American Airlines Pet Policy (2026): Carry-On Pets, Checked Pets & Service Dogs

American Airlines allows small dogs and cats to fly as carry on pets in the cabin on many domestic and short-haul international routes. Trained service dogs, including psychiatric service dogs, travel in the cabin at no charge under U.S. Department of Transportation rules. Emotional support animals are treated the same as pets and must follow all standard pet rules.

Policies checked October 2026 on American’s official Traveling with pets and Traveling with a service animal pages. Airlines change fees and limits without notice, so confirm every detail with American before you book.

Key Takeaways

• As of October 2026, eligible animals for in-cabin pet travel on American Airlines are cats and dogs that fit in an approved carrier under the seat. The carry on pet fee is $150 per kennel each way. On most mainline aircraft American allows a maximum of 20 pet carriers across all cabins; on American Eagle regional jets the limit is 5 in the main cabin and 1 in premium.

• Checked pets are only accepted for active-duty U.S. military and U.S. State Department Foreign Service personnel traveling on official orders, with a checked pet fee of $200 per kennel each way ($150 to/from Brazil). Other travelers whose pets are too large for the cabin must use American Airlines Cargo.

• No carry-on pets are allowed on trans-Atlantic flights, trans-Pacific flights, or flights to and from Hawaii. Carry-on pets also cannot travel to or from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Uruguay.

• Service dogs may travel in the cabin at no charge. American recommends submitting the DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form at least 48 hours before the flight, or you can present it at the airport. Psychiatric service dogs receive the same treatment under federal air travel rules.

• ESAs are treated as pets on American Airlines since January 2021. There is no official U.S. government registry for service dogs or ESAs, and ID cards, vests, or online registrations are optional identification tools that confer no legal rights.

Is American Airlines Pet Friendly in 2026?

American Airlines is reasonably pet friendly for small carry on pets and service dogs, but the airline has strict limits that can catch travelers off guard. If your dog or cat is small enough for a cabin carrier and your route qualifies, you can fly together on many domestic flights, as well as routes to Canada, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.

American Airlines and American Eagle share a single airlines pet policy, but aircraft size creates real differences. A regional American Eagle jet accepts fewer kennels and requires a smaller hard-sided carrier than a mainline Boeing 737 or Airbus A321.

The policy breaks into three categories: carry on pets in the cabin, checked pets (very limited eligibility), and pets shipped through American Airlines Cargo’s PetEmbark service. American lists cargo pet fees as variable and confirms them at the time of booking.

At MyServiceAnimal.org, we focus on where service animal rules diverge from the standard American Airlines pet policy, so this guide covers pets, service dogs, psychiatric service dogs, and ESAs side by side.

Pets in Cabin: American Airlines Carry-On Pet Rules

American Airlines allows small pets in the cabin as carry on pets. The animal must fit comfortably inside a closed, zipped carrier that slides under the seat in front of you, and it must stay in that carrier under the seat for the entire flight. American does not publish one general weight limit for carry-on pets; the deciding factor is whether the pet fits comfortably in a compliant carrier. The exception is premium seating on the three-cabin Airbus A321T, where pet plus carrier must not exceed 20 pounds.

Basic eligibility rules:

• Eligible animals include cats and dogs only.

• Pets traveling within the U.S. and Puerto Rico must be at least 8 weeks old. Dogs entering the U.S. from abroad must also meet CDC age, microchip, and vaccination requirements, which depend on where the dog has been.

• The animal must be healthy, weaned, free of strong odor, and well behaved.

• No disruptive behavior: growling, biting, or excessive barking can result in denied boarding.

Your pet carrier takes the place of one of your two cabin items. Alongside it you may bring either a personal item or a carry-on bag that fits in the overhead bin, but not both. Space for in-cabin pets is limited and reservations are required, so book early.

On mainline aircraft such as the A319, A320, A321, A321neo, and Boeing 737, American allows a maximum of 20 pet carriers across all cabins (service animals excluded). On American Eagle regional jets (CRJ-900, CRJ-700, CRJ-200, ERJ-190, ERJ-175, ERJ-145), the limit is 1 pet carrier in the premium cabin and 5 in the main cabin.

