American Airlines - Pet Information

Cats and dogs are the only types of pets accepted for travel on American Airlines.

American Airlines maintains the right to refuse acceptance of any animal that is exhibiting aggressive behavior.

New notice regarding Service Animals from American Airlines per the latest ruling on December 2, 2020 by the Department of Transportation:

Starting February 1, 2021, only trained service animals can fly in the cabin and you’ll need to complete and submit the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Service Animal Air Transportation form before your trip. If you’re traveling with an animal that doesn’t qualify as trained service animal, it may be transported as a pet.

Keep in mind, as of January 11, 2021 we’re not authorizing new travel for emotional support animals.

More information can be found at American Airline's Service Animal policy, here.

Depending on the animals' breed, size and requirements, they can travel as a carry-on. With the exception of a few breed restrictions, you can only travel with cats and dogs.

You can travel with a pet on most flights up to 11 hours and 30 minutes or flights to / from:*

• Within the 48 contiguous United States
• The U.S. and Canada**
• Alaska
• Central America**
• Mexico**
• Puerto Rico
• St. Croix
• St. Thomas

*11 hours and 30 minutes allows time to clear customs at the arrival city.

**Additional special restrictions may apply when traveling with pets to / from these destinations.

Checked pet service suspended!!

Due to increased flight changes, we’ve stopped checking pets for now.

We do accept checked pets at the ticket counter for active-duty U.S. Military traveling on assignments, fees and applicable restrictions apply.

Carry-on pets and service animals may fly in the cabin if they meet the requirements. If your pet is too large to fit in the cabin, please contact American Airlines Cargo.

Transport your pet with American Airlines Cargo

Learn how to transport your pets with American Airlines Cargo: How to Transport Your Pet

Due to winter weather conditions, we have embargoed live animals traveling to, through or from Chicago (ORD) from Feb. 5-12.

On American flights you can bring 1 kennel as your carry-on bag if:

• You pay the carry-on pet charge
• Your pet stays in the kennel and under the seat in front of you the entire flight

You can travel with your pet carrier and one personal item, but you won’t be permitted to bring a carry-on bag in addition to a pet carrier and personal item. Instead, the kennel will replace your carry-on bag.

Kennel guidelines for carry-on pets We assume no liability for the health or well-being of carry-on pets. These rules are enforced:

• Pets must be able to stand and sit erect, turn around normally and lie down in a natural position in their kennel (without touching any side or the top of the container)
• Non-collapsible kennels can’t exceed the under seat dimensions of any aircraft included in your journey. Please contact reservations to verify maximum dimensions for your journey.
• Soft-sided collapsible kennels can be slightly larger but still need to fit under the seat without having to excessively collapse the kennel, have to be secure, padded, made of water-repellant material and have nylon mesh ventilation on 2 or more sides.

Kennel limitations We can only accept:

• 7 kennels on American flights, excluding service animals
• 5 kennels on American Eagle flights; 1 in First

Contact Reservations to make arrangements for your pet in advance.

American does not require a health certificate for the acceptance of pets for travel in the cabin or as checked baggage within the 50 United States. However, we encourage you to contact your family veterinarian or state authorities directly for individual state requirements to avoid any possible inconvenience at your final destination. All states require proof of current rabies vaccination for dogs over 12 weeks old and some require proof of rabies vaccination for cats.

For health requirements for destinations outside the continental U.S, contact that country's consulate or embassy for information.

Federal Regulations require written certification from the customer that dogs/cats have been offered food and water within 4 hours (with the specific time noted) before delivery to the carrier. This certification must be securely attached to the outside of the kennel so that it may be easily noticed and read and have the customer's signature with the date and time it was signed.

Feeding and watering instructions for a 24-hour period must also be provided. Instructions of "No food or water" are not acceptable unless directed by the attending veterinarian.

Flying in First / Business on an A321T?

• Pets need to remain in their kennel during your flight and will need to be placed in a dedicated animal friendly compartment at the front of the plane during taxi, take-off, landing and turbulence

• The combined weight of the carrier and your pet can’t exceed 20 lbs, weighed at check-in

Aircraft Restrictions

Due to the lack of underseat storage space, carry-on pets are not permitted in First or Business on:

Boeing

• 777-200
• 777-300
• 787-8
• 787-9

Airbus

• A330-200
• A330-300

Temperature restrictions

We have temperature restrictions to make sure your pet isn’t exposed to extreme heat or cold:

• In the animal holding areas
• At terminal facilities
• When moving the animals between terminal and an airplane
• On an airplane awaiting departure

Heat restrictions You cannot travel with a pet if the current or forecasted temperature is above 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29.4 degrees C) at any location on the itinerary.

Cold restrictions You cannot travel with a pet if the ground temperature is below 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7.2 degrees C) at any location on the itinerary.

