An In-Depth Guide to Major US Airlines’ Pet Policies
Choosing the right airline for you and your pet can be challenging to navigate, especially when pet policies vary from one airline to the next. Some only allow pets to fly with you in the cabin. Others only allow pets in cargo for certain destinations.
This guide details those differences for the major airlines in the United States so that you’re armed with the information you need to start narrowing down your options.
Please note that individual airline policies are subject to change at any time. It is important to verify any pricing and requirements directly with the airline before travel. This article will give you a general idea of the policies but is not always kept up-to-date with their latest changes.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines is one of the more pet-friendly U.S. airlines. All pets must be at least 8 weeks old to fly. Reservations for pets must be made at least 24 hours prior and up to 30 days in advance. As with all of your options, space is limited in cargo and in-cabin. Don’t wait until the last minute.
Excess Baggage / Cargo
Alaska Airlines allows most pets to travel in their climate-controlled baggage compartment for a fee of $150 each way if booked as Excess Baggage. Active duty U.S. military members, their dependents, and pets traveling within Alaska pay $100. Brachycephalic or snub-dosed dogs and cats are not allowed to fly.
Pets and their carriers can have a combined weight of up to 150 pounds and must fly on the same ticket as their owners when flying as Excess Baggage. There is not a weight restriction on flying in cargo when not listed on a ticket as Excess Baggage. All pets, even pets traveling domestically, need a current health certificate to show the airline ahead of travel.
Pets on any of these airlines may be denied boarding if the weather at either the departure or arrival city is outside of 45-85 degrees. Exceptions may be possible with a certificate of acclimation from your vet. Dogs and cats traveling to Hawaii must meet additional requirements. To avoid a lengthy quarantine period, pet owners must provide proof of up-to-date rabies vaccinations and show they’ve passed the Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) test.
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In-Cabin
Small dogs, cats, rabbits, and household birds may fly in-cabin for a fee of $100 per pet. Pet carriers are limited in size to 17″ x 11″ x 9.5″ and count toward your carry-on allowance. Space is limited, especially in the first-class cabin, so book pets well before you get to the ticket counter.
Health certificates aren’t required for pets traveling in-cabin, but pet import requirements can vary by state. Dogs and cats traveling to Hawaii in-cabin must meet the same requirements as those flying in cargo.
Service Animals
Service dogs are allowed in-cabin at no charge with a valid U.S. Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation Form (DOT Service Animal Form). The dog must fit in the space at your feet for the duration of the flight.
For additional information, visit the airline’s Pet Connect site.
Allegiant
Pets traveling on Allegiant must be at least 8 weeks old. Bookings can be made online via credit card when making your own reservation. Confirm with customer service after booking.
Excess Baggage / Cargo
Allegiant does not transport any number of pets in the cargo hold.
In-Cabin
Small cats and dogs may travel in-cabin for a fee of $50 each way. Carriers may not be larger than 19” x 16” x 9” and count toward your carry-on allowance. Health certificates are not required, but some states may have additional rules.
Service Animals
Service dogs are welcome to fly at no charge with a complete DOT Service Animal Form at least 48 hours before travel.
For additional information, visit the airline’s Traveling With Pets page.
American Airlines
All pets must be at least 8 weeks old to fly on American Airlines. Additional requirements vary by destination. Generally, in-cabin pets are not permitted on transatlantic trips.
Excess Baggage / Cargo
Checked pets on a traveler’s ticket (Excess Baggage) are only allowed for active duty military and U.S. State Department foreign personnel traveling on official orders.
The airline offers its American PetEmbark service for pets that don’t meet these criteria. These pets may travel on a separate ticket in cargo. A professional pet shipper can help you navigate the intricacies of cargo travel for airlines like American that offer the option.
Breed and size restrictions for cargo pets may apply depending on the aircraft. Fees vary based on flight duration and pet size, but expect pet travel costs to start at $450 for smaller pets. (This includes a $150 Live Animal Processing Fee on top of all posted rates.)
In-Cabin
Small cats and dogs may travel in-cabin to select destinations for a fee of $150. Carriers may not be larger than 18” x 11” x 11”. The combined weight of your pet and carrier should not exceed 20 lbs. You may bring one additional carry-on or personal item. Health certificates are not required.
Service Animals
Service dogs that are at least 4 months old fly free with a complete DOT Service Animal Form at least 48 hours before travel. The animal should fit at your feet or in your lap.
For additional information, visit the airline’s pet information page.
Delta
Pets flying on Delta must be at least 8 weeks old for domestic flights. Dogs must be at least 6 months old, and cats must be at least 16 weeks old if traveling to the U.S. from another country.
Excess Baggage / Cargo
Delta has a temporary embargo, as of November 2024, on pets through Delta Cargo (including pets flying on their owner’s ticket as Excess Baggage). The only exception is for active U.S. military or U.S. diplomats with travel orders. Eligible pets must still meet health certificate and crate size requirements.
In-Cabin
Small cats, dogs, and birds may travel in-cabin to select destinations. Fees range from $75 to $200 each way. Carriers may not be larger than 18” x 11” x 11” and count toward your carry-on allowance.
Service Animals
Service dogs fly free on Delta with a complete DOT Service Animal Form at least 48 hours before travel. The animal should fit in the space at your feet.
For additional information, visit the airline’s Pet Travel on Delta page.
Frontier
Dogs and cats flying on Frontier must be at least 8 weeks old. Health certificates are not required, but requirements may vary depending on the destination.
Excess Baggage / Cargo
Frontier does not transport pets in the cargo hold as Excess Baggage or as Cargo.
