Guide to American Airlines Pet Policy

Flying with American Airlines and wondering if your furry friend can join you in the fight cabin? As a pet parent, leaving them behind isn’t an option, right?

Fortunately, the American Airlines pet policy offers various options for pets to travel in the cabin, such as checked baggage or via cargo. Let's discuss the specifics of size, breed, and other requirements to ensure your pet can come along on your journey.

What is American Airlines Pet Policy?

American Airlines is a pet-friendly airline that offers different options for pet travel with certain fees and restrictions. To ensure a smooth journey, you must comply with specific health and safety mandates and the airline's specific rules.

For carry-on pets, only cats and dogs that meet the airline's size, age, and destination requirements are allowed. American Airlines flying with pets also includes checked pets, but this service is only available for active-duty U.S. State Department Foreign Service and U.S. Military personnel traveling on official orders. Fully trained service dogs can fly in the cabin for free if they meet the airline's requirements.

Requirements of American Airlines Pet Travel

General Requirements for Pet Travel

Carry-on pets:

On American Airlines, you can bring one pet carrier as a carry-on. Your pet must stay in the carrier and under the seat in front of you for the entire flight. Strollers should be checked-in at the ticket counter.

You can bring only one additional item on board American Airlines traveling with pets, either:

• A personal item, such as a purse or small handbag, or
• A carry-on bag that meets the airline's requirements and fits in the overhead bin.

Checked pets:

AA pet policy only accepts checked pets for active-duty U.S. State Department Foreign Service and U.S. military personnel traveling on official orders. Up to two pets may be checked, provided they meet the age and health requirements of the destination. Due to limited capacity, checked pets are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

For checked pets on an American Airlines pet flight, a health certificate issued by a veterinarian is required. This certificate must be issued within-

• 10 days of travel
• 60 days of return (if traveling on the same ticket)
• 10 days of return (if traveling on a separate ticket)

Fond Tip: Check guidelines for different countries and ensure your dog meets CDC requirements if traveling from high-risk rabies areas.

Weight and Size of Pet Carriers and Containers

Carry-on Pets:

American Airlines' pet policy enforces strict rules for carry-on pets to ensure their well-being and does not assume any liability for their health during travel. Pets must be small enough to fit comfortably inside a closed or zipped carrier.

Types of Kennels

• Non-Collapsible: These must not exceed the under-seat dimensions of your journey.
• Soft-Sided Collapsible: These can be slightly larger, but they still need to fit under the seat without excessive collapsing. They must be secure, padded, made of water-repellent material, and have nylon-mesh ventilation on 3 or more sides.

Kennel Dimension

• Hard-Sided:

Mainline flights on American: 19x13x9 inch. L x W x H

Regional flights on American Eagle: 16x12x8 inch. L x W x H

• Soft-Sided:

18 x 11 x 11 inch. L x W x H

• The collective weight of the carrier and your pet must not exceed 20 lbs./9.07 kg

Kennel Limitations

• Only 7 kennels are allowed on American flights, excluding service animals
• Only 5 kennels are allowed on American Eagle flights, with only 1 in First Class

Checked Pets:

When checking in your pet, the kennel must be large enough for your pet to stand, turn, sit, and lie down comfortably. It should also follow these AA pet policy guidelines:

• Weight and Size: Must not exceed the aircraft’s maximum allowance- 100 lbs./45 kgs.
• Material: Made of wood, metal, plastic, or similar materials with a welded or cast metal door.
• Security: Secured with bolts or screws and release cable ties on all four corners.
• Design: Rigid, secure, leak-proof, escape-proof, and with a securely fastened door.
• Ventilation: At least three sides for domestic travel and four sides for international travel.
• Food and Water: Attached dishes inside the kennel and a small food bag for 24 hours.
• Cleanliness: Must be clean with absorbent material (no straw, hay, or wood shavings).

If you are traveling with two pets in the same kennel, they must meet American Airlines’ travel with pet requirements-

• Same species (e.g., two cats or two dogs).
• Similar size and each weighing less than 20 lbs.
• Between 8 weeks and 6 months old.

If you are looking for carry-on and checked baggage fees specific to your American Airlines flight, click here.

Types of Pet Services Allowed on American Airlines

• Carry-On Pets: Only dogs and cats that meet the size, age, and destination requirements are allowed as carry-on pets.
• Checked Pets:American Airlines pet policy only accepts active-duty animals as checked pets. It does not accept brachycephalic or snub-nosed cats and dogs of any mix.
• Service Animals: Dogs trained to perform tasks or work for a qualified individual with a disability, including physical, sensory, or other mental disabilities.

Note: If your pet doesn't qualify for carry-on or checked baggage travel, you can transport them as cargo under the American Pet Embark service.

As recommended by the AVMA- American Veterinary Medical Association, American Airlines flying with pets does not accept pets that are sedated or tranquilized. Please note that service animals in training, emotional support, and comfort animals may travel as pets, not as service animals.

Temperature Restrictions

American Airlines has temperature restrictions to ensure that checked pets and pets traveling with American Airlines pet cargo are not exposed to extreme heat or cold. These restrictions apply in animal holding areas, terminal facilities, during the transfer between terminals and planes, and on planes awaiting take-off.

Heat Restrictions:

• You cannot fly with a pet if the forecasted temperature is above 85-degree F at any location on the itinerary.
• Pets not traveling in the cabin cannot travel from May 1 – September 30 to/from certain places.

Cold Restrictions:

• You cannot take an American Airlines pet flight if the ground temperature is below 45 degrees F at any location on the journey.
• Cold temperature restrictions may be waived with a written letter from a licensed vet. An additional letter may be required for long trips.
• If the temperature is less than 20-degree F, your pet cannot be checked-in, even with a letter from your vet.

Fond Tip: Review destination-specific pet travel restrictions and ensure compliance with all relevant guidelines before booking your tickets.

Guidelines for Service Animals on American Airlines

• American Airlines welcomes eligible trained service animals to accompany qualified travelers in the cabin at no additional charge. Here's what you need to know about American Airlines dog in cabin:
• Documentation: Complete the DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form to verify your service animal's health, training, and behavior.
• Animal Behavior: Service animals must be well-behaved, harnessed, and leashed at all times. It should not bark excessively, threaten, or disrupt other passengers.
• Space Requirements: Your service animal shouldcomfortably fit at your feet, under your seat, or in your lap during the flight.

Need to change your American Airlines pet flight? Check out American Airlines’ cancellation policy.

American Airlines Pet Travel Fees

American Airlines travelling with pets fee can vary depending on the region and type of service.

• If your trip includes a voluntary stopover or connection of more than 4 hours, fees will apply for each connecting segment.
• American Airlines pet fees are non-refundable and apply per kennel each way.
• Fees for pet transportation with American Airlines pet cargo vary depending on the trip details and size of the animal and kennel.

How to Book an American Airlines Flight with a Pet

Submit your request at least 48 hours before travel and allow 2-4 hours of extra check-in time. You can book an American Airlines pet flight through:

• Online: Go to the American Airlines website, find your trip, and select the Add your pet section.
• Phone: Directly call American Airlines' pet policy phone number at +1 (571) 389-6426 and quickly add your pet in one go.

Conclusion

American Airlines pet policy offers flexible options for pet travel, ensuring you and your furry friend can have a pawsome adventure together. Remember to double-check size, breed, and health certificate requirements. Have questions about your specific breed? Contact FondTravels at +1 (571) 389-6426 to get more insights and enjoy a hassle-free booking process.

FAQ’s