Travel updates
Health and testing requirements
The U.S. and countries around the world have a range of travel restrictions and testing requirements due to COVID-19. You may not be allowed to travel to certain destinations or may be required to self-quarantine when you arrive.
Travel requirements are updated often, so we recommend checking the latest entry requirements before your trip.
U.S. entry requirements
The U.S. government has changed requirements to enter the U.S. based on citizenship / residence and vaccination status. All travelers 2 and older entering the U.S. must provide their contact information within 72 hours of departure and a negative COVID-19 test. Travelers must also sign an attestation form confirming they meet U.S. entry requirements or will not be allowed to board the plane.
Answer a few questions to find out what’s needed for each traveler, including children, to board a flight to the United States.
All travelers to the U.S. must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken 1 day before departure (or proof of recovery) regardless of citizenship or vaccination status.
Travel requirements vary depending on where you’re from and your vaccination status:
U.S. citizen / legal permanent resident
- Proof of negative test taken 1 day before departure or proof of recovery from COVID-19
- Attestation related to proof of negative test or recovery
Non-U.S. citizen
- Proof of vaccine
- Proof of negative test taken 1 day before departure or proof of recovery from COVID-19
- Attestation related to proof of negative test or proof of exception
Testing is not required for children under 2 years old.
Vaccinations are not required for children under 18 years old.
Keep in mind, you won’t be allowed to board the plane and cannot fly without showing proof of a negative test that meets Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requirements or documentation of recovery.
If you’re a non-U.S. citizen, you must also have proof of vaccination to fly, unless you qualify for an exception.
Approval for medical exceptions
Non-U.S. citizens that qualify for a medical exception must contact Special Assistance at least 72 hours before departure for approval. You must also provide a signed doctor’s note confirming your medical contraindication to the vaccine.
- View CDC medical note requirements Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines
- Contact Special Assistance
Data privacy and how your information will be used
We collect your personal data in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, including certain data related to COVID-19 and your health status during the pandemic. For more information about how we process your data, please read our privacy policy.
The U.S. government requires all passengers flying to the U.S. – 2 years and older – to complete the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) attestation form confirming they meet entry requirements.
If you’re a non-U.S. citizen you must also have proof of vaccination against COVID-19 to fly, unless you qualify for an exception.
Complete attestation form online
Sign and complete your attestation form online before your trip.
Passenger attestation to enter the U.S.
Download attestation forms
Print and complete the form for your date of travel and bring it to the airport to save time.
- Tested U.S. citizens and fully vaccinated and tested non-U.S. citizens (PDF) Opens in a PDF in a new window
- Unvaccinated non-U.S. citizens who meet exception requirements (PDF) Opens in a PDF in a new window
Use the VeriFLY™ app
You can use the VeriFLY™ app if you're fully vaccinated.
The U.S. government requires each passenger flying to the United States to provide complete and accurate contact information to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may result in criminal penalties.
You must complete this information on aa.com within 72 hours of your departure.
Face coverings
U.S. federal law requires that you wear a face covering at all times while indoors at the airport and on board your flight, regardless of vaccination status. If you refuse to wear one, you may be denied boarding and future travel on American. You may also face penalties under federal law.
These rules do not apply to children under 2, or if you have a disability that prevents you from wearing a face covering and meet the exemption requirements.
Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for more information about the mask requirement.
You should bring your own face covering to use while traveling. While limited quantities of face coverings may be available at the gate, they will not be available for every customer on every flight.
- A mask or 2 layered secured cloth that completely covers your nose and mouth and fits snugly to the sides of your face and under your chin
- Face shields worn with a face covering, but not in place of one
These are not acceptable as face coverings
- Balaclavas
- Bandanas
- Face covers with exhaust valves or vents
- Face covers made of mesh or lace type fabric
- Gaiters
- Scarves
- Ski masks
- Your face covering must be worn and visible at all times, including if you plan to sleep.
- You can briefly lower or remove your face covering while actively eating, drinking or taking oral medication, but it must be worn between bites and sips.
- If oxygen masks drop from an overhead compartment, remove your face covering before placing the oxygen mask over your nose and mouth.
These may not be used on board
For the safety of everyone on board, some types of recreational / personal protection equipment are not allowed for use on our planes or in flight:
- Face or full-body pods / tents
- Portable electronic air fresheners / purifiers
- Ozone generators
If you may be exempt because you have a disability that prevents you from safely wearing a mask as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 USC 12101 et. seq) you must contact us at least 72 hours before you plan to travel and travel with documentation confirming a negative COVID test or recovery.
