Aircraft compatibility

The safety of your animal is line number one. That's why we won't transport them on specific aircraft types and operators that don't fit our requirements. Get our complete aircraft compatibility information.

Which solution is right for you?

Dogs and Cats

Health certificates
Please bring two copies (the original and one extra) issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of travel for both the outbound and return trips. If the words "mix" or "mixed" are used to describe the pet, then the predominant breed must be referenced.

Rabies vaccination certification
Please bring one copy issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian in accordance with local timeline regulations. If your dog or cat is less than 12 weeks old, they are not required to be vaccinated.

Warm-blooded animals in temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit
Please bring a Certificate of Acclimation, if it applies. See Temperature Policy for details.

Customer Acknowledgement Form
We ask that each customer sign the acknowledgment form to confirm that they have followed the steps necessary to prepare their pet for safe travels with us. The customer's signature on this required form lets us know that they have reviewed and accept the statements included.

Breed Verification Form
For the animal's safety, we've standardized our breed verification. This will help vets to provide consistent and accurate information about all pets to ensure every animal flying with us are on the approved breed list. If you are a commercial shipper, you may use the commercial shipper vet form for multiple air waybills.

International travel
For animals being transported to an international destination, do your homework and visit the USDA-APHIS Pet Travel site for your destination country's documentation requirements. These requirements can include vaccinations, testing, and arranging for import permits that can take weeks or months to complete prior to travel, so begin the process as soon as you know you're going! If you don't comply with all the destination country's requirements, you risk the animal being refused transport, quarantined, or returned to the United States at your expense. Contact the USDA-APHIS Customer Service Call Center at 844 820 2234 or visit the USDA-APHIS Pet Travel site for import requirements.

We can help clear U.S. Customs
We have partnered with Coppersmith Global Logistics to assist your pet in clearing customs in the U.S. Coppersmith works under power of attorney to arrange for the clearance of your pet through the U.S. governmental regulatory agencies. Coppersmith will work closely with the importer to ensure all information is correct and complete prior to loading. Then, they will electronically file for release before your pet even arrives in the U.S. Let either your American Airlines Cargo sales representative or your pet transport professional know you're interested in using Coppersmith to make your pet's international travel experience as smooth as possible.

Sedation
At the recommendation of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), American Airlines will not accept household dogs and cats that have been sedated or tranquilized. Pets that have been given sedatives or tranquilizers are at a higher risk of respiratory and cardiovascular problems at high altitudes. American Airlines will not knowingly accept a dog or cat that has been or appears to have been sedated.

Our recommended alternative is to acclimate your pet to its travel container as far in advance of the trip as possible. Veterinarians recommend leaving it open in the house with a chew bone or other familiar objects inside so that your pet will spend time in the kennel. It is important for your pet to be as relaxed as possible during the flight.

Some veterinarians also recommend herbal stress relievers, like lavender and chamomile, to ease your pet’s anxiety. Please make sure to ask your veterinarian if using these natural alternatives is safe for your pet.

Pregnant animals & health certificates
Please ensure the licensed veterinarian clarifies that the animal is fit to travel and there is no risk of birth occurring during the entire journey. If the health certificate states the animal has given birth, time of tender must be greater than 48 hours post whelping to be accepted for carriage. Females with suckling young and un-weaned animals will not be accepted for carriage. Animals must be 8 weeks old in order to travel.

Exotic / Wild Birds

Transportation is restricted to American Airlines' on-line service only.

If you are transporting wild or exotic birds, you will need to, both in writing and on letterhead, state whether the birds were:

• Born in captivity on special farms, or
• Being shipped to or from a zoological garden, sanctuary, preserve, rehabilitation center, medical agency or government wildlife agency.

Primates

Health certificates
Please bring two copies (the original and one extra) issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of travel for both the outbound and return trips.

Primates must be at least six months old, weaned and tendered at a cargo terminal.

Primates may only be accepted for transportation when:

• The shipper, or his agent, certifies in writing on the shipper's letterhead, which must accompany the air waybill, that the primates being transported were born or bred in captivity on special farms; or
• The primates are being transported from or to a zoo sanctuary, preserve or rehabilitation center; and
• The transportation is restricted to American Airlines' on-line service only.

American Airlines will not accept primates used for laboratory research, experimentation or exploitation purposes.

Other Animals

For all other types of animals, consult the website of the destination country for specific requirements. The IATA shipper's certification is required for U.S. outbound international or interline transfer shipments. Also, please read the IATA shipper's instructions and responsibilities.

Measuring your pet for the right kennel

It is important you purchase the right size container for your dog or cat. Use the following indications to ensure your pet has enough space to turn about normally while standing, to stand and sit erect, and to lie in a natural position.

Kennel measurement guide »

Kennel guidelines

Acceptable:

• 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.

Not acceptable:

• Snap-sided kennels, modified or adapted snap-side kennels (including the addition of nuts, bolts or screws), collapsible or folding kennels.
• Plastic and top-opening doors.

Kennel interior

Acceptable:

• Kennel should be roomy enough for your pet to stand and sit erect without your pet's head (including ears) touching the top. Your pet must be able to stand, sit and lay as they normally would.
• Two dishes (one for food and one for water) must be attached to the inside of the kennel. Dishes must be accessible from the outside without opening the door.
• There must be enough food supplied for a 24 hour period.
• Make sure the kennel is clean with no offensive odors.
• Please place absorbent material along the bottom.
• NOTE: Straw, hay and wood shavings are prohibited.

