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The Best Dog-Friendly Airlines and Their Pet Policies

Make flying with fido a breeze

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Angela Brittain
Angela Brittain
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Summer travel is coming back! If you’re looking to fly with your dog this summer, but you’re unsure where to begin, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve found all the best dog-friendly airlines to travel with this summer, along with everything you need to know to prepare for your trip.

It’s up to each airline to create its own policies on pet travel. And while each airline has its own rules, many of them follow the same basic principles to ensure pet passengers’ safety. So before we go into all the specifics of each airline, there are a few universal standards that will be helpful to know no matter which airline you’re flying. 

via GIPHY

 

Preparing for Dog-Friendly Airline Travel

Some policies are unique to individual dog-friendly airlines, but many pet travel policies apply universally across different companies. We rounded up the most common requirements for traveling the airways with your dog to give you peace of mind for your journey. 

Call Ahead

Whether your dog is flying in-cabin or checked, each flight has a limited number of animals it allows. As soon as you plan to book your flight, call your airline to ensure they have space for your pet to fly.

Required Health Documents

Health documentation requirements will vary depending on the destination you’re flying to. Most airlines refer passengers to this website to find out which health documents are required by the destination they are flying to. 

In general, you should have a health certificate prepared within two weeks of your departure. You will need to make an appointment with your vet and let them know that you need a Health Certificate for traveling. At the appointment, they will make sure your dog is up to date on all necessary vaccines, and ensure they are in good condition to fly. Your airline will have specific requirements for how soon to obtain your dog’s health certificate before flying. 

Note: All dogs must be at least 8 weeks old to fly within the US. Some airlines require dogs to be older. Check your airline’s policy if you are flying with a puppy. 

Click this link to find out all the health documents required by the destination you are traveling to. 

Identification

Before heading to the airport, make sure your dog’s collar, leash, and harness are securely fastened to them. Their collar should include their ID tags and any city license tags.

Make sure you attach an ID card to your pet’s carrier that includes your pet’s name, your phone number, home address, and the destination you are traveling to.

Make sure your dog’s microchip information is up-to-date in case of an emergency. If you are traveling but haven’t had your dog microchipped, you may want to do that. Microchips allow local shelters to contact you if your dog is found, so it’s important to have that information updated before you travel.

Size Restrictions

Airlines will only let dogs fly in-cabin if they are small enough to comfortably fit in a carrier beneath your seat. However, the exact carrier measurements allowed vary between airlines and even between different aircrafts within an airline. 

For medium and large size dogs, you will likely be required to have them travel in the cargo area of your flight or ship them in a separate cargo flight. That will depend on your airline, so we’ve included all of those details below. 

Kennel Requirements

Each airline has its own size requirements for kennels. There are hundreds of pet carriers available to choose from. But in general, make sure your kennel meets the following requirements:

– Does your dog have enough space to sit, stand, turn around, and lay down comfortably in the closed container?

– Is there enough ventilation for your dog to breathe easily?

– Is it leak-proof in case of an accident?

Unsure whether your pet carrier is up to the task of airline travel? Here is a link to a helpful guide from the International Air Transport Association.

Breed Restrictions

Not all airlines have breed restrictions. But those that do usually rule out brachycephalic, aka short or snub-nose breeds. As their name implies, these breeds have a shorter nasal passage which can make regulating their breath and body temperature especially difficult. Some airlines allow these pawed passengers in the cabin but not on cargo, and some airlines have no breed restrictions whatsoever. 

Here is a list of Brachycephalic dogs: Affenpinscher, American Bully, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer (All breeds), Brussels Griffon, Bulldog (All breeds), Cane Corso, Chow Chow, Dogue De Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (All breeds), Pekingese, Pit Bull, Presa Canario, Pug (All breeds), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel.

Does Your Dog Need A Ticket?

While you won’t need to book an entire extra seat for your dog, you will need to pay a one-way fare to fly them. If your dog is traveling in-cabin with you, they will likely count as either your carry-on or personal item. Full details on each airline’s policy are included below. 

Weather Advisories

Traveling with pets is not generally advised in extreme heat or cold. If you are traveling during the summer, consider a nighttime flight so it can be as cool as possible for your dog. Always check with your airlines for weather advisories when flying during the summer months. 

