How to Add Pet to American Airlines Flight?

Last Updated on November 30, 2023 by Rick Spiegel

Pet lovers these days don’t want to leave their pets at home when travelling for long trips whether it be domestic or international. Traveling with your furry friend can be a rewarding experience, and American Airlines makes it convenient for pet owners to bring their pets along on their flights. Whether you’re relocating or planning a vacation, here’s a comprehensive guide on how to add pet to American Airlines flight.

Table of Contents

How to Add a Carry-On Pet to the Itinerary At American Airlines?

The passengers should make sure to book the ticket for the pet early as part of their booking. American Airlines showcases the number of pets allowed in the cabin on each flight. So, it is known by the passengers that American Airlines only allows up to seven kennels on its mainline flights, however, it is noted that the service animals (military dogs) are not included in this limit.

To add a carry-on pet to the passenger’s trip, they need to follow the given steps:

• Click on the ‘my trip’ section by visiting the official website of American Airlines- www. aa.com or the American Airlines app.

• Click on the Special Services section, and select ‘Add carry-on pets’.

• Read all the terms and click on the “Agree” button.

• Click on the flight number through which you want your pet to travel.

• Confirm your carry-on pet to complete the changes.

Now, when you visit the airport at the time of the journey pay the fees. You should also provide necessary pet medical documents and ensure that pet containers are per requirements.

How to Add Your Pets as Checked Pets on AA?

American Airlines only allows checked pets for active-duty U.S. military and U.S. State Department Foreign Service personnel traveling on official orders.
Only 2 pets may be checked and they need to meet the minimum age and health requirements of the destination.
Since the pet carrying capacity is limited, the pets are only allowed and checked in on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Travelers need to take the following actions to bring their pets as checked pets.

Get in touch with the American Airlines Reservation Department. Travelers should also ensure that they contact AA 48 hours before departure.
At the time of check-in provide the official orders at the check-in counter.
An agent will provide a form and check all the necessary requirements.
Also, submit the pet health certificate.
Lastly, pay the additional charges to add the pets as checked pets on American Airlines flights.

How to Add Service Animals on American Airlines Flight?

American Airlines also allows passengers to travel with fully-trained service dogs. However, they should meet certain criteria. Travelers looking to add service animals to their itinerary have to take the following steps.

Travelers need to provide the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Service Animal Air Transportation Form to confirm the animal’s health, behavior, and training.
They have to submit the form to the AA Special Assistance Desk at least 48 hours before departure.
On the other hand, if the traveler has purchased the ticket in less than 48 hours, they can fill out the form at the airport.
After the approval of the form, American Airlines will send a Service Animal ID (SVAN ID).
Travelers have to keep the form during their trip.

American Airlines Pet Travel Fee

The passengers get the facility to pay the pet travel fee at the airport or a travel center with a credit card or paper voucher, this facility is exclusively available for American Airlines passengers. Cash or cheques are not accepted for payment of the pet transportation fee.

American Airlines doesn’t collect pet fees for other flights that are being operated during the trip (even if it has an American flight number). The passengers need to check in with each airline through which they are traveling and pay the fees at check-in. To find out if you’re on a partner airline, look for the words, “Operated by” on your ticket.

Service Type	Region	Fee
Checked pets 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 the United Kingdom	$200 per kennel $150 to/from Brazil
Cargo pet	Varies	Varies and fees will be confirmed at the 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 Fees

Source: www.aa.com

It should be noted that the fees shown apply for each destination place without a voluntary stopover/connection of 4 hours or more.
If the passenger’s trip includes a voluntary stopover/connection of more than 4 hours, then the fee is charged for each connection segment.
All pet fees and transportation fees are non-refundable and apply per kennel one-way.
The fee charged for the transportation of the pet with American Airlines Cargo may vary depending on the trip details and size of the animal and kennel.

How to Transport Pet Through American PetEmbark?

If the passenger’s pet does not fit the criteria of a carry-on pet or checked pet, then it can be carried through the American PetEmbark service.

This summarizes that the passenger’s pet won’t be carried in the same flight, and he would be carried and taken to the destination through other flight cargo. Either you carry the pet via checked pet service or through American Petembark service, it will be carried via cargo.

Here are the necessary steps that you need to take to transport your pet through American PetEmbark.

Firstly, you need to confirm that your pet is eligible for travel. Check the age, breed, temperature, and route.
Also, confirm whether your pet will be flying as PPS or as ExpediteFS.
Check the pet container requirements.
Request for a quote. You can make a request from 10 days before the departure and up to 24 hours before the flight. You don’t have to pay the fees until the pet is accepted at the airport.
Confirm the drop location and time. At the time of drop-off provide a health certificate.

You can track your pet online through the airwaybill number at aa.com

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What types of pets are allowed on American Airlines flights?

American Airlines usually allows cats and dogs to travel in the cabin, as well as some small pets in the cargo hold. Inside the cabin, only small cats and dogs that fit in an approved carrier under the seat in front of you are allowed in the cabin.

What documents should be carried when carrying a pet in the cabin?

The passengers should inform the airline that they will be traveling with a pet when they make their booking. Ensure that all required documentation, such as health certificates and vaccination records, is up to date.

What is the process to add a pet as a checked pet on an AA flight?

American Airlines only permits active US military or U.S. State Department Foreign Service personnel to fly with checked pets. They need to contact the Reservations desk at least 48 hours before travel. At the time of check-in, they have to submit the official orders and pet medical certificate for approval.

What is the phone number to reach out to American Airlines for pet reservations?

For pet reservation purposes, travelers can call American Airlines at 800-433-7300. If the pet is traveling through AA PetEmbark service, then passengers can contact the 24*7 animal desk at 1-800-227-4622 or [email protected].

What happens if my pet’s flight gets canceled?

The American Airlines staff will reach out to the passengers with the next available flight. Depending on the wait time for the next available flight, your pet may receive the following care:

We will notify you in this unlikely event.
Watering and Feeding.
All dogs and cats will be provided food and water per the USDA and IATA guidelines.
Comfort Stop or overnight kenneling.
Emergency veterinary support.

How much does it cost to add a service animal to an AA flight?

According to the American Airlines pet policy, there are no extra charges for adding service animals to the booking. They can travel free of cost to all the destinations offered by American Airlines. However, one should check with pet regulations of the destinations.

How can I travel with a service animal on an American Airlines flight?

You have to submit the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Service Animal Air Transportation Form to the Special Assistance Desk at least 48 hours before the flight. Passengers can bring their service animal and have to pass through a few checks to validate the health and behavior of the service animal.

How much does it cost to bring a pet on an American Airlines flight?

Travelers can bring dogs and cats inside the AA cabin. Travelers can bring the pet container as their standard carry-on baggage allowance. Thus, they don’t have to pay the fee. However, if they are willing to bring the carry-on pet in addition to the carry-on allowance, passengers have to pay $125 for each container each way.