American Airlines — Flying With A Cat means an in-cabin carrier, a pet fee, and advance reservations with route limits.
You want a smooth, low-stress trip for your cat and for you. This guide lays out what American allows, how to book a spot, what carrier sizes fit, and how to move through the airport without drama. Policies can change, so check the airline’s official pet policy before you pay. When people search “american airlines – flying with a cat,” they’re usually looking for clear steps that work in real cabins at real gates.
American Airlines Cat Policy At A Glance
The basics come down to three things: size, routes, and setup. Cats ride in the cabin on many domestic and near-international trips when the carrier fits under the seat and you pay the pet fee. Checked pets at the ticket counter are limited to travelers on official orders; others use cargo. Some long-haul routes don’t allow carry-on pets at all.
| Topic | Allowance / Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Who Can Fly | Cats in an approved carrier | Must be healthy and calm enough to travel |
| Where | Most U.S. routes; some to Canada, Mexico, Caribbean | No carry-on pets to / from Hawaii; none on trans-Atlantic or trans-Pacific trips |
| Age | 8 weeks or older (U.S. and Puerto Rico) | Some destinations set higher minimums |
| Carry-On Pet Fee | $150 each way | Paid at the ticket counter |
| Soft-Sided Carrier | 18 × 11 × 11 in max | Must fit fully under the seat |
| Hard-Sided Carrier | Mainline: 19 × 13 × 9 in; Eagle: 16 × 12 × 8 in | Under-seat fit still required |
| Seats You Can’t Use | Bulkhead, exit rows, some premium cabins | Under-seat storage is required |
| Checked Pets | Only for active-duty U.S. Military & State Dept. on orders | Health certificate and advance coordination required |
| Cargo Option | American PetEmbark | For pets that don’t qualify for carry-on |
Flying A Cat On American Airlines: Rules And Real-World Tips
Start by adding a carry-on pet to your booking in the airline app or on the website under Additional Services. Space is limited by aircraft and cabin, so grab the slot early. You’ll pay the fee at the counter on the day of travel after an agent checks the carrier and confirms the route allows pets.
Carrier choice matters. Soft-sided models flex a little and still fit cleanly under the seat. Aim for the published maximums, but test the actual fit at home. Lay a mat inside, add a familiar blanket, and clip a small spill-proof cup to the door. A harness and leash keep your cat steady during screening.
Booking Steps And Seat Strategy
Reserve The Pet Spot
Open your trip, pick “Add carry-on pets,” and follow the prompts. You’ll see which flights allow pets and how many slots remain. If your routing crosses a no-pet segment, the system won’t let you add the pet on that flight. Switch to a pet-friendly path before you lock in seats.
Pick A Seat With Under-Seat Space
Avoid bulkhead and exit rows. Standard window or aisle seats usually have room for the carrier. On some long-haul aircraft, premium cabins lack under-seat storage; stick to Main Cabin on those models. If you fly the three-cabin A321T, note the special rules posted for that plane.
Carrier Size, Fit, And Under-Seat Reality
American publishes useful max sizes: soft-sided 18 × 11 × 11 inches; hard-sided 19 × 13 × 9 on mainline and 16 × 12 × 8 on American Eagle. These are ceilings, not targets. A slightly smaller, flexible carrier gives you easier slide-in room and less footwell wrestling. Zip the lid with your cat seated naturally; ears shouldn’t press into the fabric. Ventilation on three or more sides helps with airflow while under the seat.
Some aircraft have tight footwells at bulkhead frames or seat supports. If the front of the carrier bumps a bar, rotate it so the short side faces forward. When in doubt, test fit at the gate with the agent’s ok before boarding starts. If you can’t get a clean fit, ask for a different standard seat in the same cabin.
Airport Day: Check-In, Security, Boarding
Check-In And Fee
Head to the counter a little early. An agent will eyeball the carrier, confirm your route, and collect the pet fee. Keep a simple health note from your vet if your destination may ask for it. Some airports tag the carrier handle to show the fee is paid.
Security With A Cat
At TSA, take the cat out of the carrier and send the empty carrier through X-ray. Hold your cat or keep a short leash, then walk through the metal detector together. You can ask for a private room if your cat bolts when startled. For the official steps, see the TSA pet screening FAQ. Reload your cat into the carrier away from the crowded lane.
