American Airlines’ pet policy is inclusive, but also imposes specific regulations and restrictions regarding pet travel. You must be familiar with them before booking flights.
This article provides an in-depth guide to American Airlines’ (AA) pet policy, including fees, requirements, and limitations.
What is American Airlines’ Pet Policy
American Airlines’ pet policy allows dogs to travel in the cabin or in the cargo section of the plane, depending on the dog’s size and travel destination.
What is American Airlines’ In-Cabin Pet Policy
American Airlines allows small dogs over eight weeks old to fly in the cabin on domestic flights, provided they are small enough to fit in carriers placed beneath the seats.
Carriers must accommodate dogs comfortably, and they must remain inside during boarding and while in flight. AA imposes a weight limit, stating that the combined weight of the pet and carrier must not exceed 20 pounds.
AA permits two dogs of similar weight and size to travel in one carrier. However, the airline has a limit on the total number of pets per flight. American Airlines Mainline allows seven pets, and American Eagle only five pets.
Due to unique pet regulations, AA limits travel to specific destinations. AA prohibits in-cabin pet travel on transpacific or transatlantic flights, as well as flights to and from Hawaii, EU countries, and South American countries, like Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela, and Uruguay.
Always arrange in-cabin pet travel in advance because reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis.
According to American Airlines’ policy, passengers are allowed to bring a standard carry-on bag or personal item in addition to the pet carrier, provided it can fit in the overhead bin.
What is American Airlines’ Cargo Pet Policy
AA permits dogs to fly cargo through its specialized service, called American PetEmbark. The service is managed by American Airlines Cargo.
The American PetEmbark service accepts pets as checked baggage for active-duty U.S. Military and State Department Foreign Service personnel traveling on official orders. Regular pets using the service must be booked separately.
For dogs to travel in the cargo compartment, they must be healthy and secured in approved pet carriers with hard sides for safety reasons. Dogs traveling in cargo on international flights must be at least six months old.
AA Cargo imposes additional breed and temperature limitations. Brachycephalic breeds, such as Pugs and Shih Tzus, are not accepted due to the high risk of breathing problems. Pet travel for other dog breeds is possible when the temperature is between 45°F and 85°F.
American Airlines has an active embargo on the hottest cities in the US, prohibiting pet travel to, from, and through Palm Springs, California (PSP); Tucson, Arizona (TUS); Las Vegas, Nevada (LAS); and Phoenix, Arizona (PHX), from May 1 through September 30.
What Is American Airlines’ Service Dog Policy?
American Airlines permits fully trained service dogs to fly in the cabin at no extra cost.
The airline follows Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, which means only fully trained service dogs, including psychiatric service dogs, are accepted. Emotional support animals (ESAs) and dogs still in training are not recognized as service animals under American’s rules.
American Airlines does not enforce breed restrictions, as it must comply with the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). However, the dog must be well-behaved, under the handler’s control, and remain harnessed, leashed, or tethered throughout the flight. The airline reserves the right to deny boarding if the service dog poses a threat or engages in disruptive behavior. American Airlines requires handlers to complete the DOT forms for flying with service dogs. The Service Animal Air Transportation Form is the primary document required for all arrangements.
For flights over eight hours long, AA required an additional document, called the Service Animal Relief Attestation Form. Service dogs traveling to the US from other countries also need a CDC Dog Import Form.
How Do You Add a Service Dog to an American Airlines Reservation?
If you’re flying with a service dog on American Airlines, you’ll need to complete the following steps:
- Confirm Eligibility: Only fully trained service dogs are permitted. ESAs and service dogs in training are not accepted.
- Download the DOT Form: Obtain the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Service Animal Air Transportation form from the DOT website.
- Complete the Form: This form verifies that your dog is a trained service animal, is vaccinated, and can behave appropriately in public.
- Submit the Documentation: Provide the completed DOT form electronically to American Airlines at least 48 hours before your flight. If your booking is made less than 48 hours before departure, you can present the paperwork at the airport.
Handlers are fully responsible for their service dog’s conduct during travel. The dog must remain leashed or harnessed and under control at all times.
Do You Need to Notify American Airlines Before Flying With a Service Dog?
Yes. American Airlines requires advance notice if you’re traveling with a service dog.
The DOT allows airlines to ask for the Service Animal Air Transportation form, and American requires this documentation at least 48 hours in advance. If you cannot submit the form ahead of time, you may still present it at the airport, but giving notice early is strongly recommended to avoid delays.
Unlike some airlines, American does not require a health certificate for service dogs. The DOT form itself is sufficient proof of service dog status, behavior, and vaccinations.
Do Service Dogs Fly for Free on American Airlines?
Yes. Trained service dogs fly at no cost on American Airlines.
The DOT prohibits airlines from charging fees for service dogs. However, pet fees still apply to non-service animals, including ESAs, therapy animals, and pets traveling in the cabin or cargo.
Are There Breed Restrictions for Service Dogs on American Airlines?
No, American Airlines does not impose breed bans for service dogs.
All breeds are allowed, as long as the dog is properly trained to perform disability-related tasks and behaves appropriately throughout the journey.
