Pet Policy American Airlines (2026): Fees, Carrier Sizes, Cargo and Service Dogs

As of October 2026, the American Airlines pet policy lets small cats and dogs fly in the cabin for $150 per kennel, each way, on flights within and between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. The pet must stay in a carrier under the seat for the whole flight. Only active-duty U.S. military and U.S. State Department Foreign Service personnel on official orders can check a pet. All other pets that can't fly in the cabin must go through American Airlines Cargo.

The pet policy at American Airlines is the airline's set of rules on which animals can fly, where they ride (cabin, checked baggage or cargo), what kennels are accepted, which routes are banned, and what it costs. These are American Airlines' own rules. They sit on top of government entry rules from agencies such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS).

This guide is based on American Airlines' official pet, service animal, fee and cargo pages, plus CDC, USDA APHIS and U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) sources, all checked in October 2026. Airline rules change often, so confirm with American Airlines Reservations before you book.

American Airlines pet policy at a glance (October 2026)

American Airlines says all pet fees are nonrefundable and charged per kennel, each way. If a trip includes a stopover or connection of 4 hours or more, the fee applies to each segment. American Airlines also does not collect pet fees for partner airlines, even on codeshare flights with an American flight number. You pay each operating airline separately at check-in.

Carry-on pets: what American Airlines allows in the cabin

American Airlines limits carry-on pets to cats and dogs that meet its size, age and destination rules. According to the airline's pets page (2026), you can bring one pet carrier on board if you pay the carry-on pet fee and keep your pet in the carrier, under the seat in front of you, for the entire flight.

What you can bring along with the pet carrier

The pet carrier counts toward your carry-on allowance. American Airlines allows just one more item: either a personal item such as a purse or small handbag, or a carry-on bag that fits in the overhead bin. You can't bring both. Pet strollers must be checked at the ticket counter, and normal checked bag fees apply.

Carry-on pet carrier dimensions

American Airlines says soft-sided carriers must be secure, padded and water-repellent, with nylon mesh ventilation on 3 or more sides. Your pet must fit comfortably inside with the carrier fully zipped. A hard-sided kennel can't be larger than the under-seat space on any aircraft in your journey.

How many pets per flight, and where you can sit

American Airlines (2026) allows a maximum of 20 pet carriers across all cabins on most mainline aircraft, not counting service animals. On American Eagle regional jets (CRJ-900, CRJ-700, CRJ-200, ERJ-190, ERJ-175 and ERJ-145), the limit is 1 carrier in the premium cabin and 5 in the main cabin. Because space is limited, add your pet to the booking early.

Carry-on pets can't sit in bulkhead or exit row seats. They also aren't allowed in First or Business on the Boeing 777-200, 777-300ER, 787-8 and 787-9, because those seats have no under-seat storage. On the three-cabin Airbus A321T, pets in premium cabins ride in a dedicated animal-friendly compartment at the front of the plane. On that aircraft, the pet and carrier together can't weigh more than 20 pounds (9.07 kg).

A note on conflicting information: some third-party summaries describe the 20-pound pet-and-carrier limit as if it applies to every American Airlines flight. On the official pets page (October 2026), that weight limit appears only in the A321T row. On other aircraft, the rule is about size: the carrier has to fit under the seat. If your pet is close to the limit, call Reservations to confirm.

How to add a carry-on pet to your trip

1. Find your trip on aa.com or in the American app.
2. In Additional Services, select Add carry-on pets.
3. Review and accept the carry-on pet requirements.
4. Select the flights your pet will be on.
5. Confirm the changes. Then, at the airport, go to the American ticket counter to pay the fee and have the pet and kennel checked.

American Airlines says it accepts credit cards or paper vouchers (where accepted) for pet fees. It does not accept cash or checks.

Where pets can and cannot fly on American Airlines

American Airlines says pets can travel on most flights up to 12 hours, including within the 48 contiguous states, between the U.S. and Canada, and to Alaska, Mexico, Puerto Rico, St. Croix and St. Thomas. Some destinations have extra restrictions:

• Hawaii: No carry-on pets to or from Hawaii. Checked pets (for eligible travelers) must connect only through Honolulu (HNL) and follow Hawaii's quarantine rules.
• South America: No carry-on pets to or from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia or Uruguay.
• Trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific: No carry-on pets on these trips.
• Jamaica: No carry-on pets.
• United Kingdom and Ireland: No checked pets except service animals. American Airlines Cargo can carry dogs and cats to London Heathrow (LHR) and Manchester (MAN).
• Trinidad and Tobago (POS): Flights carrying pets can't arrive before 8 a.m. or after 4 p.m.

American Airlines also does not accept dogs as carry-on pets if they started their trip in, or visited, a country the CDC lists as high-risk for dog rabies in the six months before travel. This ban does not apply to service dogs that meet CDC requirements.

Checked pets and American Airlines Cargo

Since American Airlines only accepts checked pets from active-duty U.S. military and U.S. State Department Foreign Service personnel on official orders, most travelers with a pet too big for the cabin will use American PetEmbark, the American Airlines Cargo service.

Checked pet rules for eligible travelers

• Contact Reservations at least 48 hours before travel. Checked pets are accepted first come, first served, up to 2 pets.
• Check in at the ticket counter with your official orders, at least 2 hours and no more than 4 hours before the flight.
• Bring a vet-issued health certificate dated within 10 days of travel. For the return trip on the same ticket, it must be within 60 days.
• The pet and kennel together can't weigh more than 100 lb (45 kg).
• Checked pets can't fly on Airbus A319, A320 or A321 variants other than the A321T.

