To help ensure the well being of pets traveling as checked baggage, American adheres to day-of-travel temperature restrictions. Please refer to Temperature Restrictions below.

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

Acceptance of Pets Pets traveling with passengers must check in at the ticket counter. No curbside or self-service check-in is allowed. Please allow extra time beyond normal check-in guidelines, but not more than 4 hours prior to your flight time.

Types of Pets Allowed

• Cats
• Dogs (American Airlines maintains the right to refuse acceptance of any dog that is exhibiting aggressive behavior.)

Pets Traveling In The Cabin

 

• Accepted on domestic flights within the 48 contiguous United States, Alaska, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. Croix.
• Accepted from the U.S. to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean provided the country of arrival permits entry.
• No carry-on pets to/from Hawaii or Transatlantic/Transpacific or Central and South America.
• See below for applicable Fees.
• Charges are payable at the airport and the passenger must show the pet travel fee receipt at the departure gate.
• The maximum size for cabin pet carriers is 23″ long x 13″ wide x 9″ high. A pet kennel counts as a passenger’s one carry-on bag.
• Only one pet kennel per ticketed passenger may be accepted for travel in the cabin, as pets must go under the seat in front of you.
• The kennel may contain two (2) dogs or two (2) cats but they must be the same species, ages between 8-weeks and 6-months, and weigh less than 20 lbs.
• Animals must be able to stand up, turn around and lay 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.
• Must be a minimum age of eight (8) weeks old for dogs and cats.
• 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. However, seeing eye/hearing service assist animals and search dogs are not counted in the maximum number allowed in the cabin.
• On American Eagle and AmericanConnection®, two kennels (at most) are allowed depending on the aircraft – please contact Reservations before your flight.
• Pet may not be removed from their kennel/container at any time while on-board the aircraft.
• American assumes no liability for the health or well-being of carry-on pets.

Please call Reservations at 800-433-7300 to check for availability and to make a reservation for the pet.

Pets Traveling As Checked Baggage

 

• See Temperature Restrictions below.
• Not accepted on flights over 12 hours.
• Not accepted for travel 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).
• See below for applicable Fees.
• Aircraft cargo compartments are pressurized and are normally maintained at a temperature range of 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Must be a minimum eight (8) weeks old for dogs and cats.
• A maximum of two pets per passenger is allowed.
• Animals must be in separate kennels unless they are of the same species and comparable size, weigh less than 20lbs each and are between eight (8) weeks and six (6) months old.
• The maximum size for checked kennels is 40″ long x 27″ wide x 30″ high. However, the maximum size kennel (series 500) is not accepted on Boeing MD-80 (S80) aircraft. Series 700 kennels are not allowed on any of our aircraft.
• The maximum weight of a checked pet and kennel (combined) cannot exceed 100 lbs. For weight over 100 lbs., see AACargo.com for other shipping options.
• Collapsible Kennels (those which can fold down flat) can not be accepted due to the risk of collapse during transport.
• 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.
• Kennels must be constructed of wood, metal, plastic, similar material, leak-proof, escape proof and door must fasten securely and need ventilation on 2-sides in addition to door.
• Animals must have room to stand/turn around, sit and lie down in a natural position.
• Pets not accepted at departure time remain the responsibility of their owner.
• 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.

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: Pets can not be accepted when the current or forecasted temperature is above 85 degrees Fahrenheit at any location on the itinerary (75 degrees Fahrenheit for snub-nosed dogs and snub-nosed cats).
Cold Restriction: Pets can not be accepted when the ground temperature is below 45 degrees Fahrenheit at any location on the itinerary unless the pet has a veterinarian’s statement of low temperature acclimation (see below). When temperatures fall below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, pets may not be checked even with a statement of low temperature acclimation.

The low temperature acclimation certificate/statement/form must include:

 

• the name and address of the passenger
• the name of the animal
• name and signature of licensed veterinarian
• the veterinarian’s accreditation date and number
• the temperature which the animal is acclimated

Fees

Checked Pets
Within and between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean.
For fees to other destinations, contact Reservations.
$100 USD / $137 CAD* per container

Pets Traveling in the Cabin
Within and between the United States and Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
$80 USD / $109 CAD* per container
*Plus 7% Canadian Good and Services tax

The following apply to all destinations:

 

• Charges shown apply for each origin/destination without a voluntary stopover of 4 hours or more.
• Charges are payable at the airport, American Airlines Travel Centers or Travel Agency by check, cash, credit card or voucher. If not used, the refund is to the original form of payment.
• Charges apply for each connection segment when the voluntary stopover is 4 hours or more. Only one charge applies if a two-segment connection is less than 4 hours.
• Seeing eye/hearing ear/service assistant animals and search and rescue animals on an official mission travel free of charge. Search and rescue dogs not on an official mission and explosion or drug detection dogs are accepted at the passenger’s expense (cabin or checked pet fee applies).

Health Requirements

 

• 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.

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.

Destination Specific Information (U.S.) If you are taking a pet to another country, contact that country’s consulate or embassy for information. A listing of consulates* can be found at the U.S. Department of State’s website. Also see “Travel Outside the U.S.” below for additional information.

Hawaii

The following information applies for travel to Hawaii only:

 

• No carry-on pets to/from Hawaii. Pets may travel as checked baggage only.
• 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 5 days or less if specific qualifications are met (see the link below).
• All pet arrivals/connections in/through Hawaii must be via Honolulu.
• There are no transit or quarantine facilities in any other Hawaiian locations.
• No pets are accepted on non-stop flights to Maui (Big Island) or Kauai.
• Pregnant animals past 45 days gestation are not permitted.

For quarantine information please visit http://www.hawaiiag.org/hdoa/ai_aqs_info.htm*

Guide and service dogs may be eligible for reduced quarantine. Contact the Animal Quarantine office in Honolulu at 808-483-7171 for more information.

Pets Connecting in Honolulu to points within Hawaii:

American Airlines will transport all pets to the 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.

Travel Outside the U.S. If you are taking a pet to another country, contact that country’s consulate or embassy for information. A listing of consulates* can be found at the U.S. Department of State’s website. See below for additional restrictions for certain destinations.

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 contact Japanese Animal Quarantine Service at least 40 days prior to bringing a checked pet to their country, and the pet must be fitted with a microchip. Additional documents and certificates are also required, please check with Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for full information.

Transatlantic, Transpacific and Central/South American flights

Carry-on pets are not allowed on Transatlantic, Transpacific or Central/South American flights. Animals traveling as checked baggage may be allowed, however, some international destinations may limit the number of animals allowed per passenger as checked baggage. No pets are accepted for travel to the United Kingdom. Please call American Airlines Reservations at 800-433-7300 and check with the consulate of the country to which you are traveling for further details as the answer varies from country to country.

The European Union

A new regulation is being enforced which regulates the import and transit of cats and dogs into and through the 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.

The United Kingdom

No pets are accepted for travel to the United Kingdom.

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.

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).

American Airline Pet Information