In-Cabin Pet Policy

If your dog or cat meets the requirements listed in American Airlines pet policy to travel in-cabin, you will need an approved airline pet carrier. The carrier must have a waterproof bottom, have room for your pet to stand up and turn around, must fasten securly and have adequate ventilation. Maximum size: 18in x 11in x 11in. (soft-sided carriers can be slightly higher.)

The pet carrier will not count as a carry on item according to new AA regulations.

Pets Allowed:

Small dogs or cats.

Age Requirements:

Pets must be at least 8 weeks old to travel in the cabin.

Route Restrictions

American does not permit pets in the cabin on transatlantic or transpacific flights. Pets are permitted to fly in the cabin to most destinations in the United States (excluding Hawaii) and Canada, Mexico, Central America, Alaska, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. Croix. Flights cannot be longer than 11 1/2 hours.

Pets traveling in the cabin are not allowed to or from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Venezuela, Hawaii or EU countries. Service/assistance dogs only are allowed in the cabin on flights to Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Aircraft Restrictions

Carry-on pets are not permitted in First or Business Class on the following aircraft: 757-L, 757-EW, 767, 777-200, 777-300, 787-8, 787-9, Airbus A330-200 or A330-300.

Carrier Requirements

Carrier measurements will vary depending on the aircraft serving the route. There is one pet permitted per passenger unless you are carrying a mother cat or dog with her unweaned litter.

Two pets of the same size and species (generally puppies, kittens or toy dogs) may be allowed in one pet carrier, provided there is adequate room in the carrier for them to stand up and turn around. The total weight of the pets and carrier must not exceed 20 pounds. Birds are not permitted.

Check-In

You will check in at the passenger counter as animals are not checked in at curbside. A fee will be collected at the time of check in. Your pet airline carrier will count as a piece of carry-on luggage.

American Airlines Pet Fee for In-Cabin

The fee for flying your small dog or cat in the cabin will be $125USD. Your pet airline carrier will count as a piece of carry-on luggage. You must check in at the passenger counter as animals are not checked in at curbside.

If your pet is a service dog, there will be no charge for the flight.

Forms Required

No health certificate is required for pets traveling in the cabin. Department of Transportation forms are required for service dogs.

Service Dogss

Only trained service animals can fly in the cabin and you will need to complete and submit the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Service Animal Air Transportation form before your trip. If you are traveling with an animal that does not qualify as trained service dog, it may be transported as a regular pet.

See more information about American Airline policies on service and emotional support animals.

Checked Baggage Pet Policy

American Airlines is currently not offering checked baggage service for live animals with the exception of active-duty U.S. Military and U.S. State Department Foreign Service personnel traveling on official orders.

If your pet is too large to fit under the seat, it is an animal other than a dog or cat, or if it is a very long flight, American may transport your pet in the cargo section of the aircraft according to its regulations. This section of the cargo department has the same temperature and pressure as the passenger cabin. Live animals will not be transported in the cargo hold of the following aircraft: Airbus 319, Airbus 320, Airbus 321, Airbus 321S and Airbus 321H. Live animals are not transported on Air Wisconsin.

Pets Allowed:

Larger dogs and cats. Birds are not permitted. Flight must be less than 12 hours. Up to 2 pets per passenger may travel as checked baggage.

Route Restrictions:

Pets traveling to Hawaii may travel as checked baggage through Honolulu. Pets traveling to the United Kingdom must fly as air cargo.

Checked pets cannot travel to/through/from Phoenix, Tucson, Las Vegas or Palm Springs from May 1 - September 30.

Checked baggage service is not offered on flights to Japan.

Aircraft Restrictions

Checked pets cannot travel on A321, A321S, A321H, A320, A319 aircraft and all flights operated by Air Wisconsin.

Forms Required

Health Certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of travel. If you are returning to your country of origin on the same ticket, the health certificate is valid for 60 days.

Check-In

When flying as checked baggage, you will check in your dog, cat not more than 4 hours ahead of flight time at the passenger ticket counter at which time you will pay the fee for transport. Pet owners are encouraged to check in early as the number of pets per flight is limited and on a first come-first served basis. There is a maximum of 2 pets per passenger permitted to travel as checked baggage.

Flights cannot be longer than 12 hours. Pets must not be sedated or they will not be accepted.

American Airlines Pet Fee for Checked Baggage

American Airlines charges a flat fee of $200 ($150 for travel to or from Brazil) for larger dogs and cats flying as accompanied checked baggage.

Breed Restrictions

See banned breeds below.

Temperature Restrictions

Pets will not be accepted as checked baggage or air cargo when actual or forecasted temperatures are above 85°F (29.4°C) or below 45°F (7.2°C) at any airport on the itinerary. Pets may be accepted at temperatures below 45°F with an acclimation certificate, however, no pet will be transported at temperatures lower than 20°F (-6.6°C). American Airlines has a 24/7 help desk to assist with rescheduling pets when temperatures do not fall within this range.

Between May 1 and September 30, live animals will not be permitted in the cargo hold on flights to, from or transiting Phoenix, Tucson, Las Vegas and Palm Springs due to summer temperatures.

Forms Required

Health Certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of travel.