Boarding And Takeoff
Board with your group, place the carrier long side forward, and keep the vents clear. Keep the carrier on the floor for taxi, takeoff, and landing. Once at cruise, you can slide it slightly for legroom without blocking airflow or the aisle.
Costs, Fees, And Ways To Save
The carry-on pet fee is $150 each way on eligible routes. The fee applies per kennel. If two small cats ride in one carrier, they must have room to stand and turn; many agents still ask for one pet per carrier for comfort. For cargo, pricing varies by size and route. If your plans include a voluntary stop of more than four hours, extra pet fees can stack on separate segments.
Ways to keep costs in check: pick nonstop flights, avoid long voluntary connections, and choose a carrier you can reuse. Travel during mild weather to reduce delays tied to heat holds on cargo bookings. If budget allows, book earlier flights; same-day changes with pets can be tight when cabins already hit the pet limit.
Route Limits, Seasons, And Aircraft Nuances
No carry-on pets to or from Hawaii. Carry-on pets aren’t allowed on trans-Atlantic or trans-Pacific trips either. Many near-international routes allow cabin pets, including Canada, parts of Mexico, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and St. Thomas. Details live on the airline page and can shift by season and by local rules.
Cabin counts vary by aircraft. Regional jets may allow only a handful of carriers per cabin. Wide-bodies may block pets in some premium seats due to storage rules. The A321T has dedicated animal compartments, and that model lists a 20-pound combined limit for pet plus carrier. Always check your exact plane model in the booking flow.
Health, Paperwork, And Destination Rules
For most U.S. mainland trips, cats older than eight weeks travel without special certificates. Some states and international points ask for a recent health letter or proof of rabies shots. Hawaii runs a strict quarantine program and excludes carry-on pets. For EU travel by cargo, microchip and paperwork are standard. Talk with your vet early and ask what your route asks for, then build in time to gather any records.
Pre-Flight Training For A Calm Cat
Set the carrier out two or three weeks ahead. Feed near it, then inside it, and close the door for short sessions. Add a blanket your cat naps on. Carry the loaded carrier around the house, then take a short car ride. The goal is simple: the carrier feels boring and safe.
Teach a clean pickup. Lift from under the chest, support the rear, and hold close. Practice the “TSA move”: out of the carrier, a slow walk through a doorway, and back into the carrier. If your cat tends to bolt, a snug harness plus a short leash gives you control without yanking.
Packing List For Feline Flyers
- Soft-sided carrier with top and side openings
- Harness and short leash (ID tag on harness)
- Absorbent pads and a spare blanket
- Wet wipes and a few sealable bags
- Small spill-proof water cup and a travel bottle
- Tiny food portion and a collapsible dish
- Printed vet note and any meds
- Clip-on name card for the carrier
Keep these in one pouch near the top of your personal item. At the checkpoint and at the gate, you won’t dig for basics while holding a wiggly cat.
At The Gate And In The Air
Tell the agent you’re traveling with a cat. If a seat swap helps the under-seat fit, ask early while seats are still open. During boarding, carry the carrier level; setting it upright can press your cat against the door mesh. Once seated, slide the carrier under the seat with the long side parallel to the aisle wall for better ventilation.
Noise-canceling headphones help you relax. Cats pick up tension fast. Speak softly through the mesh now and then. Skip over-handling. A dark, steady carrier beats repeated peeks that break the calm.
When Cargo Makes Sense
If the carrier won’t fit under the seat or your route blocks cabin pets, cargo can be a path. Use a sturdy, IATA-style kennel with metal hardware and plenty of ventilation. Book with the cargo team, ask about seasonal embargoes, and request space on flights under 12 hours when possible. Train your cat to rest in the kennel weeks ahead of time to cut stress.
On arrival, pick up the kennel promptly and check paws, nose, and breathing. Offer water, then a quiet ride home or to your lodging. Keep the rest of the day simple.
Service Animals, ESAs, And What Cats Qualify For
Trained service animals fly under separate rules and can ride at a handler’s feet or under a seat. Under current U.S. rules, only trained dogs qualify as service animals on planes; emotional support animals count as pets. That means cats travel as pets in a carrier and the standard pet fee applies.
