Best Airlines for Pet Travel and Dog Airline Policies

Thinking of flying with your dog? Many airlines allow dogs, but you’ll want to be prepared to make the flight as easy as possible for you and your dog. If you’re flying with your dog, always communicate with the airline in advance, ideally at the time of purchasing tickets.

The airlines will walk you through their pet policies. They will also confirm if there is room for your dog on the flight, as most airlines only allow a small number of dogs in the cabin. Dogs must either fly in a carrier under the seat in front of you, or in a crate in cargo. As much as you might love your dog, it’s not possible to purchase an airline seat for your dog.

The only dogs permitted to fly openly in the cabin of commercial airlines are trained service dogs assisting people with disabilities. As of 2021, emotional support animals are considered pets, and aren’t permitted to fly with their owners unless they’re in a carrier.

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Should Your Dog Fly?

Before deciding to fly with your dog, you’ll want to be thoughtful about if your dog should fly. “Traveling by air can be stressful to people and to dogs,” explains Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer for the American Kennel Club. He notes that the strange sounds, sights, and smells of airports and new destinations can be challenging for pets.

Meanwhile, changes in diet and water on arrival can affect dogs’ gastrointestinal health. Plus, the upheaval of traveling and time-zone changes could lead to dehydration or interruptions to strict medication schedules, such as insulin for diabetic dogs — leading to potentially serious consequences. Talk with your dog’s vet about if flying is safe and appropriate for your dog.

Preparing to Fly

If you’re going to be flying with your dog, it’s important to do research ahead of time to ensure you have everything in place. Confirm if your dog can fly with you where you’re traveling, and determine if there are quarantine, vaccine, or other restrictions on dogs entering that area. The AKC maintains a list of state-by-state travel requirements, but additional rules may apply when traveling internationally and for US residents traveling internationally who are returning to the U.S. Many airlines allow small dogs to fly in cabins, so long as they’re in a carrier under the seat in front of you.

Unfortunately, in most cases, large dogs will need to fly in cargo. When flying with a dog, it’s best to book direct flights whenever possible. If you’re traveling in the summer, try to pick early morning or evening flights to avoid the hottest parts of the day. In winter, it’s best to book midday flights to avoid the cold. Note: during extreme temperatures, dogs are often not allowed to fly in cargo.

For dogs entering the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have new guidelines that went into effect in August 2024, which owners must consider when making travel plans. If a dog is being imported into the country for the first time or returning to the U.S. from another country, the person who will be traveling with the dog must submit a CDC-approved Dog Import Form online in advance. All dogs entering the U.S. must be immunized against rabies, be at least 6 months old, and have an International Standards Organization standard microchip. For dogs coming from a “high-risk country,” they must also have a a U.S. rabies vaccine certificate, a certification of foreign-issued rabies vaccination, or a certification of foreign rabies vaccination. They will also need a microchip form. In some cases, dogs will need to be quarantined after arriving in the U.S.

Preparing Your Dog for Flying: Health Checklist

Before flying with your dog, you need to ensure your dog is healthy enough to travel. Here are some health considerations to keep in mind:

• Schedule a veterinary appointment: Your dog won’t need a signed health certificate for many domestic flights, but it’s still best to have your dog examined by your veterinarian. Your vet will confirm that your dog is healthy enough to travel, if they’re up-to-date on vaccinations, and will provide you with an updated rabies certificate.
• Prepare Medications: If your dog is on any prescription medications, be sure to pack enough for at least the length of your trip. Don’t forget about your dog’s preventative flea and tick medications, too.
• Prescription Diets: If your dog eats a specialized or prescription diet, bring enough food with you for at least the length of your trip, as you may not be able to find it while traveling.

What to Bring When Flying with Your Dog

When getting ready to fly with your dog, it’s important to pack everything they’ll need for the flight and your trip. Things to pack for your dog include:

• Proof of vaccinations: Check to see if you’ll need to have a health certificate signed by your veterinarian. Even if it’s not required, it can be useful to have these documents with you, just in case. Be sure to check the entry requirements, including information about quarantines for any destinations where you and your dog will be flying.
• Airline-approved carrier: Confirm if your carrier meets the size requirements of your airline and your specific flight. Airline carriers should be waterproof and provide your dog with as much room as possible. Dogs must be able to sit, stand, lay down, and turn around inside the carriers.
• Portable water bowl for your dog
• Portable food bowl for your dog and a small amount of food in a baggie inside your carry-on luggage: This is especially important in case your flight gets delayed.
• Treats for your dog
• Poop bags
• Pet wipes: These are a great option for easy cleanup if your dog gets sick while traveling.
• A chew for your dog: This can be especially helpful for dogs during takeoff and landing to help make the pressure changes more comfortable for them.

How to Prepare Your Dog for Flying

The value of familiarizing your dog with their crate prior to flying cannot be overstated when it comes to improving the quality of their travel experience. Before your trip, you’ll want to prepare your dog for the experience of flying. Expose your dog to their crate early, so they’re comfortable and familiar with being in a carrier for long periods of time. Let your dog explore their crate at home where they feel safe and pair going into the crate with praise and treats.

