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American Airlines Pet Policy

American Airlines being one of the trusted airlines is responsible for making pet travel simple and stress-free for passengers by allowing pets to travel as a carry-on and cargo. There are certain rules and regulations mentioned in American Airlines Pet Policy for pets traveling In-Cabin or Cargo. One must keep it in mind before planning to fly from one place to another.

American Airlines allows small dogs under 20 pounds to fly in-cabin in an approved carrier. Trained service dogs can also fly in-cabin. Larger dogs over 20 pounds must be transported in a cargo hold. It's important to review the full AA pet policy and requirements and to contact the American Airlines directly to make arrangements for pet travel.

Specific kennel requirements and restrictions are depending on the destination. It's important to review the full pet policy and contact the airline to arrange pet travel.

However, dogs are not allowed in any cabin classes on international flights. American Airlines policy for pets has details on fees, carrier sizes, etc. that owners should review before booking their flight along with their furry friend.

American Airlines Pet Policy

If you are in a hurry then you can also have a quick look at the table to get a quick overview of the below-mentioned information:

Information Cabin Pets Checked Pets
Allowed Animals Dogs, cats, household birds Dogs, cats, small household pets like ferrets, rabbits, hamsters, etc.
Weight Limit 20 lbs (pet + carrier) 100 lbs (pet + carrier)
Carrier Dimensions 18" x 11" x 9" Varies
Cost $125 one-way $200 one-way ($150 for Brazil)
Restrictions Limited based on flight duration and destination Limited to 12-hour max flight duration
Age Minimum 8 weeks 8 weeks
Health Certificates Required Required
Military Pets Not allowed Allowed with guidelines
Booking Advance booking required Check-in 4+ hours before the flight

American Airlines Pet Policy For Dogs

American Airlines Dog Policy varies depending on several factors, including the size and breed of the dog, the route being flown, and whether the dog is a service or emotional support animal. Here are some general guidelines:

  • Service animals: American Airlines allows trained service animals to travel in the cabin with their owners free of charge. Documentation may be required.
  • Emotional support animals: American Airlines only allows dogs as emotional support animals with appropriate behavior and hygiene. Emotional support animals may be allowed in the cabin with their owners, but they must be properly trained and well-behaved, and documentation is required.
  • Pets: American Airlines allows pets in cabin or cargo based on size, with fees and age restrictions. Carriers must fit under seats and meet specified dimensions.

American Airlines policy for pet & service dogs may get altered as the rules and requirements may change from time to time.

American Airlines Carry on Pet Policy

You are permitted to transport one kennel as American Airlines carry on pet policy on the flights if you meet the following criteria:

  • Pet transportation cost is the passenger's responsibility.
  • Pets stay in a kennel under the seat, no carry-on bag is allowed, but a new one is provided from the kennel.
  • American Airlines Cargo is for larger pets, specific conditions apply for checked dogs.
  • Only active-duty U.S. military and foreign service personnel on official business can check dogs.
  • Compliance with kennel requirements is essential, check the AA Official Website for detailed guidelines.

American Airlines Pet In-Cabin Travel Guide & Requirements

Here are the details you must know about if you want to carry your pet in American Airlines cabin:

1. Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old.

2. Your pet must be healthy and up-to-date on all vaccinations.

3. You must provide a health certificate from your veterinarian within 10 days of travel.

4. Your pet must be securely contained in a hard-sided kennel that meets the following dimensions:

  • 18 inches long x 11 inches wide x 9 inches high (45 cm x 28 cm x 22 cm)
  • The kennel must be able to fit under the seat in front of you.
  • The kennel must have a secure door and ventilation holes.
  • Your pet must be able to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably inside the kennel.

