A pet friendly vacation is the best kind of vacation! If that includes taking a flight, you’ll need to do some research on airline pet policies. Many U.S. airlines allow pets aboard their flights, but some are more pet friendly than others.

Airline Pet Travel Policies - Which airline is right for your pet?
 

Comparing airline pet policies, requirements, and additional fees allows you to make informed decisions about flying with your pet. To make that easy, we’ve gathered the policies for the major U.S. carriers, along with their contact information.

Be aware that government regulations can quickly change the rules for pet travelers. For example, in February 2021, the Department of Transportation ended requirements for U.S. Airlines to permit Emotional Service Animals in the cabin. And the Center for Disease Control has temporarily suspended dogs on flights from countries experiencing high rates of rabies infection. Check back often for updated information.

READ MORE ⇒ New Rules For Flying With Emotional Support Animals

Fluffy white dog waiting at the airport with airline cargo pet carrier and luggage in the background

U.S. Airline Pet Policies

Air Canada logo

Air Canada Pet Policy (888-247-2262)

Air Canada allows one cat or small dog to fly with you in the passenger cabin. Their carrier must fit under the seat in front of you.The fee is $50 for flights within Canada, or between the US and Canada.

Passengers can also travel with one cat or dog (up to 100 pounds pet and carrier combined) in the baggage compartment. The fee for pets traveling in the baggage compartment is $105 to $121 each way within Canada, or between the US and Canada. The fees for other international flights are $270 to $319.

Air Canada Cargo can help you arrange for transportation of other types of pets.

Air Canada allows a limited number of pets on each flight. Pets cannot fly without reservations. Please see Air Canada’s website for their pet policy with detailed information about carrier requirements, black out days, and required documents.

Review Air Canada’s policy for flying with service and emotional support animals.

Air Canada does not charge a fee to book your ticket by telephone. If you make your reservation online, call the airline first to confirm there is space for your pet on the flight. Then call Air Canada Reservations within 24 hours to add pets to reservations.

 

Alaska Airlines Pet Policy (800-252-7522)

Alaska Air allows dogs, cats, rabbits, and household birds to travel in the passenger cabin. A fee of $100 each way applies.

Other pets, (up to 150 pounds pet and carrier combined) including cats, dogs, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, household birds, non-poisonous reptiles, pot bellied pigs, rabbits, and tropical fish can fly in the climate-controlled baggage and cargo compartments. The fee for pets traveling in the baggage compartment is $100 each way.

Alaska Airlines does not permit brachycephalic (short nosed) dog breeds or Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, or Persian cats to travel in cargo. Make sure you check the website for the complete list of restricted breeds.

Alaska Airline provides limited space per flight, so pets need reservations. Please see Alaska Airline’s website for a full explanation of their pet policy, including  required documentation, detailed information about carrier requirements, and black out days.

Review Alaska Airlines policy for flying with service or emotional support animals.

Alaska Airlines charges a $15 fee to book your ticket by telephone. To avoid the fee, call the airline to confirm there is space for your pet on the flight, purchase your ticket on-line, and then quickly call back to add your pet to your reservation.

Allegiant Air Pet Policy (702-505-8888)

Allegiant allows cats and dogs in the passenger cabin for a fee of $50 per segment. There is no limit on the number of pets per flight, though each paid traveler may have only one pet carrier.

Allegiant does not transport pets in the cargo area of the airplane. Please see the Allegiant Air website for their full pet policy, including carrier requirements.

Review Allegiant Air’s policy for flying with service or emotional support animals.

Allegiant Air charges a $15 per-segment fee to book your ticket by telephone. However, because you must call to book your flight when traveling with a pet, you can ask to have the fee waived.

READ MORE ⇒  Pet Friendly Hotel Chains Where Pets Stay Free

 

American Airlines Pet Policy (800-433-7300)

American Airlines allows small dogs and cats to fly in the passenger cabin for a fee of $125 each way. Limited space for pets is available, so pets need reservations.

Animals can join you on most flights less than 12 hours to/from the contiguous U.S., Canada, Central America, Mexico, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and St. Thomas. Some additional restrictions could apply.

Larger cats and dogs can fly in the baggage compartment, on a first-come, first served basis. The American Airlines website states that the charge for pets flying in the baggage compartment varies. Fees are confirmed when your flight is booked, and up to two checked pets per passenger are allowed.

AA Cargo can help you arrange flights for larger pets, other types of pets, or pets traveling alone. Their website has a calculator to determine the fee based on your pet’s weight, departure airport, and destination. In our review of the calculator, it appears the fee is always over $600.

Please see American Airline’s website for their full pet policy, including required documentation, aircraft and destination specific restrictions, detailed information about carrier requirements, temperature restrictions, and age and health requirements.

Review American Airline’s policy for flying with service and emotional support animals.

