American Airlines

Carrier must fit completely under the seat in front of you.

Soft-sided carriers (recommended):

• Must be collapsible but still fit under the seat without excessive squashing
• Must be secure, padded, and water-repellent
• Must have nylon mesh ventilation on 2 or more sides
• May be slightly larger than hard carriers but must still fit under the seat

Hard-sided carriers:

• Cannot exceed the under-seat dimensions of any aircraft on your journey
• Must be well-ventilated and secure

Exact dimensions:

Under-seat dimensions vary by aircraft type. American instructs passengers to contact Reservations to verify maximum carrier dimensions for your specific flight.

Weight:

• A321T First/Business: Combined pet and carrier cannot exceed 20 lbs (weighed at check-in)
• Universal weight limit for other aircraft/cabins not specified

Your pet must:

• Be able to stand up and turn around comfortably inside the carrier
• Remain in the carrier with the door closed and secured throughout the flight

Checked baggage carriers (for eligible travelers):

Must meet federal standards for checked pet transport. Contact Reservations for specifications.

Important: The pet carrier replaces your carry-on bag allowance, but you may still bring one personal item.

For domestic U.S. travel:

American Airlines does not require a health certificate for pets traveling within the 50 U.S. states. However, state and local requirements still apply. Confirm with your veterinarian and destination authorities what documentation you need (many states require proof of rabies vaccination for dogs over 12 weeks old).

Federal requirement for all flights:

You must attach a written certification to the kennel stating that your dog or cat was offered food and water within 4 hours before being delivered to the carrier. Include:

• Your signature, date, and time
• Feeding and watering instructions for the next 24 hours

For international travel:

• Mexico: Pets must meet Mexican government vaccination and import requirements. Consult Mexican authorities and your veterinarian.
• Canada: Pets must meet Canada's import requirements. Check with Canadian authorities.
• European Union (checked pets): Your pet must have a tattoo or implanted microchip that matches the ID on the vaccination card.
• Hawaii: Strict quarantine rules apply. Contact the Hawaii Department of Agriculture well in advance. Pets must connect through Honolulu (HNL) and follow all state entry requirements.
• Japan: Notify the Japanese Animal Quarantine Service at least 7 days before departure for travel from Japan to LAX.
• All destinations: Country-specific health certificates, vaccinations, import permits, and microchips may be required. Consult your destination's government animal import office and your veterinarian at least 30-60 days before travel.

Service animals:

Customers traveling with service animals must complete the U.S. DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form (and DOT Service Animal Relief Attestation Form if applicable). Forms may need to be submitted at least 48 hours before travel. Check the American Airlines service animals page for current instructions.

Breed restrictions:

• Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) dogs and any mixes are not accepted as checked baggage
• Cabin travel applicability for brachycephalic breeds is not explicitly stated; confirm with Reservations before booking

Aircraft and cabin restrictions:

Pets are not allowed in First or Business Class on these aircraft (no under-seat storage):

• Boeing 777-200, 777-300, 787-8, 787-9
• Airbus A330-200, A330-300

A321T First/Business: 20 lb combined weight limit (pet + carrier); pets may be placed in a dedicated compartment during taxi, takeoff, landing, and turbulence.

Flight capacity limits:

• American mainline: Maximum 7 kennels per flight
• American Eagle: Maximum 5 kennels per flight; only 1 kennel allowed in First Class

Route restrictions:

• Hawaii: No carry-on pets to/from Hawaii. Checked pets allowed only via Honolulu connections (not to Maui, Big Island, or Kauai nonstop). Pregnant pets past 45 days gestation are not accepted.
• South America: No carry-on pets to/from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay
• Transatlantic: No carry-on pets on transatlantic flights. No checked pets to UK/Ireland (except cargo to LHR/MAN).
• Transpacific: No carry-on pets. No checked pets to Japan; limited checked pet travel from Japan to LAX only.

Connection restrictions:

Checked pets (eligible travelers only) may connect only through: CLT, ORD, DFW, LAX, JFK, LGA, MIA, PHL, PHX, DCA.

Interline connections:

If connecting between American and another airline, you may need to claim and recheck your pet and pay fees to each carrier.

Service animals:

As of January 11, 2021, American Airlines aligns with updated U.S. DOT regulations. Only trained service dogs are accepted as service animals in the cabin. Emotional support animals are no longer authorized and must travel as pets (fees apply).

Service animal handlers must complete the U.S. DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form and, if applicable, the DOT Service Animal Relief Attestation Form. Submission may be required at least 48 hours before travel. An individual is limited to two service animals. If the service animal travels in a kennel, it must fit under the seat.

Sedation:

Consult your veterinarian about sedation. Many vets and airlines discourage sedating pets due to potential risks at altitude.

Pregnant pets:

Pets past 45 days of gestation are not accepted to Hawaii.

Interline travel:

If your journey involves multiple airlines, you may need to claim and recheck your pet at each connection and pay separate fees to each carrier. Policies vary by airline.

Advance booking required:

Pet space is limited. Reserve your pet's spot when you book your ticket or as early as possible. Contact American Reservations to confirm your specific aircraft can accommodate your pet carrier.

At the airport:

Arrive early. You may need to present your pet at the ticket counter or gate for inspection. Ensure your pet is calm, clean, and comfortable in the carrier before you travel.

Yes, American Airlines allows pets on many international routes, with restrictions.

Carry-on pets are permitted:

• Within and between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America, Colombia, the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and St. Thomas
• On most flights up to 11 hours and 30 minutes
• Fee: $125 USD per kennel (subject to country entry policies)

Carry-on pets are NOT permitted to/from:

• Hawaii
• Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay
• Transatlantic destinations (Europe, UK, Ireland)
• Transpacific destinations (Asia, Australia)

Checked pets (for eligible travelers only):

• May be accepted to the European Union (pet must have tattoo or microchip matching vaccination records)
• Not accepted to UK or Ireland (except via cargo to LHR/MAN)
• Not accepted to Japan (limited travel from Japan to LAX only)
• Hawaii: Allowed only via Honolulu connections; not accepted on nonstop flights to Maui, Big Island, or Kauai

Important notes:

• Each country has its own entry requirements: vaccination certificates, health certificates, import permits, microchips, and quarantine rules. You are responsible for meeting all requirements.
• Mexico: Pets must meet Mexican government vaccination and import rules
• Canada: Pets must meet Canada's import requirements
• Hawaii: Contact the Hawaii Department of Agriculture well in advance for quarantine procedures
• European Union: Microchip or tattoo matching vaccination card required
• Japan (from Japan to LAX only): Notify Japanese Animal Quarantine Service at least 7 days before departure

Before you book:

Contact your destination country's embassy, consulate, or agriculture/customs department at least 30-60 days before travel. Work with your veterinarian to obtain required health certificates and vaccinations. Confirm with American Reservations that your specific route accepts pets.

Carry-on (in-cabin): $125 USD per kennel for travel within and between the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, Colombia, and the Caribbean (subject to country entry policies).

Checked baggage: Checked pet service is suspended for general passengers. For active-duty U.S. Military and U.S. State Department Foreign Service personnel (eligible exceptions), fees apply but are not publicly listed. Contact Reservations for details.

Cargo: Fees vary. Contact American Airlines Cargo for current rates.

Service animals: No charge.