Instructions
Traveling with your Puppy
Determine whether you are even eligible to travel with your puppy. American Airlines has a number of restrictions in place whether your pet is permitted to fly aboard with you during an American Airlines flight. You are not permitted to bring your puppy on an American Airlines flight that is flying to Central America, South America, Hawaii or over the Pacific or Atlantic ocean, or any trip longer than 12 hours.
Make sure your puppy meets the exact guidelines to fly aboard an American Airlines flight. According to American Airlines policy, the carrier can be no bigger than 19 inches long, 13 inches wide and 9 inches high if you choose to carry it in the cabin with you. Your animal must be able to lie, stand, as well as turn around comfortably while it is in the appropriate carrier cage. If your animal can't meet these restrictions, you will have to check your puppy as checked baggage, and it will be stored in the baggage area of the plane. Your puppy must also be at least 8 weeks old to travel on an American Airlines flight.
Know the restrictions to store your puppy in the baggage area of the plane. Your pet must have room to stand and move around in its kennel, as well as be able to lie down in a natural position. The kennel must be constructed of wood, metal or plastic and must be leak proof, escape proof and be fastened securely. It must also supply proper ventilation for the puppy, including at least two sides of ventilation besides the door. Each kennel must be able to fit through a cargo door that is 29 inches high by 52 inches wide. Maximum weight for a checked pet, along with kennel, cannot be anymore than 100 lbs.
Book your ticket early. By booking your ticket early, you can ensure your puppy can travel alongside you in the cabin. American Airlines only allows a maximum of seven animals to be carried on board any flight, and if the cabin is already filled by the time you book your flight, your puppy will have to travel in the baggage claim. This is especially important to know during hot summer months, as the baggage claim is not air conditioned and can be dangerous for animals, especially young puppies. This is also true for cold winter months, as the extreme cold in the airplane may be dangerous for young animals.
Check in with your puppy at the American Airlines counter because if you do not check in with your animal in sight, to make sure that it meets all the necessary restrictions, you will not be able to board an American Airlines flight. You will also have to pay an extra $150 fee if you choose to check your animal as luggage, as well as a $100 fee if you choose to carry it aboard with you. Any pet traveling from the United States to the Caribbean, Canada or Mexico will be required to have an entry permit as well.
How to Ship a Puppy on American Airlines
Traveling can be an exciting, as well as a stressful, proposition, especially if your traveling with a newly born puppy. Many experts advise not to travel with puppies at all, but if you are moving to a new location, or absolutely need to take your puppy with you, it is important to know the guidelines and restrictions before flying with American Airlines with your new animal.