If you have an upcoming trip on American Airlines or you’re trying to determine which airline is the most pet-friendly, there are a few things you should know before booking.
In this article, I’ll take a closer look at American Airlines’ pet policy including how to book your flight with your cat, how much you can expect to pay, and what size your cat carrier needs to be.
Flying With a Cat on American Airlines
American Airlines has a cat-friendly pet policy that allows you to bring your cat in-cabin with you in place of your carry-on bag. Unfortunately, the pet carrier fee is a bit more than the carry-on bag fee.
You can fly with a cat on American Airlines for $125 per carrier each way. Additionally, you’ll have to get an airline-approved cat carrier for the trip.
Before you check into your flight, be sure to take the time to prepare for the trip. Here are five things you need to know about flying with a cat on American Airlines:
- American Airlines Pet Travel Policy
- American Airlines Carry-On Pet Fee
- American Airlines Pet Carrier Size Requirements
- How To Fly With a Cat on American Airlines
- Tips for Flying With Your Cat
Below, you’ll find more detailed information on how to fly with a cat on American Airlines and how you can best prepare for the trip.
American Airlines Pet Travel Policy
Before you fly with your cat on American Airlines, you should take the time to familiarize yourself with the airlines’ pet policy. American Airlines’ pet policy is cat-friendly and very straightforward.
Cats can travel as a carry-on as long as they stay in the kennel under the seat in front of you for the entire flight and you pay the carry-on pet fee. With American Airlines, checked pets are only accepted for active-duty U.S. Military and U.S. State Department Foreign Service personnel.
Your cat carrier will replace your carry-on bag for the flight, which means you can travel with your cat and one personal item in the cabin. A soft-sided cat carrier needs to be no bigger than 18″ x 11″ x 11″ and you can read more about the carry-on kennel size requirements here.
If you’re wondering where you can travel with your cat on American Airlines, there are a few restrictions to be aware of. According to the website, you can travel with a pet on most flights up to 12 hours or flights to/from select locations:
- Within the 48 contiguous United States
- The U.S. and Canada
- Alaska
- Central America
- Mexico
- Puerto Rico
- St. Croix
- St. Thomas
Additional special restrictions apply to Australia, the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, and South America. You cannot fly with carry-on pets to Hawaii or on transatlantic/transpacific trips.
Also, know that pets traveling within the U.S. and Puerto Rico must be at least eight weeks old.
American Airlines Carry-On Pet Fee
No matter which airline you’re flying, bringing your cat won’t be free. Unfortunately, American Airlines charges one of the most expensive carry-on pet fees. So how much does it cost to fly with a cat on American Airlines?
The carry-on pet fee at American Airlines is $125 per kennel. This fee is for each destination without a voluntary layover or connection of 4+ hours; otherwise, fees may apply for each connecting trip. All pet fees are non-refundable and apply per kennel, each way.
Here are the additional pet services offered by American Airlines as well the region it’s available in and how much it costs:
| Service | Region | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 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 $150 to/from Brazil |
| Cargo pet | Varies | Varies, Fees will be confirmed at time of booking. |
| Carry-on pet | Within and between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean (based on specific country's entry policy) | $125 per kennel |
| Service animals | All destinations | No charge |
According to American Airlines’ website, fees for transporting your pet with American Airlines Cargo may vary depending on the trip details and size of the animal and kennel.
You can pay the pet travel fee when you book your ticket online at American Airlines. You can also pay at the airport or travel center with a credit card.
In addition to researching the pet fees at American Airlines, I also checked out the pet carrier fees at a few other popular airlines to see how American Airlines compares:
- Alaska Airlines: $100
- American Airlines: $125
- Delta: $95
- Frontier: $99
- Southwest: $95
- Spirit: $125
- United: $125
Unfortunately, American Airlines is one of the more expensive airlines to fly with your cat. However, it’s only $30 more per kennel than the cheapest airline pet carrier fee.
Pet Carrier Size Requirements
American Airlines allows both soft-sided and hard-sided kennels on flights, but the company does recommend a soft-sided carrier. That’s because they’re more likely to fit comfortably under the seat.
Here are the carry-on kennel dimensions for American Airlines:
- Hard-sided kennel: 19″ x 13″ x 9″
- Soft-sided kennel: 18″ x 11″ x 11″
If you’re on a regional flight with American Eagle, the hard-sided kennel dimensions reduce to 16″ x 12″ x 8″. In either case, I recommend a soft-sided carrier to be safe.
If you need to buy a new carrier for your trip, all six of the best airline-approved cat carriers fit within American Airlines’ required dimensions. You can also use this guide to determine if your current cat carrier is airline-approved.
