Verified against official policy
American Airlines pet policy
Last reviewed: April 2026 · Official policy page
At a glance
- In-cabin
- Allowed Max weight: 20 lb (pet + carrier combined) Max carrier: 19 × 13 × 9 in (L × W × H)
- Fees
- $150 each way (in-cabin); cargo rates vary by route and crate size.
- Checked baggage
- Not accepted
- Cargo program
- Available
Breed restrictions
Snub-nosed and flat-faced dogs (Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, Boxers, etc.) and cats (Persians, Himalayans, Burmese, etc.) are banned from checked and cargo travel. In-cabin: no per-breed ban, carrier must fit under seat and pet must be comfortable.
Read our guide: Brachycephalic breed flight bans explained.
Routes and service area
In-cabin on domestic routes and select short international. Cargo/checked available on some routes — verify when booking.
Confirm on the official policy page
This page summarizes American Airlines's pet policy as of April 2026. Policies, fees, and breed restrictions can change at any time — verify the current rules before you book or travel.
American Airlines official pet policyRelated tools
Compare other airlines
United Airlines In-cabin up to 25 lb Delta Air Lines In-cabin up to 20 lb Alaska Airlines In-cabin up to 20 lb JetBlue Airways In-cabin up to 20 lb
All airline policies Low-noise pet care
Get PetGrit care check-ins worth opening
New report workflows, calm checklists, and practical pet-care updates for dog and cat parents. No spam, no fear-selling. Unsubscribe anytime.
New report workflows
Calm checklists
No spam
Prefer a personalized brief? Build a report first.