American Airlines Updates Pet Policy to Allow Full-Size Carry-On Bag in Cabin

American Airlines has recently made changes to its pet policy, allowing passengers to bring their animal companion into the cabin along with a full-size carry-on bag. The new rules took effect on Thursday, marking a significant shift in the airline's approach to accommodating pets on board.

Previous Restrictions

Prior to this update, passengers carrying a pet into the cabin had to pay a $150 fee and were restricted to one small item that fit under the seat. Any larger items, such as full-size carry-on bags with wheels, had to be checked for a $35 fee, or the pet could be placed in the cargo hold. This policy often seemed unfair to pet owners, as they were already paying a pet fee and yet their pet counted as a carry-on item.

Under the revised policy, passengers can now bring a pet into the cabin and also carry either a regular carry-on bag or a personal item, though not both. While the pet fee still applies, the pet no longer counts as a carry-on, providing greater flexibility for passengers traveling with their animal companions.

The changes have been welcomed by many, with travel blogger Gary Leff noting that the new policy could reduce the temptation for travelers to falsely claim their pet as a service animal in order to bring an additional carry-on. However, traveling with pets still requires careful planning and consideration of various factors that may affect their eligibility to travel in the cabin.

Considerations for Traveling with Pets

It's important to note that there is a maximum total number of pets allowed per cabin, varying depending on the type of aircraft. For example, on United Airlines, the maximum number of pets allowed in Economy class differs between aircraft types. Additionally, individual passengers are typically limited to a certain number of pets in a single carrier.

Other U.S. airlines that permit pets on board include Delta, Southwest, Alaska, and Frontier, each with their own policies regarding pet carriers and accompanying fees.