FORT WORTH, Texas - The “dog days” of summer are fast approaching, and American Airlines and regional carrier, American Eagle, remind passengers that pets will not be accepted as checked baggage on flights effective May 15 through Sept. 15, 2003. This annual policy is designed to protect animals during a high temperature season.

Additionally, the airline will also institute a box and bag embargo on flights to certain cities from June 14 through Aug. 15, 2003. Customers traveling on American and American Eagle to certain destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and South America will not be able to check boxes during the embargo period due to heavy summer loads. This policy also applies to flights to Nassau from or through Miami and Fort Lauderdale. There is a year-round box embargo for flights from New York to all Caribbean and Latin America destinations and for all flights to Managua, Nicaragua.

The baggage embargo applies to Managua, San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa, Guatemala City, Panama City and San Salvador in Central America; Bogota, Cali, Medellin, La Paz, Quito, Santa Cruz, Lima, Caracas and Maracaibo in South America; Santo Domingo, Port au Prince, Puerto Plata, Santiago, Port of Spain, Kingston and Montego Bay in the Caribbean; as well as Guadalajara and Leon in Mexico. All American Eagle flights to and from San Juan and from Fort Lauderdale or Miami to Nassau are also included.
Oversize, overweight and excess baggage will not be accepted for flights to the destinations covered by the bag embargo. Passengers will be limited to a maximum of two checked bags, with each not exceeding 62 linear inches (computed by adding the length, width and height of the bag) and 70 pounds. One carry-on bag will be allowed with a maximum size of 45 linear inches and a maximum weight of 40 pounds. Sports equipment, such as golf bags, bikes and surfboards can be accepted as part of the total checked bag allowance, although additional charges may apply.

American’s intent is to provide the best customer service possible and to consider the needs of all passengers. There are limitations on the amount of baggage that can be carried, both in the cabin and cargo areas, based on the size of aircraft. This year, the list of the impacted cities has been narrowed - and the embargo period significantly shortened.
——-