Flying with a dog or cat on American Airlines
American Airlines publishes 18 × 11 × 11 in for a soft-sided carrier under the seat. That is the number that decides whether you get on the plane. Everything below was read on the American Airlines policy page, and the link to it is at the bottom.
Soft-sided maximum
18 × 11 × 11 in — length × width × height.
Hard-sided maximum
19 × 13 × 9 in · American Eagle 16 × 12 × 8 in
What it costs
$150 each way, per carrier
Weight limit
Not published
Pets per passenger
One carrier per passenger.
Pets per flight
Up to 20 carriers across all cabins on mainline aircraft. Regional aircraft carry between 1 and 5.
The one to watch on this airline
If any leg of your trip is on American Eagle, the hard-sided limit drops to 16 × 12 × 8 in. Check the aircraft before you buy a carrier.
Which of our carriers fits under the seat on American Airlines
Measured against 18 × 11 × 11 in. Length and width have to clear as published. Height gets one inch of give, because a soft side compresses — and no more than one.
| Carrier | Footprint (L × W) | Height | Pet up to | Fits | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mr. Peanut's Gold Series Low-Profile
The lowest of our zip-top cabin bags
|
16 × 10 in | 10 in | 12 lb | Yes | $119.99 Buy |
|
Under-Seat Carrier
The long, narrow one · side entry
|
17 × 9 in | 11.5 in | 15 lb | Yes | $36.99 Buy |
|
Travel Carrier — 17 in
Mesh on the top and both sides
|
17 × 10 in | 11.5 in | 15 lb | Yes | $35.99 Buy |
|
Soft Carrier Bag — 17 in
Opens from the top mid-flight
|
17 × 9 in | 11.5 in | 15 lb | Yes | $39.99 Buy |
|
Cabin Carrier — 17 in
Waterproof wipe-clean nylon · side entry
|
17 × 11 in | 11 in | 11 lb | Yes | $34.99 Buy |
|
Mr. Peanut's Gold Series Carrier
Self-locking zippers · plywood base · 2.9 lb empty
|
18 × 10.5 in | 11 in | 15 lb | Yes | $109.99 Buy |
|
Mr. Peanut's Gold Series Expandable
Same bag to fly, opens out after you land · 3.2 lb empty
|
18 × 10.5 in | 11 in | 15 lb | Yes | $119.99 Buy |
|
Mr. Peanut's Diamond Series
Two expansion bays for after you land
|
18 × 11 in | 11 in | 15 lb | Yes | $79.99 Buy |
|
Mr. Peanut's Platinum Series
Two expansion bays · 300D nylon · 2 lb empty
|
18 × 10.5 in | 11 in | 15 lb | Yes | $84.99 Buy |
Anything not on this list is too big for American Airlines on at least one of the three measurements. We would rather show you a short list that fits than a long one that does not.
The fit guarantee. Every carrier above was measured against what American Airlines publishes. If you buy one we said clears this airline and it does not, send it back: we refund it in full and we pay the return shipping.
What we cannot promise is a gate agent’s judgement on the day, or that an airline will not change its published limit after you order. Your pet also has to be able to stand up and turn around inside. What we guarantee is our numbers.
Before you book
How to book the pet
Add the pet to your booking on the website or the app.
Minimum age
8 weeks.
Your other bags
The carrier replaces your carry-on bag or your personal item.
American Eagle regional jets have a smaller limit than the mainline fleet.
Policies change without notice, and the airline's own page is the authority — not this one. Read the American Airlines pet policy, or go back to the full guide covering all nine airlines.