American Airlines – Pet Policy
| Pet Type | Cabin | Checked Bag / Cargo | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog | Yes (≥8 weeks, soft carrier ≤18"x11"x11" or hard ≤19"x13"x9"); not on Hawaii, Jamaica, most South America, trans-Atlantic/Pacific, or some U.S. flights[1] | Yes (checked only for active-duty military/diplomatic orders; PetEmbark® cargo for others; snub-nosed/aggressive breeds banned; advance booking, docs req’d)[1] | Must meet destination health/vaccine/import rules; rabies cert, CDC Dog Import Form (US); confirm eligibility/embargo for route/breed[1] |
| Cat | Yes (same as dog, same rules) | Yes (same as dog) | Doc, microchip, age, vaccine, and breed rules apply; no brachycephalic cats as checked/cargo[1] |
| Bird, Rabbit, Reptile, Fish | No | No (only cargo/freight with advance permit; no standard pet travel)[1] | Special arrangements required for cargo bookings; not as passenger pets[1] |
Important Guidelines
- Book early; maximum number of pets allowed per flight (varies by aircraft). Not allowed on certain routes (see policy).
- One soft-sided carrier per ticketed customer; fee $150 per carrier, each way, paid at airport. Carrier counts as personal item.
- Pets must be healthy, clean, non-aggressive, odorless, weaned (min 8 weeks), in secure/correct-size carrier and remain in carrier at all times.
- Checked baggage pets accepted ONLY for active military/State Department on official orders AND with all paperwork. Otherwise, use PetEmbark® (cargo) with IATA crate.
- Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds and aggressive dogs are forbidden as checked/cargo pets. Some aircraft/routes have additional bans for safety.[1]
- No pets permitted in first/business class (depending on aircraft); must fit under seat in main cabin. Cabin limits per aircraft.
- CDC Dog Import Permit is required for all dogs entering the U.S. as of August 2024—even for service animals. Check CDC/APHIS rules for specific origin or breed restrictions.[1]
- Vaccination and microchip documentation needed for most international destinations; always confirm requirements for ALL legs, including transits, prior to travel.
Woofly Tips
- Measure/weigh pet + carrier (must fit airline and route rules exactly—enforcement is strict at check-in/gate).
- Bring all paperwork (copies and originals): vaccines, health cert, microchip, import/export/CDC papers, booking confirmations.
- If you need pet cargo, begin booking and documentation well in advance—PetEmbark® has additional approval and crate requirements.
- Acclimate your pet to its carrier long before departure; nervous or non-compliant pets are the most common cause for denied boarding.
- If transiting international borders, confirm re-entry requirements, especially for rabies vaccine, microchip, and US CDC rules (as these change frequently for high-risk destinations).
- Never sedate your animal for flight unless specifically prescribed by a veterinarian with documentation—sedated pets are routinely refused boarding for safety reasons.
Last updated: July 27, 2025