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American Airlines pet policy
Policy Summary
Flying on American Airlines with a dog
Dogs in the Cabin
American Airlines allows cats and dogs to travel in the cabin if they are at least 10 weeks old and the combined weight of the pet and carrier does not exceed 20 lbs (9 kg). Small pets must remain completely inside a carrier and under the seat during the entire flight. Pet carriers are no longer considered as part of a passenger's carry-on allowance, and passengers may now bring a personal item or carry-on bag in addition to a pet carrier. The fee for pets traveling in the cabin is $150 each way.
Dogs in Checked Baggage
American Airlines allows up to 2 pets to be checked as baggage for active-duty U.S. military members and U.S. State Department Foreign Service personnel traveling on official orders. However, pets are not permitted as checked baggage for other passengers.
Dogs in Cargo
Dogs can be shipped as cargo through American Airlines Cargo, also known as American PetEmbark. Each passenger may transport up to 2 pets, provided they are at least 8 weeks old and their combined weight with the carrier does not exceed 100 lbs (45 kg). Rates depend on the travel distance.
Carrier Guidelines
Animals must be able to stand, turn around, and lie comfortably within their carrier. Soft-sided carriers should be water-repellent, made from padded nylon, and ventilated on at least two sides. For pets traveling as cargo, carriers should not exceed 40" x 27" x 30" (101 cm x 68 cm x 76 cm) and must be spacious enough for animals to turn, sit, and lie down naturally. Cargo carriers should be constructed from wood, metal, or plastic, be leak- and escape-proof, and have securely fastening doors with ventilation on two sides plus the door. They must also include a water container accessible from the outside for refilling.
Other Restrictions
American Airlines welcomes pets to fly on most flights up to 12 hours or flights within the 48 contiguous United States, U.S., Mexico, Alaska, Puerto Rico, St. Croix and St. Thomas. The brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds that are not permitted as checked baggage are Affenpinscher, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer (all breeds), Brussels Griffon, Bulldog (all breeds), Cane Corso, 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; and cat breeds that can't be checked are: Burmese, Persian, Himalayan, and Exotic Shorthair. American Airlines does not accept pets in the cabin to/from Hawaii, Bolivia, Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, Venezuela, or on transatlantic flights. Pets are accepted within the 48 contiguous United States, Alaska, Central America, Mexico, Puero Rico, St. Croix and St. Thomas. Checked pets cannot travel on A321, A321S, A321H, A320, or A319 aircraft.