American Airlines
✈ oneworld📍 United States✓ Verified 11 Jul 2026
★ Moderate 3.4/5
68/100 · MyDogCanFly score
Easy in the cabin, but the hold is military-only — large dogs travel via PetEmbark cargo.
⚖️ Where does your dog travel?
Cabin≤ 9 kg
Holdmilitary only
PetEmbark cargolarge dogs
Weight includes the carrier or kennel.
🐾 CabinAllowed
One small dog or cat under the seat. Combined 20 lb / 9 kg limit on the A321T.
$150 / way
🎖️ HoldMilitary only
Checked pets only for eligible active-duty U.S. military & State Dept personnel.
$150 – 200
✈️ PetEmbark cargoOpen to all
Large pets ship via American PetEmbark (AA Cargo), open to the general public.
Quote + $150
💶 Fares
| Cabin (small pet) | $150 each way |
| Hold — U.S. military / State Dept | $150 – 200 each way |
| PetEmbark cargo | On request + $150 handling |
| Service dog | Free |
USD, per one-way journey and per kennel. Cargo rates are calculated by route, size and weight. ✓ Official source
⚠️ Key restrictions
🐶 Flat-faced breeds
Cabin allowedHold forbidden
Boxers, bulldogs, mastiffs, pugs (all breeds, incl. mixes) barred from the hold; cargo subject to PetEmbark's approved-breed policy.
🚫 Other rules
No sedationCDC rabies rule
Sedated pets are refused. Dogs that visited a CDC high-risk rabies country in the last 6 months are not accepted as carry-on.
🌡️ Temperature & hold
Heat ceiling 29.4 °C (85 °F)Cold floor −6.6 °C (20 °F)In-flight temperature: not disclosed
For checked and cargo pets, American publishes strict ground-temperature limits: no travel if the temperature exceeds 29.4 °C or drops below −6.6 °C at any point of the itinerary. It does not publish a single in-flight temperature setting.
📦 Check your crate size for this airline →🦮 Assistance dog
✓ In the cabin
Free for eligible fully trained service dogs (U.S. DOT rules).
📄 Documents
U.S. DOT forms required; behaviour, age and placement rules apply.
⏱️ Long flights
Vet health certificate recommended for itineraries over 8 h.
ℹ️ Good to know
✈️ Large dogsShip via American PetEmbark (AA Cargo) — the main channel for non-cabin pets.
🎖️ Checked petsReserved for active-duty U.S. military and State Dept personnel on orders.
⏱️ BookingOne carrier per passenger · aircraft & seat restrictions apply.
🗺️ Where American Airlines flies with dogs
Main hubs
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Where to next?
Go straight to what you need — no need to run a new search.
🛡️ Official source4 American Airlines sources · confidence 5/5 · last verified 11 July 2026