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American Airlines<\/a> is relaxing part of its pet policy to let owners bring their companion and a full-size carry-on bag into the cabin.<\/p>\n Until this week, people who carried a pet into the cabin \u2014 which involves paying a $150 fee \u2014 could only have one other small item that fit under the seat.<\/p>\n Anything bigger, like a carry-on bag with wheels, needed to be checked \u2014 for a $35 fee. Or they could put the pet in the cargo hold.<\/p>\n Now American is letting passengers bring a pet in the cabin and also bring a regular carry-on bag or a personal item \u2014 just not both bags.<\/p>\n The old policy struck some pet owners as unfair, since they were already paying a pet fee.<\/p>\n Gary Leff, a travel blogger who first wrote about the change, recalled traveling years ago with a Yorkshire terrier.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was always frustrating that the dog counted as the carry-on even though I was paying the extra (pet) fee that was sometimes more than the ticket for me,\u201d he said Friday.<\/p>\n Leff said he thinks American\u2019s change will reduce the urge for travelers to falsely claim that their pet is a service animal that flies for free.<\/p>\n An American spokeswoman confirmed that the rules change took effect Thursday.<\/p>\n \u201cWe made the change to provide a more convenient and comfortable experience to customers whose pets fly American,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\nSubscribe to the new Fortune CEO Weekly Europe newsletter to get corner office insights on the biggest business stories in Europe. Sign up<\/a> for free.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n