TSA Requirements

TSA refers passengers to check with their airlines on specific in-cabin rules. But for getting through security, here are some tips from the TSA Website: 

“Please remove your pet from the carrying case and place the case through the X-ray machine. You should maintain control of your pet with a leash and remember to remove the leash when carrying your pet through the metal detector. Animal carriers will undergo a visual and/or physical inspection.”

 

Bringing Pet Food On Your Flight

If you’re bringing pet food on your flight, here are some guidelines to consider from TSA’s What Can I Bring? List.

  • Dry Food: Dry or “moist” pet food is considered solid food. Allowed on Carry-On and Checked Luggage.
  • Wet Food: Wet food must follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule for carry-on bags. There is no medical exemption for prescription pet food, even for service animals. Less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 ml is allowed for carry-on luggage. Wet Food is allowed in checked luggage.

 

Tips for a Smooth Take-Off

  • Feed your dog about 4-6 hours before you go to the airport. This will give them enough time to digest and relieve themselves before you go. 
  • Let your dog work out some energy before you go! Take them on a walk or let them run around your yard so they will be calmer for the journey.
  • Check-in with your airline’s front desk to make sure your pet will make it past the boarding gate without incident.
  • Before boarding begins, find a pet relief area in the airport to let your buddy do their business. 
  • Never give your dog sedatives before flying. The stress of an unfamiliar environment with the change in altitude can have severe effects on your dog. 
  • If your dog is on medication, consult with your vet about whether it is safe to give it to your dog before flying.

 

For more tips on traveling dog-friendly airlines with your best fur-iend, check out our post on Airline Travel Tips.

List of Dog-Friendly Airlines Pet Policies

U.S. Airlines and their pet policies chart

We’ve included a list of all the major US dog-friendly airlines, what they require, and what they will accommodate.

Alaska Airlines

  • Link to Pet Policy Page
  • Allows In-Cabin Pet Travel: Yes. Your dog’s kennel will count as either your personal or carry-on item.
  • Allows Checked Pet Travel: Yes. Alaska Airlines has a climate-controlled baggage area and allows larger dogs to travel in the plane’s undercarriage.
  • Fare: $100 one-way for in-cabin and cargo. $105 when traveling to Canada.
  • Required Documents: Pets flying cargo will need a health certificate dated within 10 days of outbound travel and 30 days of return. Alaska Airlines does not require any health documentation for pets traveling in-cabin. However, they do advise passengers to check the documents required by their destination. You can find a list of health documents your dog will need to fly to your destination here.
  • Breed Restrictions: Brachycephalic dogs that meet the airline’s size requirements may fly in-cabin, but cannot fly cargo. See a full list of brachycephalic dogs listed above.
  • Kennel Requirements: Details Listed Here
  • Allowed on International Flights: Yes
  • Shipping: If you need to ship your pet but won’t be traveling with them, Alaska Airlines offers Pet Connect Live Travel Shipping services. Learn More Here.
  • Date / Weather Restrictions: Customers traveling on Alaska Airlines flights 2000-2999 or flights 3300-3499 may not check pets in the baggage or cargo compartments from November 15 – January 10, but may travel in-cabin with passengers. See all current travel restrictions here.
  • Other Restrictions: Flights operated by Alaska’s Airbus fleet do not allow pets to travel in the baggage compartment. Before you book, check if your aircraft is part of the Airbus fleet.
  • Reservations Contact: 1-800-252-7522
  • Before Takeoff: Check in at the Alaska Customer Service desk to ensure your dog is ready to fly.

 

American Airlines

  • Link to Pet Policy Page
  • Allows In-Cabin Travel: Yes. Your dog’s kennel will count as your carry-on item.
  • Allows Checked Pet Travel: Only for US Military Dogs and U.S. State Department Foreign Service personnel traveling on official orders.
  • Shipping: American Airlines offers pet transportation through its PetEmbark program.
  • Fare: $125 one-way in-cabin. Cargo fares vary.
  • Required Documents: American Airlines requires dogs flying checked or through their PetEmbark program have a Health Certificate. See Details Here.
  • Breed Restrictions: Brachycephalic Dogs are not allowed to fly American Airlines. See a full list of brachycephalic dogs listed above.
  • Kennel Requirements: Details Listed Here
  • Allowed on International Flights: Allowed on flights up to 12 hours to the US, Canada, Alaska, Central America, Mexico, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and St Thomas.
  • Date / Weather Restrictions: You cannot travel with a pet if the current or forecasted temperature is above 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29.4 degrees C) at any location on the itinerary. Pets not traveling in-cabin cannot travel to/through/from Phoenix (PHX), Tucson (TUS), Las Vegas (LAS), or Palm Springs (PSP) May 1 – September 30. You cannot travel with a pet if the ground temperature is below 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7.2 degrees C) at any location on the itinerary.
  • Other Restrictions: Due to the lack of under-seat storage space, carry-on pets are not permitted in First or Business on Boeing 777-200, 777-300, 787-8, 787-9.
  • Reservations Contact: 800-433-7300
  • Before Takeoff: Contact Reservations before your trip so they can notify you of any requirements or travel changes that may affect you and your pet, like aircraft restrictions. Check-in at the American Airlines Customer Service desk to ensure your dog is ready to fly.