It can be helpful to bring your dog to loud and crowded dog-friendly places, like bus stations and dog-friendly stores. This will help your dog be more prepared for the sights and sounds of the airport. Airlines require that dogs must be well-behaved when flying, meaning that dogs shouldn’t be excessively barking, and cannot growl, or act aggressively. To prepare for a flight, it can be helpful to train and practice to earn your dog’s CGC title before your trip. The skills learned for the CGC, such as walking through a crowd or behaving politely around other dogs, will help prepare your dog for being in an airport. Training more specific to how your dog must behave on a plane can also be useful. For example, some dog trainers set up rows of chairs to simulate an airplane to teach a dog how to sit under a seat in a carrier.

Dogs at the Airport

If your dog is flying via cargo, you’ll check them in with your airline as soon as you arrive at the airport. From that point on, the airline staff will be responsible for getting your dog’s crate onto the plane and off at your destination. If your dog is traveling with you in the cabin in a carrier, you’ll proceed through TSA screening. To go through security, your dog will need to come out of their carrier. They’ll then go through the full-body scanner and TSA personnel will screen the carrier. They may also inspect your dog’s collar or harness and leash.

Once you’re through security, most airports have pet relief areas, so be sure to make time for your dog to relieve themselves. While waiting to board your flight, you may be able to have your dog out of their carrier to stretch their legs.

During the Flight

Once you and your dog are on your flight, your dog will need to stay in their carrier. Dogs aren’t permitted to sit on their owner’s lap. It can be helpful to give your dog a chew to comfort them during the most turbulent and noisy parts of the flight. Chewing helps to naturally relax your dog, and can also help them adjust to the pressure changes associated with takeoff and landing.

Flying with Dogs: An Airline-by-Airline Guide:

Below are the airline guidelines for the most common airlines flying through airports across the U.S. Remember to talk with your airline prior to purchasing tickets to ensure there is room on the flight for your dog and confirm any guidelines for your specific flight.

Alaska Airlines

Health and vaccine requirements: Health certificates or proof of vaccination aren’t required for dogs traveling in the cabin on Alaska Airlines, but dogs must be in good health. Dogs who appear sick or distressed can be denied access to the flight. Dogs flying cargo must have a health certificate dated within 10 days of the flight and within 30 days of the return flight.

Are dogs allowed in the cabin? Yes. Small dogs are permitted to fly in an approved carrier in the cabin. The dog counts as the passenger’s carry-on allotment for under-the-seat baggage. Two dogs of similar size may travel in the same carrier if the dogs are comfortable, and no body parts protrude from the carrier.

Are there other restrictions on dogs in the cabin? First-class cabins can accommodate a total of three pet carriers per flight. The main cabin can accommodate eight pet carriers per flight. For international flights or flights to Hawaii, dogs are only permitted in the cabin. You can fly with two pet carriers in the main cabin if you purchase a second ticket for an adjacent seat.

Are dogs allowed in cargo? Yes. Dogs must be at least 8 weeks old and weaned to fly cargo.

Are there other restrictions on dogs in cargo? Dogs and crates cannot weigh more than 150 pounds combined. Dogs flying cargo must be on the same flight as the ticket holder. Dogs must be comfortable in their crates and cannot require any attention or support from airline staff during the flight.

Is there a fee to travel with your dog? Yes. There is a $100 fee per pet for flying in the cabin or cargo.

American Airlines:

Health and vaccine requirements: Dogs traveling via cargo on American Airlines need original signed health certificates completed by a licensed veterinarian within 20 days of the flight for both the initial flight and a return trip. Health certificates aren’t required for dogs flying in the cabin.

Are dogs allowed in the cabin? Yes. Dogs are allowed to fly in an approved carrier under the seat on most flights, up to 11 hours and 30 minutes in length.

Are there other restrictions on dogs in the cabin? Depending on the plane, there’s a maximum of either five or seven pets allowed in the cabin of each flight.

Are dogs allowed in cargo? Dogs are only permitted to fly in cargo with active-duty US Military and US State Department Foreign Service personnel traveling on official orders. Up to two pets can be checked to fly cargo.

Is there a fee to travel with your dog? Yes. There is a fee of $150 per carrier for dogs flying in the cabin. Fees for dogs flying cargo will vary based on destination and are confirmed at time of booking.

Delta

Health and vaccine requirements: Health certificates aren’t required for dogs flying in the cabin as a carry-on on Delta. Dogs who are flying cargo need current health certificates signed by a veterinarian within 10 days of the trip.

Are dogs allowed in the cabin? Yes. Dogs must fit into a carrier that fits under the seat directly in front of you. The carrier must have ventilation openings on three sides for domestic flights or four sides of ventilation for international travel.

Are there other restrictions on dogs in the cabin? Dogs must be at least 8 weeks old for domestic flights. For international flights, dogs must be 16 weeks old if traveling to the United States, and at least 15 weeks when traveling to Europe.

