American Airlines has just announced it will be relaxing its pet policy. The new rules will make it easier for pet owners to travel with their companions while still bringing their luggage free of charge.
Before the policy change, pet owners had to pay a 150 dollar (140 euros) fee to take their pet into the cabin. However, despite that fee, they were only allowed to bring one other small personal item with them, the pet carrier being considered in place of the standard carry-on. If they wanted to bring any other carry-on luggage, they needed to pay another 35 dollars (32 euros) to do so. The previous policy, which actually made passengers pay twice, wasn’t seen as fair towards pet owners.
Thanks to the new policy, pet owners will still have to pay the 150 dollars, but they will also be allowed one carry-on bag or one personal item, depending on what they prefer, but not both. “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. Remember, you can only bring one with your pet carrier, not both,” American Airlines now states on its website.
“We made the change to provide a more convenient and comfortable experience to customers whose pets fly American”, a spokesperson for the airline explained.
American Airlines’ destinations accepting pets include the 48 contiguous United States, Alaska, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Saint Croix and Saint Thomas. However, to bring a pet inside the cabin the flight shouldn’t last longer than 12 hours and the pet should be small enough to “fit comfortably” inside a closed carrier, with the airline recommending a soft-sided collapsible kennel.
Policies with other American airway carriers vary. Delta Air Lines considers the pet’s kennel to be a passenger’s carry-on bag, therefore only allowing travellers to bring an additional personal item. Southwest, on the other hand, allows travellers to bring their pet and a carry-on or a personal item, depending on what they prefer.
