American Airlines pet policy
In-cabin, cargo and service-animal rules are governed by very different limits.
Note
Airlaza is an independent IATA and ARC accredited agency, not American Airlines. Fares, fees and conditions are set by the airline and change without notice — the figures shown in your own booking are the ones that apply. Confirm at the airline's own site before you travel.
American Airlines allows small dogs and cats to travel in the cabin in an approved carrier under the seat for a fee, generally around $150 each way, provided the pet plus carrier stays within published size and weight limits; checked cargo travel is currently restricted to active-duty US military and State Department personnel on official orders. Call +1-888-890-4009.
---
In-cabin pet travel: the basics
American permits one small dog or cat per approved carrier to travel in the main cabin, with the carrier stowed under the seat in front of the passenger for the full flight, since the animal cannot be removed from the carrier at any point in the terminal or on board. Only a limited number of pet carriers are allowed per flight, so booking the pet's space as early as possible matters, particularly on popular routes and around holiday travel periods.
The combined weight of the pet and its carrier is generally capped at 20 pounds, and this is checked at the airport rather than at booking, so a pet close to the limit should be weighed with its actual travel carrier beforehand to avoid a gate surprise. Only one pet carrier is typically allowed per passenger, and pet carriers usually count against the passenger's personal item or carry-on allowance rather than being an additional free item.
| In-cabin basics | Detail |
|---|---|
| Eligible animals | Dogs and cats |
| Pets per carrier | One |
| Combined pet plus carrier weight | Around 20 lbs |
| Where the carrier travels | Under the seat in front, for the entire flight |
| Advance arrangement | Recommended as early as possible, limited slots per flight |
---
Approved carrier dimensions
The carrier itself has to meet size limits designed to fit under an economy seat, and American differentiates between soft-sided and hard-sided carriers because soft-sided carriers can compress slightly to fit tighter under-seat spaces.
| Carrier type | Maximum dimensions |
|---|---|
| Soft-sided carrier | Approximately 18" x 11" x 11" |
| Hard-sided carrier | Approximately 19" x 13" x 9" |
| Carrier ventilation | Must allow the pet to stand and turn around comfortably |
| Carrier closure | Must remain closed and secured for the full flight |
Because under-seat space varies by aircraft type, a carrier that fits comfortably on one plane can be a tight squeeze on another. Confirming the equipment type for the specific flight before travel is worth doing on aircraft with less generous under-seat clearance.
---
Pet fees
The in-cabin pet fee is charged per direction, meaning a round trip carries the fee twice, once outbound and once on the return, rather than as a single flat charge covering the whole itinerary.
| Fee type | Typical amount |
|---|---|
| In-cabin pet fee, one way | Around $150 |
| Round-trip in-cabin pet travel | Fee charged each direction, so roughly double |
| Service animal accompanying a passenger with a disability | Generally no pet fee, subject to documentation |
| Checked pet in cargo (military/government orders only) | Around $200 per kennel |
Fees are collected at the airport or during the booking process depending on how the trip is arranged, and are separate from any checked-baggage fees for the passenger's own luggage.
---
Cargo and checked pet travel
American's checked and cargo pet program, marketed as PetEmbark, is not currently open to the general public. As of recent policy, checked pet travel through American is limited to active-duty US military members and US State Department personnel travelling on official orders, which is a significant restriction compared with some competing airlines that still offer general cargo pet shipping.
| Cargo pet travel | Current status |
|---|---|
| General public checked pets | Not currently available |
| Active-duty US military on orders | Available |
| US State Department personnel on orders | Available |
| Larger dogs exceeding in-cabin limits | No general public cargo option through American at this time |
Travellers with a pet too large for the cabin who do not qualify under the military or State Department exception need to look at a dedicated pet-relocation service or another carrier's cargo program rather than assuming American can accommodate a larger animal.
---
Breed and temperature restrictions
Even within the eligible categories, American applies restrictions tied to animal welfare and safety. Snub-nosed, or brachycephalic, breeds of dogs and cats face heightened restrictions on the limited cargo program specifically because their airway structure makes them more vulnerable to breathing difficulty during travel; this restriction is far less relevant to in-cabin travel since the pet stays with the passenger in the climate-controlled cabin throughout.
| Restriction type | Applies to |
|---|---|
| Snub-nosed breed limits | Primarily the limited cargo program, not standard in-cabin travel |
| High or low ground temperature embargoes | Cargo program, generally above about 85°F or below about 45°F at any airport on the route |
| Minimum age for travel | Young puppies and kittens generally need to meet a minimum age before flying |
| Health documentation | May be required depending on destination, particularly international |
Because in-cabin pets stay with the passenger rather than being processed through a separate cargo system, most of the more severe breed and temperature embargoes are specific to the now-restricted cargo product rather than to everyday in-cabin travel.
