What are the requirements for flying a dog as cargo?

The rules can vary by airline, but generally the pet must be at least 8 weeks old, travel in an FAA-approved hard-sided carrier that fits under the seat in front of you, and have valid vaccinations and documents like the health certificate. Often the carrier and pet together can’t weigh over 50 pounds either. It’s also a good idea to mark the carrier as “Live Animals” for obvious reasons.

Is it safe for dogs to fly in cargo?

Most of the time, yes – but there are kind of some risks to consider. The cargo hold can get noisy and cold, so it’s important the dog is peaceful and has a blanket or two. Unfortunately, delays or mix-ups do happen on occasion, so some pets have missed flights or even gotten lost. On the other hand, the number of pets that make it to their destination safely greatly outweighs any incidents. It’s always a risk, but flying pets as cargo is usually not too awful if the airline’s rules are strictly followed.

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

The fees will change depending on the airline, route, and time of year. Nevertheless, plan on spending somewhere between $150-$300 or more just for the animal transportation segment. You’ll also need to pay for the dog’s ticket, which is calculated like a second passenger. And don’t forget extras like kennel rental if you do not have an approved carrier already. So for a short haul flight, it could easily add up to $500 or so when all is said and done. Ouch!

Can you bring a dog into the cabin instead of cargo?

Realistically, not all dogs qualify to fly in the main cabin due to size or breed restrictions that vary among airlines. Surprisingly, there may be some leeway if your pet is very tiny or a service dog. But generally, any canine over 20 pounds has to be checked as cargo on domestic flights. That said, an emotional support animal letter from a doctor or therapist could allow a larger pooch on board, so I guess it depends on the pup! It never hurts to ask.

What if my pet seems uneasy during the flight?

If all goes smoothly, the animal handlers try to minimize stress. But on the other paw, pets can have anxieties just like people. So what if your pup looks pretty nervous in the kennel? Unfortunately there’s not much you can do once onboard. But asking for a sedative from your vet beforehand might help calm things down a bit. And signing the dog up for a “do not fly” list until it gets more comfortable with airports and crates is also an option, as unpleasant as that may seem. Ultimately, you’ve got to do right by your furry friend.

Airlines That Let You Bring Your Dog in the Cabin – A Guide to Dog-Friendly Airline Policies

Airlines That Welcome Fido in the Cabin

As more people travel with their furry companions these days, many airlines now allow dogs in the passenger cabin. If you’re planning a trip with your pup, here’s a breakdown of major US carriers that welcome canine passengers and their policies.

Delta Airlines

Delta is one of the most pet-friendly airlines. They allow dogs under 20 lbs in the cabin as long as they remain in an approved pet carrier that fits under the seat. From my experience traveling with dogs on Delta, they are very accommodating as long as you follow the rules. Make sure to check your pet and carrier at the Ticket Counter so they can tag it.

Delta also allows emotional support and service animals to accompany passengers in the cabin without being confined to a carrier. However, these pets must be trained to behave properly. I once saw a passenger get turned away at the gate because their “emotional support” dog was aggressively barking and lunging at people. So make sure Fido is well-behaved!

American Airlines

American has size restrictions similar to Delta – dogs under 20 lbs can fly in-cabin in an approved soft-sided carrier. Larger dogs must be checked as cargo depending on availability. From my experience, American tends to have fewer pet-friendly flights than other carriers, so it’s best to book well in advance.

Like Delta, American also allows emotional support animals without carriers. But they tightened their requirements in 2020 after several incidents of untrained pets causing disturbances. The animal must now be listed during booking and proper documentation from a mental health professional is needed.

United Airlines

United has a size limit of 15 lbs for in-cabin pets. Smaller dogs can travel in soft-sided carriers that fit under the seat in front of you. I once brought my 10-lb Chihuahua mix on United with no issues. Just be prepared for curious passengers who may want to pet your pup!

Airlines That Let You Bring Your Dog in the Cabin – A Guide to Dog-Friendly Airline Policies image 3

United also accepts properly documented emotional support animals. However, apparent untrained pets may be denied boarding at the agent’s discretion. Communication is key – call ahead to confirm your itinerary is pet-approved.

Alaska Airlines

This West Coast carrier allows dogs under 20 lbs to travel with you in-cabin, as long as they remain in an approved soft-sided carrier. Larger dogs must be checked as baggage. From my experience, Alaska personnel are very friendly towards pet owners.

They also accept service and emotional support animals with proper documentation. But after a few bad incidents, Alaska now bans pit bull type dogs as emotional support animals due to safety concerns.

JetBlue

JetBlue has a pet-friendly policy similar to the major carriers. Dogs under 20 lbs can fly in-cabin in soft-sided carriers. However, only service animals are permitted on flights originating in or traveling to Puerto Rico due to local regulations.

The airline is very accommodating towards pets and even offers “sky pounds” where pets can relieve themselves in-between flights. From my experience traveling with JetBlue, they go above and beyond to make furbaby passengers feel comfortable.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest has a unique policy compared to other airlines – they only accept small dogs and cats traveling in approved soft-sided carriers. The pet and carrier together cannot weigh over 20 lbs or exceed the FAA size limit of 18x14x8 inches.

Airlines That Let You Bring Your Dog in the Cabin – A Guide to Dog-Friendly Airline Policies image 2

This more restrictive policy basically means no large or heavy dogs. From my experience, it’s best to book a Southwest flight knowing your pet meets these criteria to avoid issues. They don’t accept emotional support animals either.

