American Airlines is relaxing part of its pet policy, allowing owners to bring a companion and a full-size carry-on bag into the cabin.
Until this week, people who brought a pet onto an airplane (which involves paying a $150 fee) could only have one additional small item that fit under the seat.
Anything larger, like a carry-on bag with wheels, had to be checked out—for $35. Or they could put the animal in the cargo hold.
American now allows passengers to bring a pet, as well as a regular carry-on bag or personal items, but not both bags.
The old policy seemed unfair to some pet owners because they were already paying a pet fee.
Gary Leff, the travel blogger who first wrote about the changes, remembers traveling with a Yorkshire terrier many years ago.
“It was always frustrating that a dog was considered carry-on luggage even though I paid an additional pet fee that was sometimes more than the cost of the ticket,” he said Friday.
Leff said he believes the changes made by the Americans will reduce the desire of travelers to falsely claim that their pet is a service animal that flies for free.
A US spokeswoman confirmed the rule change took effect on Thursday.
“We have made changes to provide a more convenient and comfortable experience for customers with pets flying within America,” she said.