Reservations
Check-In
Types of Pets Allowed
Pets Traveling in the Cabin
Pets Traveling as Checked Baggage
Temperature Restrictions
Fees
Age and Health Requirements
Sedation
Destination Specific Restrictions
Travel To or Through Hawaii
Connections to Other Carriers
Pets Traveling Alone
Reservations
Pets traveling in the cabin require a reservation to ensure no more than 7 pets are booked on any single flight. For this reason, it is recommended that you make arrangements in advance by contacting
Reservations.
Checked pets do not need a reservation.
NOTE: Dog show participants should be aware that capacity is sometimes reached, and checked pets are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Check-In
Passengers traveling with pets must check-in at the ticket counter. At this time, curbside or self-service check-in is not allowed. Please allow extra time beyond normal check-in guidelines. However, checked pets will not be accepted more than 4 hours prior to your flight time.
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Types of Pets Allowed
Cats and dogs are the only types of pets accepted for travel on American Airlines. We maintain the right to refuse acceptance of any animal that is exhibiting aggressive behavior.
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Pets Traveling In The Cabin
Pets traveling in the cabin require a reservation to ensure no more than 7 pets are booked on any single flight. For this reason, it is recommended that you make arrangements in advance by contacting
Reservations
It is important to note that pets are NOT allowed outside their carrier at any time during flight.
Allowed Travel Destinations
Domestic flights within the 48 contiguous United States, Alaska, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. Croix.
From the U.S. to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean provided the country of arrival permits entry.
Carry-on pets – including working animals – are NOT ALLOWED to/from Hawaii or Transatlantic/Transpacific or Central and South America.
Required Fees
See below for applicable fees. Charges are payable at the airport and the passenger must show the pet travel fee receipt at the departure gate and at security in many cities
Pet Carrier Guidelines
The maximum size for cabin pet carriers is 23" long x 13" wide x 9" high. Animals must be able to stand up, turn around and lay down in a natural position in the kennel. Soft-sided pet carriers are accepted as long as they are constructed of water-repellent, padded nylon with mesh ventilation on two or more sides.
A pet kennel counts as either a passenger's one carry-on bag or personal item - a cabin pet fee still applies, however
Number of Pets Allowed
Only one pet kennel per ticketed passenger may be accepted for travel in the cabin. The kennel may contain two (2) dogs or two (2) cats but they must be the same species, ages between 8-weeks and 6-months, and weigh less than 20 lbs.
The maximum number of carry-on kennels allowed (on American Airlines flights accepting them) is seven per flight: two (2) in first class and five (5) in coach and/or business class. However, service animals are not counted in the maximum number allowed in the cabin.
On American Eagle and AmericanConnection®, two kennels (at most) are allowed depending on the aircraft - please contact Reservations before your flight.
Movement of Pets During Flight
Pets may not be removed from their kennel/container at any time while on-board the aircraft.
Age/Health Information
Dogs and cats must be at least eight (8) weeks old for travel. If two animals are traveling in the same carrier, no older than six months old, they must be the same species and weigh less than 20 lbs.
American assumes no liability for the health or well-being of carry-on pets.
See Health Requirements below for additional information.
Service And Working Animal Information
Service animals accompanying a disabled passenger travel free of charge. All other animals are charged at the applicable fee.
For information regarding assistance animals traveling with a disabled passenger, please see our Service Animals page.
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Pets Traveling As Checked Baggage
Checked pets do not need a reservation. Participants of dog shows should be aware that capacity is sometimes reached and checked pets are accepted on a first come basis.
Acceptance Restrictions
Pets will not be accepted for flights over 12 hours or on flights traveling to the United Kingdom. American Eagle does not accept pets as checked baggage for Priority Parcel Service between San Juan, (SJU) and St. Kitts (SKB) and between San Juan, (SJU) and Nevis (NEV).
Pets not accepted at departure time remain the responsibility of their owner.
Required Fees
See below for applicable fees. Charges are payable at the airport and the passenger must show the pet travel fee receipt at the departure gate and at security in many cities.
Pet Carrier Guidelines
Animals must have room to stand/turn around, sit and lie down in a natural position.