---
Service animals versus pets
American Airlines separates service animals trained to perform a specific task for a passenger with a disability from pets and from emotional support animals, following the US Department of Transportation's current framework, which no longer recognises emotional support animals as a distinct travel category with pet-fee exemption.
| Animal category | How American treats it |
|---|---|
| Trained service dog | Travels free, DOT service-animal documentation required |
| Emotional support animal | Treated as a pet under current rules, standard pet fee applies |
| Pet travelling for companionship | Standard in-cabin pet policy and fee apply |
Passengers travelling with a trained service animal should have the required DOT form completed in advance of travel, since presenting incomplete documentation at the airport can create delays or complications at check-in.
---
International pet travel considerations
Flying a pet internationally on American adds a layer of destination-country requirements that sit entirely outside the airline's own policy: import permits, rabies titer tests, quarantine periods and specific paperwork vary enormously by country and are enforced by the destination government, not by American Airlines.
| International step | Who governs it |
|---|---|
| Airline's own carrier size and fee rules | American Airlines |
| Import permit, quarantine, vaccination timing | Destination country's government |
| Documentation cutoff before travel | Varies by country, sometimes months in advance |
Because these requirements are destination-specific and change without much notice, checking the destination government's own pet-import page well ahead of booking is essential rather than relying on the airline's general pet policy alone for an international trip.
---
Booking pet travel through Airlaza
Confirming a pet's cabin space alongside the passenger's own seat is easiest to get right at the time of booking rather than after a ticket is issued, since the number of pet carriers allowed per flight is limited. Airlaza can request the pet's space, confirm the fee in writing and flag any destination-specific import requirements before the ticket is finalised. Call +1-888-890-4009 with the route and pet's carrier dimensions.
---
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring my dog in the cabin on American Airlines?
Yes, if the combined weight of the dog and its carrier is around 20 pounds or less and the carrier fits within American's approved soft-sided or hard-sided dimensions. The carrier must stay under the seat in front of you for the full flight, and only a limited number of pet carriers are allowed per flight.
How much does it cost to fly with a pet on American Airlines?
The in-cabin pet fee is generally around $150 each way, meaning a round trip is charged twice, once per direction. This fee is separate from any checked-baggage fees for your own luggage and applies in addition to your fare, regardless of cabin class booked.
Does American Airlines allow pets in cargo?
Checked pet travel through American's PetEmbark program is currently limited to active-duty US military members and US State Department personnel travelling on official orders. It is not currently available for general public use, so a pet too large for the cabin does not have a standard cargo option through American right now.
What size carrier does American Airlines allow for pets?
Soft-sided carriers can measure up to roughly 18 by 11 by 11 inches, and hard-sided carriers up to roughly 19 by 13 by 9 inches. The carrier must allow the pet to stand and turn around comfortably and must remain closed and secured under the seat for the entire flight.
Are emotional support animals treated as pets on American Airlines?
Yes. Under current US Department of Transportation rules, emotional support animals no longer qualify for a separate travel category, and American treats them as standard pets, meaning the usual in-cabin pet fee and carrier requirements apply rather than any special exemption.
Do service dogs fly free on American Airlines?
Yes. A trained service dog performing a specific task for a passenger with a disability travels without the pet fee, provided the required Department of Transportation service-animal documentation is completed and presented, ideally submitted in advance of travel to avoid delays at check-in.
Can I bring a cat in the cabin on American Airlines?
Yes, under the same rules as dogs: the cat and its carrier combined must stay within roughly 20 pounds, and the carrier must meet American's approved size limits and remain under the seat for the flight. Only one pet is allowed per carrier and per passenger.
Is there a temperature restriction for flying pets on American Airlines?
Temperature embargoes mainly apply to the limited cargo program rather than in-cabin travel, since cabin pets stay with the passenger in the climate-controlled cabin. Cargo shipments are generally restricted when ground temperatures at any airport on the route are above roughly 85°F or below roughly 45°F.
Do I need special paperwork to fly internationally with a pet on American Airlines?
Yes, and it comes from the destination country rather than from American. Import permits, vaccination and rabies titer timing, and possible quarantine requirements vary widely by country and should be checked against the destination government's own pet-import rules well before booking.
How do I book pet travel through the agency?
Call +1-888-890-4009 with your route, travel dates and your pet carrier's exact dimensions and weight. A specialist confirms whether cabin space for a pet is available on that flight, states the fee in writing, and flags any destination-specific import requirements before the ticket is issued.
More American Airlines help
Get a quote.
Tell us your route, dates and cabin. A specialist replies with written options the same business day.
How Airlaza quotes work
We are an independent IATA and ARC accredited agency. Every quote states the fare family, the change and cancellation terms and whether a refund is cash or voucher — in writing, before you pay. No card details are taken on this site.