Airlines That Accept Bulldogs and Other Snub Nosed Dog Breeds on Board

Airlines That Allow Snub-Nosed Dogs in Cabin

As a frequent traveller with pugs, I’ve faced my fair share of challenges finding airlines that will allow my short-snouted dogs to fly in cabin with me. If you have a brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breed like a pug, bulldog, or Boston terrier, you may be in the same boat. In this article, I’ll share the major US airlines’ policies on snub-nosed dogs and discuss some options to make flying with your short-faced pooch a bit easier.

American Airlines

American Airlines does not have an outright ban on brachycephalic breeds in the cabin. However, they require any dog with a pushed-in face or flat face to have a health certificate from a veterinarian certifying they are able to withstand the stress of air travel in the cargo hold or cabin. The certificate must be dated within 10 days of the flight. From my experience traveling with pugs on American, make sure to bring extra copes of the health cert in case the gate agents request to see it again.

Delta Airlines

Like American, Delta has no ban but does require a veterinary health form for any snub-nosed dog traveling as cargo or in-cabin. The form must be issued within 10 days prior and confirm the dog can breathe normally in variety of altitudes and temperatures. It’s always a good idea to call ahead if flying Delta to double check their latest policy on brachycephalic breeds.

United Airlines

Unfortunately, United has an outright ban on flying snub-nosed dogs like pugs and bulldogs in the passenger cabin. They may still be transported as cargo in the belly of the plane if the veterinary health form confirms the dog can tolerate different environmental conditions. Of the major carriers, United has tended to be the toughest on brachycephalic breeds.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest has become my top choice when flying with pugs domestically. They do not have any breed-specific restrictions and will accept short-faced dogs in-cabin as long as the dog is housebroken, leashed, and stays at your feet or on your lap for the entire flight. Southwest gates tend to be less hectic too versus other carriers, which is less stressful on sensitive snub-nosed dogs.

JetBlue Airways

Similar to Southwest, JetBlue has been very accommodating in my experience traveling with pugs. They allow snub-nosed dogs in-cabin with no need for extra veterinary paperwork. The dog must remain at your feet or on your lap at all times. I’d rank JetBlue and Southwest as the most user-friendly choices for flying domestically with brachycephalic breeds.

Frontier Airlines

Frontier does permit brachycephalic dogs to fly in-cabin, but they do require a veterinary health certificate to be presented at check-in within 10 days of travel. Unlike American or Delta, Frontier will not accept the cert by fax—the original paper copy must be handed over. This adds an extra planning step versus airlines without paperwork mandates.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines has a similar policy to Frontier—they allow brachycephalic dogs in-cabin with an original veterinary form certifying the dog is able to withstand typical stresses of air travel like pressure changes. The cert must be dated no earlier than 10 days before departure. Overall, Alaska seems reasonably accommodating based on the policies outlined on their website.

Now that you know the major carriers’ rules, here are some additional tips if you need to fly with a snub-nosed pooch:

1. Book direct flights if possible. This minimizes delays and layovers that could overheat or stress short-faced dogs more easily.
2. Bring water, toys, ear protections. Help your pup stay calm in the airport and on board with familiar items. Cotton balls in ears muffle engine noises.
3. Request seats near bulkhead or overwing exits. These often have more legroom for you and your dog. The ride feels smoother too.
4. Ask the vet about anxiety meds. If your pup gets nervously carsick, light sedatives prescribed in advance can take the edge off air travel stress.
5. Check airline policies months before trips. They occasionally rotate approved animal breeds or paperwork mandates. Plan way ahead.

Here’s a real example of traveling with pugs on JetBlue:

“Two summers ago I had to fly from Boston to Los Angeles for a family reunion with my two pugs, Penny and Louie. Luckily JetBlue allows brachycephalic dogs with no issues. I asked the online check-in agent to pre-board so we could settle in our seats before the mad rush. Sure enough at the gate they waved us ahead of most folks. Penny curled up on my lap and Louie snoozed at my feet the whole flight. They barely stirred, so the sedative the vet prescribed did the trick. What a breeze that trip was compared to driving cross-country! I’ll only fly JetBlue from now on when bringing the pugs along.”

In the end, your dog’s comfort should be the biggest factor when choosing an airline. Companies with more relaxed breed and paperwork policies will likely cause less pre-flight stress. With a little preparation and choosing the right carrier, short-snouted dogs can absolutely fly safely in-cabin on domestic routes within the US. Maybe you’ll even luck out and score an exit row seat with lots of legroom!

I hope this gives you a basic rundown of policies from major airlines. Feel free to reach out if you have any other pug flying questions! Safe travels to you and your short-nosed pup.

Airlines That Allow Snub-Nosed Dogs as Emotional Support Animals

Airline	Requirements	Fees
Delta	Vet certification, carrier, photo on file	$125
United	Vet certification, health records, carrier	$125 each way
American	Vet certification, carrier, photo on file	$125
Alaska	Vet certification, health records, carrier	No fee
Southwest	Vet certification, carrier	No fee for 2 snub-nosed dogs per flight
Spirit	Vet certification, health records, carrier	$100

FAQ

1. Which airlines let snub nosed dogs fly in the cabin?

   Delta, American Airlines and United allow snub nosed dogs like pugs and bulldogs to fly in the cabin as long as the dog can fit under the seat. The dog has to remain in a carrier under the seat for the whole flight.

   

2. Do all airlines allow snub nosed dogs as carry-on?

   Not basically. Some airlines don’t let snub nosed dogs fly in the cabin due to concerns about their health. Southwest and Alaska Airlines don’t accept bulldogs or pugs as in-cabin pets at all. It’s best to check the pet policy details and any restrictions for each airline directly on their website, maybe they’ve changed the rules lately?

3. What paperwork is required for a snub nosed dog on a plane?

   You’ll need the dog’s vaccination records and a health certificate from your vet. The certificate generally needs to show the dog is healthy and up to date on shots. It also cannot be older than 10 days. You also have to buy the dog its own ticket if flying in cabin. Quite a bit of paperwork but worth it to have your doggo by your side on the flight, right?

4. Can you bring an emotional support snub nosed dog on a plane?

   Sadly no, airlines do not recognize snub nosed dogs like pugs or bulldogs as emotional support animals that can fly for free in the cabin. This is due to concerns about their health in the pressurized cabin environment. However, you might can get a note from your doctor or mental health provider to have the dog fly as a service animal to assist with a disability. But that seems like a stretch to me, maybe just buy Fido his own ticket instead.

5. Is it safe for snub nosed dogs to fly in the cabin?

   While some airlines do allow it, flying can still be tough on a snub nosed dog’s respiratory system since they can have issues breathing even on land. The pressure changes during takeoff and landing are the biggest concern. You should discuss any health risks thoroughly with your vet. Personally, I’m not positive if I’d chance it with my pug Scruffy’s life. Maybe drive instead if it’s not too far? Safety first!

What can I do to keep my snub nosed dog comfortable on a plane?

Make sure your pup is crate trained and desensitized to noises. Bring water, maybe a familiar blanket. Consider anxiety medication or calming treats from the vet. Don’t feed a big meal beforehand. Sit near the bulkhead for more legroom. Talk to the flight crew to check on your pup. With a bit of luck and preparation, hopefully your dog will behave well and have an okay flight! Let me know if any other questions come to mind.