Dogs and cats can fly in the cabin with you. Cabin pet fee: $150 per kennel, each way.
Checked against American Airlines' official pages on . Airlines change these rules often, so confirm with American Airlines before you book.
- Cabin pet fee
- $150per kennel, each way
- Animals allowed
- Dogs and cats
- Max carrier size
- 18 x 11 x 11 insoft-sided
- Weight limit
- No set limitA321T only: 20 lb max including carrier.
- Minimum age
- 8 weeks
- Pets per passenger
- 1
- Counts toward bag allowance
- Yes
- Pets in hold or cargo
- No
American Airlines pet carrier size
- Soft-sided: 18 x 11 x 11 in
- Hard-sided: 19 x 13 x 9 (American mainline); 16 x 12 x 8 (American Eagle)
- Metric: Soft-sided 46 x 28 x 28; hard-sided mainline 48 x 33 x 22; hard-sided American Eagle 40 x 30 x 20 cm
Soft-sided recommended for all flights. Non-collapsible kennels must fit the under-seat space of every aircraft on the itinerary; soft-sided may be slightly larger but must fit without excessive collapsing. Pet must stay in the closed carrier under the seat for the entire flight.
American Airlines pet fee in detail
Per kennel, each way, for travel within and between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Paid at the airport ticket counter or travel center by credit card or paper voucher (no cash/checks).
Where you can't fly with a pet
No carry-on pets to/from Jamaica, Hawaii, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia or Uruguay, and none on trans-Atlantic or trans-Pacific trips. Generally flights up to 12 hours or select destinations. Trinidad and Tobago (POS): no arrivals before 8 a.m. or after 4 p.m. Dogs from or recently in high-risk rabies countries not accepted as carry-on (must be 16 weeks+ if arriving from such countries). No bulkhead/exit rows; certain premium seats restricted. Sedated pets not accepted.
How many pets you can bring
One pet carrier plus one additional item (personal item or overhead carry-on, not both). Most mainline aircraft: max 20 pet carriers across all cabins; American Eagle: 1 in premium, 5 in main. Pets not permitted in premium cabin on some aircraft (A321XLR, B777, B787, A319, A320, A321, A321NEO, B737).
How to book a pet on American Airlines
Online: find trip on aa.com or the American app, choose 'Add carry-on pets' under Additional Services, agree to requirements, select flights, confirm. Pay the fee at the airport ticket counter.
American Airlines pet cargo and checked pets
Checked pets only for active-duty U.S. military and U.S. State Department Foreign Service personnel on official orders (up to 2 pets, $200 per kennel). Others must use American Airlines Cargo / American PetEmbark.
Snub-nosed breeds
Brachycephalic cats and dogs (and mixes) are not accepted as checked pets, e.g. Persian, Burmese, Himalayan, Exotic Shorthair cats; Boxers, Bulldogs, Mastiffs, Pugs, Pit Bulls, Shih Tzus, Boston Terriers, Pekingese and others.
Service and emotional support animals
Fully trained service dogs that meet requirements fly in the cabin free and do not count toward pet carrier limits.
Questions people ask
Can I bring my dog or cat in the cabin on American Airlines?
Yes. Dogs and cats are accepted in the cabin in a carrier that fits under the seat in front of you, subject to space on the flight.
How much is the American Airlines pet fee?
The cabin pet fee is $150 (per kennel, each way).
What size pet carrier does American Airlines allow?
Up to 18 x 11 x 11 in (soft-sided). Soft-sided recommended for all flights. Non-collapsible kennels must fit the under-seat space of every aircraft on the itinerary; soft-sided may be slightly larger but must fit without excessive collapsing. Pet must stay in the closed carrier under the seat for the entire flight.
Can pets fly in cargo on American Airlines?
Checked pets only for active-duty U.S. military and U.S. State Department Foreign Service personnel on official orders (up to 2 pets, $200 per kennel). Others must use American Airlines Cargo / American PetEmbark.