American Airlines Pet Travel Policy

Emma · with Luna (Tabby cat, 5kg)
“I made a spreadsheet of every airline's pet policy before booking.”
Meet all guides →

About this guide ↓

Flying with Pets on American Airlines: What You Need to Know

When I booked Luna's first flight with American Airlines, I spent hours cross-referencing their pet policy against five other carriers. My 5kg tabby cat needed cabin travel, and I wanted exact numbers—not vague guidelines. After reviewing American Airlines' official policy, I've compiled everything you need to know to fly successfully with your pet.

American Airlines accepts both cats and dogs in the cabin, as checked baggage, and via cargo. The option you choose depends on your pet's size, your budget, and your travel route. Let me break down each option with the specific requirements.

Quick Comparison: Travel Options by Method

Note: Checked baggage pets are only available for active-duty U.S. Military and State Department personnel. Most travelers use cabin or cargo options.

Cabin Travel: Flying with Your Pet in the Cabin

This is the option I chose for Luna. Your pet stays with you in the main cabin, which means less stress for both of you.

Carrier Requirements

Your carrier must fit these exact dimensions:

• Length: 48 cm (19 inches) maximum
• Width: 33 cm (13 inches) maximum
• Height: 22 cm (8.7 inches) maximum
• Combined pet + carrier weight: 9 kg (20 lbs) maximum

Luna weighs 5kg, so I had 4kg of carrier weight to work with. I chose a soft-sided carrier (both hard and soft are allowed) that measured 45 × 30 × 20 cm—comfortably under the limits. American Airlines accepts both hard-sided and soft-sided carriers, so you have flexibility here.

Essential carrier features:

• Proper ventilation on all sides (required)
• Absorbent mat or liner inside to manage accidents (required)
• Secure closures so your pet cannot escape

Cabin Fees & Limits

• One-way fee: $150 USD per pet
• Maximum pets per flight: 20 carriers total (excluding service animals)
• Maximum pets per passenger: 1 pet in cabin
• Minimum age: 8 weeks old and fully weaned

Route Restrictions

American Airlines does not permit carry-on pets on:

• Trans-Atlantic flights
• Trans-Pacific flights
• Flights to/from South America
• Flights to/from Hawaii
• Flights to/from Jamaica

If you're traveling these routes, you'll need to use checked baggage (if eligible) or cargo instead.

Checked Baggage: For Military & State Department Personnel

American Airlines allows pets as checked baggage, but only for active-duty U.S. Military and State Department personnel. If this applies to you:

• One-way fee: $200 USD per pet
• Maximum weight: 45 kg (99 lbs) per pet
• Maximum pets per passenger: 2 pets
• Carrier requirements: Hard or soft-sided, with water bowl, ventilation, and absorbent liner
• Temperature embargoes: Cannot travel if outside 7.2°C to 29.4°C (45°F to 85°F)
• Advance booking: Required 48 hours before departure

Cargo Travel: American PetEmbark Service

American Airlines operates American PetEmbark, a dedicated cargo pet transport service with 50+ years of experience. This is ideal for larger pets or long-distance moves.

Cargo Carrier Requirements

• Type: Hard-sided only (soft-sided not permitted)
• Maximum weight: 45 kg (99 lbs)
• IATA compliance: Must meet IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR)
• Water bowl: Required and attached to carrier
• Ventilation: Required on all sides
• Absorbent liner: Required
• Live Animals label: Required with orientation arrows

Cargo Restrictions & Limits

• Temperature embargoes: Cannot ship if outside 7.2°C to 29.4°C (45°F to 85°F)
• Maximum flight duration: 12 hours
• Minimum age: 8 weeks old
• Advance booking: Required 48 hours before departure
• Pregnant animals: Not accepted

Temperature embargo note: Phoenix, Las Vegas, Tucson, and Palm Springs have seasonal embargoes from May 1 to September 30. If you're traveling to/from these cities during summer, cargo may not be available.

Breed Restrictions: Brachycephalic Breeds Banned

American Airlines bans brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds due to respiratory risks during flight. This applies to all travel methods—cabin, checked baggage, and cargo.

Restricted Cat Breeds

• British Shorthair
• Burmese
• Exotic Shorthair
• Himalayan
• Persian
• Scottish Fold

Restricted Dog Breeds

The list is extensive and includes: Affenpinscher, American Bully (all breeds), American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer (all breeds), Brussels Griffon, Bulldog (all breeds), Cane Corso, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, 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, and Tibetan Spaniel.

