Flying can be an exciting adventure, and booking your flight should be as smooth as your journey! The American Airlines app offers a convenient way to plan and book your next trip right from your smartphone. Forget crowded websites or long phone calls – with a few taps, you can secure your seat on an American Airlines flight.
Ready to get started? Let's dive in!
A Comprehensive Guide to Booking Your Flight on the American Airlines App
The American Airlines app is designed to be user-friendly, allowing you to manage your entire travel experience from your pocket. Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to booking your flight.
Step 1: Get the American Airlines App and Prepare
First things first, do you have the app? If not, head to your device's app store.
For Apple users: Search for "American Airlines" in the App Store and tap "Get" to download.
For Android users: Search for "American Airlines" in the Google Play Store and tap "Install" to download.
Once installed, open the app. You'll likely be greeted with a welcome screen.
Log in or Continue as Guest:
If you already have an AAdvantage® account, it's highly recommended to log in. This will automatically link your booking to your account, making it easier to earn miles, manage your trip, and access your profile. Look for a "Log In" or "Sign In" option.
If you don't have an AAdvantage® account or prefer not to log in at this stage, you can usually continue as a guest. You'll still be able to book, but you'll need to manually enter your details later. Consider signing up for AAdvantage® later to enjoy loyalty benefits!
Step 2: Start Your Flight Search
Now that you're in the app, it's time to find your flight!
Locate the "Book" or "Flights" Section: On the app's home screen, you'll typically find prominent buttons or tabs for "Book," "Flights," or "Plan Travel." Tap on one of these.
Choose Your Trip Type:
Round Trip: For travel from one city to another and back to the original city. This is the most common option.
One Way: For travel from one city to another without a return.
Multi-City: If you need to visit multiple destinations or have a complex itinerary with several stops. This allows you to add different legs of your journey.
Enter Your Departure and Arrival Cities:
Tap on the "From" or "Departure" field and start typing the name of your departure city or airport code (e.g., "New York" or "JFK"). The app will usually provide suggestions as you type. Select the correct one.
Do the same for the "To" or "Arrival" field.
Select Your Dates:
Tap on the "Departure Date" field. A calendar will appear. Choose your desired departure date.
If booking a round trip, also select your "Return Date."
Pro Tip: Some airlines offer a "Flexible Dates" or "My dates are flexible" option. If you're open to slight date changes, this can sometimes reveal cheaper fares.
Specify Number of Passengers:
Tap on the "Passengers" field. Here, you can select the number of adults, children, and infants traveling. Be sure to specify the correct age groups for children and infants as this can affect pricing and seating.
Choose Your Cabin Class (Optional):
By default, the search is often set to "Main Cabin" (Economy). If you wish to fly in a different class (e.g., Business, First, Premium Economy), tap on the "Cabin" or "Class" option and select your preference. Keep in mind that different cabin classes come with different pricing.
Initiate the Search:
Once all the details are entered, tap the "Search" or "Find Flights" button. The app will then search for available flights based on your criteria.
Step 3: Review and Select Your Flights
This is where you choose the specific flights that work best for you.
Browse Flight Options:
The app will display a list of available flights. These are usually presented with the earliest or cheapest options first, but you can often sort by price, duration, or departure/arrival time.
You'll see details like:
Departure and arrival times
Flight duration
Number of stops (if any)
Airline (American Airlines or a codeshare partner)
Fare class (e.g., Basic Economy, Main Cabin, First Class)
Price
Pay Attention to Fare Details:
Basic Economy fares are typically the cheapest but come with restrictions (e.g., no seat selection, limited baggage, no changes). Read the fine print carefully if considering this option.
Main Cabin offers more flexibility and usually includes seat selection and a carry-on bag.
Compare the price, layovers, and travel time to find the best balance for your needs.
Select Your Outbound and Return Flights (for Round Trip):
First, select your desired outbound flight.
Then, the app will prompt you to select your return flight from the available options.
Review Your Selection:
Before proceeding, the app will usually give you a summary of your selected flights, including the total cost. Take a moment to double-check dates, times, and airports to ensure everything is correct.
Step 4: Provide Passenger Information
This step is crucial for accurate booking.
Enter Passenger Details:
You'll be prompted to enter the full name (as it appears on your government-issued ID), date of birth, gender, and contact information (email and phone number) for each passenger.
If you're logged into your AAdvantage® account, some of this information might be pre-filled.
Ensure accuracy! Even a small typo can cause issues at the airport.
Add AAdvantage® Numbers (if not logged in):
If you're continuing as a guest but have AAdvantage® numbers for yourself or other passengers, there will be an option to enter them here to earn miles.