 

Delta

  • Link to Pet Policy Page
  • Allows In-Cabin Travel: Yes. Your dog’s kennel will count as your carry-on item.
  • Allows Checked Pet Travel: Only for US Military Dogs and U.S. State Department Foreign Service personnel traveling on official orders.
  • Shipping: All pet shipments are currently embargoed until further notice. See Details Here.
  • Fare: $95 in-cabin US/Canada/Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands; $200 International; $75 Brazil. Paid at the airport.
  • Required Documents: Dogs traveling checked (Military Only) or cargo will require a health certificate. See Details Here.
  • Breed Restrictions: Brachycephalic Dogs are not allowed to fly Delta. See a full list of brachycephalic dogs listed above.
  • Kennel Requirements: See Details Here.
  • Allowed On International Flights: Yes. Restrictions Apply. See Details Here.
  • Date / Weather Restrictions: None Listed
  • Other Restrictions: Delta includes the following on their website:
    • Your pet must be at least 10 weeks old for domestic travel
    • Your pet must be 16 weeks old if traveling to the U.S. from another country and must be at least 15 weeks old when traveling to the European Union
    • One pet is permitted per kennel with the following exceptions:
      • One female cat/dog may travel with her un-weaned litter if the litter is between 10 weeks to 6 months of age
      • No limit on the number of animals in the litter
      • 2 pets of the same breed and size between the age of 10 weeks and 6 months may be allowed to travel in 1 kennel as long as they are small enough to fit into a single kennel and are compatible – they will be charged as 1 pet
  • Reservations Contact: 800-221-1212
  • Before You Take Off: When you arrive at the airport, you will need to head to the Special Service Counter to check in with your pet. At check-in, a Delta agent will ensure your pet and kennel meet the necessary requirements for your trip and collect the required pet fee.

 

Frontier 

  • Link to Pet Policy Page
  • Allows In-Cabin Travel: Yes, as either your personal or carry-on item. (Note: If you bring your pet and a carry-on item, you will be charged for your carry-on item)
  • Allows Checked Pet Travel:  No
  • Shipping: Not Available
  • Fare: $99 one-way, paid during booking.
  • Required Documents: A health certificate is required for international flights. See Details Here.
  • Breed Restrictions: None Listed
  • Kennel Requirements: Maximum dimensions for a pet container are 18″ length x 14″ width x 8″ height.
  • Allowed on International Flights: Only to/from Mexico and the Dominican Republic
  • Date  / Weather Restrictions: None Listed
  • Other Restrictions: None Listed
  • Reservations Contact: (801) 401-9000
  • Before You Take Off: Check in at the Frontier Customer Service desk to ensure your dog is ready to fly.

 

JetBlue 

  • Link to Pet Policy Page
  • Allows In-Cabin Travel: Yes. Your dog’s kennel will count as your personal item.
  • Allows Checked Pet Travel: No
  • Shipping: Not Available
  • Fare: $125 one-way
  • Required Documents: JetBlue recommends checking here for documents required for your destination.
  • Breed Restrictions: None Listed
  • Kennel Requirements: Your pet carrier cannot exceed 17″ L x 12.5″ W x 8.5″ H (43.18 cm L x 31.75 cm W x 21.59 cm H) and the combined weight of your pet and the carrier must not exceed 20 pounds.
  • Allowed on International Flights: Yes, Restrictions Apply. See Details Here.
  • Date  / Weather Restrictions: None Listed
  • Other Restrictions: None Listed
  • Reservations Contact: 1-800-538-2583
  • Before You Take Off: When you arrive at the airport, visit the full-service counter or speak with a JetBlue crewmember in the self-service lobby for your JetPaws® bag tag to attach to your pet’s carrier.

