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 have strict kennel requirements designed to keep your pet safe.
Failure to meet all kennel requirements will result in your animal not being able to travel on the designated flight. It will need to be rebooked for a later flight or day, which may result in additional expenses.
Find the Right Kennel Size
It is important you purchase the right size kennel for your animal. Place the animal parallel to the kennel in order to ensure the kennel is large enough.
- Each animal must have enough space to stand, turn about normally while standing, sit erect and to lie in a natural position.
- No part of your pet should be taller or longer than the kennel when standing outside the kennel.
- The length of the kennel should be a minimum of the length of the cat or dog, plus half of animal’s leg length.
- The tips of the animal’s ears must not touch the sides of the kennel.
For specific details on dimensions, please view IATA.
Minimum interior container dimensions
- A. From the tip of the nose to the root of the tail
- B. From the elbow to the ground
- C. The width of the dog at the widest point
- D. From the floor to the tip of the ears or the top of the head, whichever is higher.
| A + ½B Length |
C x 2 Width |
D Height |
Common kennel sizes
Kennel Name |
Kennel Type |
External Dimensions (inches) |
External Dimensions (centimeters) |
Kennel Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 100* | 21 x 16 x 15 | 53 x 41 x 38 | 7 lbs (3 kg) |
| Medium | 200 | 27 x 20 x 19 | 69 x 51 x 48 | 13 lbs (6 kg) |
| Intermediate | 300 | 33 x 22 x 23 | 84 x 56 x 58 | 18 lbs (8 kg) |
| Large | 400 | 36 x 24 x 26 | 91 x 61 x 66 | 24 lbs (11 kg) |
| Extra Large | 500** | 40 x 27 x 30 | 102 x 69 x 76 | 32 lbs (15 kg) |
| Giant | 700** | 48 x 32 x 35 | 122 x 81 x 89 | 51 lbs (23 kg) |
* Domestic flights only
** ExpediteFS 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) |
All kennels up to max height | 63 inches (160 cms) |
| 737-MAX (7M8) 737-800 (737/738) |
400 Kennel Series or smaller | 28 inches (71 cms) |
| Airbus 321T (32B) |
All kennels up to max height | 46 inches (117 cms) |
| Regional ERJ-175 (E75) 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 Construction Requirements
See all kennel construction requirements (PDF) »
These kennel types are prohibited
- Soft sided or cardboard kennels
- Kennels with only snap closures
- Kennels made entirely of welded mesh, wire mesh or wicker
- Knock down, folding and collapsible kennels
- Kennels with plastic doors
- Kennels with wheels, unless they are retractable, removable, taped or inoperable
- Kennels with top opening doors
Your kennel must meet all of these requirements
Escape-proof construction
Kennel must be made from rigid plastic, metal or wood with a metal grated end which can be the door. It also needs to be leakproof and escape-proof.
Let it breathe
Kennel must have adequate ventilation on 3 sides for domestic and 4 sides for international flights. The ventilation openings must be a max of 1" x 1" (dogs) or 3/4" x 3/4" (cats).
Secured with metal bolts or screws
Snap closure kennels will only be accepted when secured with metal nuts, bolts or screws. Black nylon caps are also accepted.
Made of metal
The kennel door must be made of metal. No doors on top of the kennel.
Holes in all four corners of the door frame
After our team performs a visual screening of the pet at drop-off, releasable cable ties will be attached to all four corners of the kennel door frame.
Wheels off
All wheels must be inoperable or removed.
Keep it clean
Kennel must be clean with no offensive odors.
A soft seat for the flight
Place absorbent material like blankets, towels, or beds on the bottom. Hay, wood shavings, and straw are not allowed. Note that bedding can't exceed 3" in height. All battery-powered devices, including but not limited to heated blankets or electric blankets, are not permitted due to the potential fire hazard they pose.
Clean, empty dishes
Attach two dishes (food and water) to the inside of the kennel, making sure they're accessible without opening the door. Split dishes are accepted.
Food in case of a delay
A clear one-gallon bag of food taped to the top along with instructions.
We'll tag it with a label
We'll place a "Live Animals" and orientation labels on your kennels during drop-off.
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.
Species |
Age |
Number Permitted |
|---|---|---|
| Dogs and cats | 8 weeks to 6 months | Up to 2 pets per kennel provided each animal weighs less than 9 kg (20 lbs) |
| Dogs and cats | Over 6 months old | 1 pet per kennel |
| All other animals | Varies | Varies by species. Email PetEmbark@aa.com. |