American Airlines Pet Policy

Flying with your pets is streamlined and smooth with American Airlines. Thanks to the American Airlines pet policy that helps you with its guidelines. By following the policy, you can travel in the company of your pets and stay worry-free. Thereby, your overall travel experience is enhanced.

So, count on the pet travel policy that the airline has devised and is in the best interest of travelers. However, keep in mind that the airline allows only a limited number of pets in the flight. That’s why it is important to make a booking for your pet on time. Now, let’s know more about the American Airlines pet travel guidelines in the account that follows.

What is the American Airlines Pet Policy?

You can travel along with your pets on AA flights thanks to its customer-friendly policy that supports pets onboard. However, make sure that they meet the set standards of age and size. As per the American Airlines pet travel policy, you can have a dog or cat onboard. Now, let’s look at the policy’s highlights –

• Pets are allowed on a majority of flights up to 12 hours or those operating between the following locations:

• The 48 contiguous United States
• The United States and Canada
• Alaska
• Mexico
• Puerto Rico
• St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
• St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

• While booking your tickets, book your pet as well. AA shows how many pets are accepted on every flight. 
• Every pet must be at least 8 weeks old. 
• A pet carrier is a carry-on item on AA flights. So, you can have only a personal item with your pet carrier if flying with a pet. You have to check other bags with the charges applicable.

Please note

There might be some special restrictions when you are traveling to or from any of these destinations. Let’s proceed to look into the pet carrier requirements as AA has set.

How Can I Add a Carry-On Pet to My American Airlines Trip?

Now that you know the American Airlines pet policy well, here are the quick steps to add a carry-on pet to your flight booking –

• Find your booking on the AA official website or the American mobile app.
• Go to the  Special Services section.
• Select the ‘Add carry-on pets’ option.
• Review the carry-on pet requirements and agree to those.
• Choose flights to fly with your pet.
• Confirm your carry-on pet.
• Complete the changes made.

Please note

Visit the American ticket counter at the airport. Pay the fee required and make sure to abide by the pet and kennel requirements.

What are the American Airlines Carry-On Pet Carriers Requirements?

You are allowed both hard-sided and soft-sided carriers on AA. Carrier dimensions for American Airlines carry-on pets are mentioned below –

Hard-sided kennels

• On mainline flights – 19 inches*13 inches*9 inches or 48*33*22 cm (length + width + height)
• American Eagle flights – 16 inches*12 inches*8 inches or 40*30*20 cm (length + width + height)

Soft-sided carriers

• On mainline and American Eagle flights – 18 inches*11 inches*11 inches
• Your pet should be able to stand and turn around in its carrier as AA pet policy states.

What are American Airlines Carry-on Pets Restrictions?

When traveling with your pets, you should know about the rules completely. This comprises not only the things to do but also the don’ts. So, go through the points below to get an idea of the same –

Kennel limitations

American Airlines only accepts:

• 7 kennels on American flights, except for service animals
• 5 kennels on American Eagle flights but only 1 in the First

Aircraft

AA doesn’t allow carry-on pets in Business or First Class as the under-seat storage space in these travel classes is nil.

Boeing

• 777-200
• 777-300
• 787-8
• 787-9

Sedation

American Airlines doesn’t accept sedated or tranquilized pets in accordance with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). At higher altitudes, pets on tranquilizers or sedatives are more susceptible to cardiovascular and respiratory issues.

Does AA Allow Flying with a Service Animal?

Yes, the airline allows fully trained service animals, which is a dog in the cabin without charging. Such dogs are trained to support a disabled traveler on the flight. These disabilities include but are not limited to:

• Visual impairments
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Seizures
• Mobility impairments
• Deafness

The staff at American Airlines will determine if your service animal meets pet travel guidelines and fulfills all the requirements/criteria to get onboard.

Please note

The following are allowed as pets, not service animals –

• Under training service animals
• Comfort animals
• Emotional support animals

All requirements and applicable fees will apply.

What are the AA Charges for Carrying Pets Along?

You have to pay a travel fee for your pet at the airport/ travel center when flying with AA. Payment must be through a credit card or paper voucher (where accepted). You can’t pay in cheque or cash.

Here is the American Airlines pet travel fees for your reference –

Source: https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/special-assistance/pets.jsp

Please note

American doesn’t accept fees for other airlines operating on your trip, even if the flight has an AA number. Check in with your respective airline and pay the pet fees at check-in. To know if you are traveling with an AA partner airline, check your ticket for the words, “Operated by”.

What are American Airlines Pet Breed Restrictions?

The American Airlines pet travel policy aims at ensuring the well-being of animals flying with it. For this, mixed breeds of brachycephalic and snub-nosed dogs and cats are not allowed onboard. It is because of the risks of their hereditary respiratory issues.

For safety reasons, the airline doesn’t accept historically aggressive breeds. Those traveling with their mixed-breed pets have to fill out a form, stating the details.

Restricted Dogs

• 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
• Tibetan Spaniel

Cats

• Burmese
• Exotic Shorthair
• Himalayan
• Persian

Things to Remember while Taking Your Pets Along in AA Flights

When flying on an AA flight, make sure that you follow the points mentioned below. These are in accordance with the American Airlines pet policy and make your and your pet’s journey more convenient.

• Provide a valid fitness document stating that your pet is healthy enough to travel.
• An agreeable transporter is significant.
• Provide an I.D. to your pet’s necessities.
• Know about the facilities to accommodate your pet properly.
• Research well.
• You can bring one kennel as your carry-on bag if you:
• Pay the carry-on pet fee
• Make your pet stay in the kennel and under the seat in front of you during the flight.
• If your fully-trained service dogs meet the set parameters and requirements, you can take them in the cabin without paying extra.
• You can have a personal item and a pet carrier, but with both of these, you can’t have a carry-on bag. Instead, you can take a kennel.

In Conclusion

Simply put, you must follow the American Airlines pet policy to fly with your furry friend at ease. In light of the account above, you can stay away from any hassles when your pets travel on American Airlines flights.

So, what are you waiting for? Do you have a trip coming up with American Airlines? Are there pets at home? Worry not. Make bookings for them with AA. You and your pet will fly comfortably with the airline. The time to travel in your pet’s company on AA flights is now!

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