Cheapest Pet Airline Fees – Compare Prices & Policies for Flying With Your Cat or Dog

The Lowdown on Low-Cost Pet Air Travel: Understanding Airline Pet Policies and Fees

Whether you’re planning a dream vacation with your furry friend or relocating to a new home, transporting your pet by air is often a necessary step. However, pet airline fees can add significant costs to your trip. As any pet owner knows, our animal companions are more than just luggage – they depend on us for their safety, comfort and care. In this article, I’ll break down the pet policies of major airlines and share tips for keeping costs down while still ensuring a stress-free flying experience for your pet.

Comparing Major Airline Pet Policies

Let’s start with the basics – what fees can you expect from different carriers? As a general rule, most airlines charge per kennel rather than per pet. So if you have multiple small pets traveling together, it may work out cheaper than separate kennels. Most carriers also require pets to be at least 8 weeks old.

1. American Airlines: $125 per kennel in the cabin, $200 in the cargo hold. Only accept dogs and cats.
2. Delta: $125 in cabin, $200 in cargo hold. Accept dogs, cats, household birds.
3. United: $125 in cabin, $200-250 in cargo hold depending on flight. Accept dogs, cats, household birds.
4. Southwest: $95-125 in cabin depending on flight. Only accept dogs and cats. No cargo hold transportation.
5. JetBlue: $125 in cabin. Accept dogs, cats, household birds as well as emotional support animals with documentation. No cargo hold transportation.

As you can see, prices are fairly standard across major carriers. From my experience, Southwest or JetBlue may offer better value if your pet is small enough to travel in the cabin the whole time.

Other Considerations When Comparing Rates

Beyond the base pet fee, here are some other factors that can drive up airline pet travel costs:

1. Overweight or oversized kennels may incur extra fees, so measure your pet carrier carefully against size restrictions.
2. Connecting flights usually add $50-100 to the totalfare compared to direct flights.
3. Breed restrictions vary but some airlines like United ban bulky breeds from the cabin for safety.
4. Cats must travel in the cargo hold on most airlines due to FAA regulations, making it more stressful and expensive.
5. Flying during busy seasons like holidays commands higher pet fares. Book off-peak when you can.

Weighing all your options will help get the best deal on pet travel based on your furry friend’s specific needs.

Strategies for Saving on Pet Airfare

Assuming your pet is good to fly in terms of health, training and behavior, here are some tried-and-true methods I’ve used to cut costs:

1. Book flights for your pet separately from your own ticket if it works out cheaper overall. Two smaller kennels may be less than one large one.
2. Fly with budget carriers like JetBlue if possible since they have competitive pet rates and only allow cabin transport. No risky cargo hold!
3. Look for promo fares; Southwest often runs deals where your second pet flies half price or free. Sign up for airline emails.
4. See if your preferred hotel or rental car provider offers airline mileage partnerships you could use to earn a free / discounted companion ticket for your pet.
5. Consider driving or taking a train instead of flying if it’s not too far and you can break up long stretches for your pet’s comfort.

With some research into policies and deals, you may be surprised how much lower you can get pet airfare compared to just paying the stated online rates. It takes some effort but it’s well worth it for peace of mind.

Easing Pet Travel Stress with Proper Prep

No matter how good the price, remember that flying can be scary and disorienting for animals. Reducing stress through prep is key for a good experience. Here are my top tips:

1. Get your vet to sign off that your pet is healthy and up-to-date on vaccines. Some airlines require health certificates.
2. Practice going in and out of the kennel with treats and praise to get them accustomed. Use the same kennel for flying.
3. Speak soothingly and avoid anxious energy when traveling to curb stress. Diffusing pheromones a few hours before may also help calm pets.
4. Pack your pet’s favorite toys/blankets that smell like home inside the kennel for comfort. Favorite food is also reassuring.
5. Consider calming supplements from the vet. I’ve used them for car rides and vet visits with great results minimizing stress responses.
6. Check if your airline allows owners to accompany pets to the gate for cabin animals. Being with their person is comforting.

With diligent prep using these techniques, even cats that normally hate carriers can tolerate flights like champs. It’s all about creating positive associations.

