American Airlines
Psychiatric Service
Dog Policy

American Airlines Main Takeaways:

Psychiatric service dogs fly free on all American Airlines flights with required US DOT documentation for your disability.
Emotional support animals are no longer recognized as service animals and must travel as pets with additional fee per kennel.
Maximum of two service dogs per passenger on American Airlines flights.
Required documentation includes US DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form submitted 48 hours before departure (or at airport on day of travel).
Service dogs must fit at your feet, under your seat, or in your lap (lap animals must be smaller than a 2-year-old child).
Service dogs must be at least 4 months old to fly on American Airlines.
Service Animal ID (SVAN ID) issued after approval, valid for 1 year for streamlined future bookings.

Understanding American Airlines’ Service Animal Policy

American Airlines welcomes passengers with disabilities traveling with trained psychiatric service dogs on flights. Psychiatric service dogs travel free of charge in the aircraft cabin and receive full protection under applicable disability laws. This guide covers current regulations, required documentation, and what to expect when flying with a psychiatric service dog on American Airlines.

The Air Carrier Access Act: Federal Law Governing Airline Policies

The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), enacted in 1986 and codified at 49 U.S.C. § 41705, prohibits discrimination against air travelers with disabilities. Enforced by the U.S. Department of Transportation through 14 CFR Part 382, the ACAA applies to all U.S. airlines including American Airlines. The law requires airlines to allow trained service dogs in the cabin at no charge, provide boarding assistance, and make reasonable accommodations for passengers with disabilities.

American Airlines complies with all ACAA requirements and follows the revised DOT service animal regulations implemented in January 2021. It accepts psychiatric service dogs at no cost, processes required DOT documentation, and ensures passengers with service dogs receive equal treatment on all routes operated by American Airlines.

Important Policy Change: Emotional Support Animals No Longer Recognized on Flights

American Airlines changed its service dog program following the U.S. Department of Transportation’s revised rules on service animals. Emotional support animals are no longer accepted as service animals on any American Airlines flights.

Before 2021: Old ESA Rules

Service animals and emotional support animals both flew free in the cabin.
ESA letters from mental health professionals were accepted as sufficient documentation.
Emotional support animals received special accommodations with less stringent documentation requirements for ESAs.

After 2021: Current ESA Rules

Only trained service dogs are recognized as service animals.
Emotional support animals are NOT recognized as service animals and must travel as regular pets with extra fee per kennel.
Psychiatric service dogs (task-trained) still qualify for free accommodation.
Stricter documentation requirements including DOT Service Animal Form apply for all flights.
Service animals in training, emotional support animals, and comfort animals may travel as pets, not as service animals, with all requirements and applicable fees.

Psychiatric Service Dogs vs. Emotional Support Animals

The key distinction is task training. A service animal is defined as a dog that’s individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability, including but not limited to visual impairments, deafness, seizures, mobility impairments, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Service animals in training, emotional support animals, and comfort animals may travel as pets, not as service animals. All requirements and applicable fees will apply.

Advanced Notice

American Airlines recommends electronically submitting your DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form to the Special Assistance Desk at least 48 hours before your flight. You’ll receive notification once your documentation is approved. If you cannot submit in advance, bring your completed form to the airport on travel day and arrive with extra time for processing.

If your itinerary includes partner airline flights, contact those carriers directly to complete their required forms for service animal travel.

Get Your PSD Letter Now

American Airlines PSD Requirements

US DOT Service Animal Form Requirements

The U.S. Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation Form is mandatory for psychiatric service dogs on American Airlines flights operated by American. The form verifies your dog’s health status, behavioral training, and task performance related to your disability.

Download the form from American’s website or transportation.gov. The form is accessible with screen readers and can be completed electronically on desktop or mobile devices using Adobe Acrobat Reader. Submit at least 48 hours before departure or present at the airport on travel day. Keep a copy with you throughout your trip.

