American Airlines (AA) is a major U.S. airline headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. It operates an extensive international domestic network with flights throughout North American, the Caribbean, South America, Europe, and Asia. On domestic flights and flights to Canada, Central America, and areas in the Caribbean (including the Dominican Republic), American Airlines offers a buy on board program offering sandwiches and snacks for purchase.

American Airlines Pet Policy

The rules for pet transportation vary depending on your country and destination. On some aircrafts and certain destinations, pets my be restricted or limited. When booking your flights, indicate whether or not you plan to travel with your pet to find out whether pets are allowed and if they can travel in the cabin. Pets traveling to/from Hawaii or to/from trans-Atlantic/trans-Pacific or to/from destinations in South America are not allowed to travel in the cabin.

Transport Rules

• Cats and dogs are the only types of animals accepted for travel on American Airlines
• Pets must be fully vaccinated and have a health certificate when traveling in the cabin
• For health requirements for destinations outside of the U.S. please contact the country’s consulate or embassy for information prior to booking your ticket
• Pets traveling in cargo will not allowed to travel when the current or forecasted temperature is above 85 degrees Fahrenheit and/or when the ground is below 45 degrees Fahrenheit

Important Tip:
You must register your pet in advance of your flight by contacting American Airlines (contact information here). If you don’t register your pet ahead of time, your pet will not be permitted on the flight.

Pets in the Cabin: American Airlines Policy

With prior approval from booking your tickets, you may transport in the cabin:

• Dogs and cats must be older than 8 weeks and have proof of required vaccinations to travel
• Dogs and cats weighing less than 20 lbs including the weight of the carrier
• Guide dogs are allowed regardless of their weight and size
• Pets must be able to stand up in their carriers and turn around
• Hard-Sided: 19in/23cm (height), 15.5in/40cm (width), 21.5in/55cm (length)
• Soft-Sided: 10.5in/27cm (height), 15.5in/40cm (width), 21.5in/55cm (length)
• The pet carrier counts as carry-on bag or personal item
• Only one pet carrier per ticketed passenger is allowed, additional fees apply

Pets in the Baggage Compartment: American Airlines Policy

Pets traveling in the baggage compartment may not be accepted if the flight is over 12 hours or on flights to the United Kingdom. Pets not accepted at departure time remain the responsibility of the owner.

• Pets traveling must have a health certificate within 10 days of originating travel and within 60 days of returning travel on the same ticket
• Dogs and cats must be over 8 weeks old
• If two animals are sharing a carrier they must be the same species and cannot weight more than 20 lbs.
• Maximum size for carriers is 40″ x 27″ x 30″ and must be able to fit through the cargo door while remaining in an upright position
• Carriers must be made from hard materials such as wood, metal, plastic, or similar materials
• Carriers must be escape proof and leak proof

American Airlines will not accept brachycephalic or snub-nosed dogs and cats as checked baggage. The following is a list of some of the breeds and mixes not accepted:
Dogs

• Affenpinscher
• Bulldog (All breeds)
• Lhasa Apso
• Pug (All breeds)
• Boston Terrier
• Dogue De Bordeaux
• Pekingese
• Brussels Griffon
• Japanese Chin

Cats

• Burmese
• Persian
• Himalayan
• Exotic shorthair

For more details about American Airlines’ pet policies, please see this page of the American Airlines website.

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