American Airlines understands that traveling with your pet can be an important part of your journey. They offer options for small dogs and cats to fly with you in the cabin on many flights, and also provide a dedicated cargo service for larger pets or those traveling to certain international destinations.
Understanding our specific policies is key to a smooth journey for you and your cherished companion.
Can My Pet Fly in the Cabin on American Airlines? (Carry-On Pets)
Yes, small, domesticated dogs and cats are generally welcome to travel with you in the cabin on most American Airlines flights.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Allowed Animals: Only small, domesticated dogs and cats are permitted to travel in the cabin.
- Destinations: Pets are allowed in the cabin on flights:
- Within the 48 contiguous United States.
- Between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central America, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and St. Thomas.
- Pets are NOT accepted in the cabin on flights to or from Hawaii, South America (Bolivia, Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, Venezuela), or on transatlantic or transpacific flights. For travel to Ireland and the United Kingdom, only service animals are allowed in the cabin.
- Pet Age & Weight: Pets must be at least 8 weeks old. The combined weight of your pet and its carrier must not exceed 20 lbs (9.07 kg).
- Size & Carrier Fit: Your pet must be able to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably in a leak-proof and well-ventilated carrier that fits entirely under the seat directly in front of you.
- Soft-Sided Carrier (Recommended): Maximum dimensions are 18″ L x 11″ W x 11″ H (46 cm x 28 cm x 28 cm). Soft-sided carriers are recommended and can be slightly larger if they compress to fit without excessive collapsing.
- Hard-Sided Carrier:
- American Mainline flights: Maximum dimensions are 19″ L x 13″ W x 9″ H (48 cm x 33 cm x 22 cm).
- American Eagle flights: Maximum dimensions are 16″ L x 12″ W x 8″ H (40 cm x 30 cm x 20 cm).
- Carrier Features: Carriers should be water-repellent, made of padded nylon, and have ventilation on 3 or more sides.
- How Many Pets? Generally, one pet per passenger is allowed. However, you may travel with two pets of the same species (two cats or two dogs) in the same carrier if they are between 8 weeks and 6 months old, are of similar size, weigh less than 20 lbs (9.07 kg) each, and fit comfortably.
- Limits Per Flight: Space for pets in the cabin is limited. Generally, a maximum of 7 pet carriers are allowed on American Airlines mainline flights, and 5 pet carriers on American Eagle flights. This is on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Where Can I Sit? If you’re flying with a pet in the cabin, you cannot sit in:
- Emergency exit rows.
- Bulkhead seats (seats with no under-seat storage).
- Seats where the carrier would block an aisle or exit path.
- Pets are not permitted in First or Business Class on certain wide-body aircraft (e.g., Boeing 757-L, 757-EW, 767, 777-200, 777-300, 787-8, 787-9, Airbus A330-200 or A330-300). On American’s Airbus A321T, pets must be stored in a specific compartment in the forward cabin during takeoff, landing, and turbulence.
- During the Flight: Your pet must remain completely inside its carrier (with the door secured) at all times while in the boarding area and onboard the aircraft.
- Booking Your Pet’s Spot: It is highly recommended to add your pet to your reservation as soon as possible through aa.com, the American Airlines app, or by contacting Reservations, due to limited space.
- What Does it Cost? The pet fee is collected at the airport ticket counter.
- Fee: $150 USD per pet carrier, each way.
- Personal Item/Carry-on: Your pet carrier is not counted as your personal item or carry-on bag. You can bring one personal item or one standard carry-on bag in addition to your pet carrier.
Can My Larger Pet Travel via American Airlines Cargo? (Checked Pets & Cargo)
American Airlines offers options for larger pets or those traveling to destinations where in-cabin travel is not permitted. They provide a checked baggage service for specific personnel and a full cargo service (American PetEmbark) for general pet travel.
1. Pets as Checked Baggage (Limited Acceptance):
- American Airlines accepts up to 2 pets as checked baggage ONLY for active-duty U.S. military and U.S. State Department Foreign Service personnel traveling on official orders.
