It’s no secret that flying is your fastest and most convenient transportation. Moreover, according to statistics, out of all transport modes, such as by car, bus, motorcycle, etc., flying is the safest way to travel.
But, when people want to travel with their pets, their choice is reduced, as pets aren’t allowed with all types of public transport. The same applies to flights because not all airlines are pet-friendly.
That said, in this article, we’ll check the pet policy of the biggest airline in the US. Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about American Airlines pet policy to be prepared for your next trip.
American Airlines Pet Policy
Does American Airlines allow pets?
The first and most frequently asked question travelers have is whether American Airlines allows customers to take their pets. The short answer is – yes; the airline allows pets to be transported as a carry-on or through the cargo.
However, American Airlines has numerous rules and requirements you have to meet to be allowed to take your pet on board. For starters, whether the airline will allow you to take your pet depends on its size and breed.
You can take your pet as a carry-on only if the pet is a cat or a dog and meets size, breed, and age requirements, which we’ll explain below.
When and where are pets allowed to fly?
According to American Airlines’ pet policy, pets are allowed on most flights that don’t exceed 12 hours.
When it comes to destinations, customers can take their pets on flights:
- Within the continental US
- The US and Canada
- Alaska
- Mexico
- Puerto Rico
- St. Croix
- St. Thomas
Destination restrictions
The first thing you must remember is that the airlines may have additional special restrictions for traveling to or from Canada and Mexico, even though these two destinations are found on the list above. So, when flying with American Airlines, we highly recommend you check out all the information to make sure you can take your pet.
Furthermore, there are multiple destination restrictions that include countries such as Australia, the Caribbean, countries of the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Japan. The rules may apply to carry-on pets, checked pets, and cargo transport or may completely prohibit pet transport to a particular country.
Carry-on pet requirements
According to American Airlines’ pet policy, passengers can take one pet carrier as a carry-on bag. To take your pet, you have to pay the carry-on pet fee.
The first rule you have to remember is that only cats and dogs are allowed as carry-on pets. Even though you can take two pets in the same carrier (see more below), the total weight of both the pet and the carrier must not exceed 20 pounds.
It’s very important to note that if you take your pet as a carry-on, you can additionally take one personal item. American Airlines considers kennels as carry-on items. Therefore, you can’t bring a carry-on bag, a personal item, and your pet. The pet carrier replaces the carry-on bag.
You should also keep in mind that if you take a pet stroller, you’ll have to check it at the ticket counter. So, you’ll have to pay checked-bag fees for the stroller.
Pet carrier guidelines
Your pet will have to stay inside the carrier for the entire flight. Moreover, you’ll have to put the carrier in the under-seat area in front of you. Therefore, American Airlines has specific guidelines regarding the carrier.
According to the pet policy, your pet should be able to stand up and turn around inside its carrier. The transportation bag should be big enough for your pet to fit and feel comfortable while the bag stays closed (zipped) and fits in the space under the seat in front of you.
If you have a soft-sided collapsible kennel, you must ensure it’s secured, padded, and made of water-repellent material. The guidelines also say that soft-sided collapsible kennels should have nylon mesh ventilation on three or more sides.
Carrier dimensions
| Required dimensions for hard-sided kennel | Mainline flights on American Airlines | Regional flights on American Eagle |
| Length | 19″ | 16″ |
| Width | 13″ | 12″ |
| Height | 9″ | 8″ |
| Recommended requirements for soft-sided kennel | All flights |
| Length | 18″ |
| Width | 11″ |
| Height | 11″ |
We believe it’s important to mention that American Airlines says the soft-sided collapsible kennels may have slightly bigger dimensions as long as they fit the under-seat area. However, this can vary depending on the airplane, which is why you should always contact reservations to ensure your pet carrier meets the airplane criteria.
How many carry-on pets may fit in a kennel and on American flights?
American Airlines’ pet policy allows two dogs or two cats to share the same carrier. Of course, there are weight and age limitations. Each of the pets must be less than 20 pounds and less than six months old. You can take two pets as long as they’re both comfortable sitting, standing up, and moving around.
It’s crucial to remember that American Airlines accepts seven carriers on one flight. Of course, this rule doesn’t apply to service animals as they have to comply with other requirements.
If you’re flying on an American Eagle flight, keep in mind that only five kennels are allowed. Moreover, only one kennel is allowed in the first class. Call the airline in advance to ensure you can take your pet.
After you ensure your pet and carrier meet all the requirements, you must also check out the airplane itself. Some airplanes don’t have under-seat storage, or they have limited space. Therefore, you can’t take a pet as a carry-on on those flights.
That said, American Airlines doesn’t allow carry-on pets on first and business classes on Boeing on the following airplanes:
- 777-200
- 777-300
- 787-8
- 787-9
How much does it cost to take carry-on pets?
