Pet lovers can rejoice as American Airlines pet policy has been relaxed as of last Thursday (March 28) as it now allows passengers to bring both their pet and a full-sized carry-on bag into the cabin.
Traveling long distances with an animal has never been easy, but this change marks a move to a more lenient approach.
The updated policy on the American Airline’s website now reads: “On flights with American you can bring one pet carrier as a carry-on if: You pay the carry-on pet fee; Your pet stays in the pet carrier and under the seat in front of you the entire flight.”
It also adds you can bring “one additional item on board with your pet,” which could be a personal item like a handbag or carry-on bag that meets the airline’s requirements.
Previously, pet lovers who brought their animal companion into the cabin could only have one other small item that fit under the seat. Anything bigger had to be checked or the pet could be put into the cargo hold.
While this is a welcomed update, there has been no change in the fees required to bring a pet onboard.
With American Airlines, this remains fixed at $150 for those traveling within and between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Service animals continue to be allowed on board at no extra charge.
As before, you can travel with a pet on most flights for up to 12 hours or flights to and from select locations including within the 48 contiguous United States, the U.S. and Canada, Alaska, Mexico, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and St. Thomas.
There are continued restrictions and checks you will have to follow to ensure the health and safety of your pet too.
An American spokeswoman confirmed that the rules change took effect last Thursday to NBCDFW and was quoted as saying: “We made the change to provide a more convenient and comfortable experience to customers whose pets fly American.”
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