Traveling with a dog or cat isn't just about buying a ticket and showing up. Honestly, it’s a logistical puzzle that can fall apart at the check-in counter if you miss one tiny detail. When it comes to American Airlines flying with pet options, the rules changed significantly in 2024 and 2025, specifically regarding how your pet counts against your carry-on allowance. It used to be a "one or the other" situation, but things are a bit friendlier now. Still, you can't just wing it.
You’ve probably seen those viral videos of people being told their carrier is two inches too tall. It’s devastating. American Airlines has some of the strictest enforcement policies for under-seat dimensions because their fleet is so diverse. What fits under an Airbus A321 seat might not stand a chance on a Boeing 737-800.
The Reality of the Fees and the Fine Print
Let's talk money first because it’s the biggest hurdle. American Airlines charges a flat fee of $150 per kennel for carry-on pets. This is non-refundable. If you have a connection that lasts more than four hours, you’re looking at paying that fee again if you check them as cargo, but for cabin pets, it’s a one-time charge per direction.
Recently, American made a huge pivot. You can now bring a pet carrier and either a carry-on bag or a personal item. Previously, the pet counted as your actual carry-on, leaving you with just a tiny backpack for a week-long trip. This change was a massive win for pet parents. However, don't get too excited—the pet still has to stay in the carrier, under the seat, for the entire flight. No "head popping out" for a photo. Flight attendants are trained to shut that down immediately for safety reasons.
There’s also a limit. Most flights only allow up to seven pet carriers total in the cabin. On American Eagle regional flights, that number drops to five. If you wait until the day of your flight to "add" a pet, you’re probably going to be stuck at the gate. You have to call the American Airlines reservations desk well in advance. You can't just do this easily through the app yet; it requires a human touch to verify the inventory on your specific tail number.
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Size Matters More Than You Think
Your carrier is the most important piece of gear you’ll buy. For American Airlines flying with pet success, your carrier must be leak-proof and ventilated. But here is the kicker: the pet must be able to stand up and turn around. If the gate agent sees your dog’s back touching the top of the carrier while they're standing, they have the right to deny boarding. It happens more often than people realize.
- Hard-sided carriers: Best for the Main Cabin, usually capped at 19 x 13 x 9 inches.
- Soft-sided carriers: These are the "cheat code" because they can compress slightly. American recommends dimensions around 18 x 11 x 11 inches.
- Weight limits: Generally, the combined weight of the pet and carrier shouldn't exceed 20 pounds for cabin travel, though they rarely weigh them unless the animal looks clearly oversized.
For those flying in First or Business class on a transcontinental flight (like JFK to LAX), be careful. Some of those lie-flat seats don't have under-seat storage. In these cases, your pet might have to be moved to a specific storage compartment during takeoff and landing. It’s a weird vibe, sitting in luxury while your cat is tucked away in a closet five feet away, but that’s the trade-off for the extra legroom.
The Cargo vs. Cabin Debate
Not every pet fits under a seat. If you have a Golden Retriever, you aren't bringing them in the cabin unless they are a legitimate, documented Service Animal. Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are no longer recognized as service animals by American Airlines—this changed a few years ago following DOT regulation updates. Now, ESAs are treated as pets. Period.
If your pet is too big, you have to look at American Airlines Cargo. This is a totally different beast. You aren't checking them at the ticket counter; you're dropping them off at a cargo terminal, usually located on the outskirts of the airport. It's expensive. It’s also temperature-dependent. American will not fly pets in cargo if the ground temperature is above 85°F (29.4°C) or below 45°F (7.2°C) at any point in the journey. This "Heat Stress" rule means summer travel to Phoenix or Miami is basically impossible for large dogs.
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Destination Restrictions
Heading to Hawaii? Good luck. American Airlines won't let you fly a pet in the cabin to the islands because of the state's strict quarantine laws. Same goes for several international destinations. If you’re flying to the UK or Ireland, your pet has to go via cargo due to local "Pet Travel Scheme" laws. You basically need a PhD in international bureaucracy to navigate the paperwork for a transatlantic pet flight.
Health Certificates and the Vet Visit
Do not skip the vet. For most domestic flights, American doesn't strictly require a health certificate for cabin pets, but they highly recommend it. However, if you are checking a pet in cargo, a health certificate issued by a vet within 10 days of travel is mandatory.
The airline also has "breed restrictions." If you have a "snub-nosed" or brachycephalic dog or cat, American will not fly them in cargo. This includes Pugs, Bulldogs, and Persian cats. These breeds have a higher risk of respiratory distress at high altitudes or in high heat. They can still fly in the cabin if they fit in a carrier, but the cargo hold is a hard "no."
Survival Tips for the Airport
The TSA line is the most stressful part. You have to take your pet out of the carrier. You carry the animal through the metal detector while the carrier goes through the X-ray machine. Pro tip: make sure your dog is wearing a harness that doesn't have metal, or you'll be doing a lot of "pat-downs" with a frustrated TSA agent.
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Keep a "pet kit" in your personal item. This should include:
- Collapsible water bowl: Fill it after you pass security.
- Pee pads: Even the best-trained dog can get nervous and have an accident in a pressurized cabin.
- High-value treats: Use these during takeoff and landing to help them swallow, which helps their ears pop.
- A familiar-smelling shirt: Put a shirt you’ve worn inside the carrier. Your scent calms them down more than any "calming spray" will.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Flight
If you're planning on American Airlines flying with pet logistics this month, follow this specific order of operations to avoid a headache.
- Book your flight early: Since there are only 5-7 pet spots per plane, you need to lock yours in. Book your human ticket first, then immediately call 800-433-7300 to add the pet. Do not wait.
- Measure your carrier twice: Don't trust the "airline approved" tag on the box at the pet store. Use a physical tape measure. If it’s over 9 inches tall and hard-sided, it won't fit on many American planes.
- Acclimate the pet: Spend two weeks feeding your pet inside the carrier at home. If the first time they see the carrier is on the way to the airport, they will associate it with fear.
- Check the tail number: Use an app like FlightAware to see what plane is typically used for your flight number. This helps you look up the specific under-seat dimensions for that aircraft model on American's website.
- Arrive 30 minutes earlier than usual: You cannot use the self-service kiosk to check in with a pet. You must see a human agent at the "Special Assistance" or "Full Service" counter to pay your fee and get your "Pet Cabin" tag.
Ultimately, flying with a pet on American is about being the most prepared person in the terminal. The gate agents have a lot of discretion. If you show up with a calm pet, a clean carrier, and all your paperwork ready, you’re going to have a much smoother experience than the person trying to argue that their 25-pound Terrier is "actually quite small."