We may waive the cold temperature restrictions if you have a written letter from a licensed vet that includes:

• Your name and address
• Your pet’s name
• Your vet’s name and signature
• Your vet’s accreditation date and number
• The temperature your pet is acclimated to

The letter must be dated:

• Within 10 days of the first flight your pet will be on
• Within 30 days of any other trips in the same itinerary

You may need an additional letter for lengthy trips. If the temperature is below 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-6.6 degrees C), your pet cannot be checked even with a letter from your vet.

Flights with connections

If you’re traveling on a connecting flight, checked pets will only be able to connect through these cities:

• Charlotte, NC (CLT)
• Chicago O'Hare, IL (ORD)
• Dallas / Fort Worth, TX (DFW)
• Los Angeles, CA (LAX)
• New York Kennedy, NY (JFK)
• New York LaGuardia, NY (LGA)
• Miami, FL (MIA)
• Philadelphia, PA (PHL)
• Phoenix, AZ (PHX)
• Washington Reagan, DC (DCA)

If you’re connecting between American and another airline, you’ll need to claim and recheck your pet and pay applicable charges to each carrier.

You can travel with a pet on most flights up to 11 hours and 30 minutes or flights to / from:*

• Within the 48 contiguous United States
• The U.S. and Canada**
• Alaska
• Central America**
• Mexico**
• Puerto Rico
• St. Croix
• St. Thomas

*11 hours and 30 minutes allows time to clear customs at the arrival city.

**Additional special restrictions may apply when traveling with pets to / from these destinations.

Within the U.S.

• Pets traveling within the U.S. and Puerto Rico must be at least 8 weeks old.

To the U.S.

• All dogs (carry-on and checked) traveling to the U.S must meet government regulations on vaccinations.

• See the Requirements

Australia

The Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources does not accept applications to import assistance or service animals of any species other than dogs.

An assistance or service dog which is accredited by an Australian State or Territory Government will also qualify. In most cases these animals are returning to Australia.

Australian requirements for assistance and service dogs

Note: You’ll be responsible for fulfilling all entry requirements and must notify the department of the dog’s intended arrival at least three (3) working days prior to export.

Caribbean

Carry-on pets

• You cannot travel with a carry-on pet when traveling to Jamaica.

Checked pets

• American Eagle does not accept pets as checked baggage for Priority Parcel Service between San Juan (SJU) and St. Kitts (SKB).

Additional restrictions

• When traveling with a pet to Trinidad and Tobago (POS), you cannot arrive on a flight before 8 a.m. or after 4 p.m.

Hawaii

Carry-on pets

• You cannot travel with a carry-on pet when traveling to / from Hawaii.

Checked pets

You can travel with your pet to Hawaii as checked baggage if you:

• Only connect via Honolulu (HNL)*
• Follow Hawaii’s quarantine rules
• Animal quarantine rules in Hawaii

*No pets are accepted on departures out of Honolulu prior to 8 a.m. HT between March 5 and November 1.

Additional restrictions

You cannot travel with your pet to Hawaii:

• On nonstop flights to Maui, the Big Island of Hawaii or Kauai
• If your pet is pregnant and past 45 days gestation

Mexico

All pets traveling to Mexico must meet government regulations on vaccinations.

Government regulations and vaccinations in Mexico

South America

You cannot travel with a carry-on pet when traveling to / from:

• Argentina
• Brazil
• Chile
• Uruguay

Transatlantic

Carry-on pets

You cannot travel with a carry-on pet when traveling transatlantic.

Checked pets

When traveling to the European Union (EU) with a checked pet, you’ll be responsible for fulfilling all entry requirements. Your pet must have a tattoo or implanted microchip that matches the identification number on their vaccination card.

Additional restrictions

Apart from service animals, you can't travel with a checked pet to the U.K. or Ireland, but you can transport dogs and cats to London (LHR) and Manchester (MAN) via American Airlines Cargo.

Transport your pets with cargo

Transpacific

Carry-on

You cannot travel with a carry-on pet when traveling transpacific.

Japan exceptions

Checked pets

Although, you can travel with a checked pet from Japan to Los Angeles (LAX), pets are not allowed as checked baggage to Japan. According to USDA restrictions, animals should be offered water every 12 hours, so for travel with a checked pet to Los Angeles, you must book a flight less than 11 hours and 30 minutes. This allows time for you to check your pet and clear customs at your destination city.

If you’re traveling with a checked pet for travel from Japan, you’ll need to:

• Make sure your pet has a microchip and documents required by the country you are traveling to
• Notify the Japanese Animal Quarantine Service at least 7 days prior to departure to arrange an inspection

Japanese animal quarantine service

Checked Pets - Not Available

Pets Traveling in the Cabin within and between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central America, Colombia and the Caribbean (based on specific country's entry policy) - $125USD per kennel

Service Animals for all destinations - No Charge