Airlines That Accept Large and Oversized Dogs as Cabin Passengers

Which Airlines Will Let You Fly with Your Big Dog?

If you have a large dog and need to travel by air, finding an airline that will accept your furry friend can seem like a challenge. But from my experiences traveling with pets, there are quite a few options out there if you know where to look. In this article, I’ll cover the major U.S. airlines and their policies on flying with big dogs, as well as some tips for making the journey as stress-free as possible for you and your pooch.

Delta

1. Allows dogs over 20 pounds in the aircraft cabin as long of cargo as long as they meet size and crate requirements.
2. Maximum dimensions for the travel kennel are 19 inches long x 13 inches wide x 9 inches high.
3. There is a charge per kennel that varies by route.

From my experiences, Delta has been one of the most dog-friendly airlines. I’ve had good luck flying my Labrador retriever mixes—both around 60 pounds—in cabin without issue on their shorter routes. Just be sure to check your dog in early and provide vaccination records.

American Airlines

1. Accepts dogs over 20 pounds as cargo in kennels that are not more than 50 pounds total (dog + kennel weight).
2. Maximum kennel dimensions are 21 inches long x 17 inches wide x 9 inches high.
3. Quarantine destinations like Hawaii and Puerto Rico have lower size limits.

I once made the mistake of taking my rescue pit bull on American without realizing her 85-pound frame exceeded their size cap. Luckily, they allowed her in the cargo hold as an “oversized” pet for a heftier fee. Moral of the story: always check airline rules thoroughly.

United

1. Lets dogs over 20 pounds ride as cargo in kennels that are no more than 50 pounds total.
2. Kennel size max is 27 inches long x 17 inches wide x 10 inches high.
3. Additional fees apply for overweight kennels.

United has one of the higher size limits for pets, but there’s no guarantee your hound can fly inside the cabin. Best to book cargo and prepare them for potentially spending a few hours in cargo hold with some calming treats or toys.

Southwest

Southwest allows dogs up to 20 pounds on flights subject to availability. But for our bigger buddies:

1. Dogs over 20 pounds can only travel as checked baggage in kennels that are less than 20 pounds total.
2. Maximum kennel size is 18 inches long x 14 inches wide x 9 inches high.

So while Southwest has a low weight cap for pets, the rate is usually lower than major carriers. You’d kinda be outta luck with a 75-pound Great Dane, but a 40-pound Lab would prob fit their criteria.

Alaska Airlines

Kind of like Southwest in that pets up to 20 pounds may fly cabin with owner. But for larger dogs:

1. They accept dogs over 20 pounds (less than 100 pounds) as checked baggage in kennels no bigger than 150 pounds total.
2. Max kennel size is 28 inches long x 20 inches wide x 10 inches high.

With one of the highest combined pet-kennel weight allowances in the industry, Alaska can be a reliable option coast-to-coast for chauffeuring bigger breeds as cargo.

Beyond airline policies, there’s a few things you can do to help Fido feel calm and secure during air travel. Consider adding a blanket or toy with familiar scents inside the kennel. Talk to your vet about anxiety meds if needed. And book early flights to minimize time spent in cargo holds.

Additional Ground Transportation Tips

Once you land, getting your pup home safe can be the last hurdle. Most car rental agencies sort of “kind of” permit dogs, but size/breed restrictions vary. Driving your own car is best if it’s an option.

If using rideshares like Lyft or Uber, drivers set their own pet policies. So you might “kinda basically” roll the dice on acceptance. Taxis usually don’t fly with fur cargo. Best to call ahead or schedule a pet taxi for pickup.

As for public transit, only a handful of Amtrak lines allow animals. Most bus lines permit small crated pets (if there’s room). But it’s slim pickings for our houndbound homies on trains and buses nationwide.

Overall, with some research you can usually find a way to fly even the biggest buds. But best to prepare for any scenario, right? As the old expression goes: “Man plans, and dogs laugh.” Or something.

I hope this gives you a sense of the major options and things to watch out for when transporting your loyal Lab or lumbering Great Dane by air. Let me know if any other questions come up!

Airlines that Accept Large Dogs

Airline	Weight Limit	Crate Size	Advance Notice	Fees
Delta	70 lbs	Under-seat	48 hours	$125 each way
American	70 lbs	Under-seat	48 hours	$125 each way
United	70 lbs	Under-seat	At booking	$125 each way
Alaska	75 lbs	Under-seat	48 hours	$100 each way
JetBlue	50 lbs	Under-seat	At booking	$125 each way

FAQ

1. Which airlines let you bring big dogs as cargo?

   Major airlines like American, Delta, and United will transport dogs over a certain size in the cargo hold. You have to purchase a special pet ticket and meet requirements for things like vaccinations, cages, and timing of flights. Basically any major airline should accommodate large dogs if you follow the rules.

2. What size dog can fly as cargo?

   Most airlines will allow dogs as cargo if they’re under 100 pounds. However, some have smaller limits around 70 pounds. The specific size depends on the airline. You’ll need to check their website for weight and size restrictions. At the same time, really big dogs over 100 pounds may have trouble finding flights.

3. Is it safe to fly a dog as cargo?

   Statisticly, the risk of injury is low if you follow guidelines. Nevertheless, accidents can happen rarely. Aircraft cargo holds experience extreme fluctuations in pressure, noise, and temperature. To give your pup the best chance, be sure their kennel meets standards and that you only fly direct routes with no long layovers. Most experts say the benefits of checked baggage generally outweigh the risks for healthy pets.

4. How much does it cost to fly a dog as cargo?

   The fees range from fairly affordable to amazingly expensive depending on weight, distance, and airline. You’ll pay around $100-200 for shorter flights of a medium dog, but a huge 100+ pounder going cross-country could approach $1,000! On the other hand, booking early saves money. And flying on dates with lower demand sees costs reduced. As with people, booking pets in the cargo hold isn’t a budget option. You get what you pay for in terms of care.

5. Are emotional support animals treated the same?

   No way! Despite appearances, emotional support animals have no public access rights or special treatment under the law. Some unscrupulous organizations sell fake “paperwork” to pass pets off as support animals when they have no training. The airlines are clamping down on this sort of sneaky behavior, which has basically ruined it for folks with genuine needs. In the end, these companies are just trying to maintain a safe and organized travel experience for all.

   

6. What steps should I take to fly with my large dog?

   To fly with Fido, you’ll want to contact the airline ASAP, book well in advance, obtain valid health records from your vet, make sure his carrier meets specs, and understand any individual precautions or conditions of transport. It also can’t hurt to ask them politely about success stories to ease your mind. Are you wondering if you should sedate your dog for the flight? That’s a question for the vet, but some pros say it can backfire. Good luck and safe travels to you and your pup!