American Airlines charges a $50 fee to book your ticket by telephone. To avoid the fee, call the airline to confirm there is space for your pet on the flight, purchase your ticket on-line, and then quickly call back to add your pet to your reservation.

Cape Air Pet Policy (800-227-3247)

Cape Air gladly welcomes cats, dogs, rabbits, and household birds on their flights for a fee of $30. Only one pet (unless in the same family) is allowed on each flight, so pets need reservations.

Cats, rabbits, and birds must be in carriers on all flights. Carriers are required for dogs on all flights, except New Bedford to/from Nantucket and Hyannis to/from Nantucket, assuming certain conditions are met. Please see Cape Air’s website for their full pet policy and more information regarding carrier specifications.

Review Cape Air’s policy for flying with service and emotional support animals.

You must call Cape Air Reservations to book a flight with a pet. Cape Air does not charge a fee for telephone reservations.

 

Delta Airlines Pet Policy (800-221-1212)

Delta allows passengers to carry on small dogs, cats, and household birds for a fee of $95 each way within the US and Canada. Pet fees are $200 outside the US, except to/from Brazil, where the fee is $75. Limited space is available, so pets need reservations.

Delta Cargo will help you arrange transportation for other types of pets. 

Please see Delta’s website for their full pet policy with detailed information regarding carrier specifications, documentation requirements, destination restrictions, and international and connection pet travel.

Review Delta’s policy for flying with service and emotional support animals.

You must call Delta Reservations to book a flight with a pet. Delta does not charge a fee for telephone reservations.

READ MORE ⇒   Hotel Chains that Welcome Cats

Small kitty sleeping on a pillow

Frontier Airlines Pet Policy (801-401-9000)

Frontier allows cats, dogs, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, and household birds to travel in the passenger cabin. A pet fee of $99 applies. Only dogs and cats can fly on international flights. Limited space for pets is available, so pets need reservations.

Frontier does not transport pets in the cargo area of the airplane. Please see Frontier’s website for their full pet policy, including detailed pet carrier specifications, documentation requirements, and weather restrictions.

Review Frontier’s policies for flying with service animals. Frontier no longer allows and emotional support animals in the cabin for flights.

You must call Frontier Reservations to book a flight with a pet. Frontier charges a $35 fee for telephone reservations.

 

Hawaiian Airlines Pet Policy (800-367-5320)

Hawaiian Airlines allows only small dogs and cats to fly in the passenger cabin on inter-island flights and on flights leaving Hawaii. The combined weight of the pet and carrier must not exceed 25 pounds.

There is a $35 pet fee for inter-island flights, and a $125 fee for pets on flights leaving Hawaii. The airline limits the number of pets per flight, so pets need reservations.

Cats and dogs can fly in the cargo compartment on domestic flights from October 16 through April 14th, as long as the combined weight of the pet and carrier does not exceed 70 pounds. There is a $60 pet fee for flights within the state of Hawaii and a $225 fee for flights to/from North America. Limited cargo space is available per flight, so pets need reservations.

Please see Hawaiian Airlines’ website for their complete pet policy, including further details on pet carriers, restricted destinations, quarantine requirements, and options for transporting pets exceeding the 70 lb. weight restriction.

Review Hawaiian Airlines’ policy for flying with service animals. Hawaiian Airlines no longer accepts emotional support animals.

Hawaiian Airlines charges a $25  fee to book your ticket by telephone. To avoid the fee, call the airline to confirm there is space for your pet on the flight, purchase your ticket on-line, and then quickly call back to add your pet to your reservation.

READ MORE ⇒ Hawaii’s Pet Travel Requirements

Black and white photo of a surfer holding his surf board with a German Shepherd Dog beside him

JetBlue Pet Policy (800-538-2583)

Through their JetPaws program, JetBlue welcomes small cats and dogs in the passenger cabin on both domestic and international flights for an additional fee of $125 each way. The combined weight of the pet and carrier must be 20 pounds or less, and pets must have reservations.

JetBlue is the only U.S. airline that offers reward points for pet flights. If your pet is a frequent flier, accumulating points is a way to save costs on future flights!

JetBlue does not fly animals in baggage or cargo. Please refer to JetBlue’s website for their complete pet policy, including carrier specifications, documentation requirements, and certain destination restrictions.

JetBlue allows you to make book reservations online for your in-cabin pet. A $25 fee applies to reservations made by telephone.

 

Southwest Airlines Pet Policy (800-435-9792)

Southwest allows small cats and dogs to fly in-cabin on domestic flights for an additional fee of $95 each way. The airline’s pet policy state that pets cannot fly on international flights.

Southwest allows six pets per flight with a limit of one pet carrier per customer. However, from time to time, circumstances might allow for more (or fewer) than six pet carriers per scheduled flight.

You must make your reservations in advance by calling 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792). On the day of your flight, you’ll check your pet in at the ticket counter and pay the pet fare before proceeding to the departure gate.

