How strict is American Airlines pet policy?

When planning a trip with a family, which includes senior citizens, pregnant women, kids, or pets, every other can be managed, but traveling with a pet requires you to be well-prepared for the journey and should have all the information about how you can carry a pet during the flight. One of the major things you should do is to go through the American Airlines pet policy, as it provides accurate details to you and ensure you do not have to face any inconveniences and be able to travel with the pet comfortably. With the policy, you should also be enlightened on how a pet can be added to the booking, what the procedures are, and mainly how much it costs.

Let us have a look over all the terms and conditions of the pet policy so things can be instant and you do not have to face any troubles. Whatever the terms and conditions are added to the Pet Policy of American Airlines, they are designed to ensure the safety of the pet and the comfort of all fellow passengers. If you follow all the instructions carefully, your pet and other people on the craft do not have to encounter any troubles during the journey. The policy is divided into two parts for checked pets and carry-on pets, and we have discussed it accordingly:

American Airlines Carry-on pets: If you want to travel with a pet in a carry-on, then you need to follow some guidelines and instructions that the airline has given. You cannot have a carry-on pet on all the routes as American Airlines has restricted it to some specific countries, according to their requirements. Follow the instructions given below:

Whether the pet will be able to travel in the cabin as carry-on, depends on the breed and size of the pet.
Carry-on pets are restricted to only cats and dogs that go along with the size, weight, and destination requirements.
The pet should remain under the pet carrier and specifically under the seat in front of you.
Only properly trained service dogs will be allowed to travel as carry-ons without any charges.
Only one extra time will be permitted to bring with your pet carriage.
However, the service pets should also meet the requirements of American Airlines.
One pet carrier will be allowed as a carry-on on all American Airlines flights.
The one personal item with a pet carriage could be anything, such as a backpack, hand purse, small musical instrument, etc.
This item should be placed under the overhead cabin of your seat.
The strollers of the pet need to be checked properly at the check-in counter.

American Airlines Checked pets: On flights where carry-on pets are not allowed, you can carry checked pets. As there are some restrictions on carrying the carry-on pet you are supposed to follow the guidelines on the checked pet, which are listed below. Go through them carefully, so you do not miss anything while preparing for the journey:

The reservation of these pets should be made at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled flight.
You will be given extra hours for check-in, which will be 2 hours. However, the total time cannot be more than 4 hours.
The check-in can take place at the airport counter with all the official paperwork.
A health certificate must be provided, which confirms that the pet is fit to fly.
This health certificate should be provided at least 10 days before the scheduled departure.
The age of your pet needs to be at least 8 weeks to travel as a checked bag.
Until you receive the kennel on the landing, the dog will be managed and taken care of by the airport's staff member.
They will ensure that the pet does not face any troubles, stay healthy, and feel safe during the journey.
Once you reach the destination, the pet's kennel will be given.

American Airlines pet travel: let us look at some common and important requirements that should be followed to take a pet on the flight. We have mentioned all these guidelines below that will also ensure the safety of the pet:

Kennel Guidelines: When it comes to ensuring the security and safety of the pet traveling as a carry-on or checked pet, the utmost concern holds the pet's kennel. Let us look at what restrictions and guidelines the airlines have given for this kennel so you can accordingly prepare for the journey:

The combined American Airlines pet weight limit, including the kennel, must be under 45 kg. This weight should not exceed.
The Kennel should be large enough that it does not restrict or create trouble for your person to stand, turn, sit, and lie down whenever required.
It should be made of metal, wood, or plastic and have no damage. Make sure it has a door made of metal.
The kennel must be clean and have a soft bed so the pet can be secured within it.
It needs to have gaps to maintain the proper ventilation for the pet.
The kennel must be right and solid enough that it does not let the pet escape from it.
Make sure it is secure with proper bolts and screws, which ensure the safety of the pet.
You can secure it by tying it with a release cable from all four corners. However, the airline will also provide some extra ties to ensure safety.
A food pack can be attached to it at the top. This pack should be able to work at least for 24 hours.
Having some food and watering dishes inside the kennel is mandatory, so you can serve food anytime it is required.
If you have two pets in the same kennel, then they should be of the same species: two dogs or two cats.
These two pets should be of similar size and weight.
Their age should be between 8 weeks to 6 months.

Aircraft Restrictions: Checked pets are not permitted to travel on specific aircraft, and all of them are listed below:

A319
A320
A321, A321H,
A321neo, A321S

How much is the American Airlines carry-on pet fee?

When you are traveling with a pet on American Airlines flights, the services will not be free, and you will have to pay the American Airlines pet charges, which definitely depend on different factors such as the class, location, fare type, and time of booking. The fee structure for traveling with a pet is given below:

While traveling with a checked pet within the USA States or Central and South America and the Caribbean, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and from the United Kingdom, the charges will be $200 per kennel, and on a flight from/to Brazil, you have to pay $150 per kennel.
On the mentioned destinations, the carry-on pet will charge $150 per kennel.
There are no specified charges for Cargo pets and you have to contact the customer executives.
Service dogs on all the destinations will be permitted free of charge.

Which destinations American Airlines allow travel with pets?

There are some specific destinations where traveling with a pet is not permitted, or you have to follow some significant guidelines as only then will you be allowed to have a journey with the pet. Australia permits only service dogs to travel with them; on the other hand, in the US states, the pet should be under the age of 8 weeks. To travel with a pet in Mexico, having proper vaccination is mandatory. Otherwise, you will not be allowed to travel with a pet. All the other countries where carrying a pet in a carry-on is restricted, whereas bringing it as a checked pet will be allowed under some guidelines listed below:

Hawaii
Argentina
Brazil
Chile
Caribbean (Jamacia)
Colombia
Canada
Uruguay

Can my dog sit on my lap on American Airlines?

American Airlines allows you to bring the pet on a flight with a carry-on in a kennel, which needs to be placed in the employ place available in front of the seat. The airline does not permit your dog or cat to sit on your lap during the journey. It may cause inconvenience to other fellow passengers, which is the main reason that the pet should be placed under the kennel.

What is the weight limit for pets on American Airlines?

The airline does not allow you to carry pets on the flights or have them as checked pets on all the flights; it depends on the location. However, a weight limit definitely has been given, which should not be more than 15 kg, including the pet and the kennel. If your pet crosses the given limits, then it may be denied entry at the time of check-in, and you have to make changes to the journey accordingly.