American Airlines Pet TravelAA
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FAQ about American Airlines pet policy
Policy last updated: April 19, 2026
In-Cabin Travel
AllowedCarry-on pets allowed within/between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central America and Caribbean (if country allows entry); not allowed to Hawaii, on trans-Atlantic or trans-Pacific trips, or to South American destinations (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Uruguay). Fee is $150 USD per kennel each way (C$180–C$258 from Canada). Pet and carrier combined weight must not exceed 20 lbs / 9.07 kgs. Soft-sided collapsible carriers recommended: max 18 x 11 x 11 inches (46 x 28 x 28 cm). Hard-sided kennels: 19 x 13 x 9 inches on mainline flights; 16 x 12 x 8 inches on Eagle flights. Maximum 20 pet carriers per flight on most aircraft; maximum 1 per American Eagle regional jet premium cabin, 5 in main cabin. Pets not allowed in bulkhead seats, exit rows, or First/Business on widebody aircraft. Pet must remain in carrier under the seat for the entire flight. Only 1 additional personal item or carry-on bag permitted alongside the pet carrier. Pet strollers must be checked. Sedation not accepted.
Cargo / Hold
AllowedChecked pets accepted ONLY for active-duty U.S. Military and U.S. State Department Foreign Service personnel on official orders. Fee: $200 per kennel each way (within/between U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, Caribbean, Europe, and from the UK); $150 to/from Brazil. Cargo pet fees vary and are confirmed at time of booking. American PetEmbark® service available via American Airlines Cargo for pets that don't qualify as carry-on or checked. Combined pet and kennel weight must not exceed 100 lbs / 45 kgs. Kennel must be large enough for pet to stand, turn, sit, and lie naturally; made of rigid materials; ventilation on at least 3 sides (4 for international); food/water dishes inside; food bag for 24 hours attached outside; clean with absorbent material. Checked pets cannot travel on A319, A320, A321/A321H/A321neo/A321S. Connecting only through: CLT, ORD, DFW, LAX, JFK, LGA, MIA, PHL, PHX, DCA. Must contact Reservations at least 48 hours prior; check in 2–4 hours before flight. Health certificate required (issued within 10 days of travel). Sedation not accepted.
Service Animals
AllowedOnly fully-trained service dogs accepted; emotional support animals and comfort animals travel as pets with applicable fees. Animals must be harnessed/leashed/tethered at all times, clean, well-behaved, and able to fit at passenger's feet, under seat, or in lap. Minimum age 4 months. Limit of 2 service animals per passenger. Must not sit in exit rows, block aisles, occupy a seat, or eat from tray tables. DOT form should be submitted electronically to Special Assistance Desk at least 48 hours before flight; can also be presented at airport. Service Animal ID (SVAN ID) issued upon approval for future travel. For flights to U.S., CDC Dog Import Form and CDC vaccination/microchip requirements must be met. Service animals in training travel as pets.
Species Rules
Carry-on pets are limited to cats and dogs. Two pets may be checked in the same kennel if they are the same species (2 cats or 2 dogs), similar size, each under 20 lbs / 9.07 kgs, and between 8 weeks and 6 months old.
Breed Restrictions
- Brachycephalic/snub-nosed dogs not accepted as checked pets: Affenpinscher, 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 Bull Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel
- Brachycephalic cats not accepted as checked pets: Burmese, Persian, Himalayan, Exotic Shorthair
- Mixed breeds of the above restricted breeds are also not accepted as checked pets
Documentation Required
- Health certificate issued by a licensed vet within 10 days of travel (for checked pets)
- Written certification of feeding/watering within 4 hours before travel (for checked pets)
- Feeding and watering instructions for 24-hour period (for checked pets)
- Official military or State Department orders (for checked pets, military/State Dept. only)
- All government-required vaccination documentation
- CDC Dog Import Form and CDC requirements for dogs traveling to the U.S.
- What types of animals are permitted in the cabin?
- Only cats and dogs are permitted as carry-on pets in the cabin. Fully-trained service dogs may also fly in the cabin at no charge if they meet requirements.
- What is the maximum weight allowed for a pet in the cabin?
- The total weight of your pet and its carrier must not exceed 20 pounds (9.07 kilograms). Weight is verified at check-in.
- What are the carrier size requirements for in-cabin pet travel?