Special Requests (Optional):
This is often where you can add special assistance requests (e.g., wheelchair assistance), dietary needs for meals (on longer flights), or other specific requirements.
Step 5: Seat Selection (Optional but Recommended)
Choose Your Seats:
After entering passenger details, you'll typically be given the option to select your seats. A seat map of the aircraft will appear.
Green seats are usually available for selection.
Grey or red seats are unavailable or already taken.
Some seats (e.g., exit rows, preferred seating) may require an additional fee.
If you don't select seats now, the airline will assign them at check-in, or you might be able to select them later for free or a fee.
Consider your preferences: aisle, window, or middle seat.
Confirm Selections:
Once you've chosen your seats for all legs of the journey, confirm your selections.
Step 6: Review and Payment
You're almost there! This is the final step before confirming your booking.
Final Trip Review:
The app will present a comprehensive summary of your entire booking:
Flight details (dates, times, airports, flight numbers)
Passenger information
Seat assignments
Total fare breakdown (including taxes and fees)
READ THIS CAREFULLY! This is your last chance to catch any errors before payment.
Enter Payment Information:
Select your preferred payment method (credit card, debit card, PayPal, etc.).
Enter the required details securely.
If you have travel credits or gift cards, there will be an option to apply them here.
Agree to Terms and Conditions:
Before purchasing, you'll usually need to check a box indicating you agree to the airline's terms and conditions, including cancellation policies, baggage fees, and fare rules. It's wise to skim through these, especially the cancellation and change policies.
Complete Purchase:
Tap the "Purchase," "Book," or "Complete Booking" button. The app will process your payment.
Do not close the app or navigate away until you receive confirmation.
Step 7: Confirmation and Post-Booking
Congratulations, you've booked your flight!
Confirmation Page:
You'll see a confirmation page with your 6-character confirmation code (record locator). Write this down or take a screenshot immediately! This code is essential for managing your booking, checking in, and contacting customer service.
You'll also see a summary of your itinerary.
Confirmation Email:
American Airlines will send a confirmation email to the address you provided. This email will contain your itinerary, confirmation code, ticket numbers, and important travel information. Keep this email safe.
Managing Your Trip in the App:
Your newly booked trip should now appear in the "My Trips" section of the American Airlines app. From here, you can:
View your itinerary
Check in online (starting 24 hours before your flight)
Add or change seats
Add checked bags (and pay fees)
Request special assistance
Receive flight notifications
Access your mobile boarding pass
And there you have it! Booking a flight on the American Airlines app is a straightforward process when you know the steps. Happy travels!
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 frequently asked questions, all starting with "How to," along with their quick answers, related to booking flights on the American Airlines app:
How to download the American Airlines app?
Go to your device's App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android), search for "American Airlines," and tap "Get" or "Install."
How to find my AAdvantage® number in the app?
If you're logged in, your AAdvantage® number is usually displayed on the personalized home screen or within the "Account" or "Profile" section of the app.
How to change a flight after booking on the American Airlines app?
Navigate to "My Trips," select your booking, and look for an option like "Change Trip" or "Change Flight." Note that fees and fare differences may apply, especially for Basic Economy tickets.
How to cancel a flight booked on the American Airlines app?
Go to "My Trips," select your booking, and look for a "Cancel Trip" option. Be aware of the 24-hour rule for free cancellations and any applicable cancellation fees for non-refundable fares.
How to check in for my flight on the American Airlines app?
You can check in starting 24 hours before your flight's departure. Open the app, go to "My Trips," select your flight, and tap "Check In." Follow the prompts to get your mobile boarding pass.
How to get a mobile boarding pass on the American Airlines app?
After checking in via the app, your mobile boarding pass will be generated and can be accessed from your trip details on the home screen. You can usually save it to your phone's wallet (e.g., Apple Wallet, Google Wallet).
How to select or change my seat on the American Airlines app?
After booking, go to "My Trips," select your flight, and look for a "Change Seats" or "Seat Selection" option. You'll see a seat map where you can choose or modify your seat.
How to add bags to my trip and pay fees on the American Airlines app?
During the check-in process on the app, you will typically be prompted to add and pay for checked bags. Alternatively, you may find an option to "Add Bags" within your trip details before check-in.
How to track my flight status on the American Airlines app?
On the app's home screen, look for "Flight Status." Enter the flight number, departure/arrival cities, or route, and the app will provide real-time updates. If you have the flight in "My Trips," notifications often appear automatically.
How to contact American Airlines customer service through the app?
The app often has a "Contact Us" or "Help" section. Many apps now offer a live chat feature, or you can find phone numbers for customer service there.
