American Airlines handles service dogs a bit differently than other carriers. If you request special assistance when booking, a coordinator will actually contact you before your flight to help with arrangements. This optional support system, combined with their year-long Service Animal ID that saves you from refilling forms, makes American Airlines one of the friendliest airlines for service dog travel.
American Airlines stopped accepting emotional support animals in January 2021 after federal regulations changed. Now, only trained service dogs fly free in the cabin. If you’ve flown with an ESA before, those animals now travel as regular pets for $150 each way (increased from $125 in 2024). Click on the link if this is the first time you’re flying with a dog.
Documentation and Submission Requirements
You’ll need to complete one or two forms to fly with your service dog on American Airlines. The first is the DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form. This confirms your dog is healthy, trained, and well-behaved. Every passenger with a service dog needs this one.
The second form, called the DOT Service Animal Relief Attestation Form, only applies to flights that are eight hours or longer. Basically, you’re promising that your dog can handle a long flight without “bathroom accidents”.
Submit both forms at least 48 hours before your flight through aa.com/specialassistance. American Airlines’ online system allows you to upload the forms directly; no faxing or mailing is needed. Once they approve everything, you’ll get an email with a Service Animal ID number (SVAN ID).
The SVAN ID remains valid for a whole year from the date you sign the form, or until your dog’s rabies vaccination expires — whichever comes first. Next time you book a flight, simply provide them with this number. You won’t need to fill out all those forms again. If you fly frequently for work, this saves you a ton of time.
If you’re booking last-minute, you can still fly, but you’ll need to bring completed forms to the airport, so get there early. The gate agent makes the final call on whether your dog can fly, and they need time to review everything.
Your service dog needs to be at least four months old. American Airlines doesn’t care about breed — everything from Chihuahuas to Great Danes can fly as service dogs, what matters is behavior and training.
Check-in and Boarding Procedures
If you requested a special assistance coordinator when booking, they should have contacted you by now. Either way, you should bring printed copies of your forms to the airport. Gate agents might want to see paper, even if you submitted everything online.
Check in as you usually would. Use the app, the website, or the airport kiosks. Service dogs don’t need special counter service, unlike regular pets. This saves you from standing in those long lines at the ticket counter.
Before heading to your gate, find the pet relief areas. American Airlines’ hubs have lots of them. DFW has 11 total, including indoor ones with air conditioning at gates A29, B28, D18, and E31. LAX also has 11 stations, and at JFK Terminal 8, there’s a 1,000-square-foot real grass area right at the departures level.
You can board early if you need extra time to get your dog settled, just let the gate agent know. They’re trained to help figure out if your dog will fit in your foot space. If your dog is too big for your assigned seat, they’ll work with you to find a solution.
Hub Facilities and Lounge Access
American Airlines’ major hubs have invested heavily in pet relief areas. At DFW, those 11 relief areas are spread across all terminals. The indoor ones have synthetic turf and drainage systems. The outdoor ones give your dog a chance to stretch on real grass.
LAX went all out with their 11 pet relief stations. Eight are indoors past security, so you don’t have to leave and come back through TSA. They have running water, fake fire hydrants, and even poop bag dispensers.
Phoenix Sky Harbor has designated indoor relief areas near family restrooms, allowing you to take care of yourself and your dog during the same trip.
Your service dog can go into any Admirals Club lounge. Keep your dog on the floor, not on the furniture. And while the buffet might smell amazing to your dog, keep them away from the food stations. Other passengers don’t want a nose in their cheese plate.
Contact Information and Accessibility Support
American Airlines gives you multiple ways to get help. The main Special Assistance number is 800-237-7976. This team handles everything from initial bookings to form questions.
If you’re deaf or hard of hearing, call 800-735-2988. This connects you through the relay service. You can also dial 711 for the National Relay Service.
If you experienced a problem during your trip, the Disability Team at 800-892-3624 is available 24/7 to assist with complaints and issues after travel. For international problems, call 682-286-5070.
Email works too; you can send questions to accessibility.feedback@aa.com. They usually respond within 48 hours.
Rules During Your Flight
Once you board, your dog needs to fit in your foot space or under the seat. Small dogs can sit on your lap if they’re no bigger than a two-year-old child. But they absolutely cannot sit in an actual seat or block the aisle. This is federal law, not just American Airlines being picky.
Your dog must stay calm. A little whining during takeoff is fine, but growling, lunging, or jumping on other passengers can lead to being denied boarding.
No eating from tray tables is allowed, and if your dog has an accident, you’re responsible for cleanup and might face additional fees.
If your dog is too big for your foot space, you have options. Buy an extra seat, move to a row with more room, or take a different flight with a larger plane. The gate agent will work with you, but sometimes it means waiting for the next flight.
The last thing to keep in mind is that service dog policies on flights change all the time. Well ahead of your travel date, be sure to confirm with American that you’ve submitted everything they need and confirm their current rules.
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