International And U.S. Territory Notes
Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands allow cabin pets on many flights. Mexico and parts of the Caribbean do as well, but paperwork can differ by entry point. The EU requires identity and vaccination rules for cargo arrivals. The U.K. and Ireland block checked pets in most cases; transport to London or Manchester runs through cargo only. Check the airline page linked above for route-by-route exceptions and time windows.
Food, Water, And Comfort
Feed a light meal many hours before departure and offer small sips of water during the day. Line the carrier with an absorbent pad and a worn T-shirt that smells like home. Skip sedatives unless your vet has a clear plan; many airlines and vets discourage them. A small travel litter bag and a few wipes handle the rare accident. Quiet, dark, steady wins.
What If Things Go Wrong?
If a delay shifts aircraft type, check the seat map for under-seat space and ask for a swap if needed. If a segment forbids cabin pets after a reroute, ask for a different path that keeps your pet in the cabin. Keep receipts for pet fees if flights cancel or split overnight; agents can reissue the pet segment when they rebook you.
If your cat has a bad moment at security, ask for a private room. You can hold your pet while officers screen the empty carrier. Afterward, move to a quiet corner to reload, then head to the gate with time to spare.
Simple Timeline For A Low-Stress Trip
Use this quick plan to spread the work and keep your cat calm. It maps the steps most owners find helpful from first search to baggage claim.
| When | Action | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| 4–6 weeks out | Pick flights that allow cabin pets | Secures space while fares are still fair |
| 3–4 weeks out | Buy the right carrier; start home practice | Builds comfort and a steady routine |
| 2 weeks out | Talk with your vet about readiness | Confirms health and any paperwork needs |
| 72–48 hours | Recheck aircraft type and seating | Prevents last-minute seat surprises |
| Day before | Pack pads, leash, wipes, food, meds | Everything in one pouch at the top of the bag |
| Airport day | Arrive early; pay fee; breathe | Gives room for a calm check-in |
| After landing | Open carrier in a quiet spot | Lets your cat reset before the ride home |
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Don’t show up without a reservation for the pet. Don’t push an oversized carrier that won’t slide fully under the seat. Don’t place the loaded carrier on the belt at security. Don’t open the carrier at the gate without a harness and leash. Don’t wait until the night before to try a new carrier for the first time.
Key Takeaways: American Airlines – Flying With A Cat
➤ Reserve a pet slot early to avoid sellouts.
➤ Use a soft carrier that fits under the seat.
➤ Pay the $150 fee at the counter.
➤ Remove your cat at TSA; X-ray the empty carrier.
➤ Skip bulkhead and exit rows.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Add My Cat To An Existing Ticket?
Open your trip on the airline site or app, go to Additional Services, and select the carry-on pet option for each flight. The system filters out segments that don’t allow pets. You’ll pay the fee at the counter.
What Carrier Style Works Best On Regional Jets?
A compact, soft-sided model with a low profile tends to slide under tighter seats on ERJ and CRJ aircraft. Keep the short side forward if a seat rail blocks the long edge. Ask a gate agent for a seat swap if the fit looks tight.
Do I Need A Health Certificate For A Domestic Trip?
Many U.S. routes don’t ask for one. Some states and territories can, and your airline agent may ask for a simple vet note if your cat looks stressed. For Hawaii or international points, expect more paperwork.
Can I Feed My Cat During The Flight?
Small sips of water are fine. Food in the air can trigger nausea in a cramped space. Offer a light meal well before the airport and pack a tiny portion for later if a delay stretches your day.
What If My Cat Panics At Security?
Ask for a private screening room. Keep a snug harness on, clip a short leash, and hold firmly while the empty carrier goes through X-ray. Reload your cat in a quiet area beyond the checkpoint.
Wrapping It Up – American Airlines – Flying With A Cat
Travel with a pet feels easier when you plan the details that matter: the right carrier, a seat with under-seat space, and a clean security routine. With those set, american airlines – flying with a cat turns into a simple checklist instead of a scramble at the gate. Recheck the airline page a day or two before you fly, pack the basics, and you’re set for a calmer ride with your favorite co-pilot.