If your breed appears on this list, contact American Airlines directly before booking—some airlines make breed-by-breed exceptions.

Health Certificates & Documentation

A vet-issued health certificate is required for all pets traveling on American Airlines, regardless of travel method.

Health Certificate Requirements

• Validity: Must be issued within 10 days of departure
• Issued by: A licensed veterinarian
• Timing: Get it as close to departure as possible (within the 10-day window)
• Cost: Typically $50–$150 depending on your vet

For Luna, I scheduled her health certificate appointment 5 days before departure. The vet confirmed she was fit to fly, checked her vaccinations, and issued the certificate on the spot.

Additional Requirements by Destination

If you're traveling to the United States with a dog from a high-risk rabies country, the CDC has specific entry requirements. Check the CDC website or contact American Airlines for your specific destination.

Special Cases: Service Dogs & Emotional Support Animals

Trained Service Dogs

Trained service dogs fly free in the cabin with no carrier required. They travel at their handler's feet. Breed restrictions typically do not apply to trained service dogs. No fee is charged.

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)

Important: American Airlines does not recognize ESA letters. Your emotional support animal travels under the standard pet policy with full fees and restrictions applied. This is a critical distinction—if you have an ESA, budget for the $150 cabin fee or $200 checked baggage fee.

Military Pet Program

If you're active-duty military conducting a PCS (Permanent Change of Station) move, American Airlines offers reduced cargo fees. Contact AA Cargo directly for military rates—they're typically lower than standard pricing.

Key Numbers at a Glance

• Cabin fee: $150 USD one-way
• Checked baggage fee: $200 USD one-way (military/State Dept only)
• Cabin carrier max dimensions: 48 × 33 × 22 cm
• Cabin max weight: 9 kg (pet + carrier combined)
• Checked/cargo max weight: 45 kg
• Max pets per cabin flight: 20 carriers total
• Max pets per passenger (cabin): 1
• Max pets per passenger (checked): 2
• Minimum pet age: 8 weeks
• Health certificate validity: 10 days
• Temperature embargo range: 7.2°C to 29.4°C (45°F to 85°F)
• Cargo advance booking: 48 hours minimum
• Maximum cargo flight duration: 12 hours

What You Need to Do: Pre-Flight Checklist

• ☐ Book your pet 48 hours in advance — American Airlines requires advance booking for all pets. Call or book online, but confirm your pet is on the reservation.
• ☐ Verify your carrier dimensions — Measure your carrier (length × width × height) and confirm it's under 48 × 33 × 22 cm for cabin travel.
• ☐ Weigh your pet + carrier — For cabin travel, combined weight must not exceed 9 kg. Use a bathroom scale or your vet's scale.
• ☐ Schedule a health certificate — Book your vet appointment for 5–10 days before departure. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel.
• ☐ Add absorbent liner to carrier — Place a mat or puppy pad inside to manage accidents during the flight.
• ☐ Check breed restrictions — If your pet is a brachycephalic breed, confirm with American Airlines before booking.
• ☐ Verify route eligibility — Cabin pets cannot travel on trans-Atlantic, trans-Pacific, South America, Hawaii, or Jamaica routes.
• ☐ Check temperature embargoes — If traveling to/from Phoenix, Las Vegas, Tucson, or Palm Springs May–September, cargo may be unavailable.
• ☐ Arrive early at the airport — Allow extra time for pet check-in and documentation review.
• ☐ Bring all documents — Health certificate, ID, and any military/State Dept credentials if applicable.

Comparing American Airlines to Other Carriers

American Airlines' $150 cabin fee is competitive with United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, though Southwest Airlines offers lower fees on some routes. However, American Airlines' 9kg cabin weight limit is stricter than some competitors. If you're comparing options, check our pet travel cost guide for side-by-side pricing across major U.S. carriers.

Final Tips from My Experience with Luna

When Luna and I flew, I learned a few practical lessons:

• Arrive 3 hours early — Pet check-in takes time, and staff need to verify your health certificate and carrier dimensions.
• Keep the carrier accessible — You may need to open it for inspection at the gate.
• Bring extra absorbent pads — Even if your carrier has a liner, bring spares in case of accidents.
• Don't sedate without vet approval — American Airlines does not require sedation, and sedating without veterinary guidance can be dangerous.
• Confirm everything in writing — When you book, get a confirmation email showing your pet is on the reservation.

For a comprehensive

Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 23, 2026