Passports must be: Valid for at least 6 months after the date you enter a foreign country. Kept in good condition, free of any damage beyond normal wear and tear, and material alterations. You may be denied boarding if you travel with a passport that appears damaged or altered.

American Airlines does not have its own "6-month rule"; however, they are legally required to enforce the entry requirements of your destination country. Many countries (such as Thailand, Brazil, and most of the European Schengen Area) require that your passport be valid for at least six months beyond your date of departure. If you are flying to one of these nations, American Airlines will check your passport at the gate and deny you boarding if it does not meet that specific country's requirement. If you are flying to a country that only requires a passport to be valid for the duration of your stay (like the UK or Mexico for US citizens), then American Airlines will let you fly as long as your document is current. In 2026, with many travelers having delayed their renewals, AA's check-in app often triggers a warning 6 months before expiry to avoid last-minute gate denials. Always check the "International Travel" section of the AA website or the State Department's country-specific pages to ensure your passport validity aligns with your destination's laws.