In-Cabin
Small dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and birds may travel in-cabin to destinations around the U.S. for a fee of $99 each way. Only dogs and cats are allowed in-cabin on international flights. Carriers are limited to 18” x 14” x 8”. You may bring an additional carry-on.
Read Next: The Ultimate Packing Checklist for Flying With Your Dog
Service Animals
Service dogs that are at least 4 months old fly free on Frontier, provided they complete DOT Service Animal Forms at least 48 hours before travel.
For additional information, visit the airline’s Family & Pets page.
Hawaiian Airlines
Pets are required to fly with health certificates on most routes. All traveling pets should be at least 8 weeks old. Hawaii is rabies-free, so strict regulations apply for pets traveling to the state.
All dogs and cats traveling to Hawaii must provide documentation of up-to-date rabies vaccinations. To avoid a lengthy quarantine, pets also need a passing result on the FAVN test. See the State of Hawaii’s Quarantine FAQs for more information about pets traveling to Hawaii.
Excess Baggage / Cargo
Hawaiian Airlines accepts dogs, cats, and household birds as checked baggage on select domestic flights for a fee of $225 each way. Fees within Hawaii start at $60 for each segment.
Excess Baggage travel in the cargo hold is limited between April 15 through October 15 to/from warm-weather destinations. Kennels are limited to 36″ x 25” x 28″. For pets that don’t meet checked baggage requirements, Hawaiian Air Cargo is another option offered by the airline.
In-Cabin
Small cats, dogs, and birds may travel in-cabin for a fee of $125 each way. Pets traveling within Hawaii may do so for a fee of $35 for each segment. Carriers may not be larger than 17” x 11” x 9.5”. You may bring an additional carry-on along with your pet carrier.
Service Animals
Service dogs fly free on Hawaiian with a complete DOT Service Animal Form at least 48 hours before travel.
For more information, visit the airline’s Traveling With Animals page.
JetBlue
Travelers may bring up to 2 pets per booking on JetBlue flights. Health certificate and vaccine requirements vary by destination. JetBlue does not accept pets to/from Medellin, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Europe.
Excess Baggage / Cargo
JetBlue does not transport pets in the cargo hold.
In-Cabin
Small dogs and cats may travel in-cabin for a fee of $125 each way. Carriers are limited to 17” x 12.5” x 8.5” and count toward your carry-on allowance.
Service Animals
Service dogs are welcome on JetBlue at no extra charge as long as DOT Service Animal Forms are completed at least 48 hours before travel. If you’re traveling with a dog that can’t fit comfortably in the space at your feet, you’ll be required to purchase the adjacent seat.
For additional information, visit the airline’s Traveling With Pets page.
Spirit
Pets traveling on Spirit should be at least 8 weeks old. Health certificates are only required by the airline for travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), but some states may have additional requirements.
Excess Baggage / Cargo
Spirit does not transport pets in the cargo hold.
In-Cabin
Pets flying in-cabin are limited to U.S. destinations for a fee of $125 each way. Small dogs, cats, birds, and rabbits may fly to all but Puerto Rico and the USVI; otherwise, only dogs and cats are permitted. Carriers are limited to 18” x 14” x 9” and count toward your carry-on allowance.
Service Animals
Trained service dogs are welcome on JetBlue for free with completed DOT Service Animal Forms at least 48 hours before travel. Dogs may sit on your lap or at your feet. If they need additional space, you’ll need to purchase the adjacent seat.
For more information, visit the airline’s pet information page.
Southwest Airlines
Pets may travel domestically on Southwest if they are at least 8 weeks old. They are not allowed on international flights or flights to/from Hawaii, but they may travel between Hawaiian islands.
Excess Baggage / Cargo
Southwest does not transport pets in the cargo hold.
In-Cabin
Small dogs and cats may travel in-cabin for a fee of $125 each way. (Pets traveling between Hawaiian islands may do so for a fee of $35 per leg.) Carrier size is limited to 18.5” x 13.5” x 8.5” and counts toward your carry-on allowance.
Southwest has an open-seating policy, but pets cannot sit in an emergency exit row or bulkhead seat without storage in front of them.
Service Animals
Service dogs are welcome on Southwest without additional charge. Complete DOT Service Animal Forms at least 48 hours before travel. Dogs may sit on your lap or at your feet.
For more information, visit the airline’s Pet Policy page.
United Airlines
United allows pets to travel in-cabin on United and United Express as long as destinations allow it. International travel bookings for pets must be made over the phone to confirm country restrictions.
Note that United partners with several large airlines. If your itinerary includes segments that aren’t serviced by United, you’ll need to check the requirements with each one.
Excess Baggage / Cargo
United no longer flies pets in cargo through their PetSafe program with the exception of active U.S. military, their spouses, or State Department Foreign Service Personnel. Eligible pets must still meet health certificate and kennel requirements.
In-Cabin
Small dogs and cats may travel in the main cabin for a pet fee of $150 each way. There are no breed or weight limitations, but carriers are limited to 18” x 11” x 11” and count toward your carry-on allowance.
Service Animals
Service dogs that are at least 4 months old fly free on United with a complete DOT Service Animal Form at least 48 hours before check-in.
For additional information, explore the airline’s Traveling With Pets page.
Your Partner in Hassle-Free Pet Travel
Choosing an airline that will not only accommodate your pet but also meet their needs can feel like a huge undertaking, especially if you want to fly your pet in cargo. Although many American airlines don’t allow it, cargo is often the safest, most efficient way to get a pet to its destination.
If you’re not sure of the best route for you and your pet, we can help. We can handle everything from booking the best itinerary with the fewest layovers to easing worries about anxious pets.
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