Good news for pet owners! American Airlines is relaxing its pet policy, allowing travelers with animals to bring a full-sized carry-on bag in addition to a pet carrier.
“On American Airlines flights, you may carry one pet carrier in the cabin if: Your pet is paying a carry-on fee, your pet is in the pet carrier for the entire flight, and your pet is under the seat in front of you. If you stay,” American Airlines said. The airline's website adds that passengers can also bring “one additional item on board with their pet.” This can be a personal item such as a handbag or small handbag, or a carry-on bag that fits in the overhead bin and meets the airline's requirements. .
“Please note that you can only bring one pet carrier with you, not both,” says American.
Previously, travelers with pets were only allowed to bring small personal items that could fit under the seat if they brought their pet on board. Anything larger (like a carry-on) had to be checked in for $35. Alternatively, if a pet owner wants to bring large luggage on the plane, pets can be placed in the cargo hold.
However, there will be no change to the fees required to bring your pet on board. The price is pegged at $150, according to American Airlines' website. Pet strollers, on the other hand, will still need to be checked in and all checked baggage fees will apply.
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American Airlines did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment and what prompted the policy relaxation.
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Traveling with pets
Even as policies ease, experts recommend doing thoughtful planning and research before traveling with your pet, considering factors such as choosing a pet-friendly airline, insurance, and pre-planning your pet's trip. I advise you to do so.
Each airline has its own guidelines for traveling with pets, and domestic airlines such as Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines have their own guidelines on their websites. It details where you can travel with your pet and airline requirements for it to fit under the seat.
There are limits to the number of pets passengers can bring with them on different aircraft, so we recommend checking your airline's policies before making your travel plans and booking your tickets.
Country-based restrictions apply as well, so when traveling internationally, it's a good idea to understand your destination county's pet entry requirements.
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on platform SheX, formerly known as Twitter @saman_shafiq7.
