Pets flying on American Airlines no longer need health certificate?

We brought our dogs through San Juan on American three weeks ago. Nobody ever checked their certificates in DC, San Juan, or STX. But O'm not sure that wasn't just carelessness. I would rather be sat than sorry if I had a choice.

Yes, you need one. I flew in August from STX to MIA with 3 dogs. Their health certificates were checked on check in at the STX airport, and then by customs.

I've had them checked by customs in previous trips, but this was the first time the check-in person checked. However, it was a different person than usual (typically there are 3 different ladies at the AA check-in counter) because the flight was delayed several hours. He did not know what he was doing and asked why the health certificate did not say what temperature they could fly at. Which was ridiculous because my dogs were going under the seat and would be in the same temperature that I would be. It took me a while to reason with him, but he eventually let us through with a very negative attitude. All the health certificate needs to state is that the rabies shot is up-to-date. If the animal is flying in cold temps in baggage (which obviously yours is not!!) an acclimatization certificate from the vet is also required.

Never had anything checked by AA coming from stateside to VI. Always had everything checked leaving stx...last time (September) the Eagle gal actually wanted to see the dog stand up and turn around in his bag, and she wasn't going to let him fly.....a yorkie...then the CBC guy went over every piece of paper we had for him.....

I would definitely play it safe and bring the paperwork... I've flown multiple times over the past two years with my Terrier via PR and Miami - sometimes they ask, sometimes they don't - that goes for both sides of the trip. Of course they always collect the $100 fee!

Beachy I had the same experience this past September! I can't count how many times I've flown with him but that time the agent asked to see him turn around which he can't but just barely. Otherwise he's more than comfortable laying in the bag. She refused to let him fly and said something about the airline could be fined if they allowed me to take him on board and she couldn't take that risk. As I sat nearby trying to make other arrangements for a bit the agent called me over and asked for his paperwork. I kept my mouth shut, showed the paperwork, paid the $100 and was finally on my way.

Cagrace I say play it safe and have everything in order.

Just one little item, ST Croix is not a State! No Health Certificate, No Fly to the Big Island!:S

flew to and from this past summer with dog and they never asked but US airlines sure checked everything else.
made sure dog had plenty of room etc. and that was before i boarded. they held up the whole plane.

but never once asked for health papers. but i am glad i them just in case.
so i would suggest calling airlines.to be sure

I've flown three times now with my cat, to and from the states. The USVI is not one of the 50 states; don't let that language fool you! Unless such a statement explicitly mentions the territories, it likely does not include them.

On two of the trips, the airlines did not ask me to produce a health certificate. On my last trip, I was asked to produce it when checking in at the airline. Customs will always ask you I(if you're going back to the states). Definitely better safe than sorry.

STX update...flew this week, the early am Eagle. Gal checking us in did not care...I did not even have to put the dog in the bag for her to see if he 'fit'..and for the first time ever, no one asked or told me to put the dog in his bag while we were in the inside waiting area...of course, he just curled up on the seat next to me till it was time for our flight. The CBC officer did look to see that he had a health certificate, but did not read every line of every paper like some of the others have done. Perhaps this is a benefit of taking the 6:45 am flight..