American Airlines has decided to relax its pet policy, allowing travelers to bring their pets and a maximum-size carry-on into the cabin. The airline is now allowing passengers to bring a pet into the cabin with standard carry-on luggage or a personal item, but not both at the same time.
What is American Airlines’ new pet policy?
Until last week, travelers could only bring one more small item that would fit beneath the seat if they brought a pet inside the cabin, which required paying a $150 fee. Larger items, such as wheeled carry-on bags, needed to be checked for a $35 fee; otherwise, the pet could be placed in the cargo hold. Given that they were already paying a pet fee, several pet owners believed that the prior arrangement was unfair.
The changes took effect on March 28 and were made “to provide a more convenient and comfortable experience to customers whose pets fly American,” an American Airlines representative told The Independent.
According to the airline’s website, passengers can currently bring one pet carrier as long as they pay the carry-on pet fee and ensure that their pet remains in the carrier beneath the seat in front of them for the duration of the flight.
“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,” says American Airlines on their website
Passengers are also allowed to bring “one additional item on board with your pet,” which can be a personal item such as a wallet or small handbag, or a carry-on bag that fits in the overhead bin and meets the airline’s guidelines.
“Remember, you can only bring one with your pet carrier, not both,” says the airlines.
What do other airlines allow?
“Pets in kennels will count as your 1 carry-on item,” according to the Delta Airlines website. In addition to the kennel, you may bring one personal item aboard the aircraft. Domestic pet travel costs $95, while international travel costs $200. Pets can travel with United Airlines for $125 as one piece of carry-on luggage.
On the other hand, Southwest and Alaska Airlines now allow travelers to bring one pet carrier “and a regular size carry-on bag” or personal item.
Currently, several US airlines only allow animals owned by reassigned military personnel to fly in the hold of their aircraft.