The most crucial information about airline pet policy, including American Airlines cats and dogs policy, will be covered in this article.

American Airlines Pet Policy

The rules for transporting animals vary depending on your country and destination. On some planes and destinations, pets may be restricted or limited. When booking your flights, indicate whether or not you plan to travel with your pet to find out if pets are allowed and if they can travel in the cabin. Pets traveling to/from Hawaii or to/from transatlantic/transpacific destinations or to/from destinations in South America are not permitted to travel in the cabin.

Transportation rules

Cats and dogs are the only types of animals accepted for travel on American Airlines.

Pets must be fully vaccinated and have a health certificate when traveling in the cabin.

For health requirements for destinations outside the United States, please contact the country's consulate or embassy for information before booking your ticket.

Animals traveling by cargo will not be permitted to travel when the current or expected temperature is above 85 degrees Fahrenheit and/or when the ground is below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pets are not allowed on flights lasting more than 12 hours, nor on flights originating from Hawaii, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Venezuela, Paraguay or Uruguay.

Important tip:

You must register your pet before your flight by contacting American Airlines (contact details here). If you do not check-in your pet in advance, your pet will not be allowed on the flight.

Cost of Pets on American Airlines

Pet registration (within and between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean) costs $200 per kennel. $150 to/from Brazil.

Take-out pets (within the United States and between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central America, Colombia and the Caribbean) cost $125 per kennel.

Guide dogs for the blind are admitted free of charge, regardless of their weight and size.

Stand dimensions: 19 inches X 13 inches X 9 inches

Pet carrier counts as carry-on or personal item

Only one pet carrier per ticketed passenger is permitted, additional charges apply.

Pets in cabin: American Airlines policy

With prior approval of your ticket reservation, you can travel in the cabin. American Airlines can only accept up to 7 kennels per flight. Only 5 on an American Eagle flight.

Dogs and cats must be over 8 weeks old and have proof of required vaccinations to travel

Guide dogs are allowed regardless of their weight and size

Animals must be able to stand up in their transport cage and turn around

Stand dimensions: 19 inches X 13 inches X 9 inches

Pet carrier counts as carry-on or personal item

Only one pet carrier per ticketed passenger is permitted, additional charges apply.

Pets in the hold: American Airlines policy

Pets traveling must have a health certificate within 10 days of travel departure and within 60 days of return travel with the same ticket and 10 days with a different ticket.

Dogs and cats must be over 8 weeks old

If two animals share a carrier, they must be the same species and cannot weigh more than 20 pounds.

Maximum carrier size is 40″ x 27″ x 30″ and must be able to pass through the cargo door while remaining in an upright position.

Supports should be made from hard materials such as wood, metal, plastic or similar materials

Supports must be impervious to escapes and leaks.