5. Carry-on is limited to cats and dogs meeting location, size, and age restrictions.

6. Checked dogs allowed for active duty U.S. Military and U.S. State Department members on official business.

7. Costs and limitations apply; fully trained assistance animals fly in-cabin for free if they meet the criteria.

8. Conditions and restrictions streamline American Airlines Pet Travel for owners.

Fly in American Airlines Pet in Cabin

Every Airline has its specific rules and regulations, under which they permit few pets to travel in the cabin. Therefore, keeping in mind the comfort, safety, and travel requirements, American Airlines has given some of the rules and regulations that pet owners must be aware of. So, as per American Airlines pet policy, you can fly to the following destinations with your pets:

  • In-cabin pets are allowed on most flights up to 12 hours or specific locations within the U.S., Canada, Alaska, Mexico, and more.
  • Cats and dogs are the only species permitted under American Airlines Pet in Cabin Policy.
  • Pets in the cabin require a health certificate or full vaccination.
  • Check additional restrictions for pets traveling to Canada and Mexico.
  • Verify health requirements for international travel outside the U.S. before purchasing tickets.
  • Cargo travel for pets is restricted in temperatures exceeding 85°F or below 45°F.

American Airlines Pet Reservations

By contacting American Airlines you must register your pet before travel. Pets cannot board flights if they haven't been registered in advance.

Restricted Routes for Pets:

  • When flying transatlantic or transpacific, American Airlines does not allow dogs in the cabin. In most places in the United States (apart from Hawaii), Canada, Mexico, Central America, Alaska, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, and St. Croix, pets are welcome to travel in the cabin. There is a maximum 11 1/2-hour flight time limit.
  • Pets are not permitted to fly to or from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Venezuela, Hawaii, or the EU. Only assistance/service dogs are permitted in the cabin on flights to Ireland and the UK.

American Airlines Pet Carrier Requirements

In accordance with American Airlines pet policy, for pets traveling as carry-on baggage, American Airlines requires the following:

  • Size: The carrier must be hard-sided and no larger than 18 inches long, 11 inches wide, and 9 inches high (45 cm x 28 cm x 22 cm).
  • Ventilation: The carrier must have adequate ventilation holes on three sides for domestic flights and four sides for international flights. The ventilation openings must be no larger than 1" x 1" for dogs or 3/4" x 3/4" for cats.
  • Safety: The carrier must have a secure door that prevents your pet from escaping.
  • Comfort: Your pet must be able to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably inside the carrier.
  • Documentation: You must provide a health certificate from your veterinarian within 10 days of travel.
  • Acclimation letter (if applicable): If the ground temperature at your origin, connection, or destination city is between 20 and 44 degrees Fahrenheit, you must provide a letter of acclimation from your veterinarian.
  • Breed restrictions: Some breeds may be prohibited from being transported as checked cargo.

American Airlines Pet Fee

The American Airlines pet fee is $125 per kennel which you have to pay at the time of booking your flights. You may pay a fee with a credit card or a paper voucher at the airport or a travel center if you're traveling with American Airlines (where accepted). Cash and cheques are not acceptable forms of payment.

Pet Fees on Diverse Routes

  • The cost of Checked Pet on AA is $200 per kennel (for travel inside and between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean), and $150 from/to Brazil.
  • The cost of a carry-on pet is $125 per kennel for travel inside and between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central America, Colombia, and the Caribbean.
  • There is a limit of one pet carrier per booked passenger, and there are additional costs.

American Airlines Pet Carrier Size Requirements

American Airlines has specific size requirements for pet carriers depending on whether your pet is traveling as carry-on baggage or as checked cargo.

  • Dimensions of carrier: 19 inches long, 13 inches wide, and 9 inches high.
  • There are no size or weight restrictions for guide dogs.
  • Pets must be able to turn around and stand up in their carriers.
  • The pet carrier is considered a personal item or carry-on bag.
  • There is a limit of one pet carrier per booked passenger, and there are additional costs.

AA Pet Age Requirements

Pets must be at least 8 weeks old and have documentation of their immunizations to travel. There are a few exceptions to the age requirements for pets traveling on American Airlines. For example, service animals are allowed to travel regardless of their age. Additionally, American Airlines may allow puppies and kittens under 8 weeks old to travel on a case-by-case basis if they are accompanied by their mother.