- Other travelers are NOT permitted to check pets as baggage.
- Fee: $150-$200 USD each way.
- Aircraft Restrictions: Checked pets cannot travel on A321, A321S, A321H, A320, or A319 aircraft.
- Health Certificate: Required (see Health Documents section below).
2. American PetEmbark (Cargo Service):
- Dogs and cats can be transported as cargo through American Airlines Cargo (American PetEmbark). This is a separate booking from your passenger flight.
- Booking: Recommended to book between 24 hours and 10 days prior to travel (up to 30 days for inbound into London Heathrow). You can request a booking via aacargo.com/AACargo/ua/forms/pet or by calling American Airlines Cargo at 1-800-227-4622 (for bookings less than 10 days out).
- Crate Requirements: Crates must meet strict International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animals Regulations (LAR) standards.
- Construction: Must be made of wood, metal, or rigid plastic, leak-proof, escape-proof, and have a metal grated door. Snap-closure kennels must be secured with metal nuts, bolts, or screws. All wheels must be inoperable or removed.
- Ventilation: Must have adequate ventilation on 3 sides for domestic and 4 sides for international flights.
- Size: Must be large enough for your pet to stand up, turn around, and lie down naturally without touching the crate. Max kennel size generally not exceeding 40″ L x 27″ W x 30″ H (101 cm x 68 cm x 76 cm). Max combined weight of pet and kennel cannot exceed 100 lbs (45 kg).
- Dishes/Food: Attach two clean, empty food/water dishes accessible from the outside. A clear one-gallon bag of food with instructions should be taped to the top of the kennel.
- Breed Restrictions: American Airlines does not accept snub-nosed (brachycephalic) dog and cat breeds (e.g., most bulldogs, pugs, Persian cats) in cargo due to respiratory risks. A list of restricted breeds is available on the American Airlines Cargo website. Certain other breeds may also be restricted.
- Temperature Rules (Embargoes): Strict temperature restrictions apply to protect pets from extreme heat or cold.
- General: Pets will not be accepted if the forecasted temperature at origin, transfer, or destination airports is below 20°F (-7°C) or above 85°F (29°C).
- Warm City Embargoes: Pets are generally not accepted to/from specific warm cities (e.g., Las Vegas (LAS), Palm Springs (PSP), Phoenix (PHX), Tucson (TUS)) between May 1 and September 30 due to high temperatures.
- Acclimation Statement: A veterinarian’s acclimation statement may waive the cold weather restriction for temperatures between 20°F and 45°F, but not below 20°F.
- Flight Duration: Pets are generally not accepted on flights longer than 12 hours.
- No Sedation: For your pet’s safety, American Airlines prohibits sedated or tranquilized animals from traveling in cargo due to unpredictable effects at altitude.
- Drop-off/Pick-up: Pets must be dropped off at a designated American Airlines Cargo facility, separate from passenger terminals, typically 2-4 hours before departure. Pick-up also occurs at the cargo facility.
What Health Documents Do I Need for Pet Travel on American Airlines? (All Pets)
Accurate and up-to-date health documentation is crucial for all pet travel.
- Health Certificate:
- A health certificate from a licensed veterinarian is mandatory for all pets traveling as checked baggage or cargo, and highly recommended for in-cabin pets.
- It must be issued within 10 days of your travel (for the outbound trip). For a round-trip on the same ticket, the original certificate may be used for the return if the return is within 60 days of issue. For separate tickets, a new certificate is needed if the return is not within 10 days of original issue.
- The certificate must state that your pet is free of infectious/contagious diseases and healthy enough for travel.
- Rabies Vaccination Certificate: A valid rabies vaccination certificate, issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian, is required and must comply with local timeline regulations.
- Breed Verification Form: A breed verification form, signed by a licensed veterinarian, is required for all cats and dogs traveling as cargo to ensure they are on the approved breed list. For mixed breeds, the predominant breed must be stated.
