Flying with your dog

Flying with your dog on American

Here's exactly how to fly with a trained service dog on American Airlines: the forms, the timing, where to submit, and what happens at the gate. It's the same process Danny and his service dog Copper have used on every flight, written plainly so you're not guessing at the counter.

The two DOT forms every airline requires

Two official U.S. Department of Transportation forms do the heavy lifting. They are the same for every U.S. airline, American included:

• DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form: your dog's health, vaccination, training, and behavior in public. Required for a service animal in the cabin.
• DOT Relief Attestation: your plan for your dog's relief needs. Only required for flights of 8 hours or more.

These are not a certification. No U.S. registry certifies service animals, and none is required by law. The forms simply document that your dog is trained for a specific task and behaves appropriately. Paws on Board gives you editable versions with every field pre-explained.

Step by step: flying with your dog on American

1. Confirm the basics. Your dog is trained to do a specific task related to a disability and behaves calmly in public. Make sure their microchip and rabies vaccination are current. You'll reference them on the forms. (There is no government registry or official certification for service animals in the U.S., and none is required by law.)
2. Fill out the two DOT forms. The DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form covers your dog's health, vaccination, training, and behavior. Every major U.S. airline requires it. The DOT Relief Attestation is only required for flights of 8 hours or more. Paws on Board pre-explains every field.
3. Submit to American. American asks for 48 hours of advance notice. Submit online at https://www.aa.com/web/i18n/travel-info/special-assistance/special-assistance.html.
4. At the gate. Under the Air Carrier Access Act, staff may ask only two things: (1) is the dog required for a disability, and (2) what task is it trained to perform. They can't ask about your diagnosis or demand medical paperwork. Bring copies of your forms as backup.

Copper's tip

Submit American's forms as early as you can, then bring printed copies to the airport anyway. A friendly agent at the counter beats a portal glitch on travel day. And keep it calm and matter-of-fact at the gate. A well-behaved dog at your feet answers most questions before anyone asks.

Flying with a small dog (as a pet) on American

Not every dog on a plane is a service dog. A small dog can fly in the cabin as a pet, in a carrier under the seat. No DOT forms (those are service-animal documents). Here's American's current shape:

• Pet fee: $150 each way (per carrier)
• Carrier: soft-sided up to 18" × 11" × 11"; your dog must fit and move comfortably inside. American's own page leads with carrier fit. Treat 20 lbs as a planning guide.
• Per passenger: 1 carrier per ticketed passenger
• Book the pet spot early: Reserve the cabin pet spot with reservations early; spots are capped per flight.
• Restrictions: No brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds as CHECKED pets; in-cabin snub-nosed dogs are allowed but heat-stress caution applies.

Fees and rules change without notice. American's own pet page is always the final word.

Common questions: American

Not legal advice, and not a certification of anything. Airline requirements change. Always verify the current rules directly with American before you fly. Policy details verified August 14, 2026. See all airlines →