American Airlines
lets you take your dog or cat on vacation.
American Airlines offers thousands of daily flights to domestic and international destinations. Depending on the destination, the length of the flight and several other factors, you may be able to take your cat or dog with you either in the cabin or as checked baggage. As of October 2010, American Airlines does not accept pets other than cats or dogs.
Checked Pets
American Airlines accepts pets in kennels as checked baggage for most flights. You do not need a prior pet reservation to check a pet, but if the cargo hold is full the airline may not be able to accommodate the pet. You may not check pets on flights of over 12 hours. The kennel in which your pet is traveling must be large enough for the pet to stand, turn around, sit and lie down in a comfortable and natural position. It must also offer a water container that can be filled from the outside. The kennel, when it contains the pet, must not weigh more than 100 lbs. The crate must not be more than 40 by 27 by 30 inches except on flights on a Boeing MD-80. If your flight will be on this type of plane, the crate must fit through a door that is 29 inches high.
Carry-on Pets
Pets may travel in the cabin of an American Airlines flight to the 48 contiguous states, Alaska, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. Croix, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. The traveling pet must stay within its crate at all times during the flight. This crate must be no more than 19 by 13 by 9 inches. Your pet must be able to stand, turn around, sit and lie down in a comfortable and natural position in this crate, which must not weigh more than 20 lbs. total (including the pet). American Airlines recommends making a pet reservation for carry-on pets, as only seven pets are allowed in the cabin on any one flight. Contact American Airlines' reservations department at 800-433-7300 to make pet reservations.
Charges
The fee for a checked pet on a flight that departs from and arrives to destinations within the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean is $150 as of October 2010. The fee for a carry-on pet on a flight that departs from and arrives to destinations within the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean is $100 as of October 2010. Contact American Airlines' reservations department at 800-433-7300 for information on fees to other countries.
Other Rules
Pets must be at least eight weeks old to travel either as checked or carry-on baggage. You must sign a letter stating that you have offered your pet food and water within four hours of the time the pet entered the carrier. Securely affix this letter to the outside of the pet's crate. Provide American Airlines with detailed instructions about the care of your pet over a 24-hour period. This will allow employees to care for your animal properly in case of a delay or other problem. Pets may not travel as checked baggage when the forecasted temperature at any point during the trip (departure, layovers or arrival) is over 85 degrees or under 45 degrees. Snub-nosed pets, such as Persian cats and French bulldogs, may not travel as checked baggage when the forecasted temperature for any part of the trip is over 75 degrees.
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