The pet must remain fully inside the escape proof carrier at all times. No lap holding, no partial opening in the aisle, and no protrusion of any body part. The carrier stays closed and flat under the seat for the complete flight.

How to Book an American Airlines Carry-On Pet

Space for pet travel in the cabin is limited and reservation should be made early, ideally when purchasing your own ticket.

Step-by-step booking:

1. Find your trip on aa.com or in the American app and, in the Additional Services section, select “Add carry-on pets.” Review the requirements and choose the flights your pet will travel on.

2. If you cannot add the pet online, contact American Airlines reservations and ask an agent to add the pet to each segment of your trip.

3. Confirm that every segment on your ticket is operated by American. American does not collect pet fees for partner airlines, even on flights with an American flight number, so each operating airline’s own pet rules and fees apply.

Payment:

• The carry on pet fee is $150 per kennel each way. You pay it at the American ticket counter, where agents also check that your pet and kennel meet the requirements.

• Payment for pet travel fees must be made by credit card or paper voucher (where accepted). Cash and checks are not accepted.

• If your trip includes a stopover or connection of 4 hours or more, the fee applies to each connection segment rather than once per direction.

Arrive early at check in. Agents need time to confirm carrier size, count pet kennels against cabin limits, and verify any documents required for your destination country.

Carry-On Pet Carrier Size and Design (Including American Eagle)

American Airlines publishes specific carrier dimensions that differ by carrier type and aircraft. Always match your pet carrier to the plane you are actually flying.

A non-collapsible kennel cannot exceed the under-seat dimensions of any aircraft in your journey, so ask Reservations to confirm the maximum for your flights. Soft-sided carriers may be slightly larger as long as they fit under the seat without being excessively collapsed.

Design requirements:

• The carrier must be escape proof with secure zippers or latches.

• Soft-sided carriers must be padded, made of water-repellent material, and have nylon mesh ventilation on 3 or more sides.

• Hard-sided carriers must have adequate ventilation and sit with all four corners on the floor without collapsing or tipping.

• The carrier must be leak-resistant on the bottom.

Seat and Route Limits: Where Carry-On Pets Are Not Allowed

The biggest surprises for pet owners come from routes where carry on pets are banned entirely. American says you can travel with a pet on most flights up to 12 hours, within listed regions.

Route bans as of October 2026:

• No carry-on pets on trans-Atlantic or trans-Pacific trips. If you plan to fly to Europe or Asia, your animal cannot ride in the cabin unless it is a qualifying service dog.

• No carry-on pets to or from Hawaii.

• No carry-on pets to or from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Uruguay, and no carry-on pets when traveling to Jamaica.

• American does not accept dogs as carry-on pets if they originate from, or have visited, a CDC high-risk rabies country in the six months before travel.

Seating restrictions:

• No pet carriers in bulkhead or exit row seats.

• Carry-on pets are not permitted in First and Business on the Boeing 777-200, 777-300ER, 787-8, and 787-9 because there is no under-seat storage. Seat 13D on the A321neo is also excluded, and on the three-cabin A321T premium travelers must use the dedicated animal compartment at the front of the plane.

Before you buy your ticket, confirm the aircraft type for each segment. Call American to check whether your seat or cabin can accommodate a pet carrier on that specific plane.

Checked Pets vs PetEmbark Cargo: What Actually Exists Now

American Airlines has sharply restricted who can check a pet in the baggage compartment.

Checked pet eligibility:

• American Airlines accepts checked pets only for active duty U.S. military and U.S. State Department Foreign Service personnel traveling on official orders.

• Up to 2 pets may be checked, on a first-come basis.

• You must contact Reservations at least 48 hours before travel and check in at the ticket counter with your official orders.

• The checked pet fee is $200 per kennel each way, or $150 to/from Brazil.

• Everyone else whose pet is too large for the cabin must use American Airlines Cargo (PetEmbark).

Checked pet kennel rules:

• The kennel must allow the animal to stand, turn, sit, and lie down without touching sides or top.

• Construction must be rigid (wood, metal, or plastic) with a metal door and ventilation on at least 3 sides for domestic U.S. travel and 4 sides for international travel.

• Combined weight of pet plus kennel cannot exceed 100 lb.