- United States Dog Import Form (from August 1, 2024): If traveling with a dog to the United States (including Puerto Rico), you need to fill out the Dog Import Form by the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Bring a digital or paper receipt of the completed form.
- International Travel: For international travel, regulations are much stricter and vary significantly by country. It is YOUR responsibility to check the official government websites of your destination country (e.g., USDA APHIS for US exports, local embassy/consulate websites) well in advance for specific requirements (e.g., microchipping, additional vaccinations, import permits, quarantine). An English translation of the health certificate may be required.
- Feeding/Water Attestation: For cargo/checked pets, you must provide written certification that your pet was fed and offered water within 4 hours before drop-off, with the specific time noted.
Can My Service Animal Fly with Me on American Airlines?
American Airlines welcomes fully trained service dogs that are individually trained to perform tasks or work for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability. Only dogs are recognized as service animals. Emotional support animals are no longer recognized as service animals and must travel as pets, subject to pet fees and in-cabin carrier requirements.
Key points for service animals on American Airlines:
- Only Dogs: Only trained dogs are accepted as service animals.
- Training & Behavior: The dog must be individually trained to perform a task(s) or work directly related to your disability and must be well-behaved and under your control (e.g., on a leash, harness, or via voice commands) at all times. Disruptive behavior may result in denied boarding or relocation to cargo.
- Age: Service dogs must be at least 4 months old.
- Documentation: You are required to submit the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Service Animal Air Transportation Form prior to travel (ideally at least 48 hours in advance, but can be done at the airport if booking less than 48 hours before departure). You must also carry a printed copy of this form with you. For flights over 8 hours, the U.S. DOT Service Animal Relief Attestation Form is also required.
- Seating: Service dogs must sit at your feet or in your lap (if no larger than a 2-year-old child) and cannot block aisles or exits. They can fly in any cabin class.
- Limit: A maximum of two service dogs per passenger is allowed, provided each performs tasks related to the handler’s disability and both can be safely accommodated.
- International Travel: For international travel with service dogs, additional documentation may be required to meet CDC and destination country requirements. Ensure you check all specific entry rules for your destination.
Top Tips for a Smooth Journey on American Airlines
- Plan Ahead! Begin planning your pet’s travel as early as possible (months in advance for international travel). This allows ample time to complete health requirements, secure documentation, and make necessary reservations.
- Vet Visit: Schedule a comprehensive vet visit specifically for travel preparation. Discuss your travel plans, destination requirements, and ensure your pet is fit to fly.
- Carrier Acclimation: Get your pet accustomed to their carrier well before the flight. Make it a positive space with treats and familiar bedding.
- Exercise Before Flight: A well-exercised pet is often a calmer traveler. Provide plenty of exercise before heading to the airport.
- Limit Food/Water: Offer a light meal a few hours before the flight, and limit water intake immediately before and during the flight to minimize accidents.
- Potty Break: Utilize airport pet relief areas before boarding.
- No Sedation: American Airlines, like most airlines and veterinarians, advises against sedating pets for air travel due to potential health risks at altitude.
- Airport Check-in: For in-cabin pets, check in at the passenger ticket counter to pay the fee and receive any necessary tags. For cargo pets, drop off at the designated American Airlines Cargo facility. Allow extra time for these processes.
- Security Checkpoint: Be prepared to remove your pet from its carrier at the security checkpoint while the carrier is X-rayed.
- Stay Calm: Your pet can sense your emotions. Maintaining a calm and reassuring demeanor will help them feel more secure.
- Always Verify: Airline policies can change! Always confirm the most current American Airlines pet policy directly on their official website (AA.com’s “Pets” or “Service Animals” sections, and AACargo.com for cargo) or by calling their reservations line or Cargo Customer Service before finalizing your travel plans. Do not rely solely on third-party information, as it may not always be up-to-date.