-refundable tickets. But if you cancel your trip before departure, we will cancel your ticket and issue a travel credit that you can use toward future travel on American.
We will refund a non-refundable ticket (or the value of the unused segment of your trip) to the original form of payment if:
If you bought your ticket through a travel agency or another booking source, contact them for a refund.
You can request a refund of eligible taxes included in the ticket price. If eligible, we'll refund the original form of payment.
Request a refund Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines
If you paid for seats, bags or other extras and don't use them because you didn't travel as planned, you may request a refund. Read our refunds FAQs for details.
If you are due a refund because we refused to let you fly for reasons other than your violation of this contract, we will refund you:
If you were involuntarily denied boarding, we will not charge any refund fees or penalties.
We will only refund tickets issued by American Airlines and reserve the right to only make refunds in a currency or country of the original purchase.
Tickets are valid for travel only when used with all terms and conditions of sale.
Your ticket is valid only when:
Fare requirements, like dates, special purpose or status, may include:
Your ticket is not valid when:
Reservations made to exploit or circumvent fare and ticket rules are prohibited.
Examples include (but are not limited to):
If we find evidence that you or your agent are using a prohibited practice, we reserve the right to:
If we sell a fare in error, we have the right to cancel the ticket. This includes fare errors, computer errors and third party errors (human or computer). We try to prevent, detect and correct errors as soon as possible.
When we issue a mistaken fare, we'll void the ticket, give a full refund and notify you within:
