What airlines allow dogs in the cabin?

Many major airlines allow dogs to travel in the cabin these days. The big ones that let dogs fly with you basically include the typical suspects like American, Delta, United, and Southwest. And Alaska Airlines allows dogs too which is pretty rad if you ask me. As long as your furry friend isn’t too big, you can keep Fido by your seat instead of sticking them in cargo.

Is there a size limit for dogs in the cabin?

You betcha there’s a size restriction. Dogs have to be small enough to fit safely under the seat in front of you in a carrier. The limit is typically around 20 pounds or less, although it can vary slightly by airline. Perhaps they figure any bigger and it starts to get a little hairy – pun totally intended. Check details for your chosen airline to be sure your fur baby qualifies as a “lap dog.”

Is my dog allowed in the cabin free or is there a charge?

Now we get to the unfortunate bit – while we all wish our pets could fly for free, there is sadly a fee involved for canine cabin passengers. Most major airlines charge around $125 each way for dogs to ride up front with their owners, if not a smidge more depending. So it can add up fast if you’ve got multiple legged friends in tow. On the other hand, many see it as totally worth avoiding stressful cargo for pup. You pays your money and takes your choice!

What if my dog misbehaves on the plane?

If by some miracle your dog starts going bonkers on board, the flight crew reserve the right to move them out of your lap and into a different seat or even cargo if things go really awry. Most pups are on their best behavior, but flying can be exciting and strange for a dog too. Perhaps bring some calming chew treats or toys as a precaution. With any luck, your charming canine will remain well-mannered the whole way. Otherwise you may need to rethink keeping Fluffy as a co-pilot next time.

Airlines That Allow Dogs to Fly in Cabin – Bring Your Canine Companion Along on Your Next Flight

Airlines That Allow Dogs in the Cabin: Your Complete Guide

Whether you’re going on vacation or moving to a new home, traveling with your furry friend by airplane can seem like an impossible task. But have no fear – there are definitely options for flying with dogs in the cabin! Below, I’ve outlined the major U.S. airlines that allow dogs in the cabin and shared tips on what to expect from my own experiences.

Delta

Delta is one of the most dog-friendly airlines. They allow one dog per passenger in the cabin as long as the pooch is under 20 pounds. Larger service or support animals are also permitted. From my experience flying with Delta, they were super accommodating to my tiny toy poodle. I’d book early since there is a limit to the number of pets per flight.

A few things to note with Delta: the dog must stay in an approved carrier that fits under the seat, and there is a $125 charge each way. The carrier needs to be leak-proof in case of accidents. Also, Delta has specific requirements for vaccination documentation and health certificates, so be sure all paperwork is in order before flying.

American Airlines

American Airlines also allows one dog up to 20 pounds per passenger in the cabin in an approved soft-sided carrier. Larger service/support animals are cool too. I’ve never personally flown American with a pet, but friends told me check-in was sort of a hassle because the staff wasn’t super familiar with pet policies. Make sure to review requirements carefully to avoid surprises.

With American, there is a $125 pet fee each way and carriers must fit completely under the seat. Paperwork needs to be in a plastic sleeve for review too. Schedule permitting, you can request a “Pet in Cabin” reservation to ensure your fur baby sits with you.

United

United allows dogs up to 20 pounds in cabin with a $125 charge each way. Like the others, the dog has to be in an approved soft-sided carrier that fits under the seat. United was basically a breeze for my small pup – we had no issues at all. No horror stories to report from friends either.

A couple notes on United – the typical vaccination/health certificate paperwork is required. And larger service/support animals are permitted with advance notice. They seemed to have a solid system in place and staff knew what was up regarding pet travel policies.

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Alaska Airlines

This airline allows dogs under 20 pounds or cats in carriers that fit under the seat. There is no charge to bring them onboard either, which is kind of amazing. On the downside, Alaska has far fewer routes than the major carriers. So it may not be an option depending on your destination. But if the flight works for your travel dates, this is hands-down the most affordable pet-friendly airline.

Like the others, vaccination/health records are necessary. I’ve only heard positive experiences from pet owners using Alaska – stress-free travels! Just be sure to verify routes service your airport before booking.

JetBlue

JetBlue permits dogs and cats under 20 pounds in soft-sided carriers that fits under the seat by your feet. There is a $125 charge each way too. From what I’ve read online, JetBlue seems to impose some of the strictest pet travel requirements – so do your homework to plan accordingly.

Reviews suggest inconsistent application of policies by staff. So bring multiples of any paperwork just in case. Review documents yourself to flag any issues before flying. JetBlue was apparently dealing with growing pains regarding pet travel. Go in prepared and you’ll likely be smooth sailing!

Southwest

Southwest only flies domestic routes within the U.S. But that makes them a solid budget option if you’re traveling within the country. They allow one pet per passenger in a carrier that fits under the seat or on your lap. No weight limit and no fee!

In my experience, Southwest crews are super chill. I flew with my small doggo with zero problems whatsoever. Just be aware that because Southwest doesn’t assign seats, flying with an animal means getting your whole boarding group on early to snag the right spot. Overall though, you honestly can’t beat the price.

Additional Tips for Flying with Dogs

Now that you know the major airlines permitting pets onboard, here are some additional tips from mistakes I’ve learned along the way:

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Book early. Many airlines limit the number of pets per flight for safety/logistical reasons.
Use an FAA-approved carrier. Soft-sided carriers must securely zip/lock and fit entirely under the seat.
Secure critical documents. Vaccination records, health certificates, and rabies tags must be accessible for review by staff.
Pack judiciously. Only bring one carry-on with no extra bags that may get checked. Pets must remain with you at all times.
Prepare for takeoff/landing. Your pup may feel anxious during liftoff/descent. Consider calming aids like CBD oil or pheromone diffusers.
Avoid peaks & holidays. Fly mid-week, early/late in day if possible to avoid crowds when possible.
Check foreign entry rules now. Many nations restrict breeds like pitbulls or have quarantine periods – plan ahead!

Hope this guide helps you figure out which airline options work best for flying with your furry companion! Let me know if you have any other pet travel questions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

From my experience helping many pet parents navigate airline rules, here are some major fouls-ups to sidestep:

Forgetting critical docs is basically a no-go – airlines legit won’t let you board! I’ve seen folks show up without vaccinations or health forms filled out properly. Cutting it close on expiration dates is also kinda sketchy.

Not reading carrier size specs closely enough is sadly pretty common. I watched a sad passenger try to jam an XXL dog crate into the seat well on a full flight. That was basically her worst nightmare realized.

Overpacking your carry-on is a big fat error too. Airlines will gate-check extra bags, separating you from pup mid-flight. No bueno for stress levels! Pack light as a feather, folks.

Not accounting for your pet’s physical/emotional needs is kinda harsh. I mean, would you wanna be trapped for hours in a rolling tin can? Have a plan to soothe anxious pups with meds, treats or toys if needed.

Lastly, during summer – never, and I mean NEVER leave pets in hot cars. Not even for a quick stop. Their body temps rise drastically faster than ours. Don’t risk heatstroke, mmkay?

Hope sharing my lessons learned spares you similar mistakes down the line. Safe travels with your best furry friend!

Do you have any other pet travel questions? Feel free to reach out – I’m always down to help fellow pet parents navigate the often confounding world of flying with animals. It’s so worth it to keep those paws by our sides wherever life takes us.