Are dogs allowed in cargo? Yes. The carrier for dogs must be large enough to allow the dog to sit, stand, lay down, and turn around without touching the top or sides of the crate. The carrier must comply with International Air Transport Association regulations.

Is there a fee to travel with your dog? Yes. The fee for flying with a dog is $95 each way for domestic flights and $200 for international flights.

Frontier

Health and vaccine requirements: There are no health certificate requirements for flying with your dog on Frontier. However, specific destinations may require health certificates from a veterinarian.

Are dogs allowed in the cabin? Yes, dogs that are at least 8 weeks old are allowed on all domestic Frontier flights, as well as flights to and from the Dominican Republic and Mexico.

Are there other restrictions on dogs in the cabin? Yes, dogs must be able to stand, turn around, and lay down in a natural position in the soft-sided pet carrier that fits under the seat in front of you.

Are dogs allowed in cargo? No.

Is there a fee to travel with your dog? Yes, there is a $99 each-way fee for flying with dogs.

Hawaiian Airlines

Health and vaccine requirements: Dogs must have health certificates from your dog’s veterinarian before traveling on Hawaiian Airlines if you’re flying between Hawaii and the U.S. Mainland. Health certificates must be dated no more than 14 days prior to the flight’s arrival. As Hawaii is the only rabies-free state in the United States, it has strict regulations for traveling with dogs. The airline recommends contacting the Hawaii Department of Agriculture before travel, for information on quarantine and vaccine requirements.

Are dogs allowed in the cabin? Yes, on certain flights.

Are there other restrictions on dogs in the cabin? Yes, dogs are permitted on interisland flights within Hawaii, and flights between the mainland US and the state of Hawaii. The pet and carrier’s combined weight cannot be more than 25 pounds.

Are dogs allowed in cargo? Yes, but the weight of the pet and carrier must not exceed 70 pounds.

Are there other restrictions on dogs in cargo? Dogs cannot fly in cargo on most flights between April 15 and October 15th, or at any time when temperatures are below 20F or above 85F at the origin destination or connection airport. Dogs aren’t permitted to fly cargo on international flights.

Is there a fee to travel with your dog? Yes, $35 for flights within the state of Hawaii and $125 for flights between the state of Hawaii and the mainland United States.

JetBlue

Health and vaccine requirements: Dogs must have any needed vaccines and documentation required by your destination before flying on JetBlue. Dogs must also have ID tags and licenses.

Are dogs allowed in the cabin? Yes, dogs under 20 pounds can fly in carriers in the cabin.

Are there other restrictions on dogs in the cabin? The combined weight of the dog and carrier must be no more than 20 pounds.

Are dogs allowed in cargo? No, JetBlue doesn’t fly dogs in cargo.

Is there a fee to travel with your dog? Yes, $125 for each flight.

Southwest Airlines

Health and vaccine requirements: Passengers must comply with any vaccination or health certificate requirements of their flight destination when flying with their dogs on Southwest.

Are dogs allowed in the cabin? Dogs are allowed in the cabin for domestic flights, but aren’t permitted in the cabin for any international flights or flight itineraries that include an international flight.

Are there other restrictions on dogs in the cabin? In-cabin pets are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis until plane capacity for pets is reached. Capacity is six pets per flight. Dogs that display any kind of disruptive behavior can be denied boarding.

Are dogs allowed in cargo? No.

Is there a fee to travel with your dog? Yes, $125 per pet carrier for US Mainland flights, and $35 per pet carrier between Hawaiian Islands.

Spirit

Health and vaccine requirements: Health certificates aren’t required for dogs traveling on Spirit Airlines, except for flights to the US Virgin Islands. Proof of rabies vaccination is required for dogs traveling to Puerto Rico.

Are dogs allowed in the cabin? Dogs that are at least 8 weeks old and weaned are permitted on domestic flights. Pet dogs aren’t allowed on international flights.

Are there other restrictions on dogs in the cabin? A passenger can only bring one pet carrier onto a flight, but each carrier can have up to two dogs inside, so long as they fit appropriately. The combined weight of the dog(s) and carrier cannot be more than 40 pounds.

Are dogs allowed in cargo? No.

Is there a fee to travel with your dog? Yes, there is a $125 pet fee for each flight.

United

Health and vaccine requirements:

United Airlines encourages all dog owners to get a health certificate from their veterinarian, but they’re not required for flights within the United States. Proof of rabies vaccinations and health certificates are required for dogs flying internationally.

Are dogs allowed in the cabin? Yes, dogs that are at least 2 months old are permitted on domestic flights. For international flights, dogs must be at least 4 months old to fly.

Are there other restrictions on dogs in the cabin? Restrictions on how many pets are allowed in the cabin depend on which specific aircraft you’ll be flying on. Some planes allow up to two pets, while others allow up to six.

Are dogs allowed in cargo? No.

Is there a fee to travel with your dog? Yes, there is a $125 fee for each flight with dogs. An additional $125 fee applies for each layover of more than four hours for domestic flights within the United States, or for layovers more than 24 hours for international flights.