Traveling With Pets

Reservations Check-In Types of Pets Allowed Pets Traveling In The Cabin

Pets Traveling As Checked Baggage Temperature Restrictions Charges Age And Health Requirements

Sedation Destination Specific Restrictions Travel To Or Through Hawaii Connections to Other Carriers Pets Traveling Alone

Traveling with pets? The following American Airlines pet policy information will provide the answers to many common questions regarding the transportation of pets. Special pet guidelines apply for travel to international destinations and Hawaii. Please refer to the appropriate American Airlines pet policy sections below for more detailed pet information regarding those destinations.

 

Reservations

Pets traveling in the cabin require a reservation to ensure no more than seven pets are booked on any single flight. For this reason, it is recommended that you make arrangements for your pet in advance by contacting Reservations.

Checked pets do not need a reservation.

NOTE: Dog show participants should be aware that capacity is sometimes reached, and checked pets are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

Check In

Passengers traveling with pets must check in at the ticket counter. At this time, Curbside or Self-Service Check-In is not allowed. Please allow extra time beyond normal check-in guidelines. However, checked pets will not be accepted more than four hours prior to your flight time.

View a list of animal relief areas at select airports. If your airport is not listed, please ask for directions or assistance at our ticket counter.

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Types of Pets Allowed

Cats and dogs are the only types of pets accepted for travel on American Airlines. We maintain the right to refuse acceptance of any animal that is exhibiting aggressive behavior.

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Pets Traveling In The Cabin

Pets traveling in the cabin require a reservation to ensure no more than seven pets are booked on any single flight. For this reason, it is recommended that you make arrangements in advance by contacting Reservations.

Allowed Travel Destinations Flights within the 48 contiguous United States, Alaska, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. Croix. From the U.S. to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean provided the country of arrival permits entry. Carry-on pets are NOT ALLOWED to/from Hawaii or Transatlantic/Transpacific or Central and South America. Required Charges See below for applicable charges. If AA is the only carrier in the itinerary, charges are payable to AA at origin of trip. If any other carrier is operating one of your flights, the charges are payable to that operating flight upon check-in. This includes AA flight numbers operated by a codeshare partner airline.

IMPORTANT NOTES Pets are NOT allowed outside their carrier at any time during flight. Pets may only travel upon payment of the applicable charges.

Pet Carrier Guidelines

The maximum size for cabin pet carriers is 19" long x 13" wide x 9" high. Soft-sided pet carriers such as Sherpa bags may exceed these dimensions slightly because they are collapsible. Animals must be able to stand up, turn around and lie down in a natural position in the kennel. Soft-sided pet carriers are accepted as long as they are constructed of water-repellent, padded nylon with mesh ventilation on two or more sides.

A pet kennel counts as either a passenger's one carry-on bag or personal item - a cabin pet charge still applies, however.

Number of Pets Allowed

Only one pet kennel per ticketed passenger may be accepted for travel in the cabin. The kennel may contain two (2) dogs or two (2) cats but they must be the same species, at least 8-weeks old, and the pet and container can weigh no more than 20 lbs. combined.

The maximum number of carry-on kennels allowed (on American Airlines flights accepting them) is seven per flight: two (2) in First Class and five (5) in Coach and/or Business Class. Service animals are not counted in the maximum number allowed in the cabin.

On American Eagle and AmericanConnection®, a maximum of two pet carriers per cabin are allowed depending on the aircraft - please contact Reservations before your flight.

Movement of Pets During Flight

Pets must stay in their closed and/or zipped kennels under the seat in front of you at all times. Pets may not be removed from their kennel/container at any time while onboard the aircraft.

Age/Health Information

Dogs and cats must be at least eight (8) weeks old for travel. If two animals are traveling in the same carrier, they must be the same species (two cats or two dogs, not one of each) and the pet and container can weigh no more than 20 lbs. combined.

American Airlines assumes no liability for the health or well-being of carry-on pets.

See Health Requirements below for additional information.

Service And Working Animal Information

Service animals accompanying a disabled passenger travel free of charge. Applicable charges will apply for all other animals.

For information regarding assistance animals traveling with a disabled passenger, please see our Service Animals page.

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Pets Traveling As Checked Baggage

Checked pets do not need a reservation. Participants of dog shows should be aware that capacity is sometimes reached and checked pets are accepted on a first come basis.

