Jane Sheppard here, with some exciting news for pet owners who frequently travel with American Airlines. The airline has adjusted its pet policy, making the journey more convenient for pet owners and their furry friends.
American Airlines Updated Pet Policy
Until recently, passengers who opted to bring their pets into the cabin, a service that comes with a $150 fee, were only permitted one additional small item that could fit under the seat. Therefore, any larger items, such as a carry-on bag with wheels, had to be checked in for an additional $35 fee. Alternatively, passengers could opt to place their pets in the cargo hold.
However, American Airlines has now revised this policy. Passengers are now allowed to bring their pet in the cabin and also bring a regular carry-on bag or a personal item. The catch is, passengers can’t bring both a carry-on and a personal item onboard.
A Fair Change for Pet Owners
Many pet owners found the old policy somewhat unfair as they were already paying an extra fee to have their pets with them in the cabin. Gary Leff, a prominent travel blogger who first highlighted this change, shared an anecdote from years ago when he traveled with a Yorkshire terrier.
He expressed his frustration, stating, “It was always annoying that the dog counted as the carry-on even though I was paying the extra (pet) fee that was sometimes more than the ticket for me.”
This change in policy is expected to curb the tendency of some travelers to falsely claim their pets as service animals, which are allowed to fly for free.
Official Confirmation and Reasoning
An official spokesperson for American Airlines confirmed that the new rules took effect on Thursday. She expressed that the change was made to “provide a more convenient and comfortable experience to customers whose pets fly American.”
Key Points
- American Airlines has relaxed its pet policy for cabin passengers.
- Owners can now bring a pet and a full-size carry-on bag into the cabin.
- The change aims to make traveling more convenient for pet owners.
- It’s expected to discourage travelers from falsely claiming pets as service animals.
- The updated policy officially took effect on Thursday.
As always, I am here to keep you updated on all the latest developments in our local area and beyond. This is Jane Sheppard, signing off for now.
