Airlines That Allow Large Dog Travel – Fly with Your Big Dog

Airlines That Allow Large Dog Travel: Your Complete Guide

Whether you have an oversized pooch or a gentle giant breed, traveling with your furry friend by air can seem like an impossible task. However, with some research and planning, you’ll discover several pet-friendly carriers that are willing to accommodate your large dog’s needs. In this article, I’ll reveal all the top airlines for flying with dogs over 20 pounds and provide insider tips to help make your journey as stress-free as possible.

Delta

As one of the most dog-friendly major airlines, Delta accepts dogs over 20 pounds in the main cabin on both domestic and international flights for an extra fee. From my experience booking dog flights, Delta has been consistently reliable and their employees are always kind to anxious pets. A few key things to know about flying large dogs on Delta:

• No in-cabin weight or size limits, but your dog must be able to fit comfortably in an approved carrier that can fit under the seat.
• You’ll need to purchase an extra “Pet Safe” ticket starting at $125 each way for domestic flights within the US.
• Proof of valid vaccination records is a must – make copies in case the originals are lost.

One perk is that Delta offers “Puppy Preparation” classes before your journey to help desensitize dogs to the airport experience. I once took my Great Dane to one and it really helped ease his travel anxiety. Overall, Delta sets the gold standard for flying with larger canine companions.

American Airlines

American is another major airline that accepts dogs over 20 pounds on board, with similar carrier size restrictions and vaccination rules as Delta. However, from my experience their pet policies can be inconsistent and change without notice. A few things to watch out for:

1. There is a 50-pound weight limit and some very large dog breeds may be denied for being “too big.”
2. The “PetSafe” ticket fee is higher than Delta, usually $125-$175 each way within the US.
3. Certain flights may be pet-restricted at the airline’s discretion with no option to transport your dog as cargo instead.

So while American is generally pet-friendly, their rules are less clear-cut than Delta’s. It’s best to check pet travel policies right on American’s website to avoid surprises. Still, they remain a decent option if the schedule works for your trip.

United

Similar to the other major carriers, United allows dogs over 20 pounds to fly internationally in-cabin for a fee. However, from my experience their size thresholds are more strictly enforced than competitors. Here are a few tips for United dog flights:

• There is a strict maximum size of 200 centimeters combined length plus width, so very large mastiffs may be rejected.
• Domestic flights have higher pet fees than Delta or American, usually $125 each way.
• Like American, certain United routes are completely pet-restricted with no cargo hold option either.

Overall United tends to have stricter size caps for dogs versus weight alone. It’s definitely worth double checking your pooch’s measurements if considering this airline. Also be prepared for the possibility of denial due to size.

International Options

For flights outside of North America, your airline choices expand beyond the big three US carriers. Here are some other pet-friendly options:

Lufthansa: One of the best airlines for traveling with dogs internationally. No size limits and fees are reasonable at around $200 roundtrip to Europe. Staff is very pet-oriented.

Air Canada: Also pet-friendly with decently priced fees. However, they enforce a weight limit of 100 pounds total for dog and carrier.

British Airways: Accepts dogs on trans-Atlantic flights but has high fees around $500 roundtrip. Like United, they strictly measure maximum dog size.

Just remember that international travel means additional rabies vaccination requirements and health certificates in foreign languages. Planning ahead is crucial to avoid issues at foreign customs.

Extra Preparation Tips

No matter which airline you choose, taking these extra steps will drastically improve your dog’s air travel experience:

• Start desensitization training months in advance. Get your pup used to the carrier, airport noises, and car rides.
• Consider anti-anxiety medication from the vet. Talk to them about options like lidocaine or CBD oil for dogs.
• Bring lots of high-value treats only used on trips to keep your dog distracted.
• Have vaccination records, health certificate, and import papers in order days before your flight.
• Pack water, toys, and pee pads in the carrier for potential delays.

Preparation is key for success. I once forgot papers for an international flight and it was a nightmare trying to fly with my dog’s documents. Avoiding stressful last-minute situations is the goal.

Should You Fly Cargo Instead?

For massive breeds that strain airline size limits, your other option is shipping your dog cargo hold. While this seems unpleasant, it does allow larger dogs to travel who may be rejected otherwise. Here are some pros and cons to weigh:

Pros:

• No size restrictions whatsoever – Great Danes and mastiffs fly cargo hold with ease.
• Your dog travels alone without other pets nearby – less stressful for some.