Kennel rules for checked and cargo pets

American Airlines Cargo (2026) requires a rigid plastic, metal or wood kennel with a metal door, secured with metal bolts or screws. It needs ventilation on 3 sides for domestic flights and 4 sides for international flights. Soft-sided, collapsible, wire-mesh and top-opening kennels are not allowed. The animal must be able to stand, turn around, sit and lie down naturally, and its ears must not touch the top. Two cats or two dogs can share a kennel only if each weighs under 20 lb and is between 8 weeks and 6 months old.

Breed and temperature restrictions

American Airlines does not accept brachycephalic (snub-nosed) dogs or cats of any mix as checked pets. This includes pugs, bulldogs, boxers, Shih Tzus, Persians and Himalayans. The airline also won't accept checked or cargo pets if the temperature at any point on the trip is above 85°F (29.4°C) or below 45°F (7.2°C). A vet's acclimation letter can waive the cold limit, but not below 20°F. From May 1 to September 30, pets that aren't in the cabin can't travel to, through or from Phoenix, Tucson, Las Vegas or Palm Springs.

No sedation

Citing the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), American Airlines does not accept pets that have been sedated or tranquilized. The airline says these animals face higher respiratory and cardiovascular risks at altitude. Ask your own veterinarian for advice on helping your pet travel calmly.

Government rules that apply on top of the airline policy

Dogs entering the United States (CDC)

The CDC sets the rules for bringing dogs into the U.S., and American Airlines enforces them at check-in. Under federal regulation 42 CFR 71.51, every dog arriving in the United States must be at least 6 months old, have a microchip implanted before arrival, and have a CDC Dog Import Form submitted. The CDC says that if a dog has been only in dog-rabies-free or low-risk countries for the past six months, the Dog Import Form receipt is the only document needed. The receipt is valid for six months for repeat entries from the same country. Dogs that have been in high-risk countries need more paperwork. The CDC updated the Dog Import Form web system on February 5, 2026, but says the import requirements did not change. If your dog is flying, you must show the receipt to the airline before boarding.

Dogs flying from the U.S. to Mexico (USDA APHIS)

USDA APHIS says that, effective August 3, 2026, Mexico requires a New World screwworm (NWS) Inspection Certificate for pet dogs. A USDA-accredited veterinarian must sign it no more than 5 days before the dog enters Mexico. American Airlines says it checks this certificate at check-in, and the requirement also applies to service dogs. APHIS also notes that dogs returning from Mexico must meet screwworm-freedom requirements, because Mexico has been considered affected by screwworm since November 22, 2024.

Service dogs vs. emotional support animals (U.S. DOT)

The U.S. DOT final rule under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), published December 10, 2020, defines a service animal as a dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. It also allows airlines to treat emotional support animals as pets. American Airlines follows this rule. Trained service dogs fly in the cabin for free, while emotional support animals, comfort animals and service animals in training travel as pets and pay pet fees. American Airlines recommends sending the DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form at least 48 hours before the flight. For flights over 8 hours, it also requires the DOT relief attestation form. Once approved, you get a Service Animal ID (SVAN ID) for future bookings. The airline caps service animals at 2 per person, and they must be at least 4 months old.

Step-by-step checklist before flying with a pet on American Airlines

1. Check eligibility. Confirm your pet is a cat or dog, at least 8 weeks old for U.S. travel, and that your route allows carry-on pets.
2. Measure the carrier and the aircraft. Compare it against the Mainline and Eagle size limits, and ask Reservations about the under-seat space on each flight.
3. Add the pet early. Cabin limits are per flight, so reserve your pet's spot when you book.
4. Gather government documents. Depending on your trip, that may include a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, a USDA-endorsed health certificate, or the NWS certificate for Mexico.
5. Check partner flights. Look for "Operated by" on your ticket and contact each partner airline about its own pet policy and fees.
6. Arrive early. Pay the fee at the ticket counter. Don't sedate your pet.

Airline pet documents vs. Animal Passport: not the same thing

Travelers searching for an "animal passport" often mean official travel paperwork, such as a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, a USDA-endorsed international health certificate, or an EU pet passport. Those documents come from government agencies or accredited veterinarians. American Airlines checks them at the airport.

Animal Passport is something different. It is a digital animal and livestock identity record built on muzzle biometrics: an animal's nose print is unique, like a fingerprint. Using a phone, the record links an animal to its owner, breed, estimated age, body condition and vaccination history. Age is estimated from a dental photo with a confidence score, and body condition is scored 1 to 5 from a side-profile photo. In August 2025, Animal Passport was used in livestock flood rescue in Pakistan so farmers could reclaim animals after paper tags washed away.

Animal Passport is not a government-issued travel document. It does not replace a CDC form, a USDA health certificate, a microchip required by regulation, or a veterinarian's assessment, and American Airlines does not accept it as pet travel paperwork. For more on animal identification, see the Animal Passport blog.

Bottom line

As of October 2026, the American Airlines pet policy works well for small cats and dogs on domestic and near-international routes. Plan on $150 each way, a carrier that fits under the seat, and early booking. Larger pets usually need American Airlines Cargo, unless you're an eligible military or State Department traveler. Government entry rules from the CDC and USDA APHIS apply on top of the airline's rules, so check both before you fly.