American Airlines Pet Policy

by Jaron Lukas August 10, 2022

You and your pet are about to embark on a journey together, so you should know that American Airlines has changed some of its pet policies. The airline now charges a $125 fee for each animal on any plane, and it limits how many pets you can bring at once. It also requires all animals to be brought in special carriers (for instance, no more carrying your dog in a purse). We've got the details below!

Pet travel fees

The American Airlines pet policy will charge you $125 each way for any pet that is not a service animal. There are no additional fees for pets 20 pounds or under, or for small animals in carriers that fit under the seat.

What kind of pets can fly on American Airlines?

The only pets allowed on American Airlines flights are dogs and cats.

Exotic animals are not permitted.

The animal must be at least 8 weeks old (2 lbs.).

Service animals

Service animals are allowed on flights. You may carry your service animal in the cabin with you if it is well-behaved and not a danger to others. Your pet must wear a harness, vest or other signifier that indicates it is a service animal.

Service animals are allowed in the cabin at no extra charge if they meet these requirements:

The animal must be trained to perform specific tasks for its owner, such as pulling a wheelchair or alerting its handler to an impending health crisis (for example, low blood sugar).
The animal can't be too large or heavy (no more than 20 pounds) and should be able to fit comfortably in its carrier underneath the seat in front of you during taxi and takeoff; during flight, it must stay on top of your seat with no obstructions blocking your path when moving about the cabin.
It shouldn't make unreasonable noise or disturb those around you by barking incessantly or otherwise making excessive disturbance that would disrupt other passengers' ability to enjoy their flight experience on American Airlines flights less than 8 hours long.

What types of containers are allowed?

You can bring your pet on American Airlines flights, but you'll need to keep him in a carrier that meets these requirements:

It must be a hard-sided carrier that can fit under the seat in front of you or in the overhead bin. If you put it under your seat, it must stay there for takeoff and landing; if placed in the overhead bin, it must remain there during flight.
It must be leak-proof and easy to clean. This way, if something goes wrong (your pup gets sick or has an accident) you'll be able to take care of things quickly and easily without worrying about making a mess for everyone else around you.
It should be made of materials that can be disinfected (this helps prevent illness). For example, plastic carriers work well because they're easy to wipe down after cleaning up any messes or spills. You could also opt for soft-sided ones made with material like nylon so they're easier to clean after using them at home! Just make sure whatever material is used doesn't harm pets when exposed over time - otherwise they might get sick too!
The container needs enough room inside so dogs/cats can stand comfortably upright within its confines once fully packed with their belongings such as food bowls etcetera without touching anything else contained therein either directly against another object nor nearby during transport (meaning no poking into other people's belongings).

When should I make a reservation?

To avoid any surprises, it's best to reserve your pet's seat at least 24 hours before you travel. If you're booking within 24 hours of your flight, you may need to pay an additional fee depending on how far in advance you made the reservation (you can find more information about this on our website). If you don't want to pay the fee and want to bring your pet with you, then it's best not to wait until right before leaving for the airport.

Pet policies can vary by airline and by flight, so knowing the rules before you fly will save you time and money.

If you plan to travel with a pet, it's important that you know the airline's pet policies. You'll also want to make sure your pet is allowed on board and has the proper paperwork. Be prepared by doing some research before you fly, so that when it comes time to check in with your furry friend(s), everything goes smoothly.

Know what your airline's policy is: Most airlines allow pets in cabin on most flights, but there are some exceptions. For example, Delta only allows cats and dogs as carry-on baggage on domestic flights but not for international destinations (with the exception of cats). If you're traveling with a different type of animal—such as an aquarium fish or hamster—it might be best not to book this trip through Delta unless they have a special service package just for those types of animals!
Know what your pet's policy is: You should also find out if there are any rules regarding how big or small they can be before flying with them; some airlines require that they weigh less than 10 pounds while other carriers require no weight limit at all!
Know what their destination rules are: Once again depending on where exactly you're going and if there will be any problems getting into certain countries because of this policy then you may need special documents from either yourself or even them (the animal).

Conclusion

Whether you’re a frequent flyer with your pet or a first-time flyer who’s wondering what to expect, we hope this article has answered your questions.