Can You Travel With More Than One Service Dog on American Airlines?
Yes. American Airlines allows passengers to fly with more than one service dog, provided that each dog is trained to perform a specific disability-related task and the required DOT documentation is submitted for each animal.
Handlers must keep their service dogs leashed, harnessed, or tethered at all times, and the animals must remain under control.
Are There Size Restrictions for Service Dogs on American Airlines?
American Airlines does not impose strict size restrictions on service dogs, but practical space limitations apply.
Service dogs must fit at the passenger’s feet, on the floor space in front of the assigned seat, or, if small enough, on the handler’s lap. Dogs that are too large to safely fit in the cabin space may not be accommodated unless another arrangement can be made.
What is American Airlines ESA Policy?
American Airlines no longer accepts emotional support animals. In 2021, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) updated its regulations and stopped recognizing ESAs as service animals.
The change was made due to frequent misuse of the ESA status. Today, airlines are allowed to determine their own ESA policies. AA permits emotional support animals to travel as regular pets, provided they comply with its general pet policies. ESAs are now subject to regular air travel fees.
How to Prepare for Your American Airline Flight with Your Pet?
Once you have familiarized yourself with American Airlines’ pet policy and service animal rules, it is time to book the flight, prepare the required documents, and select the right pet carrier.
How to Book Your Pet’s Reservation
To book your dog’s reservation, find your trip on the AA app or on aa.com and click the Special Services or Additional Services button. Then, choose the “Add Carry-On Pets” option and agree to the terms and conditions.
If you have any questions or trouble booking the dog’s reservation, you can always contact the American Airlines service lines and speak with an agent.
To add a dog to the AA Cargo, start by submitting the Animal Transportation Request, which you can find on the American Airlines Cargo website. Submit the form no more than 10 days prior to departure.
Alternatively, for same-day service or arrangements for the next 72 hours, you can call AA at 1-800-227-4622.
What Are the Required Documents
American Airlines requires health and rabies certificates for all dogs flying internationally. Both documents are issued by licensed veterinarians and confirm the dog’s health and regular rabies vaccination, respectively.
AA no longer requires ESA letters for emotional support animals. ESAs are not recognized as service animals and are treated as regular pets, making the ESA letter for travel obsolete.
Service dogs traveling with AA must also complete and present the DOT’s forms, including the Service Animal Air Transportation Form and the Service Animal Relief Attestation Form.
A CDC Dog Import Form may also be required for pets and service dogs entering the US from other countries.
What Are the Health and Vaccination Requirements
American Airlines requires a health certificate for dogs on international flights, for dogs traveling to Hawaii, and for dogs flying in cargo or as checked baggage.
Health certificates are not usually required for domestic flights. However, it is advisable to check the destination’s requirements just in case.
The health certificate is a legal document issued by an official veterinarian. It contains details about the dog and confirms its health.
A veterinarian must sign a valid health certificate within 10 days of the travel date and up to 60 days prior to the return date. If the return flight is purchased on a separate ticket, the certificate must be signed within 10 days of the return date.
AA Cargo accepts electronic health certificates as long as they clearly display the signing vet’s license number and are correctly written.
International flights arranged via American Airlines also require a rabies certificate. A vet issues the form and confirms the dog is up to date with its rabies vaccination.
How to Choose the Right Pet Carrier
The approved American Airlines pet carrier can be either soft or hard-sided, made of leak-proof materials, and well-ventilated. The dimensions of the soft-sided carrier are limited to 18″ x 11″ x 11″.
The size of the hard-sided carrier varies based on the flight type. On American Airlines Mainline flights, the dimensions are 19″ x 13″ x 9″, while on American Eagle flights, the dimensions are 16″ x 12″ x 8″.
American Airlines allows pet carriers that are small enough to fit beneath the airplane’s seats. Yet, they must be large enough to accommodate the pet comfortably and allow it to stand, lie down, and turn around.
It’s recommended to acclimate your dog to the carrier before the flight by gradually introducing them to it and allowing them to spend time inside. This will help your dog feel more comfortable and relaxed during the flight.
The limited size of the pet carrier restricts dogs’ travel, allowing only small to medium breeds to fly in the cabin on American Airlines flights. Large dogs must travel in the cargo space.
How Much Does it Cost to Travel With Your Pet on American Airlines?
Traveling with pets can be expensive. As a pet-friendly airline, American Airlines tries to keep flight fares affordable and similar to those offered by other US-based airlines.
In-Cabin Pet Fees
The in-cabin pet fee for traveling with AA costs $150 or more. The fixed $150 rate applies to all flights within the US and to flights between the US and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America.
Cargo Pet Fees
The cargo pet fees via American Airlines are non-fixed. The exact pet fare depends on the dog’s size and the trip’s details.
The fee for pets of active-duty US military personnel and State Department personnel is $200 per carrier on flights to and from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Europe. The fee is $150 for flights to and from Brazil.
Additional Fees and Charges
The mentioned AA pet fees are non-refundable, apply to single-direction travel, and are charged per kennel.
American Airlines reserves the right to charge additional fees if the arrangement includes a voluntary layover or connection longer than four hours.
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