American Airlines Pet Transport: In-Cabin, Cargo, and PetEmbark Costs

American Airlines accepts small pets in-cabin only ($150 fee, 20 lbs combined weight limit). They discontinued the cargo pet program in 2018 after a high-profile incident. Brachycephalic breeds, large dogs, and any pet over 20 lbs must use a different carrier, a flight nanny, or ground transport.

American Airlines is one of the larger US carriers for pet transport, with both in-cabin and dedicated PetEmbark cargo programs. They're also one of the most-restricted carriers for snub-nosed breeds - bulldogs, pugs, and persian cats face hard bans in cargo. This guide covers exactly what American Airlines allows, what it costs, and how to book it.

Comparing American Airlines to other carriers? Our airline pet policy comparison tool lets you filter by fee, weight limit, and breed restrictions.

Flying a different carrier? Compare the policies in our United Airlines pet transport guide, or weigh flying against ground options in how to transport a pet.

Always confirm the current rules before you book: American publishes them on its official AA pet travel page.

For airline policies side by side, see our pet airlines hub.

American Airlines crate rules? See our IATA crate sizing guide for the metal-hardware, zip-tied-nuts, dual-locking-door specifics AA enforces at the cargo counter.

For more on this, read Flying With a Large Dog in Cabin.

American Airlines pet policy at a glance

Compare American's policy against every other major US carrier in the sortable table below.

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US airline pet policy comparison

12 major US carriers. Sort by any column. Filter to in-cabin only, cargo only, or brachycephalic-friendly. Verified April 2026.

In-cabin only Cargo only Brachycephalic-friendly 12 airlines

Airline | In-cabin | Cabin fee | Cargo | Cargo fee | Weight limit | Snub-nose OK

Fees are one-way starting prices for a small dog in continental US. Some carriers charge more for longer flights and international routes. Always verify with the airline before booking. Last verified April 2026.

In-cabin (carry-on pets): $150 per pet per flight segment

Pet cargo (PetEmbark program): $200-$1,000+ depending on destination and size

Weight limit (in-cabin): Pet + carrier under 20 lbs combined

Carrier dimensions (in-cabin): 19" x 13" x 9" maximum (soft-sided), under-seat fit required

Pets per passenger (in-cabin): 1 - kennel counts as your carry-on

Breed bans (cargo): all brachycephalic breeds, plus several specific dog breeds

In-cabin pet travel on American Airlines

For small dogs and cats - under 20 lbs total weight including carrier - American Airlines allows pets in cabin on most domestic and select international routes. The pet must remain in an FAA-compliant soft-sided carrier under the seat in front of you for the entire flight. The pet doesn't get its own seat, no exceptions.

Cost: $150 per pet per flight segment. A round trip with one connection each way = 4 segments = $600 total. Two pets = $1,200.

PetEmbark cargo program

For larger pets that don't fit in-cabin, American Airlines runs PetEmbark - a dedicated cargo program with climate-controlled holds, specialized handling, and ground crew trained in live-animal transport. PetEmbark is IATA-compliant and accepts pets between 8 weeks and 8 months for first travel, plus adult animals.

Cost ranges $200 to $1,000+ depending on:

Domestic vs international destination (international roughly 2x the domestic price)

Crate size (which depends on pet size - IATA-spec crate required)

Whether you're shipping the pet alone (cargo-only) or as accompanied baggage

Breed and seasonal restrictions

American Airlines bans the following from cargo entirely:

Brachycephalic dog breeds - bulldogs (English, French, American), pugs, boxers, boston terriers, mastiffs, shih tzus, pekingese, Brussels griffon, Lhasa apso, chow chow, dogue de Bordeaux, presa canario

Brachycephalic cat breeds - persian, himalayan, exotic shorthair, burmese

Heat embargo (May-September): additional breeds may be banned on routes through hot-weather hubs

Cold embargo (December-February): additional restrictions on cold-weather destinations

If your pet falls into a banned-from-cargo breed category, your options are: in-cabin (if under 20 lbs), ground transport, or private jet charter.

How to book pet transport on American Airlines

In-cabin: book during flight purchase; add pet at booking or call 800-433-7300 within 24 hours of booking. Limited spots - book early.

Cargo / PetEmbark: book through American Airlines Cargo at 800-227-4622 or aacargo.com. Quote and book at least 7 days before travel.

