06 Mar
American Airlines is a pet-friendly airline and permits pet travel in-cabin with passengers. You are required to comply with certain health and safety mandates, as well as the rules of the airline itself to fly with your pet. Provided you do, you’re welcome to travel with your pet on an American airlines flight.
Depending on the pet’s size and breed, they can either travel as a carry-on or be transported through American Airlines Cargo. Carry-on pets are limited to cats and dogs, and they must meet the size, age and destination requirements currently in place.
On American Airlines flights, you can bring 1 kennel as your carry-on bag if you pay the pet carry-on fee, and if your pet stays within the kennel and under the seat in front of yours throughout the flight.
*Note: You may travel with your pet carrier and one personal item, but you will not be permitted to bring a carry-on bag in addition to a pet carrier and personal item. The kennel will replace your carry-on bag in that case. If your pet is too large to fly in the cabin, it must travel with American Airlines Cargo.
American Airlines assumes no liability for the health or well-being of carry-on pets. These rules are in place and enforced, with passengers being responsible for appropriate planning and preparation:
To add a carry-on pet to your trip, follow these steps:
American Airlines only accepts checked pets for active-duty U.S. military and U.S. State Department Foreign Service personnel traveling on official orders. Up to 2 pets may be checked and they must meet the minimum age and health requirements of the destination. Since capacity is limited, they accept checked pets on a first-come basis.
You can pay your pet travel fee at the airport or at a travel center with a credit card or paper voucher if you’re flying with American. Cash or cheques are not accepted for payment.
American Airlines doesn’t collect pet fees for other operating airlines on your trip (even if it has an American flight number). You’ll need to check in with each airline and pay your fees at check-in. To find out if you're on a partner airline, look for the words, "Operated by" on your ticket.
| Service Type | Region | Fee* |
| Checked pet for Active-duty U.S. Military and State Department personnel only* | Within and between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean, Europe and from the United Kingdom | $200
per kennel $150 to/from Brazil |
| Cargo pet | Varies |
Varies, Fees will be confirmed at the time of booking. |
| Carry-on pet | Within and between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean (based on specific country's entry policy) |
$125 per kennel |
| Service animals | All destinations | No charge |
*Note: Fees shown apply for each destination without a voluntary stopover / connection of 4 hours or more. If your trip includes a voluntary stopover / connection of more than 4 hours, fees apply for each connection segment. All pet fees are non-refundable and apply per kennel, each way. Fees for transporting your pet with American Airlines Cargo may vary depending on the trip details and size of the animal and kennel.
AUTHOR’S BIO
ARSH BHARDWAJ
I am passionate about language, storytelling and the human urge to connect Having paid close attention to marketing and branding as a craft for some time, I'm eager as ever to indulge my passion for prose.