Kennel Guidelines

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 size

Common kennel sizes

* Domestic flights only

Kennel compatibility with our aircraft

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 guidelines

• 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

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.