Flying with a cat or dog on American Airlines
Every rule below is American Airlines's own policy, quoted word for word from its website. It applies only to American Airlines flights. Government entry rules for your destination still apply separately.
Last reviewed 2026-10-13.
Carry-on pets
Applies only to American AirlinesCarry-on pet fee within and between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean
$150 per kennel
Weight limit
The total weight of your pet and its carrier must not exceed 20 pounds (9.07 kilograms).
Dogs from high-risk rabies countries
American does not accept dogs as carry-on pets if they originate from or have visited a high-risk country for rabies in the six months prior to the date of travel.
Checked pets (U.S. Military and State Department Foreign Service on official orders only)
Applies only to American AirlinesWho can check a pet
We only accept checked pets at the ticket counter for active-duty U.S. Military and U.S. State Department Foreign Service personnel traveling on official orders.
Checked pet for Active-duty U.S. Military and State Department personnel only: within and between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean, Europe and from the United Kingdom
$200 per kennel
Checked pet for Active-duty U.S. Military and State Department personnel only: to/from Brazil
$150 to/from Brazil
U.K. and Ireland
Applies only to American AirlinesChecked pets
Apart from service animals, you can't travel with a checked pet to the U.K. or Ireland, but you can transport dogs and cats to London (LHR) and Manchester (MAN) with American Airlines Cargo.
Service dogs
Applies only to American AirlinesCabin
Fully-trained service dogs may fly in the cabin at no charge if they meet the requirements.