Getting started on flying with your pets for the holidays
- Travelers with pets should book nonstop flights, preferably the first flight of the day, to minimize stress on their animals.
- Soft-sided carriers with see-through mesh are recommended for in-cabin pet travel, allowing for visibility and interaction.
- Most major airlines have specific pet policies, including fees and restrictions, which travelers should familiarize themselves with before flying.
If you and your furry friend are traveling together this holiday season, it’s good to know what the rules are, and how to keep them comfortable.
Jennifer Kopczynski, a former pet flight nanny who worked in the field for three years, said there are a few things travelers should do to make the experience as stress-free as possible for their pet.
- Pick a nonstop flight whenever possible
- Fly out on the first flight of the day to avoid delays
- Pack the night before and get to the airport early in case the check-in line is long
She also said it’s a good idea, especially with puppies, to avoid the designated pet relief area because they can be full of germs.
For pets traveling in the cabin, Kopczynski said, it’s best to use a soft-sided carrier with see-through mesh so you’re in their line of sight.
“I constantly am talking to them, petting them if I can,” she said.
Kopczynski also recommends getting ice for pets, both as a way to keep them hydrated and as a distracting little toy during flights.
For pets traveling in cargo, the ice tip still works. You’ll be required to attach a water bottle to their kennel, but freezing it ahead of time will prevent spillage. Most airlines no longer accept pets traveling as cargo, but Alaska Airlines still does. She said the U.S. Department of Agriculture also has helpful resources on the paperwork requirements for pet travel.
And, she said, always have backup blankets and pads in case your pet has an accident.
American Airlines pet policy
American Airlines charges $150 for an in-cabin pet and only accepts checked pets (traveling in cargo) for active-duty U.S. military and foreign service families.
The pet must stay in its carrier, which must fit under the seat in front of you at all times onboard.
Full details of American’s pet policy are available on its website here.
Delta Air Lines pet policy
Delta Air Lines limits the number of pets in the cabin to two in domestic first and business class and four in the main cabin. It does not allow pets in international first or business class. Delta charges $95 for in-cabin pets in the U.S., including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, as well as Canada. Pets going to or from Brazil are charged $75, and all other international itineraries incur a $200 fee (or 200 euros where applicable).
Delta only accepts checked pets (traveling in cargo) for active duty U.S. military and foreign service families.
Full details of Delta’s pet policy are available on its website here.
Southwest Airlines pet policy
Southwest charges $125 per pet carrier each way and limits the number of pets allowed onboard, so it encourages making a reservation over the phone. The airline does not allow pets to travel as cargo.
Full details of Southwest’s pet policy are available on its website here.
United Airlines pet policy
United Airlines charges $150 for pet travel on tickets purchased after April 26, 2024. It limits the number of pets onboard and does not accept pets as cargo, except for military and foreign service families. The airline also allows service animals, but its policy specifies that therapy and emotional support animals must fly as pets.
Full details of United’s pet policy are available on its website here.
(This story was updated to correct a typo.)
Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at [email protected].
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