While the maximum dimensions of airline-approved cat carriers vary from airline to airline, it can also vary from aircraft to aircraft. American Airlines recommends contacting reservations ahead of time to verify the maximum dimensions on your upcoming flight.
In addition to being small enough to fit underneath the seat in front of you, an airline-approved cat carrier must also meet the following requirements:
- Your cat must be able to stand up, turn around, and lay down without touching the edge or top of the carrier
- There must be adequate ventilation on more than one side so your cat can breath
- It must be able to fully enclose your cat and be escape-proof (zippers or clasps on openings)
- The carrier can’t be broken in any way
- The carrier should be leakproof and contain absorbent bedding
These requirements are based on both individual airline policies and those outlined by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
How To Fly With a Cat on American Airlines
If you plan on flying with your cat on American Airlines, you can book your ticket as normal for your flight. Instead of adding your pet and paying the fee along with your ticket, you will have to pay for your cat’s trip at the airport.
I went through the process of booking a ticket with American Airlines to see how the process would go, and there was never an option during the booking process to indicate that I’d be bringing a pet carrier.
Instead, I recommend booking your ticket as normal and then calling reservations to let them know you plan on bringing your cat.
For English, you can call 800-433-7300 any time of day to let American Airlines know you’ll be flying with a cat. For Spanish, call 800-633-3711. For hearing and speech impaired, dial 711 to be connected through the National Relay Service any time of day.
On the day of your flight, give yourself some extra time at the airport before your boarding time. This will give you time to pay the additional pet fees that can’t be purchased with your ticket.
Tips for Flying With Your Cat
Once you’ve booked your flight, there are a few things you can do to help your cat prepare for the trip:
- Make an appointment with your veterinarian. Before you make plans to travel with your cat, make sure they’re healthy enough to fly. Book an appointment with your vet as soon as possible to get a checkup, make sure your cat’s microchip information is up-to-date, and get any necessary paperwork. For American Airlines, you’ll only need a health certificate if your cat is traveling in cargo or if you’re flying to a destination with additional restrictions.
- Get your carrier early. The airport and the airplane are both going to be stressful for your cat, especially if they aren’t used to being in hectic or new spaces. For this reason, it’s important to get your airline-approved cat carrier as soon as possible. The earlier you buy your carrier, the more time your cat will have to get used to it. Once you have your carrier, set it out in your house and encourage your cat to explore it with food and treats.
- Acclimate your cat to the car. If your cat isn’t a frequent traveler, they may be stressed just leaving the house. Start introducing travel to your cat as soon as possible before the flight. You can start by closing them in their carrier, picking them up, taking them outside, putting them in the car, and taking short trips around the neighborhood. Take it slow, and understand it may take days or weeks for your cat to get completely comfortable in the car. For more tips, check out my full guide on how to travel with a cat in the car.
- Use a cat calming aid like Feliway. Many veterinarian offices and cat owners use Feliway to help cats stay calm. You can buy Feliway spray at Amazon and spray it in your cat’s carrier and your car to help them stay calm the day of the trip. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to use it on the plane. If your cat is particularly anxious, talk to your vet during your cat’s appointment about a prescription sedative for the day of the flight.
- Withhold your cat’s breakfast on flight day. To reduce the likelihood of your cat getting sick on the trip, withhold their breakfast the morning of. You can feed them a full meal no sooner than four hours before you leave, but avoid feeding them right before you head out the door unless told otherwise by your veterinarian.
When it comes to the airport and plane, you’ll have to keep your cat in their carrier (outside of TSA). Consider packing some cat treats and small toys that they’re familiar with to help let them know they’re okay throughout the day.
Additionally, if you can pack a coat or familiar blanket, your cat may appreciate having their carrier covered in the airport or on the plane. This will help reduce some of the stressful stimuli around them, plus being surrounded by a familiar smell will be comforting for your cat.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, booking a trip through American Airlines is a great way to fly with your cat. The airline allows you to bring your cat with you in-cabin for the flight as long as they stay in their carrier under the seat for the duration of the flight.
You can expect an additional pet fee of $125 each way added to your ticket price, and you’re limited to one kennel per person.
As you prepare for your trip, be sure to take your cat to the veterinarian, contact reservations to let them know you’ll be flying with a cat, and make sure you have an airline-approved cat carrier. American Airlines recommends a soft-sided carrier no larger than 18″ x 11″ x 11″.
More Content To Help You Prepare For Your Trip:
- 6 Best Airline-Approved Carriers For Flying With Your Cat
- Is Your Cat Carrier Airline Approved?
- How Long You Can Travel With a Cat Before Needing a Break