Service Animal Relief Attestation Form for Flights Over 8 Hours

For any itinerary segment exceeding 8 hours, you must complete an additional DOT Service Animal Relief Attestation Form. This form confirms your dog can either avoid relieving itself during the flight or can do so in a sanitary manner that doesn’t create health hazards for other passengers. Download this form from American Airline’s website. The form is screen reader compatible and can be completed electronically.

Service Animal ID (SVAN ID)

After your initial form approval, American emails you a unique Service Animal ID (SVAN ID). Use this ID when booking future trips with the same dog to bypass resubmitting forms. Your SVAN ID remains valid for one year from signature date or until your dog’s vaccination expires, whichever comes first.

Training Requirements for Psychiatric Service Dogs

American Airlines accepts psychiatric service dogs that are at least 4 months old and individually trained to perform tasks for people with psychiatric disabilities. Airline team members may ask specific questions to verify your dog qualifies as a service animal. Dogs must demonstrate proper public behavior and remain under your control at all times.

No Breed Restrictions for Service Dogs

American Airlines follows federal ACAA regulations and does not restrict service dogs based on breed. All breeds are permitted if they meet training, behavior, and size accommodation requirements for cabin travel.

Behavior Standards During Flight

Your psychiatric service dog must remain harnessed, leashed, or tethered throughout your airport experience and flight. Dogs must be clean and demonstrate appropriate behavior without causing disruptions.

Dogs exhibiting aggressive or disruptive behavior that cannot be corrected will not be permitted in the cabin. Prohibited behaviors include growling, biting, attempting to bite, lunging at passengers or crew, and jumping on people. If uncontrollable disruptive behavior occurs during your journey, the animal will be reclassified as a pet, and all pet fees and restrictions will apply.

Seating Rules for Psychiatric Service Dog Handlers

Exit Row Restrictions:

You cannot sit in exit rows when traveling with a service dog.

Size and Placement Requirements:

Your service dog must fit in one of these locations: at your feet in your designated space, under the seat directly in front of you, or in your lap if the dog is smaller than a 2-year-old child. If using a kennel, it must fit under the seat with your dog inside. Final approval occurs at the airport when gate agents verify your dog fits safely in your seating area. Service dogs cannot extend into aisles, block emergency evacuation pathways, occupy seats, or access tray tables.

Bulkhead Seat Restrictions:

Bulkhead seats are not available for passengers with service dogs due to lack of under-seat storage space.

Additional Seating Restrictions:

Seat 13D on Airbus 321NEO aircraft is not available for service dog handlers. First and Business class seats on Boeing 777-200, 777-300ER, 787-8, and 787-9 aircraft are not available due to insufficient under-seat storage. On 3-cabin Airbus A321T aircraft flying First or Business, your pet carrier must go in designated animal compartments at the front of the plane.

If Your Dog Doesn’t Fit:

If your service dog is too large for safe cabin accommodation, you may need to rebook on a flight with more available space, purchase an additional seat, or transport your dog as a checked pet if you qualify.

Number of Service Dogs:

American Airlines accepts up to two service dogs per person, provided both fit safely within your designated seating area.

No Fees for Psychiatric Service Dogs

Psychiatric service dogs travel completely free under applicable disability laws. American Airlines cannot charge for cabin access, documentation processing, or disability-related accommodations. You only pay for your passenger ticket.

Emotional Support Animals: Traveling as Pets on American Airlines Flights

Emotional support animals no longer qualify as service animals on American Airlines. Your emotional support animal must travel as a regular pet following all pet policies, fees, and restrictions.

ESA Pet Fees

In-cabin pet travel costs $150 per kennel for flights within and between the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean (subject to individual country entry policies). Pet fees are non-refundable and charged per kennel each way, not per animal.

Pet Carrier Size Requirements

American Airlines accepts only cats and dogs as cabin pets. Pets must fit comfortably inside closed, zipped carriers. Soft-sided collapsible carriers are recommended as they provide slight size flexibility while still fitting under seats. Carriers must be secure, padded, water-repellent, and have mesh ventilation on three or more sides.