Kennels must be constructed of wood, metal, plastic, similar material, leak-proof, escape proof and door must fasten securely and need ventilation on 2-sides in addition to the door. Kennels must also have a water container with outside access for filling, in case a delay occurs.
Collapsible Kennels (those which can fold down flat) can not be accepted due to the risk of collapse during transport.
The customer is required to secure rigid plastic kennels with releasable cable ties (see example at right) attached to all four corners. American Airlines will provide the ties to the customer at no cost.
The maximum size for checked kennels is a series 500 kennel with the following dimensions: 40" long x 27" wide x 30" high. However, this size kennel is not accepted on the Boeing MD-80 (S80). Kennels checked on MD-80s must be able to fit through the cargo door while remaining in an upright position. MD-80 cargo doors are 29" high x 53" wide.
Series 700 kennels are not allowed on any aircraft.
The maximum weight of a checked pet and kennel (combined) cannot exceed 100 lbs. For weight over 100 lbs., see AACargo.com for other shipping options.
Number of Pets Allowed
A maximum of two checked pets per passenger is allowed.
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Temperature Restrictions
Temperature restrictions have been established to ensure animals are not exposed to extreme heat or cold in the animal holding areas, terminal facilities, when moving the animals between terminal and aircraft or on an aircraft awaiting departure.
Heat Restrictions
Pets cannot be accepted when the current or forecasted temperature is above 85 degrees Fahrenheit at any location on the itinerary.
Snub-nosed dogs and cats will not be accepted when the current or forecasted temperature is above 75 degrees Fahrenheit at any location on the itinerary.
Cold Restrictions
Pets can not be accepted when the ground temperature is below 45 degrees Fahrenheit at any location on the itinerary.
The restriction for cold temperature restriction may be waived with a written veterinarian statement. The low temperature acclimation certificate/statement/form must include the following:
- Name and address of the passenger
- Name of the animal
- Name and signature of licensed veterinarian
- Veterinarian's accreditation date and number
- Temperature which the animal is acclimated
When temperatures fall below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, pets may not be checked even with a statement of low temperature acclimation.
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Fees
Charges are payable at the airport or American Airlines Travel Centers by check, cash, credit card or voucher. If not used, the refund is to the original form of payment.
Fees for a CHECKED PET within and between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean, tkhe charge is $100.00 USD per container.
For all other locations, contact Reservations.
Fees for an IN-CABIN pet within and between the United States and Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean (provided the country of arrival permits entry,) is $80.00 USD per pet.
Cabin pets are NOT allowed to travel to Hawaii.
There is no fee for any assistance animal traveling with a disabled passenger (such as seeing eye dog) to any destination with the exception of the United Kingdom.
Note that charges shown apply for each origin/destination without a voluntary stopover/connection of 4 hours or more. If your itinerary includes a voluntary stopover/connection of more than 4 hours, charges apply for each connection segment.
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Age And Health Requirements
Dogs and cats must be at least eight (8) weeks old for travel. Animals must be in separate kennels unless they are of the same species and comparable size, weigh less than 20lbs each and are between eight (8) weeks and six (6) months old.
American does not require a health certificate for the acceptance of pets for travel in the cabin or as checked baggage within the 50 United States. However, we encourage you to contact your family veterinarian or state authorities directly for individual state requirements to avoid any possible inconvenience at your final destination. All states require proof of current rabies vaccination for dogs over 12 weeks old and some require proof of rabies vaccination for cats.
For health requirements for destinations outside the continental U.S, contact that country's consulate or embassy for information. A listing of consulates* can be found at the U.S. Department of State's website. Also see Destination Specific Restrictions below.
Federal Regulations require written certification from the customer that dogs/cats have been offered food and water within 4 hours (with the specific time noted) before delivery to the carrier. This certification must be securely attached to the outside of the kennel so that it may be easily noticed and read and have the customer's signature with the date and time it was signed.
Feeding and watering instructions for a 24-hour period must also be provided. Instructions of "No food or water" are not acceptable unless directed by the attending veterinarian.
Aircraft cargo compartments are pressurized and are normally maintained at a temperature range of 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Sedation
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, in most cases cats and dogs should not be given sedatives or tranquilizers prior to flying. An animal's natural ability to balance and maintain equilibrium is altered under sedation, which can be dangerous when the kennel is moved.