PetEmbark cargo basics:

PetEmbark is the American Airlines Cargo service for pets that do not qualify to travel as carry-on or checked pets. American lists cargo pet fees as variable, confirmed at the time of booking, and they depend on the trip and the size of the animal and kennel. Bookings go through American Airlines Cargo, and you may need a health certificate and USDA or CDC paperwork depending on the route.

Not every aircraft can carry checked pets: American lists the A319, A320, and A321 family as unable to take checked pets, so always confirm the aircraft with Reservations or Cargo before finalizing plans.

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Temperature, Breed, and Health Restrictions (Including PetEmbark)

American’s airlines pet policy is heavily shaped by weather and breed safety. The temperature rules below apply to checked pets and pets traveling with American Airlines Cargo.

Temperature rules:

• Pets cannot travel if the current or forecasted temperature is above 85°F or the ground temperature is below 45°F at any location on the itinerary.

• American may waive the cold restriction with a written acclimation letter from a licensed vet. If the temperature is below 20°F, a pet cannot be checked even with that letter.

• Pets not traveling in the cabin cannot travel to, through, or from Phoenix (PHX), Tucson (TUS), Las Vegas (LAS), or Palm Springs (PSP) from May 1 to September 30.

Breed restrictions:

• American Airlines does not accept brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds of any mix as checked pets. The list includes dogs such as Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Shih Tzus, and Pit Bulls, and cats such as Persians, Himalayans, Burmese, and Exotic Shorthairs. PetEmbark has its own acceptance rules, so check with Cargo.

Health rules:

• Following AVMA recommendations, American does not accept pets that have been sedated or tranquilized.

• For checked pets, the health certificate must be issued by a vet within 10 days of travel.

• The well being of your animal is your responsibility. The pet must be fit to fly and current on all vaccinations required by destination requirements.

Rabies, CDC Rules and High-Risk Country Complications

CDC dog import rules that took effect August 1, 2024 affect every dog entering the United States by air, including those on American Airlines.

“All dogs entering or returning to the U.S. must be accompanied by a CDC Dog Import Form receipt.”

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Importations

Dogs that have been in a high-risk rabies country in the six months before arrival face additional entry requirements, including proof of rabies vaccination on CDC forms. American does not accept such dogs as carry-on pets at all; service dogs that meet CDC requirements are exempt from that embargo.

A missing CDC Dog Import Form or incorrect rabies documentation can result in denied boarding, quarantine, or the dog being returned at the owner’s expense. Verify both CDC and American Airlines health requirements before you plan your trip.

American Airlines Rules for Service Dogs and Psychiatric Service Dogs

Under the ADA, a service animal is a dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. Staff may ask only two questions: whether the dog is required because of a disability and what task it is trained to perform. Dogs whose sole function is comfort or emotional support are not ADA service animals. The ADA requires no certification, registration, ID, or vest.

U.S. DOT air travel rules treat psychiatric service dogs the same as other service dogs. Airlines like American may require the DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form. American recommends submitting it electronically to its Special Assistance Desk at least 48 hours before your flight, or presenting the completed form at the airport on the day of travel. If any flight in your itinerary is over 8 hours, the DOT Service Animal Relief Attestation Form is also required. If you want help preparing the paperwork, our DOT form service is an optional convenience; the airline still makes the final decision at the airport. For a broader walkthrough, see our guide on how to fly with a service dog.

Service dogs travel in the cabin at no charge. The dog must fit at your feet, under your seat, or in your lap (lap animals must be smaller than a 2-year-old child), and American gives final approval at the airport once it confirms the dog will safely fit. There is no fixed weight maximum; if the dog is too large to be safely accommodated, you may need to rebook on a flight with more open seats, buy a ticket for the animal, or transport it as a checked pet. An individual is limited to 2 service animals.

American Airlines may place reasonable restrictions if a service dog:

• Is too large to be safely accommodated in the cabin

• Shows aggressive behavior

• Is not housebroken

• Fundamentally disrupts cabin operations

In these situations, the airline may offer rebooking or alternative transport. Animals under 4 months of age may not travel as service animals on American.

ESAs on American Airlines: Pets, Not Service Animals

Since January 2021, U.S. airlines are no longer required to recognize emotional support animals as service animals. The DOT rule is explicit:

“Animal species other than dogs, emotional support animals, comfort animals, companionship animals, and service animals in training are not service animals for the purposes of this part.”