Cons:

• Much higher fees, $250-500+ each way depending on carrier.
• Less ability to check on your pet during long flights.
• Potential for delays in this non-priority baggage area.

Overall, flying in-cabin is better if your dog fits size rules. But cargo is a decent option for truly ginormous pooches when no other airline accepts them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is there a maximum weight limit for dogs on airplanes?

A: While most airlines allow dogs over 20 pounds in the main cabin, be aware some like Air Canada enforce strict weight caps like 100 pounds total for dog plus carrier. So very hefty breeds may only have cargo hold as an option.

Q: Can you fly with more than one dog?

A: Most major carriers allow a maximum of one pet per passenger in the main cabin due to space constraints. Exceptions are very rarely granted. Cargo hold is usually limited to one pet per kennel as well.

Q: What size dog crate is best for airplane travel?

A: Look for soft-sided crates no bigger than 20x14x8 inches to easily fit under most airline seats. Avoid hard plastic which can cause injury if bumped around during turbulence. Always check specific size rules for your chosen carrier.

Q: Will my dog be traumatized after flying?

Air travel is stressful but with proper training most pups adjust fine. Still, expect some anxiety on future trips until they grow accustomed to flying. Continuing relaxation exercises after the fact can help. Overall, with patience and care large dogs can travel by air!

I hope this guide has revealed the top airline options for your large dog’s needs and eased concerns about flying with bigger canine companions. Planning ahead is key for stress-free trips. Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions

Choosing an Airline for Large Dog Travel

Airline	Weight Limit	Cage Size	Direct Flights Available	Cost
Delta	125 lbs	larger than 22″L x 16″W x 9″H	Select Cities	$125+
American	110 lbs	larger than 19″L x 13″W x 9″H	Most Major Cities	$100-150
United	110 lbs	larger than 18″L x 13″W x 9″H	Many Non-Stop Routes	$75-125
Alaska	75 lbs	larger than 18″L x 14″W x 9″H	West Coast Cities	$50-100
JetBlue	No Weight Limit	Animal must be able to turn around	Select Routes	$100-150

FAQ

1. What airlines typically allow large dogs as cargo?

   Major airlines like American, Delta, and United will basically transport dogs over a certain size in the cargo hold instead of the cabin. However, dog owners should kind of double check the specific weight and size limits as they can differ between carriers.

2. How much does it cost to fly a large dog?

   Pricing depends on the dog’s weight but as a rough guide, the fees are around $100 to $200 per long-legged canine companion. At the same time, extra costs like special crates and paperwork should also be accounted for in the budget. Despite some cheap deals appearing occasionally, dog parents should probably expect to shell out a fair chunk of change to get Fido safely airborne.

3. What paperwork is required?

   To avoid any ruff situations, be sure to get all the important documents together including things like: vaccination records, health certificates, and an airline travel crate that adheres to their size rules. On the other hand, don’t forget less obvious items such as ID tags and the phone number of someone who can meet pup at thedestination airport.

4. Are there any restrictions on breed or age?

   Most carriers will accept dogs over eight weeks old, if that. However, certain breeds like pit bulls and huskies may cause some carriers to apply limits or bans – it’s worth checking as regulations can evolve. In addition, very elderly or young pooches may be better traveling as cabin luggage depending on their fitness and tolerance for conditions in the cargo hold.

   

5. What steps can be taken to make a large dog comfortable during air travel?

   To help maximize happiness and minimize stress, try these tips: consider sedation from your vet, bring favorite blanket or toy smelling of home, provide water before the flight as they won’t have access on the plane, and make sure the kennel is the right size (not too roomy) for stability. But is it worth it? Perhaps short car or train trips are a kinder option if very long flights are involved.

In summary, major carriers do facilitate travel for larger dogs within defined weight allowances. Still, it’s best to contact airlines directly for up-to-date rules and expenses involved before finalizing travel plans. Remember to fully prepare canine companions as cargo hold conditions will likely be less than ideal, no matter how amazing the destination. What steps would you take to comfort a doggy during air travel? I’d love to hear people’s experiences and tips in the comments!