 

Spirit 

  • Link to Pet Policy Page
  • Allows In-Cabin Travel: Yes, as one-plus-one carry-on luggage.
  • Allows Checked Pet Travel: No
  • Shipping: Not Available
  • Fare: $110 each way, paid upon booking
  • Required Documents: Spirit Airlines does not require a health certificate for pets traveling with guests in the aircraft cabin, except for Guests traveling to USVI. Spirit Airlines does require a rabies vaccination certificate for pets traveling with guests in the aircraft cabin to Puerto Rico.
  • Breed Restrictions: None Listed
  • Kennel Requirements: The dimensions of the container must not exceed 18 x 14 x 9 inches, and must be able to fit under the seat. The combined weight of the pet and carrier may not exceed 40 pounds (18.14 kg).
  • Allowed on International Flights: No
  • Date  / Weather Restrictions: None Listed
  • Other Restrictions: None Listed
  • Reservations Contact: 855-728-3555
  • Before You Take Off: Advance notice is recommended but not required.

 

Southwest 

  • Link to Pet Policy Page
  • Allows In-Cabin Travel: Yes, as either your carry-on or personal item.
  • Allows Checked Pet Travel: No
  • Shipping: Not Available
  • Fare: $95 one-way
  • Required Documents: Southwest does not require a health certificate or any other documentation from the Customer’s veterinarian for pets to travel.
  • Breed Restrictions: None Listed
  • Kennel Requirements: The pet carrier must be small enough to fit under the seat in front of the Customer and be stowed in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations:
    • Maximum dimensions of 18.5” long x 8.5” high x 13.5” wide.
    • Soft-sided and hard-sided carriers specifically designed as pet carriers are acceptable.
    • The carriers must be leak-proof and well ventilated.
  • Allowed on International Flights: No
  • Date/Weather Restrictions: None Listed
  • Other Restrictions: None Listed
  • Reservations Contact: 1-800-435-9792
  • Before You Take Off: Reservations must be made in advance by calling 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792). On the day of travel, Customers must bring the pet to the airport in an approved pet carrier. Proceed to the airport ticket counter to check the pet in and pay the Pet Fare before going to the departure gate.

 

United Airlines 

  • Link to Pet Policy Page
  • Allows In-Cabin Travel: Yes, as your personal item.
  • Allows Checked Pet Travel: No
  • Shipping: Not Available
  • Fare: $125 one-way; 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.
  • Required Documents: United recommends checking here for documents required for your destination.
  • Breed Restrictions: Brachycephalic Dogs are not allowed to fly United. See a full list of brachycephalic dogs listed above.
  • Kennel Requirements: The maximum dimensions for hard-sided kennels are 17.5 inches long x 12 inches wide x 7.5 inches high (44 cm x 30 cm x 19 cm). The recommended maximum dimensions for soft-sided kennels are 18 inches long x 11 inches wide x 11 inches high (46 cm x 28 cm x 28 cm).
  • Allowed on International Flights: Yes, Restrictions Apply. See Details Here.
  • Date  / Weather Restrictions: None Listed
  • Other Restrictions: On domestic flights, puppies and kittens must be at least 2 months old. On international flights, puppies and kittens must be at least 4 months old due to rabies vaccination requirements. Pets are not permitted in premium cabins on Boeing 757-200, 767, 777, or 787 aircraft because of limited storage space under the seat. A customer traveling with an in-cabin pet in United Economy on Boeing 757-200 aircraft will need to be seated in a window seat because of limited storage space under aisle and middle seats. For flights on the Boeing 737 MAX 9, the maximum kennel height is 10 inches (25 cm).
  • Reservations Contact: 1-800-864-8331
  • Before You Take Off: When you arrive at the airport with your in-cabin pet, please check in with a United customer service representative who will give you a bright yellow bag tag to attach to your pet’s kennel. The tag will inform you of the requirements for traveling with your pet in the cabin and must be signed as an acknowledgment of our policies.

 

Ready for Take-Off?

 

via GIPHY

 

Now you know all the basics of dog-friendly airline travel. But since you can never be too prepared, check out these articles to help you get ready for your trip:

– The Ultimate Pet Travel Checklist

– Guide to Flying with Your Dog

 

Bon voyage!

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