14 CFR 382.3, What do the terms in this rule mean?

American applies that rule directly in its own policy:

“Please note, service animals in training, emotional support animals, and comfort animals may travel as pets, not as service animals.”

American Airlines, Traveling with a service animal

An ESA, even with a legitimate ESA letter from a licensed health care professional, must follow the same rules and pay the same fees as any other carry on pet or cargo animal on American Airlines flights. There is no official U.S. government registry for ESAs or service dogs, and ID cards, vests, or online registrations are optional identification tools that confer no legal rights. If you are unsure which category your dog falls into, our explainer on service animals vs. emotional support animals covers the differences.

If you travel with an ESA, plan as a pet traveler:

• Confirm route eligibility (no trans-Atlantic, trans-Pacific, or Hawaii carry on pets).

• Reserve a kennel space early and pay the carry on pet fee.

• Make sure your animal meets age, size, and carrier requirements.

A note on housing: An ESA letter may support a housing accommodation request under the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3604(f)(3)(B)), but that protection does not extend to flights.

Holiday and Peak-Season Planning Tips for American Airlines Pet Travel

Thanksgiving, Christmas, summer vacation, and three-day weekends are peak times when carry on pet kennel quotas and PetEmbark capacity fill quickly. A limited number of spaces means early action is critical.

Booking tips:

• Reserve the pet’s space when purchasing your own ticket. Do not wait.

• Choose early-morning or late-evening flights to reduce heat exposure for cargo shipments.

• Avoid tight connections where delays could push forecasted temperature beyond allowed limits at a connecting airport.

Route choices:

• Prefer nonstop or single-connection itineraries through pet friendly airline hubs.

• Avoid connections at airports with known extreme heat during summer (PHX, TUS, LAS, PSP).

Pre-travel checklist items:

• Schedule vet appointments for health certificates and vaccines well ahead.

• Practice carrier time at home so your pet is calm on travel day.

• Label carriers with “Live Animal” and your contact info.

• Pack a small pet kit: pee pads, wipes, extra collar and leash, and copies of all documents.

If you travel with a service dog or psychiatric service dog, submit the DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form well before travel. Keep digital and paper copies handy, and build extra time at check in for staff to review documentation and confirm boarding.

Quick Booking and Travel Checklist for American Airlines Pet Flights

Use this checklist before you buy your ticket:

• [ ] Verify route type: domestic, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, or Central America vs. long-haul or restricted destinations

• [ ] Confirm carry on pets are allowed on your specific route and aircraft

• [ ] Check whether checked pets are limited to military on your itinerary

• [ ] Match carrier dimensions to specific aircraft (especially the American Eagle hard-sided 16 x 12 x 8 inch limit)

• [ ] Confirm your pet fits comfortably in the closed carrier (20 lb pet plus carrier limit if seated in A321T premium)

• [ ] Complete the CDC Dog Import Form if returning to the U.S. with a dog

• [ ] Review the forecasted temperature for each airport on your itinerary if shipping via PetEmbark

• [ ] Gather the vet health certificate (for checked pets, issued within 10 days of travel) and any acclimation letters

• [ ] If checking two pets in one kennel, confirm they are the same species, a similar size, under 20 lb each, and between 8 weeks and 6 months old

Day-of-travel tasks:

• [ ] Arrive early at the airport for check in

• [ ] Pay the pet fee by credit card or voucher

• [ ] Verify your seat selection is pet-compatible (not bulkhead, not exit row)

• [ ] Keep all documents, vet contacts, and security-friendly supplies in your personal item

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References

1. American Airlines. Traveling with pets. American Airlines, 2026. aa.com

2. American Airlines. Traveling with a service animal. American Airlines, 2026. aa.com

3. U.S. Department of Transportation. 14 CFR 382.3, What do the terms in this rule mean? Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School. law.cornell.edu

4. U.S. Department of Transportation. 14 CFR 382.75, Service animal forms and advance notice. Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School. law.cornell.edu

5. U.S. Department of Justice. ADA Requirements: Service Animals. ADA.gov. ada.gov

6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Importations. CDC. cdc.gov

This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Policies, fees, and forms were checked in October 2026 and can change; always confirm details directly with American Airlines and relevant government agencies before you travel.