Tips for Flying with Fido

Now that you know which airlines are most pet-friendly, here are some additional tips to help make your dog’s air travel experience stress-free:

Book early. Call the airline well in advance to ensure your flight is pet-approved and there’s space.
Prepare your pet. Get them used to their carrier through desensitization training weeks before the flight. Consider medication from your vet to reduce anxiety.
Follow carrier policies. Use a soft-sided carrier with proper ventilation that fits under the seat. Don’t try to sneak your large dog in a too-small carrier!
Transport health records. Bring vaccination and health certificates if traveling between states or countries.
Learn in-cabin procedures. Ask your airline about check-in, security screening, and whether pets can be let out on longer flights.

Hopefully this gives you the basics of flying with your furry friend. With proper preparation using these tips, yours and Fido’s journey can go smoothly! Let me know if you have any other pet travel questions.

Other Ground Transportation Options

If long flights are too stressful for your puppo, consider alternative ground transportation when possible. Driving gives you more flexibility to make stops, plus Fido can stretch his legs. You could take a scenic road trip! Amtrak also welcomes small dogs on most routes in your lap or carrier.

For shorter trips, you might look into transport services like Happy Tails Travel that are basically “Ubers for dogs.” They pick up and transport pooches between locations using spacious vans equipped for pets. Probably less stressful than the airport experience!

Hope this overview helped give you more options to include Fido in your wanderlust. Safe travels to all my furry friends out there! Let me know if any other puppy travel questions come up.

Airlines That Allow Dogs in Cabin

Airline	Weight Limit	Cabin Container Required	Advance Notice Required	Fees
Delta	20 lbs or under	Soft-sided carrier under the seat	Minimum of 24 hrs before travel	$125 each way
American	20 lbs or under	Hard-sided kennel that fits under seat	Minimum of 48 hrs before travel	$125 each way
United	20 lbs or under	Soft-sided carrier under the seat	Minimum of 48 hrs before travel	$125 each way
Alaska	10-20 lbs	Soft-sided carrier under the seat	Minimum of 48 hrs before travel	$100 each way
Southwest	8 lbs or under	Carried in your lap in a pet carrier	No advance notice required	No pet fees

FAQ

Which airlines allow dogs as cargo?

Quite a few airlines will transport dogs as cargo. Major carriers like United, American, Delta, and Alaska all have policies for flying pets in the cargo hold. Basically you need to check with the specific airline for details on size limits, paperwork requirements, and any fees.
What are the requirements for flying a dog as cargo?

The rules can vary by airline, but generally the pet must be at least 8 weeks old, travel in an FAA-approved hard-sided carrier that fits under the seat in front of you, and have valid vaccinations and documents like the health certificate. Often the carrier and pet together can’t weigh over 50 pounds either. It’s also a good idea to mark the carrier as “Live Animals” for obvious reasons.
Is it safe for dogs to fly in cargo?

Most of the time, yes – but there are kind of some risks to consider. The cargo hold can get noisy and cold, so it’s important the dog is peaceful and has a blanket or two. Unfortunately, delays or mix-ups do happen on occasion, so some pets have missed flights or even gotten lost. On the other hand, the number of pets that make it to their destination safely greatly outweighs any incidents. It’s always a risk, but flying pets as cargo is usually not too awful if the airline’s rules are strictly followed.
How much does it cost to fly a small dog as cargo?

The fees will change depending on the airline, route, and time of year. Nevertheless, plan on spending somewhere between $150-$300 or more just for the animal transportation segment. You’ll also need to pay for the dog’s ticket, which is calculated like a second passenger. And don’t forget extras like kennel rental if you do not have an approved carrier already. So for a short haul flight, it could easily add up to $500 or so when all is said and done. Ouch!
Can you bring a dog into the cabin instead of cargo?

Realistically, not all dogs qualify to fly in the main cabin due to size or breed restrictions that vary among airlines. Surprisingly, there may be some leeway if your pet is very tiny or a service dog. But generally, any canine over 20 pounds has to be checked as cargo on domestic flights. That said, an emotional support animal letter from a doctor or therapist could allow a larger pooch on board, so I guess it depends on the pup! It never hurts to ask.
Which animals besides dogs can fly as cargo?

While Fido gets the most airplane rides, many carriers will also transport cats, birds, rabbits, and some smaller animals as checked baggage. Strange but true – you’ve even got options like shipping reptiles, hedgehogs or ferrets in some situations! However, don’t try putting a horse or goat into the hold, despite how funny that image is. Stick to the more traditional pets basically. And as always, consult the airline for specifics on species policies and any weight/size limits upfront.
What if my pet seems uneasy during the flight?

If all goes smoothly, the animal handlers try to minimize stress. But on the other paw, pets can have anxieties just like people. So what if your pup looks pretty nervous in the kennel? Unfortunately there’s not much you can do once onboard. But asking for a sedative from your vet beforehand might help calm things down a bit. And signing the dog up for a “do not fly” list until it gets more comfortable with airports and crates is also an option, as unpleasant as that may seem. Ultimately, you’ve got to do right by your furry friend.

Is it possible to avoid checking a pet as cargo altogether?

At the end of the day, driving or taking a train may basically be the only surefire way to keep beloved Fido or Fluffy out of the luggage compartment entirely. Pets on Amtrak are usually fine riding in carriers under seats. And even a really long car ride beats subjecting an animal to the less controlled cargo environment if avoidable. Of course, this isn’t practical for every location. But it’s at least worth considering possible land routes before automatically booking air travel and checking bags with your buddy inside. The car sure beats the chaos of an airport, right?

Airlines