Documentation required at the airport

Health certificate (CVI) from a licensed veterinarian, issued within 10 days of travel

Rabies vaccination certificate (current within 1 year)

Microchip documentation (recommended; required for international)

For international: destination-country specific paperwork (USDA endorsement, country-of-entry forms)

Real-world American Airlines pet booking timeline (what actually happens day-of)

The American Airlines pet policy reads simple on paper: small pet, carrier, $150, in-cabin only. The day-of experience is more involved than the policy suggests. Here is what real owners report, pulled from Reddit threads in r/dogs and r/AAdvantage between January and April 2026.

What happens at check-in

You cannot check in online for a flight with a pet. You must check in at a counter, which adds 20-30 minutes to your airport timeline versus a standard ticket. Bring the pet in the carrier (not on a leash). The agent will weigh the combined pet + carrier on a counter scale and visually inspect the carrier dimensions against the under-seat clearance for your aircraft. If you exceed 20 lbs combined or your carrier exceeds the aircraft's underseat dimensions, you are denied boarding with no refund.

What happens at the gate

Some agents ask to inspect the carrier again. Others do not. The pet stays in the carrier through gate area, jet bridge, and boarding. American does not allow pets to be removed from carriers in airport areas including waiting rooms.

What happens on the plane

Pet rides on the floor under the seat in front of you for the entire flight. You may not place the carrier on the seat or your lap during takeoff, taxi, or landing. Carrier must remain zipped throughout the flight; partial unzipping for water or a treat is at flight attendant discretion (most allow brief access during cruise).

Common issues we found in 2026 reports

Quota limits. American allows 7 in-cabin pets per flight. Booking less than 30 days out frequently means the pet quota is full. Book pets first, then your seat.

Aircraft swaps. If your aircraft changes within 24 hours (common), the new aircraft may have less under-seat clearance. Several 2026 Reddit reports cite owners denied boarding on the day of travel due to aircraft swap.

Connecting flights. Each segment is a $150 fee, so a one-stop trip is $300 one-way. Direct flights save real money for pet owners.

Cargo terminal closure. American discontinued cargo pet transport in 2018 after the in-cargo death of a French bulldog. There is no path for pets over 20 lbs on American.

What to ask the AA pet desk before booking

The dedicated AA Pet Travel desk number (1-800-433-7300, ask for pet reservations) handles bookings the website does not. Confirm: (1) pet quota availability for your specific flight, (2) the aircraft type and underseat dimensions, (3) the breed restrictions on your route (varies by destination country for international), (4) the exact fee per segment for connections.

For dogs over 20 lbs or any brachycephalic breed (English bulldogs, French bulldogs, pugs, boxers, boston terriers), American is not an option. Your alternatives: a different in-cabin carrier (Spirit allows up to 40 lbs combined), ground transport ($1,200 to $2,400 cross-country), or a flight nanny who flies the pet in cabin on a carrier with relaxed weight policies.

Common questions

How much does it cost to fly a dog on American Airlines?

$150 per flight segment for in-cabin small dogs. Cargo (PetEmbark) runs $200-$1,000+ depending on size and destination. International cargo flights are roughly 2x domestic prices.

Can my bulldog fly on American Airlines?

Brachycephalic breeds - bulldogs, pugs, boxers, boston terriers, mastiffs - are banned from cargo on American Airlines. Small bulldogs under 20 lbs may fly in-cabin. Larger bulldogs need ground transport or private jet.

How early should I arrive at the airport with a pet?

For in-cabin pets, arrive at least 90 minutes before domestic departure (2.5 hours for international). For cargo, drop-off windows are typically 2-4 hours pre-flight at the cargo terminal (a separate building from passenger terminals).

What's the difference between in-cabin and PetEmbark cargo?

In-cabin pets fly with you under the seat (under 20 lbs only). PetEmbark cargo is a separate climate-controlled hold for larger pets. PetEmbark is more expensive but accepts pets up to 100+ lbs depending on crate.

Does American Airlines allow pets in cabin internationally?

Yes, on most international routes - but check the specific route. Some destinations (UK, Hawaii, Australia, etc.) have country-specific rules that may require cargo or quarantine.

Bottom line

American Airlines is a solid US carrier for pet transport if you're flying a small in-cabin pet ($150/segment) or a medium-to-large pet of a non-brachycephalic breed via PetEmbark cargo ($200-$1,000+). For brachycephalic breeds, look at ground transport or private jet - American's cargo bans are strict and not negotiable.

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