Flying with your furry friend with American Airlines will cost you $125 per kennel, regardless of whether you fly in the main cabin, premium economy, business, or first class.
The pet fee applies to flights within the US, flights between US and Canada, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean if the country allows entry. Carry-on pets aren’t allowed on flights to Hawaii.
Checked pets requirements
American Airlines’ pet policy allows checked pets if the passenger is an active-duty US military or US State Department Foreign Service personnel. Even in these circumstances, the passenger must travel on official orders to meet the requirements.
If you’re military or US State Department Foreign Service personnel and want to fly with your pets with American Airlines, you can check two pets. You’ll have to provide a health certificate from a vet that was issued within ten days of travel or 60 days of your return.
Besides the health certificate, your pets, as well as the kennel, have to meet other criteria too.
Carrier guidelines for checked pets
For starters, you should know that each aircraft has specific dimension requirements for the pet carriers passengers can use. Therefore, when checking your pet, we recommend you ensure that the kennel is appropriate for the airplane you will fly on.
The kennel has to be large enough for the pet to stand, move, lie down, and feel comfortable when the kennel is closed. The total weight of the kennel and the pet mustn’t exceed 100 pounds.
Additionally, the kennel should be made of wood, metal, or plastic and have a welded or cast metal door. It has to be secure, leak- and escape-proof. Also, the kennel must have ventilation on at least three sides, with attached food and water dishes inside. You should add a small food bag for a 24-hour period on the top of the kennel.
If you have two pets in the same kennel, they have to be the same species, similar size, and weigh less than 20 pounds each. Both pets have to be between eight weeks and six months old.
Breed restrictions for checked pets
If you thought that you had learned all of American Airlines’ pet policy restrictions and requirements, you’re mistaken. Unfortunately, the airline has other limitations for checked pets related to their breed.
In short, you can take your cat if it isn’t a brachycephalic cat or a mix of that breed. This group includes the Burmese, Persian, Himalayan, or Exotic Shorthair cats.
Dog owners can’t take their dogs if they are brachycephalic, snub-nosed, or any mix of these breeds. This group includes American Staffordshire Terrier, Boxer, English Toy Spaniel, Mastiff, Pit Bull, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, etc. You can see the full list on this link.
What is the pet fee for checked pets on American Airlines flights?
Active-duty US military or State Department personnel can use this service to take their pets for a $200 fee per kennel. Each customer can take up to two pets in one kennel if they meet the airline’s requirements.
The $200 fee for checked animals applies to flights within the US, between the US and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean, Europe, and the United Kingdom. The checked pet fee for flights to and from Brazil is $150.
It’s very important to note that these fees apply for flights without a voluntary stopover. The fee will apply for each connection segment if the trip includes a voluntary connection/stopover of more than four hours.
American PetEmbark
American Airlines has introduced the American PetEmbark, a special pet cargo service for customers who want to drop off their pets for a flight. The airline has multiple requirements regarding which pets can be shipped.
The fees for the pet cargo vary, depending on the pet’s size, kennel, and flight destination. Therefore, American Airlines has two distinctive services with different prices per kennel: PPS (Priority Parcel Service) and ExpediteFS.
You can use PPS if your pet is smaller and has to fly domestically in the continental US, Puerto Rico, or Hawaii. To use this service, the total weight of your pet and the kennel must be less than 100 pounds, with kennel dimensions 36″ x 26″ x 28″.
In case your pet has to fly internationally or out of Hawaii, you’ll have to use the ExpediteFS service. You’ll also have to use ExpediteFS if your pet and the kennel weigh more than 100 pounds.
Both services have different rates. Depending on the service you select, you can calculate the fees on your own or contact the airlines for additional information. You should also know that the airline may refund the charges in case your pet doesn’t travel on its booked flight.
Pet cargo requirements
As with checked pet service, American Airlines pet policy for transporting pets via cargo also includes breed restrictions. You should check out the restricted dog and cat breeds list before looking for a ticket.
One of the most important rules to remember is that American Airlines doesn’t accept sedated or tranquilized pets. That’s because sedated or tranquilized pets are at a higher risk of experiencing respiratory or cardiovascular problems at higher altitudes.
Temperature restrictions for checked pets and cargo transport
American Airlines has a very strict temperature policy for checked pets and pets traveling with the airline’s cargo. The airline created this policy in order to provide comfortable and, more importantly, safe transport.
According to American Airlines pet policy, the company allows warm-blooded animals if the temperatures on the ground are between 45°F and 85°F. The airline won’t take your pet if the ground temperature exceeds the limits.
It’s important to mention that ground temperature refers to the temperature in the animal holding areas, at terminal facilities, on a plane awaiting departure, and when moving the pets between the terminal and the plane. The ground temperature range applies to the origin, connection, and destination cities.
If the temperature is below the allowed degree range, your pet may travel if you provide a written letter from a licensed vet. The letter will confirm that the temperature is safe for your pet.
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