Can You Take Human Ashes on American Airlines? From Our Experience

Embarking on a journey with cremated remains presents both emotional hurdles and logistical uncertainties. We went through this very process ourselves, taking a customer’s ashes from Heathrow to New York. Based on our experience and our conversations with American Airlines, here’s what we discovered.

American Airlines Official Policy on Cremated Remains

First and foremost, American Airlines does allow you to transport cremated remains. They recommend having a death certificate and a cremation certificate on hand. These documents are crucial for a hassle-free experience. When it comes to the ashes themselves, make sure to keep them in a sealable urn, securely placed within your carry-on baggage.

Tip: Always have copies of the death and cremation certificates. The airline staff may ask to see them.

Emotional Preparedness

Taking ashes on a flight isn’t just a logistical matter; it’s also an emotional journey. Here are some tips we gathered:

• Ask Someone Supportive to Travel with You: A helping hand can make a world of difference.
• Plan for Different Scenarios: Think about what may happen at the airport and prepare yourself emotionally.

Carry-on Dimension Guidelines for Ashes on American Airlines

The urn must meet specific size requirements to be accepted as a carry-on item. The dimensions shouldn’t exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches or 56 x 36 x 23 centimetres (including handles and wheels).

Extra Tips: Packing the Urn Safely

Here are some additional points to consider:

Consult the Crematorium

Before your flight, it’s essential to know the material of the urn, particularly how it will appear on an X-ray machine. Should an issue occur, such as the urn not passing through the X-ray screening, be aware that some urns are sealed and cannot be easily opened. In such a case, transferring the ashes to a different container may not be an option—something that’s generally not recommended, especially in an airport setting.

Scatter Tubes

Often considered a more convenient alternative, these can also serve as temporary urns. Their size and material usually make them easier to accommodate when it comes to airline regulations and screening processes.

So...