Southwest does not transport pets as baggage or cargo. Please refer to Southwest’s website for their complete pet policy, including carrier specifications and documentation requirements.

Review Southwest’s policy for flying with service animals. Emotional service animals must meet the regular pet policies.

Southwest does not charge a fee to book your flight by phone. 

Spirit Airlines Pet Policy (801-401-2222)

Spirit welcomes small cats, dogs, rabbits, and household birds to travel in the passenger cabin on domestic flights for an additional fee of $110 each way. (Note that birds and rabbits cannot join you on flights to the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.) The combined weight of the pet and carrier cannot exceed 40 pounds, and pets must have reservations.

Spirit Airlines does not transport animals in the baggage or cargo areas of the airplane.  Please see Spirit Airlines’ website for their complete pet policy, including pet carrier specifications, restrictions on international travel, and required documentation.

Spirit charges a $35 fee to book your ticket by telephone. To avoid the fee, call the airline to confirm there is space for your pet on the flight, purchase your ticket on-line, and then quickly call back to add your pet to your reservation.

READ MORE ⇒ 9 Tips for Flying With A Pet

9 Tips for Flying with a Pet | GoPetFriendly.com
 

Sun Country Airlines Pet Policy (651-905-2737)

Sun Country allows small cats and dogs to travel in the passenger cabin on flights within the contiguous United States. A pet fee of $75 each way applies. Pets without reservations arriving on a walk-up basis can join you on the flight for an additional $100 per segment. However, there is a limit of four pets per flight.

Sun Country suggests pets should weigh 16 pounds or less to meet the requirement of “fitting comfortably in a carrier without touching or protruding from the sides of the carrier, and with space for the pet to easily stand up and move around.”

Please see Sun Country Airlines’ website for their complete pet policy, including pet carried specifications, required documentation, certain destination restrictions, and weather restrictions.

Review Sun Country’s policy on flying with service animals. Emotional support animals can only fly in the cabin if they meet the pet travel guidelines.

Sun Country does not charge a fee to book your flight by phone. 

United Airlines Pet Policy (800-864-8331)

United allows cats and dogs to travel in the passenger cabin on most flights within the U.S. A pet fee of $125 each way applies. There is an additional $125 service charge for each stopover of more than four hours within the U.S. or more than 24 hours outside of the U.S.

The airline’s pet policy requires that pets have reservations. And all customers traveling with in-cabin pets must also check in with a customer service representative at the United ticket counter to receive a yellow bag tag to attach to their pet’s kennel.

United also provides their PetSafe program, which ships cats and dogs via cargo with dedicated 24-hour Live Animal assistance at 1-800-575-3335 or 1-832-235-1541. Rates vary based on the total weight of the animal and crate combined. Please note that the PetSafe program has a long list of dog breeds (and a few cat breeds) prohibited from flying.

Visit United’s website for their complete pet policy, including documentation requirements, detailed information regarding carrier requirements, and for more information on the PetSafe program, as well as information on international travel.

Review United Airlines’s policy for flying with service animals. United Airlines does not permit Emotional Service Animals to fly in the cabin unless they meet the guidelines for pets.

United allows you to book reservations online for your in-cabin pet (see the “Pets in Cabin” section of the reservation form). A $25 fee applies to reservations made by telephone.

 

WestJet Pet Policy (888-937-8538)

WestJet allows small cats, dogs, rabbits and household birds to travel in the passenger cabin. Pet fees of $50-$118 each way apply. Limited space is available, so pets need reservations.

WestJet also allows birds, cats, dogs, chinchillas, guinea pigs, hedgehogs, and rabbits to fly in the baggage compartment. Fees of $100-$236 each way apply. The combined weight of your pet and carrier cannot exceed 100 pounds. Limited space is available, so pets need reservations.

Please see WestJet’s website for the full policies, including restrictions on traveling with pets to certain destinations, specifications for pet carriers, and destination restrictions.

Review WestJet’s policy for flying with service dogs. Emotional service animals can only travel in the cabin if they meet the pet requirements.

WestJet does not charge a fee for telephone reservations.

Charter Flights

If none of the airlines above meet your needs, consider the possibility of a charter flight. Private charter companies may allow you to fly with your dog in the cabin.

However, this is not a budget-saving option. Flights start at $15,000.

 

Will Your Pet Need A Health Certificate To Fly?

Each airline sets its own pet policy, and some require you to get a health certificate from a vet before flying with your pet.

When you search for veterinarians on the GoPetFriendly website, you’ll see health travel certificates as an amenity for the vets that provide them.

Honey the golden retriever looks lovingly at her veterinarian, Dr Armao.


As you can see, airline pet policies vary from carrier to carrier. Hopefully having the information in one place will allow you to book your flights with confidence!

 

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Category: Travel Resources / Tagged with: Flying With Pets