Service Dogs Guidelines

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Service Animal Air Transportation form must be filled out and submitted before your journey as of February 1, 2021, when only trained service animals will be allowed to fly in the cabin. It is possible to carry an animal as a regular pet if it is not a trained service animal and you are traveling with it.

What are the steps to American Airlines Pet Booking?

American Airlines has established clear procedures for booking and transporting pets, ensuring both their safety and comfort during the flight.

  • Review American Airlines pet policy for eligibility criteria before booking.
  • Book your flight and inform the airline about your pet during the process.
  • Provide detailed pet information, including breed, age, weight, and carrier dimensions.
  • Pay the non-refundable pet reservation fee based on size and travel location.
  • Prepare your pet for travel with comfort, food, water, and bathroom breaks.
  • Check-in at the airport, bringing necessary documentation like a health certificate.
  • Follow in-cabin or checked pet regulations, securing them in carriers as specified.
  • Ensure compliance with guidelines for a safe and enjoyable travel experience.

Types of Pets Allowed In American Airlines

American Airlines allows a variety of household pets to travel as either carry-on or checked baggage. Here's a breakdown of the eligible pet types:

Carry-on Pets

  • Dogs: Most common dog breeds are eligible for carry-on travel, with some exceptions for brachycephalic breeds like Bulldogs, Pugs, and Shih Tzus due to potential respiratory issues during air travel.
  • Cats: Most common cat breeds are also permitted as carry-on pets.

Checked Baggage Pets

  • Dogs: Similar to carry-on, most dog breeds are eligible for checked baggage transportation, with the same exceptions for brachycephalic breeds.
  • Cats: Most cat breeds are also allowed as checked baggage pets.
  • Ferrets: Domestic ferrets can be transported as checked baggage within the United States and to select international destinations.
  • Rabbits: Domestic rabbits are eligible for checked baggage travel.
  • Hamsters: Hamsters are permitted as checked baggage pets within the United States and to certain international destinations.
  • Guinea Pigs: Guinea pigs can be transported as checked.
  • Gerbils: Gerbils are allowed as checked baggage pets within the United States and to certain international destinations.
  • Pot-Bellied Pigs: Pot-bellied pigs are eligible for checked baggage transportation within the United States & internationally.

American Airlines Pet Policy For Service & Emotional Support Animals

American Airlines has specific policies for service animals and emotional support animals (ESAs) that travel on its flights.

AA Emotional Support Pets Policies

American Airlines does not require documentation for ESAs, but passengers are responsible for ensuring that their ESAs are well-behaved and under control at all times. ESAs must not exhibit disruptive behavior, and they must be kept on a leash or in a carrier at all times.

ESAs are not allowed to travel in the cabin of the aircraft at no additional charge. They must be transported as checked baggage. ESAs must be secured in a hard-sided kennel that meets the airline's size requirements.

Service Animals Guidelines

Service animals are dogs that are trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. Service animals are considered service animals under the ADA, and they have certain legal rights.

American Airlines requires passengers traveling with service animals to provide a DOT Form signed by a licensed veterinarian or licensed mental health professional. This form documents the animal's training and verifies that the animal is a service animal.

Major Requirements for American Airlines Pet Reservations

The major requirements for American Airlines Pet Reservations include:

  • Pet Eligibility: Dogs and cats are typically allowed, but other animals may require special arrangements. Some breeds may also be restricted due to their snub-nosed characteristics.
  • Health certificate: You may need to provide a health certificate from your veterinarian stating that your pet is healthy and up-to-date on all vaccinations.
  • Pet carrier or crate: You must provide a carrier or crate that is appropriate for your pet's size and meets American Airlines requirements. The carrier or crate must be large enough for your pet to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably.
  • Fees: There is a fee for bringing your pet on an American Airlines flight, and the fees vary depending on the size of your pet and whether they are traveling in the cabin or as checked baggage.
  • Reservation: You must make an American Airlines pet reservation by calling American Airlines reservations directly or booking online. It's important to book your pet's reservation as early as possible because there are limited spaces available for pets on each flight.