Acceptance Restrictions Pets will not be accepted for flights over 12 hours or on flights traveling to the United Kingdom. American Eagle does not accept pets as checked baggage for Priority Parcel Service between San Juan, (SJU) and St. Kitts (SKB) and between San Juan, (SJU) and Nevis (NEV). Pets not accepted at departure time remain the responsibility of their owner. Required Charges See below for applicable charges. Charges are payable at the airport. The pet travel receipt must be shown at the departure gate and at security in many cities.

IMPORTANT NOTES American adheres to day-of-travel temperature restrictions. Please refer to Temperature Restrictions below. Pets may only travel upon payment of the applicable charges. Boeing MD-80 (S80) aircraft cannot accept a Type 500 kennel for checked pets.

Pet Carrier Guidelines

Animals must have room to stand/turn around, sit and lie down in a natural position.

Kennels must be constructed of wood, metal, plastic or a similar material, leak-proof, escape proof and door must fasten securely and need ventilation on 2-sides in addition to the door. Kennels must also have a water container with outside access for filling, in case a delay occurs.

Collapsible Kennels (those which can fold down flat) can not be accepted due to the risk of collapse during transport.

The customer is required to secure rigid plastic kennels with releasable cable ties (see example at right) attached to all four corners. American Airlines will provide the ties to the customer at no cost.

The maximum size for checked kennels is a series 500 kennel with the following dimensions: 40” long x 27” wide x 30” high. However, this size kennel is not accepted on the Boeing MD-80 (S80). Kennels checked on MD-80s must be able to fit through the cargo door while remaining in an upright position. MD-80 cargo doors are 29” high x 53” wide.

Series 700 kennels are not allowed on any aircraft.

The maximum weight of a checked pet and kennel (combined) cannot exceed 100 lbs.

Number of Pets Allowed

A maximum of two checked pets per passenger is allowed.

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Temperature Restrictions

Temperature restrictions have been established to ensure animals are not exposed to extreme heat or cold in the animal holding areas, terminal facilities, when moving the animals between terminal and aircraft or on an aircraft awaiting departure.

Heat Restriction	Cold Restriction
Pets cannot be accepted when the current or forecasted temperature is above 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29.4 degrees C) at any location on the itinerary.	Pets can not be accepted when the ground temperature is below 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7.2 degrees C) at any location on the itinerary.
Snub-nosed dogs and cats will not be accepted when the current or forecasted temperature is above 75 degrees Fahrenheit (23.8 degrees C) at any location on the itinerary. Some examples of snub-nosed breeds are: American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Dutch Pug, English Toy Spaniel, English Bulldog, French Bulldog, Japanese Pug, Japanese Spaniel, Pekingese, Shih Tzu, Shar-Pei, Himalayan cat or Persian cat.	The restriction for cold temperature restriction may be waived with a written veterinarian statement. The low temperature acclimation certificate/statement/form must include the following: Name and address of the passenger Name of the animal Name and signature of licensed veterinarian Veterinarian's accreditation date and number Temperature which the animal is acclimated The letter must be dated within 10 days of the first flight the animal will be on and within 30 days of any subsequent travel within the same itinerary. It may be necessary for a passenger to obtain an additional letter for a lengthy trip When temperatures fall below 20 degrees Fahrenheit ((-6.6 degrees C), pets may not be checked even with a statement of low temperature acclimation.

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Charges

For AA itineraries, charges are payable at the airport or American Airlines Travel Centers by check, cash, credit card or voucher. If not used, the refund is to the original form of payment.

For itineraries involving another operating carrier (even those with an AA flight number), the charges are payable to each individual carrier upon check in.

AA does not collect pet charges on behalf of another operating airline in the itinerary.

Service	Itinerary	Charge*
Checked Pet	Within and between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean. For all other locations, contact Reservations.	$150 USD per container Charges for travel NOT within and between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean may be obtained from Reservations.
Cabin Pet	Within and between the United States and Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean provided the country of arrival permits entry. NOT allowed to Hawaii.	$100 USD per container
Assistance animal traveling with a disabled passenger (such as seeing eye dog)	Any destination with the exception of the U.K.	No charge.

*Charges shown above apply for each origin/destination without a voluntary stopover/connection of four hours or more. If your itinerary includes a voluntary stopover/connection of more than four hours, charges apply for each connection segment.

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Age And Health Requirements

Dogs and cats must be at least eight (8) weeks old for travel. If two animals are traveling in the same carrier, they must be the same species (two cats or two dogs, not one of each) and the pet and container can weigh no more than 20 lbs. combined and are between eight weeks and six months old.