Special Considerations for Emotional Support or Service Animals

If your pet provides emotional or medical support, flying regulations differ slightly. Here’s the scoop:

1. ESA owners should request accommodation from airlines at least 48 hours in advance with a note from your mental health professional or doctor.
2. ESAs may accompany passengers in the cabin free of charge for most airlines as a reasonable accommodation under Air Carrier Access Act.
3. Service animals assisting disabled handlers fly cabin free too, but may require more documentation like training proof.
4. While meant to assist their owners, poorly trained ESA or service animals can actually increase anxiety on flights for others through barking etc. Proper socialization is key to avoid issues.

For those dealing with disabilities or health problems, the extra peace of mind a pet companion provides is priceless. Knowing the transport rules helps ensure both you and your animal are supported every step of the way.

Overcoming Barriers to Fur-ever Friendly Travel

With a little savvy and preparation, flying pets to new places can be affordable and manageable for any owner. Still, it’s understandable why some folks hesitate. From my experience, the key is focusing on small wins:

1. Take short training trips before a big move to get comfortable with the process. Even driving 1-2 hours helps desensitize pets.
2. Find a friend or family to watch your pet if possible so the flight isn’t their sole transportation experience during relocation. It removes a layer of stress.
3. Look at pet-inclusive road trips or trains as an alternative if flying is too daunting. The journey itself becomes the adventure!
4. Reach out to local animal groups for guidance. Rescue fosters do transport regularly and may offer tips from their experience sheltering displaced pets.
5. Remember that with care, flying pets thrive thanks to humans giving them safe ways to travel. You’ve got this!

While change is unsettling for pets too, comfort and routine can be recreated anywhere with love from their pawrents. With preparation and positivity, furry family members can experience all life has to offer right alongside us humans.

I hope this comprehensive overview of airline pet policies and practical advice helps shed light on transporting your beloved companions more affordably. Please feel free to reach out if you have any other questions!

Cheapest Pet Airline Fees

Airline	Pet in Cabin Fee	Pet in Cargo Fee
Delta	$125 each way	$200 each way
American	$125 each way	$200 each way
United	$125 each way	$200 each way
Alaska	$125 each way	$200 each way
JetBlue	No fee for cats and dogs in cabin	Not accepted as cargo

FAQ

1. How much does it typically cost to fly a pet on an airplane?

   Basically, pet airline charges tend to be fairly high. Most common carrier airlines charge 0-0 or more for transporting pets in the cargo hold of passenger planes. It can sometimes be over $1000 for lengthy international flights.

2. Do airline pet fees depend on the size or weight of the pet?

   Indeed, pet transport costs often differ depending on the size or weight of the animal. Generally, larger dogs weighing over 20 lbs will have higher fees compared to smaller cats or dogs under 20 lbs. Heavier animals usually means they take up more space in cargo. So in a manner of speaking, bulkier pets equal bulkier fees.

3. Are there extra charges if my pet needs a kennel or crate?

   Yup, most airlines require pets to be placed in an approved kennel or crate during travel. However, bringing your own kennel can still result in additional fees imposed by some carriers. These might range from $25-$150 extra depending on the airline. So be sure to check their crate policies in advance to sort of avoid any unwanted charges.

4. Can I avoid fees by keeping my pet in the cabin with me?

   Unfortunately, no. While it may seem like a better deal than cargo, carrying pets in the cabin is not permitted by the major airlines. With some rare exceptions for trained service animals, all pets have to ride below in the belly of the plane. Perhaps someday as regulations change, we’ll see more pet-friendly cabin policies. But for now, cargo is basically the only transport option.

5. Are there any tricks to saving money on pet air travel fees?

   One possible tactic is to fly during off-peak seasons when rates may be slightly lower. You can also search different carriers to compare pet policies and fees. Some budget airlines charge less, while certain niche pet transport services claim to offer more affordable pricing. Booking well ahead can occasionally help too. But at the end of the day, is it worth all the hassle just to save a few bucks? You’ve gotta weigh animal welfare versus travel costs.

   

6. What if my pet becomes stressed or isn’t comfortable flying?

   If upon arrival your pet appears distressed or unwell after the journey, you’d want to contact the airline right away. Might they offer any compensation or refund under those conditions? I’m unsure – perhaps someone out there with experience flying pets can answer if airlines are typically accommodating in such scenarios. At the same time, proper pre-flight preparation is key to helping pets tolerate travel stresses as smoothly as possible despite any shocks along the way.