American Airlines is making it easier for passengers to bring their dogs or cats onboard through an important change to its carry-on policy. Will this reduce the number of people gaming the system with fake service dogs?
With Carry-On Bag Changes, American Airlines Makes It Easier To Travel With Your Dogs Or Cats…And Not Be A Scammer
First noted by View From The Wing, American Airlines’ new carry-on baggage policy no longer requires you to choose between bringing a carry-on bag or a pet onboard. Up until now, if you paid the fee for an in-cabin pet, you were allowed a personal item, but not a larger carry-on bag.
Although the website has not been updated yet, you can now bring either a full-size carry-on bag or a personal item in addition to your pet kennel onboard. The new rule went into effect on March 28, 2024.
No wonder so many people choose to pay $20 for a “service animal” vest on Amazon, stick it on their untrained dog, save the $150 carry-on pet fee, and be able to take a large carry-on bag plus personal item onboard.
What a system!
Will this reduce the scamming of passengers who cannot bear to pay $150 or keep their pets in a cage?
I hope so…but I doubt it. It is still too easy to simply attest that your dog is a trained service animal and then bring it on at no charge.
But the new AA policy change makes sense. If you have a pet in a carrier, that will remain at your feet so why shouldn’t you be able to bring in a roll-a-board or other larger item to place in the overhead bin?
CONCLUSION
American Airlines is making it easier to play the rules and bring your dog or cat onboard without lying…you now will be able to take your larger carry-on bag onboard as well. This strikes me as a reasonable and common-sense policy change.
And there is some truth to the notion that if American Airlines (and other carriers) did not incentivize people to game the system through onerous carry-on policies, maybe we would see more people play by the rules.
I guess we will soon find out…
image: American Airlines
Dogs carry many worm eggs and diseases in their mouths from licking other dogs’ rear-ends . Quite unhealthy .
19 x 13 x 8 and no more than 20 lbs total weight. So for small pets that is nice…but as long as amazon sells the vest in large sizes the scam will probably continue. This is a missed opportunity to require a pet seat be purchased plus a hefty fee. Most pet owners already understand that good care is expensive, and are willing to pay for it. If you want your dog to travel, be ready to pony up. Not lie.
Airlines should demand the owner provide the DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form or deny them boarding. The form clearly states, at the top, that false statements on the form constitute a crime. Not a deterrent to some, but at least they will be on notice that they are responsible if the animal creates an incident.
Don’t want to break the no-URL policy, but I wonder if Matt has seen this wonderful skit on dinosaur service animals. Youtube search for: “My Dinosaur Is a Service Animal”
What needs to happen is for the airlines to set up a responsible, affordable way to check animals into cargo. This used to be common but the airlines mucked it up.
Another reason not to fly AA.
@Santastico … +1 .
I rarely see poorly trained small dogs under the guise of service animals. I think this is a good step in the right direction, but the most notable issues with on board pet policies are specific to larger breeds. They are the most noticeable and this does not fix the issue of getting them on board “the right way”.
I’ve not only seen but had the honor of being next to tiny “service” animals who were terribly behaved. Size isn’t the issue, unless you’re considering the owners’ superego, unfortunately which is clearly…miniature.
Hey Mr. Klint — Thanks for continuing to write about the issues with dogs on planes in a respectful and civil manner. There are a lot of us travelers out here that feel the same way.
Thank you!
Dogs are a divided topic on this blog, there is a need for a pet friendly space on places! Pet owners like myself are willing to pay .
Nice to see you coming around to the pet accommodating zone,like AA,”All Gods Creatures great and Small”.
This is so weird. I have never traveled with my pets on a flight. Why? Because they’re PETS not humans. They be like family to you, but they do not compare.
. I respect the fact that others have allergies to my cats. Never in my life have I heard of so many “emotional support” animals.
The people that complain about ‘my dog is better than a child’, are looney.
Get offended about what I said. Don’t care.
Recently I was in a restaurant and if I had noticed a girl walk in and join a large table of people prior to me getting my food, I would have just walked out. The dog she tried to hide in her jacket was clearly a pet.
It was small, dirty and smelled horrible. She kept snuggling and kissing it. I couldn’t watch anymore. Asked for my check and left. Will not go back because the waitress leaned down and petted that nasty dog. Never saw her wash her hands either.
She went back to the counter and carried someone else’s food to their table. That’s why I will never go back there. Next time I will just walk out.
This has gotten way out of hand. If you need an animal to support your emotions, then bro, you’ve got bigger problems that probably require intensive therapy and medication.
AMEN! to your last sentence.
@Kat … +1 .
The law is crystal clear as to what is and is not a service animal. The problem is front line staff is cowed into the belief/ myth that they cannot ask about a disability…but that is for the PAX!!! They (front line staff is allowed to asked what specific task the dog performs and btw, ‘comfort ‘ is still not a legal reason. I see people bring their shit dogs and other pets into grocery stores , despite the law being posted on the front freaking door…the staff is ill informed or too cowed into enforcement and the managers are just as chicken. Same thing at airports and this change by AA is only going to make it worse. Solution…make TSA enforcement include the form showing that its a federal form and to lie on it is a federal crime. Or, what until one of these fake service dogs bites me or perhaps the face of a child then the lawsuit will bring the airlines to their senses.
It got so out of hand with tourists bringing their dogs into our grocery stores where I live that signs were posted no pets allowed. I mean who in their right mind wants to put their groceries in a cart that you selfishly put your pet in beforehand. I saw someone with a dog in a cart. Didn’t say a word to the Shopper. Went right to the Manager and told him what I saw and what aisle. He immediately went to investigate. As I came around the next aisle, I heard the Customer arguing the point to which the Manager gave her two options (1) tie your dog up outside until you’ve completed your shopping or (2) leave your groceries and do not return with your dog. Signs posted. She left.
@Marc … +1 .
People who forever have no love in their heart and soul for humans could never possibly have real love for animal companions.I wonder where Jesus.St.Francis,Buddha,mohammed,etc stand on the issue
This is probably related to AA having the highest carry on pet fee ($150) in the industry. No one matched their increase from $125 to $150 a month ago. They went too far and probably saw a revenue decline as a result, maybe not only in fewer pets but fewer travelers who often travel on premium cabins with pets. Instead of correcting the increase, they made this minor adjustment. I don’t think anyone will be swayed.
Love Dogs but not on Flights. Too many people saying their Service Animals when they’re definitely not.
Real animals along with the humans. NO thanks.