Older tweens flying solo on American Airlines and hoping for a bit more independence can kiss those dreams goodbye. The latest American/US Airways merger-related policy update for the airline involves increasing the age for which unaccompanied minors must pay to be supervised.

According to the Dallas Morning New’s Aviation Blog, starting on Sept. 3 American Airlines expands its current $150 each way unaccompanied minor (UMNR) fee, which covers children ages 5 to 11, to include young teens ages 12 to 14.

Passengers who purchased tickets for unaccompanied passengers ages 12 to 14 prior to Sept. 3 with flight dates after the expanded fee goes into effect, the UMNR service will be provided free of charge.

The Airline also announced inane employee email that it is currently working to merge its UMNR requirements with that of US Airways.

Currently US Airways does not allow UMNRs to travel on connecting flights, while American does. Eventually, officials say that passengers 8 to 14 will be able to travel on connecting flights with US Airways.

American is by no means the only U.S. carrier to charge UMNR fees.

• Delta charges $100 each way for minors ages 5 to 14. The airline also offers the service for those ages 15 to 17.

• Southwest charges $50 each way for unaccompanied minors ages 5 to 11.

• United Airlines charges $150 each way for children ages 5 to 11.

• JetBlue charges $100 each way for unaccompanied minors ages 5 to 13.

• Alaska Airlines charges just $25 each way for non-stop or same-plane flights for children ages 5 to 7. Kids 8 to 12 can take connecting flights, the fee increases by $50 each way.

• Spirit Airlines charges $100 each way for children ages 5 to 14 to fly alone, but only on nonstop and same-plan flights.

American Airlines to charge for older youths flying alone [Dallas Morning News]

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