- Soft-sided collapsible carriers (recommended): max 18 x 11 x 11 inches (46 x 28 x 28 cm) for all flights. Hard-sided carriers: 19 x 13 x 9 inches (48 x 33 x 22 cm) for American Mainline flights, or 16 x 12 x 8 inches (40 x 30 x 20 cm) for American Eagle flights. The carrier must fit under the seat in front of you.
- Can pets travel in the cargo hold, and what are the requirements?
- Checked pets in the baggage hold are only accepted for active-duty U.S. Military and U.S. State Department Foreign Service personnel on official orders. For all others, pets that cannot travel as carry-on must use American Airlines Cargo (American PetEmbark® service). Requirements include: contacting Reservations at least 48 hours before travel, presenting official orders at check-in, providing a health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, and using an approved kennel. Checked pets cannot travel on A319, A320, or A321-series (non-T) aircraft.
- What are the fees for traveling with a pet?
- Carry-on pet fee: $150 USD per kennel, each way (C$180–C$258 from Canada). Checked pet fee (military/State Dept. only): $200 per kennel each way for most destinations; $150 to/from Brazil. Cargo pet fees vary and are confirmed at time of booking. Service animals travel at no charge. All fees are non-refundable.
- Is there a limit on the number of pets per passenger or per flight?
- Passengers may bring 1 pet carrier as carry-on. Per flight, a maximum of 20 pet carriers are allowed across all cabins on most aircraft types. American Eagle regional jets allow a maximum of 1 carrier in the premium cabin and 5 in the main cabin. Up to 2 checked pets per passenger are allowed for eligible military/State Dept. personnel.
- Are there any breed restrictions for pets traveling in the cabin or cargo?
- Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) dogs and cats are not accepted as checked pets. Restricted dog breeds include Affenpinscher, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bulldog, Cane Corso, Chow Chow, Dogue De Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff, Pekingese, Pit Bull, Presa Canario, Pug, Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel (and any mix of these). Restricted cat breeds include Burmese, Persian, Himalayan, and Exotic Shorthair (and any mix). These restrictions apply to any mixed breeds as well.
- What documents and health certificates are required to travel with a pet?
- For checked pets: a health certificate issued by a licensed vet within 10 days of travel (or within 60 days of return on same ticket, or 10 days of return on a separate ticket); written feeding/watering certification; feeding/watering instructions for 24 hours; official military or State Dept. orders. For carry-on pets: no health certificate required domestically, but all government-required vaccination documentation must be available. Dogs traveling to the U.S. must meet CDC requirements including a CDC Dog Import Form.
- How do I book a flight for my pet, and can I do it online?
- For carry-on pets, find your trip on aa.com or the American app, go to 'Additional Services,' and select 'Add carry-on pets.' You must still go to the airport ticket counter on the day of travel to pay the fee and verify your pet and carrier. For checked pets (military/State Dept. only), contact Reservations at least 48 hours before travel.
- Are there special requirements for international travel with a pet?
- Yes. Requirements vary by destination. Carry-on pets are not allowed on trans-Atlantic or trans-Pacific flights, or to South American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Uruguay). Dogs traveling to the U.S. must meet CDC requirements. Pets traveling to Mexico must meet Mexican vaccination requirements. Travel to the EU requires a tattoo or microchip matching the vaccination card. Checked pets cannot travel to the UK or Ireland, but cargo transport to London LHR and Manchester MAN is available via American Airlines Cargo. Hawaii requires quarantine compliance and travel via Honolulu only.
- Are there temperature-related restrictions for pets traveling in the cargo hold?
- Yes. Pets cannot travel if the current or forecasted temperature exceeds 85°F (29.4°C) or is below 45°F (7.2°C) at any location on the itinerary. Pets not in the cabin cannot travel to/through/from Phoenix (PHX), Tucson (TUS), Las Vegas (LAS), or Palm Springs (PSP) from May 1 through September 30. Cold restrictions may be waived with a vet letter, but pets cannot travel if the temperature is below 20°F (-6.6°C) even with a vet letter.
- What is the airline's policy on sedating pets during travel?
- Sedated or tranquilized pets are not accepted, whether traveling as carry-on or checked pets. As recommended by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), sedatives and tranquilizers increase the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular problems at high altitudes.
- Is there a dedicated contact for pet travel inquiries?
- For checked pets, contact American Airlines Reservations at least 48 hours before travel. For service animals, submit the DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form to the Special Assistance Desk. For cargo pet shipments, contact American Airlines Cargo directly.
Source: Official pet policy page ↗