Key Tips For Flying With Your Pet in American Airlines

If you have an upcoming air travel plan with your beloved pet, then these tips are for YOU!

American Airlines allows your pet to travel with you, but, with certain prerequisites. And, this post will guide you with each of these in detail.

What’s inside : A. Flying policies for ordinary pets (excluding service animals).

B. How much is the American Airline pet fee? C. American Airlines’ policies for flying with an emotional support animal. Read Time : 3 Minutes

So, let's take off!

Air Travel Policies For Ordinary Pets

They only allow cats and dogs to be your travel companion. No other species of animals can accompany you on the flight.

The size of your pet matters. The carrier along with the pet cannot weigh more than twenty pounds (excluding the service animals). So, if your feline or pooches weighs more than that, it’s high time for some outdoor activities. Also, your pet should stay in the carrier, and under the seat during the complete journey.

There are certain routes on which your pets are not allowed in the cabin. Such routes include flights from or to Hawaii, all Transatlantic flights, and flights to Chile, Argentina, or Venezuela. In addition to that, the size of the carrier can be not more than 23” long, 9” high, and 13” wide. Conjointly, your pet must be able to stand up or lay down in the carrier at ease.

How much is the pet fee for American Airlines? Assuming that your pet and its carrier satisfies all the stated prerequisites, you will have to pay 125 dollars per pet carrier.

No, this is not a round trip fee! You need to pay that sum for each way. Unfortunately, curbside check-in is not allowed, normal check-in will be required.

Not to mention, there are only seven animals allowed per cabin on a flight. The seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served, so hurry up!

American Airlines Policies For Flying With An Emotional Support Animal

American Airlines have categorized their regulations for general pets and emotional support animals separately. Here are the guidelines for carrying your emotional support animal with you aboard: If you have an emotional support animal, you can keep it in your lap, or under the seat provided that they don’t block the aisle. However, in the alternative scenario (if the pet blocks the aisle anyhow), they won’t be allowed to travel with you.

Additionally, you can not opt for a seat in the emergency exit row, as your pet cannot follow the proper instructions in case of an emergency.

You won’t be a charge a single penny as the pet fee. Yes, you read it right. Your emotional support animals can air-travel with you at no charge if you have an ESA letter of a licensed doctor. In case, you don’t have this letter, read - how to register an emotional support dog or cat.

The ESA letter must clearly state about your disability which should be officially recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders as per US laws. Further, the letter must state that it would be deleterious to you to not have your pet around during the travel. Also, they verify from the licensed medical health professionals whether you are their patient or not.

Well, that’s a lot to verify. That’s why American Airlines requires you to submit this letter at least 48 hours prior to your flight. Else, you might have to check the pet in a carrier, and they will not be allowed to sit in your lap or under your seat as you would like them to.

Lastly, like cabin travel, you can also go for American Airlines Pet Cargo. The fee for this is 175 dollars per pet carrier each way. For any further information, check out the official help page of American Airlines for ESA.