Soft-sided carriers (recommended for all flights) must not exceed 18″ x 11″ x 11″. Hard-sided carriers on American mainline flights must not exceed 19″ x 13″ x 9″, while hard-sided carriers on American Eagle flights must not exceed 16″ x 12″ x 8″. Hard-sided carriers cannot exceed under-seat dimensions for your specific aircraft. Contact Reservations to confirm dimensions for your flight.

Pet Travel Requirements

Pet Species Accepted: Only domesticated cats and dogs qualify for cabin travel as pets.
Pet Age Requirements: Pets must be at least 8 weeks old for travel within the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
Baggage Allowance: Your pet carrier counts as your carry-on item. You may bring one additional item: either a personal item (purse or small bag) or a standard carry-on bag for overhead storage. You cannot bring both. Pet strollers must be checked with applicable baggage fees.
Behavior Requirements: American Airlines assumes no liability for pet health or wellbeing during travel.
Sedation Policy: Following American Veterinary Medical Association recommendations, American Airlines does not accept sedated or tranquilized pets due to increased respiratory and cardiovascular risks at high altitudes.
Seating Restrictions: Pets cannot occupy bulkhead seats, exit row seats, or certain First and Business class seats on specific aircraft due to space limitations. On 3-cabin A321T aircraft, carriers must be placed in designated compartments at the plane’s front.

Adding a Carry-On Pet to Your Trip

Add pets through your American Airlines account online or via the American app. Navigate to your trip, select “Add carry-on pets” in Additional Services, review requirements, select applicable flights, and confirm. Pay fees and verify carrier compliance at the airport ticket counter.

Checked Pets

American Airlines only accepts checked pets for active-duty U.S. Military and U.S. State Department Foreign Service personnel traveling on official orders. Up to 2 pets may be checked if they meet destination age and health requirements. Capacity is limited and accepted first-come, first-served.

Contact Reservations at least 48 hours before travel. Check in at the ticket counter with official orders. Allow extra check-in time (minimum 2 hours, maximum 4 hours before departure). Provide a veterinarian health certificate issued within 10 days of travel.

American Airlines Travel Requirements

American Airlines has different requirements based on travel destination.

Domestic (United States)

Carry-on pets are accepted on most flights under 12 hours or to select destinations including the 48 contiguous United States, Alaska, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and St. Thomas. Service dogs are accepted on all domestic flights with proper DOT documentation.

Hawaii: Service dogs can travel to and from all Hawaiian islands. Pets cannot travel as carry-on to Hawaii. Checked pets only connect through Honolulu and must comply with Hawaiian quarantine requirements. No Honolulu departures before 8 a.m. HT from March 5 through November 1.

International

Service dogs are accepted on international routes with potential additional documentation requirements depending on destination regulations. Many international destinations do not accept carry-on pets.

Destinations Prohibiting Carry-On Pets: Jamaica, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Uruguay, all trans-Atlantic routes, and all trans-Pacific routes do not accept carry-on pets. Checked pets may be accepted to some destinations for qualifying military and State Department personnel.
Special Destination Requirements: Specific advance approval, permits, or documentation required for service dogs traveling to London England, Edinburgh Scotland, other United Kingdom destinations, Ireland, India, Japan, Auckland New Zealand, Hong Kong, Georgetown Guyana, and St Vincent and the Grenadines. Contact American Airlines before booking for specific requirements.

US Inbound

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention establishes requirements for all dogs entering the United States, including service dogs and returning pets. All travelers regardless of citizenship must comply with CDC requirements. Dogs must have completed CDC Dog Import Forms and meet vaccination and microchip requirements.

Requirements effective August 1, 2024, vary based on the dog’s location during the previous six months. Dogs from high-risk rabies countries have additional requirements. American Airlines does not accept dogs as carry-on pets if they originated from or visited high-risk rabies countries in the prior six months. This restriction does not apply to service dogs meeting CDC requirements.