American Airlines 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. A listing of consulates* can be found at the U.S. Department of State's Web site. Also see Destination Specific Restrictions below.

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.

Aircraft cargo compartments are pressurized and are normally maintained at a temperature range of 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit.

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Sedation

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, in most cases cats and dogs should not be given sedatives or tranquilizers prior to flying. An animal's natural ability to balance and maintain equilibrium is altered under sedation, which can be dangerous when the kennel is moved.

Whether flying as a cabin or checked pet, animals are exposed to increased altitude pressures, which can create respiratory and cardiovascular problems for dogs and cats which are sedated or tranquilized. Brachycephalic or snub-nosed dogs and snub-nosed cats are especially affected.

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Destination Specific Restrictions

Please see the information below for restrictions specific to certain destinations. If you are taking a pet outside the United States, contact that country's consulate or embassy for information. A listing of consulates* can be found at the U.S. Department of State's Web site.

Destination	Special Restrictions
European Union	Cats and dogs are required to have a tattoo or implanted microchip that matches the identification number on their vaccination card. Pets without a tattoo or microchip will not be allowed to enter the European Union. NOTE: No pets are accepted for travel to the United Kingdom. View Service Animal Guidelines
Hawaii	The transportation of pets to or through Hawaii is subject to multiple, stringent restrictions. See below.
Japan	Due to USDA restrictions that an animal be offered water every 12 hours, checked pets must be booked on flights where the actual flight time is less than 12 hours. The Japanese government also requires you to notify Japanese Animal Quarantine Service at least 40 days prior to arrival. The pet must be fitted with a microchip. Additional documents and certificates are also required. Contact Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for full information.
Transatlantic Flights Transpacific Flights Central/South American Flights	Carry-on pets are not allowed on Transatlantic, Transpacific or Central/South American flights. No pets are accepted for travel to the United Kingdom. View Service Animal Guidelines. Animals traveling as checked baggage may be allowed, however, some international destinations may limit the number of animals allowed per passenger as checked baggage. Please contact Reservations and check with the consulate of the country to which you are traveling for further details as acceptance varies by country.
Trinidad and Tobago	Trinidad and Tobago (POS) have very strict limitations regarding pets. Pets arriving on flights after 4:00 p.m. or before 8:00 a.m. will not be accepted.
United Kingdom	No pets are accepted for travel to the United Kingdom. View Service Animal Guidelines.

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Travel To Or Through Hawaii

Hawaii is a rabies-free state and state law requires 120-day quarantine for dogs/cats to protect residents and pets. The quarantine periods can be reduced to five (5) days or less if specific qualifications are met. See http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/ai/aqs/info* for more information. No pets are accepted on non-stop flights to Maui, the Big Island or Kauai. Pregnant animals past 45 days gestation are not permitted. Guide and service dogs may be eligible for reduced quarantine. Contact the Animal Quarantine office in Honolulu at 808-483-7171 for more information. For additional quarantine information please visit http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/ai/aqs/info*

IMPORTANT NOTES Pets may travel to Hawaii as checked baggage only. ALL pet arrivals/connections in/through Hawaii must be via Honolulu.

Pets Connecting in Honolulu to points within Hawaii

American Airlines will transport all pets to Animal Quarantine in Honolulu. The pet will remain there for the pre-determined quarantine period at which time the owner makes arrangements to transport the pet to outer island, either by coming to Honolulu or through air cargo. The owner is responsible for making all necessary arrangement with the Animal Quarantine office in Honolulu at 808-483-7171.

Pets Connecting in Honolulu to points beyond Hawaii

Upon arrival in Honolulu, American Airlines will take the pet to a sterile area where the pet is held until the connecting flight departure time. The connecting carrier will pick up the pet from the sterile transit area and deliver the pet directly to the connecting flight. The owner of the pet is responsible for making all arrangements directly with the Animal Quarantine office in Honolulu at 808-483-7171 and with the connecting carrier. The owner pays each carrier directly for applicable charges.

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Connections To Other Carriers

Pets are not interlined between American Airlines and other carriers (including codeshare partners). Pets must be claimed and rechecked to each carrier. You will be responsible for claiming the animal and rechecking it with the other carrier.

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Pets Traveling Alone

American Airlines Cargo and Priority Parcel Service ship pets to most destinations. You can find information about pets traveling without a ticketed passenger at AACargo.com*, or by calling 800-CARGOAA (800-227-4622).

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