Flying American Airlines With Your Dog: Cabin, Fees and the Fine Print
American Airlines is happy to take a small dog in the cabin, but the list of exceptions is long: no long-haul flights, no Hawaii, and no seat at the bulkhead. And unless you are travelling on military orders, the hold is not an option at all. Here's the short version, checked September 2026. Rules change, so confirm on American's own pet page before you book.
In the cabin: it's the carrier that decides
American publishes no general weight limit for dog and carrier together. What matters is that the carrier fits under the seat in front of you.
- Soft-sided carrier (recommended): max 18 × 11 × 11 in (46 × 28 × 28 cm) on every flight.
- Hard carrier, mainline: max 19 × 13 × 9 in (48 × 33 × 22 cm).
- Hard carrier, American Eagle: max 16 × 12 × 8 in (40 × 30 × 20 cm).
- How many: one carrier per passenger, up to 20 per mainline flight; on American Eagle only one in the premium cabin and five in the main cabin.
- Age: at least 8 weeks old.
Your dog has to stay in the carrier for the whole flight, and it must be able to stand up and turn around in it. The one published weight limit is a special case: 20 lb (9 kg) for dog and carrier in First or Business on the three-cabin A321T, weighed at check-in.
Where your dog can't come
No pets in the cabin on flights over 12 hours, on any trans-Atlantic or trans-Pacific route, or to Hawaii, Jamaica, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Uruguay. On board you can't take the bulkhead or an exit row, and there is no under-seat space at all in First or Business on the Boeing 777-200, 777-300ER, 787-8 and 787-9.
What it costs
$150 each way per carrier, and it is charged again for a stopover or connection of four hours or more. It's non-refundable.
The hold: military and diplomats only
American only takes dogs as checked baggage for active-duty US military and State Department Foreign Service staff on official orders: $200 per kennel, booked at least 48 hours ahead, with a maximum of 100 lb (45 kg) for dog and kennel together. Temperature limits apply along the whole route: above 85 °F (29 °C) or below 45 °F (7 °C) your dog stays home. Everybody else uses American PetEmbark, the airline's cargo service, where your dog flies separately from you.
Breeds that can't fly in the hold
Snub-nosed dogs such as bulldogs, boxers, pugs, Shih Tzus and Boston terriers are barred from the hold, as are strong breeds including the Cane Corso, Dogue de Bordeaux, mastiffs and Presa Canario. Sedated dogs are refused. In the cabin that breed list doesn't apply, which is exactly why a small flat-nosed dog is better off under the seat.
The catch most people miss
The carrier counts as your hand luggage. Bring a dog and you may take one other item, either a personal item or a carry-on, not both. Pet strollers have to be checked and cost the usual bag fee.
Does your dog fit?
Our free Dog Flight Checker takes your dog's weight and tells you whether American, and 26 other airlines, take it in the cabin or the hold. It works out the size you need from your dog's own measurements.
Also flying with: British Airways · KLM. Need a bag? Which Dog Carrier Bag Is Really Airline-Approved?
Source: American Airlines traveling with pets page, checked September 2026. Always confirm with the airline before you book.