FORT WORTH- American Airlines (AA) is adjusting its pet policy to allow passengers to bring their pet and a full-size carry-on bag into the cabin.
Previously, travelers who paid the $150 fee for bringing a pet into the cabin had restrictions to one additional small item that could fit under the seat. Larger items, such as carry-on bags with wheels, required a $35 fee for checking or the option of placing the pet in the cargo hold.
American Airlines Updated Pet Policy
American Airlines now allows passengers to bring a pet into the cabin with either a regular carry-on bag or a personal item, but not both. Some pet owners criticized the previous policy for being unfair since they already paid a pet fee.
Although passengers still need to pay a fee, their pet is no longer considered a carry-on item.
A spokesperson for American Airlines confirmed that the updated rules took effect on Thursday. However, they couldn’t provide a rationale because the airline’s corporate offices were closed for Good Friday, and decision-makers were unavailable.
Travel blogger Gary Leff recalled his frustration from years ago when his Yorkshire terrier counted as a carry-on despite paying an additional fee, sometimes more than the cost of his ticket.
Aims to Reduce Service Animal Misuse
Leff suggested that American Airlines’ new policy could diminish the incentive for travelers to falsely claim their pet as a service animal to avoid fees and bring an additional carry-on.
Despite the revised policy, traveling with a pet still requires thorough planning and research in advance, with various factors potentially affecting whether pets like Fido or Felix are permitted in the cabin. One such factor is the maximum allowable number of pets per cabin, which varies depending on the aircraft type.
For instance, United Airlines allows a maximum of four pets in Economy class on the Airbus 319, while up to six pets are allowed in Economy on the same aircraft model. Regardless of the aircraft, individual passengers typically face restrictions on the number of pets they can bring in a single carrier.
Several U.S. airlines, including Delta (DL), Southwest (WN), Alaska Airlines (AS), and Frontier (F9), also allow pets on board. Pet carriers are usually considered carry-on items, as outlined by the American Kennel Club.
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