American to charge kids up to age 14 to fly alone

Consider it a blow for "tween" independence.

American Airlines says it will extend its fee for unaccompanied minors to charge $150 extra each way for children between 12 and 14. Currently, American charges a fee on top of the regular fare for unaccompanied minors between 5 and 11.

The change starts Sept. 3. The airline announced the change Thursday in an employee publication.

American says extending the fee to more youths will ensure the safest possible travel for them and match the policy at US Airways. The two merged in December to form American Airlines Group Inc.

United Airlines charges $150 each way for minors 5 to 11; Delta charges $100 each way for those 5 to 14; at Southwest it's $50 each way for kids 5 to 11.