Please note, making false claims of a disability or a health condition to obtain an exemption from wearing a face covering may result in denial of travel on American for the duration of the U.S. federal mask requirement.
Call Special Assistance: 800-237-7976
*This is a narrow exception that includes a person with a disability who cannot wear a mask for reasons related to the disability. It is not meant to cover persons for whom mask-wearing may only be difficult.
Travel flexibility
We’re making travel easier by giving you even more flexibility and the freedom to make your own choices when you fly with us.
Here’s what you can expect:
- No more change fees for all domestic, short-haul international and select long-haul international flying on Premium Cabin, Premium Economy and Main Cabin fares. Basic Economy fares bought on or after April 1, 2021 are non-refundable and non-changeable.
- Fly standby for free on earlier domestic flights, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, to the same destination on the same day.
- If you buy Basic Economy fares you may now buy extras like upgrades, seats, priority boarding and same-day flight changes.
- AAdvantage® elite members may apply their travel benefits on all tickets, including on Basic Economy fares.
Domestic and short-haul international flights
We eliminated all change fees for First, Business, Premium Economy and Main Cabin tickets for all domestic and short-haul international flying for tickets issued on or after August 31, 2020.
If you're flying between these destinations:
- Any of the 50 U.S. states
- Canada
- Caribbean
- Central America
- Mexico
- Puerto Rico
- U.S. Virgin Islands
And if you’re flying in any of these cabins:
- Main Cabin (except Basic Economy fares)
- Premium Economy
- Business
- First
Long-haul international flights
We also eliminated change fees for First, Business, Premium Economy and Main Cabin tickets for all long-haul international flights originating in North or South America for tickets issued on or after November 19, 2020.
If your trip starts in North or South America and you're flying to:
- Asia
- Australia
- Europe
- New Zealand
- North America
- South America
- United Kingdom
And if you’re flying in any of these cabins:
- Main Cabin (except Basic Economy fares)
- Premium Economy
- Business
- First
If your travel plans change
You can keep the full value of your original ticket but will need to pay the fare difference if your new flight is more expensive. If your new flight is less expensive, you’ll get the fare difference in the form of travel credit to use on a future trip.
Example: If you paid $500 for your flight and change to a new flight that costs $300, you’ll receive $200 in travel credit for a future trip.
The new change fee policy also applies to AAdvantage® award tickets.
Change fees are waived for tickets bought on or before September 30, 2020, for travel March 1, 2020 – March 31, 2021. This offer includes Basic Economy fares and AAdvantage® award tickets.
Keep in mind:
- You may owe any difference in ticket price when you rebook your trip.
- You’re allowed to change your origin and destination cities as part of this offer.
- All travel for your new trip must be completed by March 31, 2022.
Plus, if you have a ticket that is expiring between March 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021, the value of your unused ticket can be used for travel through March 31, 2022.*
*Change fees apply if your original ticketed travel was before March 1, 2020, Basic Economy tickets with travel before March 1, 2020 are non-changeable.
If you bought a ticket to / from Australia, Europe, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, or South Africa between March 1, 2020 and January 31, 2022, for travel between March 1, 2020 and January 31, 2022, the value your unused ticket can be used for travel through December 31, 2022.**
**Basic Economy tickets that are non-changeable remain non-changeable and don’t qualify for the extension.
We’re waiving change fees on new international tickets originating outside North or South America bought on or after April 1, 2021, for all travel dates.
| If your trip originates in | Basic Economy* | Main Cabin | Premium Economy | Business / First |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Africa | available | available | available | available |
| Asia | Non-changeable | available | available | available |
| Australia | available | available | available | available |
| Europe | available | available | available | available |
| Indian Subcontinent | available | available | available | available |
| Middle East | available | available | available | available |
| New Zealand | available | available | available | available |
*Basic Economy fares on flights marketed by American Airlines.
Keep in mind:
- You may owe any difference in ticket price when you rebook your trip.
- You’re allowed to change your origin and destination cities as part of this offer.
- All other Basic Economy fares bought on or after April 1, 2021 are non-refundable and non-changeable.
You can cancel your trip online and rebook later when you’re ready, including Basic Economy fares bought between March 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021.
Keep in mind, you may owe any difference in ticket price if the fare of your new trip is higher when you rebook.
Basic Economy fares bought on or after April 1, 2021 are non-refundable and non-changeable.