American Airlines Pet Cargo

Pets as members of the U.S. military who are on active duty are only permitted to check in the cabin. The minimum age and health standards must be met as per the requirements of the specific destination. According to American Airlines pet shipping policy, the airline accepts checked dogs on a first-come, first-served basis due to capacity restrictions.

When inspecting a pet, you should:

  • Check-in at the ticket desk with your formal orders and contact reservations at least 48 hours before departure.
  • Spend more time checking in (at least 2 hours and no more than 4 hours before your flight)
  • With a representative, finish a checklist
  • Please provide a health certificate for pet cargo travel.

American Airlines provides pet owners with the option to transport their pets in the cargo area of the aircraft if the animals are too large to fit beneath the seat or if the journey is extensive.

The cargo hold maintains the same temperature and pressure as the passenger cabin, except for specific Airbus models that do not accommodate live animals, such as the Airbus 319,

Airbus 320, Airbus 321, Airbus 321S, and Airbus 321H on which live animals are not transported. Notably, Air Wisconsin does not transport live animals.

Pets Allowed in the AA Cargo

According to American Airlines pet policy here are various criteria for your pet's kennel while checking them in:

  • A size that enables your pet to naturally stand, turn, sit, and lie down (without touching any side or the top of the container)
  • According to American Airlines pet cargo, the combined weight of your pet plus the kennel cannot exceed the aircraft's maximum weight or size restrictions of 100 lbs./45 kg
  • Comprise wood, metal, plastic, or materials of a similar kind
  • Have a cast or welded metal door
  • Using nuts or screws at the top and bottom to secure
  • Self-secured using release cable ties on each of the four corners (we'll supply the ties for free)
  • Be stiff and secure enough that the animal cannot squeeze through openings or pierce the container with any body parts
  • With a tightly sealed door, stay leak and escape-proof
  • Have separate feeding and watering bowls fastened securely within the kennel
  • Ventilation is needed least three sides for domestic U.S. travel and four sides for overseas travel
  • Attach a little bag with enough food for a day to the top for American Airlines Pet Cargo travel
  • Two pets must be kept together in a kennel if you are traveling with two animals

Frequently Asked Questions

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Ans. As per American Airlines Pet Policy, if your pet can fit in this carrier, there is no limitation on pet weightage. The weight of your pet and carrier should not be more than 20 pounds.

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Ans. To travel with your dog on American Airlines you should carry documents like: Health Certificate, DOT Service Animal Form, Proof of Rabies Vaccination, Import/Export Permit, and Additional Documentation Requirements.

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Ans. The pet fee on American Airlines is $125 per kennel which will be paid at the time of the booking process. However, the fee may differ if you have not completed documentation and cross the weight limit of a carrier 40 pounds.

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Ans. American Pet Policy has restricted some of the dogs from flying in the cabin including Affenpinscher, American Staffordshire Terrier, Brussels Griffon, Cane Corso, Dogue De Bordeaux, Bulldog (all breeds), Boston Terrier, Boxer (all breeds), English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (all breeds), Presa Canario, Pug, Pekingese, Pit Bull.

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Ans. For pets traveling in the cabin, the carrier must be able to fit under the seat in front of you and your pet must not exceed the weight limit of 20 pounds. For pets traveling as checked baggage, the maximum weight limit is 100 pounds including the carrier.

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Ans. American Airlines pet policy allows dogs and cats to travel in the cabin or as checked baggage. Other animals may be allowed in the American Airlines pet cargo hold, but you'll need to contact American Airlines for specific information.

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Ans. To book a pet on American Airlines, you can call their reservations line at 800-433-7300 or book online through their official website. During the booking process, you'll need to inform American Airlines that you'll be traveling with a pet and provide information about your pet, including their breed, age, and weight.

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