Optimize your animal's journey

• In case there should be a delay, please tape a small bag of dry food to the top.
• Place "Live Animal" and "This Side Up" labels (or directional arrows) on the top and at least two sides. The letters must be at least one inch tall.
• Please attach a label with feeding and watering instructions, unless you have written instructions from an accredited veterinarian to not feed or water the animal.
• Also, attach a note that states food and water was offered within four hours of the flight.
• Buy the kennel beforehand so the animal can get used to it.
• Bring a leash to the airport so that you can walk your pet before and after your flight.
• Include ID tags with your name and number.
• No collars, muzzles or wearing apparel are permitted as they could be a choking hazard.

Extra security

After the appropriate screening has been applied, 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.

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.

Kennel sizes

Make sure you've chosen the right kennel for the animal being transported. All kennels must meet the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animal Regulations.

Payment options

Passenger ticket counters, baggage service areas and global

Credit/debit card, customer credit account.

Cargo terminals

Credit/debit card, customer credit account, cashier's checks, U.S. Postal money orders, traveler's & certified checks (all made payable to American Airlines in the exact amount)

50% military discount

All active members of U.S. military forces with military orders, and their dependents, receive a discount of 50 percent off of our published rates for transporting pets domestically. Proper military identification will be required at the time you drop off your pet, including:

• Green Active Duty Military ID card
• Discharge papers, if within 7 days of discharge
• Tan Uniform Services Dependent ID card marked "Active"

For all shipments, military orders are required at the time of tender.

Money-back guarantee

We stand behind our family of products. In the event your pet does not travel on its booked flight due to circumstances within our control, we will refund 50% of the freight charges for PPS or 100% of the freight charges for ExpediteFS, provided they are dropped off within required time limits and have met all required documentation.

No refund will be paid if the delay was caused by weather conditions, mechanical problems, termination, diversion, postponement or delay of any flight because of force majeure, strikes, riots, civil commotion, international conditions, any governmental regulations, order demand or requirement, shortage of labor, fuel facilities, or labor difficulties or for any other reason beyond our control.

Our payment policy

In the unlikely event that an animal becomes ill or injured while in our care, we will obtain veterinary attention to ensure the pet's safety and security. Should the consulting veterinarian determine that the diagnoses or conditions were pre-existing, the customer will be responsible for reimbursing American for the cost of veterinary care and any other related expenses, such as feeding and housing of the animal(s).

If, for any reason, we cannot complete the contracted travel or if the customer does not accept delivery of the animal at its final destination, the pet may be returned to its original location, and the shipper will be responsible for any and all related charges.

Safety first

Temperature restrictions are based on the actual or forecasted temperature(s) for each flight departure time and flight arrival time for each station on the itinerary.

Warm-blooded animals
American Airlines Cargo transports warm-blooded animals when ground temperatures are between 45 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. This applies to origin, connection, and destination cities.

American Airlines Cargo will not transport warm-blooded animals when ground temperatures are higher than 85 degree Fahrenheit or less than 20 degrees Fahrenheit. This applies to origin, connection, and destination cities.

If ground temperatures are between 20 and 44 degrees Fahrenheit, then American Airlines Cargo requires a "Letter of Acclimation" signed and dated by a licensed veterinarian in order to transport warm-blooded animals. The Letter of Acclimation must state the exact lowest temperature between 20 and 44 degrees Fahrenheit that the animal may be exposed to. This applies to origin, connection, and destination cities.

Letter of Acclimation language recommendation
"The animal(s) in this shipment is acclimated to a temperature of [insert exact temperature between 20 and 44 degrees Fahrenheit]."

NOTE: American Airlines Cargo will not transport warm-blooded animals if the Letter of Acclimation states one or both of the following:

• The maximum amount of time that the animal may be exposed to temperatures below 44 degrees Fahrenheit is less than 45 minutes.
• The Letter of Acclimation lists a temperature range, but the actual or forecasted temperature(s) is outside of that range. This applies even if ground temperatures are within the 20 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit range.

Cold-blooded animals
Please package all cold-blooded animals in accordance with the IATA Live Animal Regulations, which include heat or cold packs as needed.

Important note

Please note that if there is a change in temperature that is outside our acceptable range, we may contact you to pick up your pet in order to ensure its safety. If temperatures become unsafe at one of the connecting points during travel, the animal will be taken to a local kenneling facility, at no charge to you, for a comfort stop—to play, eat and sleep—until the temperatures return to a safe range.

Here's how we do it

Sparky the Dog will be flying from Los Angeles through Chicago and to final destination of Rochester, NY. Sparky will be dropped off at 5 a.m. for the following flights:

AA 1200 LAX-ORD 6:55 a.m. – 1 p.m.
AE 4089 ORD-ROC 2:55 p.m. – 5:35 p.m.

First, check the hourly forecast on weather.com at LAX
for the time frame of 6 a.m. to 7 a.m.
Then, check the hourly forecast on weather.com at ORD
for the time frame of 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Finally, check the hourly forecast on weather.com at ROC
for the time of arrival, the 5 p.m. hour.