Crate Requirements

Maximum size crate: max 63" high on B767, B777 and B787. 40" high on B757 and 28" high on B737 and A330 aircraft. elstore.com/pet-crate-hardware/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Metal hardware should be used to fasten the top and bottom halves of your pet' crate together. Click here for crate requirements.

Two dogs or cats between 8 weeks and 6 months old can travel in the same crate if they are of the same species, a similar size and weigh less than 20 pounds each.

Need an IATA compliant pet crate? Have a crate already? Need accessories for your crate?

Manifest (Air) Cargo Pet Policies

American Airlines Cargo serves the continental United States, Honolulu, Puerto Rico, Canada and international locations where flight time is less than 12 hours. Pet owners have 2 transport services to choose from: Priority Parcel Service (domestic up to 100 lbs.) and ExpediteFS (international).

Pets Allowed

American Airlines will ship warm blooded animals such as dogs, cats, birds, primates and some other animals. Cold-blooded animals must be packaged in accordance with the IATA Live Animal Regulations and must include heat or cold packs, as needed. American Cargo will not ship dangerous or offensive dogs or other animals, unhealthy animals or pets that will be banned by the country of destination. No venemous snakes or lizards will be transported.

Route Restrictions

If your pet is traveling to or through the United States, the use of a professional freight forwarder, IPATA agent, or customs broker with an established business relationship with the airline will be required. Flights cannot be longer than 12 hours.

All pets traveling to or from London Heathrow or Manchester must use the services of an agent. Agents can be found at IPATA.org. If you are departing from the United States, we can assist you with the booking. Please send an email to info@pettraveltransport.com.

No live animals will be permitted on flights over 12 hours.

Aircraft Restrictions

American Airlines will not transport animals on the following aircraft types: Airbus 319, 320, 321, 321S, 321H and 32B. Routes that are excluded from this restriction include New York JFK to/from LAX and San Francisco (SFO).

Reservations

Reservations can be made up to 10 days in advance.

Age

Pets must be at least 8 weeks old and weaned for domestic or international travel.

Forms Required

Health Certificate issued within 10 days of travel. Also required are proof of vaccinations and pet passport documents for the country your pet is traveling to (international travel only).

Check-In

Household pets such as dogs, cats, ferrets, birds, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, pot-belly pigs, rabbits, rodents and cold-blooded animals can be checked in at passenger ticket counters, baggage service offices and dedicated Global Priority Shipping Centers. You will pay for your pet's transport when your pet is dropped off.

Sedated pets will not be accepted.

All dogs going to the UK will need a photo to confirm the kennel is the correct size. See how to measure your dog for its crate.

Breed Restrictions

See banned breeds below.

Temperature Restrictions

See checked baggage above.

Crate Requirements

American Airlines will no longer accept Series 100 (small) pet crates in the cargo hold.

Two animals less than 6 months and 20 pounds each may travel in the same crate as long as they are of the same species and both animals are less than 20 pounds (9 kg). For animals traveling to the United Kingdom, a maximum of two adult animals (of comparable size, up to 20 pounds (9 kg) each (and who are known to eachother) may be transported in the same container.

More info on crate requirements.
Have a crate already? Need accessories for your crate?

More Information:

AIRLINE PET TRAVEL TIPS
TIPS FOR AIRLINE PET CARGO TRAVEL
PREPARING A PET CARGO CRATE FOR AIR TRAVEL

Airports Served

American serves locations worldwide in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, India, the Caribbean, North and South America including the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Puppies and Kittens

American will transport puppies and kittens over 8 weeks of age.

Banned Breeds

The following is a list of brachycephalic dog breeds and any "mix" of will not be accepted as checked baggage: Affenpinscher, Bulldog (All breeds), Lhasa Apso, Pug (All breeds), Cane Corso, Mastiff (All breeds), Pit Bull Terriers, Shar Pei, Boston Terrier, Dogue De Bordeaux, Pekingese, Shih Tzu, Boxer (All breeds), English Toy Spaniel, Pit Bull, Tibetan Spaniel, Brussels Griffon, Japanese Chin and Presa Canario.

The following dog breeds and their mixes will not be transported as air cargo: Affenpinscher, American Bully, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer (All breeds), Brussels Griffon, Bulldog (All breeds), Cane Corso, Chow Chow, Dogue De Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (All breeds), Pekingese, Pit Bull, Presa Canario, Pug (All breeds), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Terrier and Tibetan Spaniel.

Additionally, the following cats will not be accepted: Burmese, Persian, Himalayan and Exotic Shorthair.

A breed verification form will be required for all dogs and cats flying American Airlines in the cargo hold, whether as checked baggage or air cargo.

If your dog or cat is one of these breeds (or a mix), then you will need to find another airline or consider ground transport. Click here for a free quote for ground transport within the United States.

Other Animals

All warm blooded mammals and birds including show or exhibition animals. American Cargo will not ship dangerous or offensive animals, unhealthy animals or pets that will be banned by the country of destination.

 

Need more information?

The information published here is a guideline for airline pet policies for American. Further detail on airline pet policies as well as pet passport information are available at minimal cost at PetTravelStore.com. We also stock all the equipment and accessories you will need for traveling with your pet. Same day shipping Monday through Friday until 4:00 PM EST.

 

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