The right travel kennel can keep your pet physically and emotionally comfortable throughout their journey. To make sure your pet has a comfortable flight, we ask that you follow our kennel guidelines and help your pet get acclimated to their kennel.
Choosing the Right Kennel
Measuring your pet
Make sure you've chosen the right kennel for the animal being transported. All kennels must meet the IATA Live Animal Regulations. As a general guideline, please make sure your pet can sit, stand and move around within its closed kennel, without touching the sides. Please follow the kennel requirements to ensure the safest transportation of your pet.
Calculate your kennel sizeCommon kennel sizes
Kennel Type |
External Dimensions (inches) |
Kennel Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 100* | 21 x 16 x 15 | 7 lbs |
| 200 | 27 x 20 x 19 | 13 lbs |
| 300 | 33 x 22 x 23 | 18 lbs |
| 400 | 36 x 24 x 26 | 24 lbs |
| 500 | 40 x 27 x 30 | 32 lbs |
| 700 | 48 x 32 x 35 | 51 lbs |
* Domestic flights only
Kennel compatibility with our aircraft
Aircraft Type |
Max Kennel Size |
Max Kennel Height |
|---|---|---|
| Boeing 787-900 (789) 787-800 (788) 777-300 (773) 777-200 (772) |
700 Kennel Series or smaller | 40 inches (102 cms) |
| 737-MAX (7M8) 737-800 (737/738) |
400 Kennel Series or smaller | 28 inches (71 cms) |
| Airbus 330-200 (332) |
200 Kennel Series or smaller | 22 inches (56 cms) |
| 321T (32B) | 700 Kennel Series or smaller | 46 inches (117 cms) |
| Regional ERJ-175 (E75) ERJ-170 (E70) ERJ-145 (ER4) ERJ-140 (ERD) CRJ-900 (CR9) CRJ-700 (CR7) |
400 Kennel Series or smaller | 28 inches (71 cms) |
Prohibited flights
Due to heating limitations. we cannot transport warm-blooded animals on any Airbus 319. 320. 321NX. 3215 or 321H aircraft. Acceptable animals that can be transported on the Airbus 319,320, 321NX. 3215 or 321H include tropical fish, lobsters and other "aquatics."
Aircraft compatibility (PDF) »Kennel Guidelines
Kennel construction
- Kennels must be made from rigid plastic, metal or wood with a metal grated door.
- Kennels must also be leak and escape proof, in good working condition and secured with metal nuts, bolts or screws (ensure screws are not exposed which may cause serious injury). Please note that it's common and acceptable for kennels to have nuts (or wingnuts) and bolts that are metal and covered with a plastic coating on the outside.
- Kennels must have adequate ventilation on at least three sides for domestic routings, and on all four sides for international routings.
- Kennels wheels, if any, must be rendered inoperable or removed completely.
- Snap closure kennels will only be accepted when:
- Kennels have been manufactured with snap closures and screws
- Kennels modified or adapted with snap closures that have been secured with the addition of nuts, bolts or screws
- There are no cracks or splits surrounding the screw holes, or any other damage that may minimize the integrity of the kennel
Extra security provided at check-in
After our team performs a visual screening of the pet at check-in, releasable cable ties will be attached to all four corners of the kennel door. We will provide these ties at no cost. If you prefer, you may provide your own ties or sealing mechanisms, provided they can be removed prior to screening without the use of tools.
Day of travel preparation
What time you need to be at the airport
The arrival times for your pet are dependent on the drop-off location and product, so we've developed a helpful chart to give you an idea of when you need to bring your pet to the airport.
Airport dropoff location |
Priority Parcel Service or ExpediteFS |
Recommended time of arrival at facility |
Arrival airport pickup location |
Pets available for pickup |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic (Airport Ticket Counter) |
Priority Parcel Service | 2 hours prior to departure |
 |
Domestic (Baggage Service Office or Ticket Counter) |
30 minutes after arrival |
| Domestic (Dedicated PPS Facility*) |
Priority Parcel Service | 3 hours prior to departure |
|
Domestic (Dedicated PPS Facility*) |
30 minutes after arrival |
| Domestic (Cargo Terminal) |
Priority Parcel Service or ExpediteFS | 3 hours prior to departure |
|
Domestic (Baggage Service Office or Ticket Counter) |
1 hour after arrival |
| Miami and Honolulu (MIA/HNL) |
Priority Parcel Service or ExpediteFS | 3.5 hours prior to departure |
|
Domestic | Up to 2 hours after arrival |
| Domestic (To International) |
ExpediteFS | 4 hours prior to departure |
|
International | Up to 4 hours after arrival (Must clear Customs) |
| International (To Domestic) |
ExpediteFS | 4 hours prior to departure |
|
Domestic | Up to 4 hours after arrival (Must clear Customs) |
* DFW, LAX, ORD, JFK, LGA
Airport timing guide (PDF) »What you need to bring
On the date of travel, you’ll also need to supplement your pet’s kennel with the following materials, labels and security.
- Two dishes (one for food and one for water) attached to the inside of the kennel. Make sure dishes are accessible from the outside without opening the door. Note: bottle water feeders are not allowed.
- A bag of food taped to the top (in the event of a delay).
- Feeding and watering instructions.
- Statement that food and water was offered within four hours prior to the pet’s delivery to American.
- Absorbent material on the bottom of the kennel. We believe that blankets, towels and beds work best for traveling pets. (Please note that hay, wood shavings and straw are not allowed.)
Multiple pets
Keep in mind that two dogs or two cats may share the same kennel if each is less than 20 lbs. and less than six months old. All animals must be at least eight weeks old and weaned in order to travel.