Title: AA Cargo Central Reservations Pet Shipping Guidelines
Author: jcw
Last saved by: Jennifer Davis
Company: TSR

American Airlines Cargo Pet Shipping Guidelines
Priority Parcel Service

General Information

•	American Airlines maintains the right to refuse acceptance of any animal that is exhibiting aggressive behavior or does not appear fit to travel. 
•	Any live animal shipment does not comply with these guidelines will be refused

Kennel Guidelines

Animals must be accommodated in a kennel that meets USDA guidelines or the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animal Regulations.

Note: Two dogs or two cats may travel together in the same kennel if each is less than 20 lbs and between 8 weeks and 6 months old. All animals must be at least 8 weeks old and weaned.

Kennel Construction:
•	Made from rigid plastic, metal, or wood and held together with nuts, bolts, or screws (plastic or metal). Snap sided kennels and modified snap side kennels are not accepted.
•	Adaptations, including adding nuts, bolts or screws are also not accepted. 
•	Leak proof and escape proof with a metal grated door (plastic and top opening kennel doors are not accepted)
•	Non-collapsible, non-folding and wheels must be rendered inoperable
•	Adequate ventilation on at least three sides

On the inside of the kennel:
•	Must be large enough for the animal to stand erect without touching its head on the top of container. Animal must be able to stand, sit, and lay in natural manner.
•	Food and water dishes clipped on inside of door
•	Be clean with no offensive odors and absorbent material on bottom.
•	The use of hay, wood shavings and straw are prohibited

On the outside of the kennel:
•	Small bag of dry food taped to the top (in the event of delay)
•	Live Animal and This Side Up (or directional arrows) labels on the top and at least two sides. The letters must be at least one inch tall.
•	Attached label with feeding and watering instructions; or attach written instructions from an accredited veterinarian to not feed or water the animal.
•	Attached statement that food and water was offered within 4 hours of flight departure

Added Security:
•	After the appropriate screening has been applied, releasable cable ties will be attached to all four corners of the kennel door. American Airlines will provide these ties to the customer at no cost or the shipper may elect to provide their own ties or sealing mechanisms, provided they can be removed prior to screening without the use of tools
Shipping Document Guidelines

Dogs and Cats:
•	The original plus one copy of a health certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian stating that the animal is healthy enough to travel by air and is free of injury and disease. The certificate must be dated 10 days or less from the date your animal will be shipped.

•	The above requirement also applies to any type of animal traveling to/from Hawaii or Puerto Rico
•	A rabies vaccination certificate issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian. 
•	OR a combination health and rabies certificate, with details as mentioned above. 
•	Live animals that have been sedated require the following information: The name of the medication, the amount administered, and the time and date the medication was administered. Provide these details at check in.

•	The shipper and consignee must present two forms of identification. One form must be valid government issued photo identification.

Temperature Requirements and Restrictions

Warm-blooded Animals and Birds
For the health and safety of your animal, American Airlines follows the USDA guidelines for shipping animals during periods of extreme temperatures. The optimum temperature range for transporting most warm-blooded animals, including birds, is between 45 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit at the origin, destination and connecting cities. Warm-blooded animals will not be accepted for transport if the actual or forecasted temperature exceeds 85 degrees Fahrenheit at any city on the routing. (See exceptions below.) 

Snub-nosed/Brachycephalic Cats and Dogs
In an ongoing effort to protect the safety and well-being of your animals; American Airlines will issue a permanent embargo on all breeds of snub-nosed dogs and cats. American Airlines will no longer accept the following brachycephalic, snub-nosed or mixed breeds of snub-nosed animals:

Dogs - Affenpinscher , Boston Terrier , Boxer (All breeds) , Brussels , Bulldog (All breeds) , Mastiff (All breeds) , Cane Corso , Dogue De Bordeaux , English Toy Spaniel , Japanese Chin , Lhasa Apso , Pekingese , Pit Bull , Presa Canario , Pug (All breeds) , Shar Pei , Shih Tzu , Tibetan Spaniel

Cats - Burmese , Exotic Shorthair , Persian , Himalayan  

Shipping Warm-blooded Animals in Temperatures Below 45 Degrees Fahrenheit
If the temperature is, or is forecasted to be, under 45 degrees at any city on the animal's routing, a Certificate of Acclimation is required in order for your animal to travel. This certificate must be issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian and dated within 10 days of the shipping date. It must include the shipper's name and address, type of animal, and to what temperature below 45 degrees the animal can withstand (but not lower than 20 degrees). Your animal may be accepted as long as the forecasted temperature is not below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or the temperature noted on the certificate, whichever is more restrictive.

A certificate of acclimation with no specific temperature stated on the document (i.e. animal's thermo neutral temperature zone) is invalid and will cause your animal shipment to be refused by American Airlines. 
Forecast Data

Use the hourly forecast provided by weather.com for the day that you want to ship. It must be 85 degrees or less in every city in the scheduled routing. If the forecast concludes that it will be below 45 degrees, make sure your pet has a letter of acclimation from the veterinarian.

Please check the weather forecast for all of the cities listed below using The Weather Channel

Price and Routing

NOTE:  The largest kennel that can be accommodated while using Priority Parcel Service is 36Lx26Wx28H. The weight limit is 100 pounds. If the combined weight of your animal plus the kennel exceeds 100 pounds, American Airlines will not be able to accept the animal for transport using Priority Parcel Service.

A $15.00 fee will be assessed if American Airlines prepares the air waybill at the time of check in. The air waybills are available at check in for the shipper to fill out on their own, no charge.

New payment options vary by drop off location. Note: Payments are never accepted over the phone/internet. Cardholders/check makers must be present
 
Passenger Ticket Counters & Baggage Service Areas:  Cash, credit/debit cards
 
Cargo Terminals & Global Priority Shipping Centers: Personal/corporate checks, credit/debit cards
 
Accepted at all locations: Cashier's checks, US Postal money orders, traveler's & certified checks, all made payable to American Airlines & in the exact amount only.