Whether flying as a cabin or checked pet, animals are exposed to increased altitude pressures, which can create respiratory and cardiovascular problems for dogs and cats which are sedated or tranquilized. Brachycephalic or snub-nosed dogs and snub-nosed cats are especially affected.
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Destination Specific Restrictions
Please see the information below for restrictions specific to certain destinations. If you are taking a pet outside the United States, contact that country's consulate or embassy for information. A listing of consulates* can be found at the U.S. Department of State's website.
| Destination | Special Restrictions |
| European Union | Cats and dogs are required to have a tattoo or implanted microchip that matches the identification number on their vaccination card. Pets without a tattoo or microchip will not be allowed to enter the European Union.
NOTE: No pets are accepted for travel to the United Kingdom. |
| Hawaii | The transportation of pets to or through Hawaii is subject to multiple, stringent restrictions. See below. |
| Japan |
Due to USDA restrictions that an animal be offered water every 12 hours, checked pets must be booked on flights where the actual flight time is less than 12 hours.
The Japanese government also requires you to notify Japanese Animal Quarantine Service at least 40 days prior to arrival.
The pet must be fitted with a microchip.
Additional documents and certificates are also required. Contact Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for full information. Also,
PetTravel.com has information regarding traveling to Japan. CLICK HERE |
Transatlantic
Transpacific
Central/South American Flights |
Carry-on pets are not allowed on Transatlantic, Transpacific or Central/South American flights.
No pets are accepted for travel to the United Kingdom.
Animals traveling as checked baggage may be allowed, however, some international destinations may limit the number of animals allowed per passenger as checked baggage.
Please contact Reservations and check with the consulate of the country to which you are traveling for further details as acceptance varies by country.
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| United Kingdom | No pets are accepted for travel to the United Kingdom. |
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Travel To Or Through Hawaii
Hawaii is a rabies free state and state law requires 120-day quarantine for dogs/cats to protect residents and pets. The quarantine periods can be reduced to 5 days or less if specific qualifications are met.
See www.hawaiiag.org/hdoa/ai_aqs_info.htm for more information.
No pets are accepted on non-stop flights to Maui, Big Island or Kauai.
Pregnant animals past 45 days gestation are not permitted.
Pets may travel to Hawaii as checked baggage only.
ALL pet arrivals/connections in/through Hawaii must be via Honolulu.
Guide and service dogs may be eligible for reduced quarantine. Contact the Animal Quarantine office in Honolulu at 808-483-7171 for more information. For additional quarantine information please visit the Hawaii Department of Agriculture's Animal Quarantine Information page*
Pets Connecting in Honolulu to points within Hawaii
American Airlines will transport all pets to the Animal Quarantine in Honolulu. The pet will remain there for the pre-determined quarantine period at which time the owner makes arrangements to transport the pet to outer island, either by coming to Honolulu or through air cargo. The owner is responsible for making all necessary arrangement with the Animal Quarantine office in Honolulu at 808-483-7171.
Pets Connecting in Honolulu to points beyond Hawaii
Upon arrival in Honolulu, American Airlines will take the pet to a sterile area where the pet is held until the connecting flight departure time. The connecting carrier will pick-up the pet from the sterile transit area and deliver the pet directly to the connecting flight. The owner of the pet is responsible for making all arrangements directly with the Animal Quarantine office in Honolulu at 808-483-7171 and with the connecting carrier. The owner pays each carrier directly for applicable charges.
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Connections To Other Carriers
Pets are not interlined between American Airlines and other carriers (including codeshare partners). Pets must be claimed and rechecked to each carrier. You will be responsible for claiming the animal and rechecking it with the other carrier.
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Pets Traveling Alone
American Airlines Cargo and Priority Parcel Service ship pets to most destinations. You can find information about pets traveling without a ticketed passenger at AACargo.com*, or by calling 800-CARGOAA (800-227-4622).
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During periods of very hot or very cold weather the airline may require an ACCLIMATION CERTIFICATE. You can order this form online in our store.
http://www.pettravelstore.com/store-pet-immigration-forms1.html
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