Snub Nose Dogs and Cats are very popular breeds; however, when flying, that special little face comes at a price. Here are all the airlines that allow snub nose or brachycephalic breeds.
Airlines that Fly Snub Nose Dogs and Cats In Cabin:
AIRLINEs Flying Snub Nose Dogs and Cats IN Cabin | Restrictions on Dogs or Cats Flying IN Cabin and Pet Crate Sizes for International Flights | Restrictions for Dogs or Cats Flying IN Cabin and Pet Crate Sizes for DOMESTIC Flights |
---|---|---|
UNITED $125usd Each Way | Yes Soft=18”Lx11”Wx11”H Hard=17.5″Lx12”Wx7.5”H | Yes Soft=18”Lx11”Wx11″”H Hard=17.5’Lx12”Wx7.5”H |
LUFTHANSA 17.6lbs Max w/ Carrier Domestic=$57usd Int’l-$69-$150usd | Yes Soft Sided Only 22″L x 16″W x 9″H | Yes Soft Sided Only 22″L x 16″W x 9″H |
SOUTH WEST $95usd Each Way | No Snub Nose Pets Allowed In Cabin | Yes 18.5”Lx8.5”Hx13.5”W |
KLM 17.6lbs Max w/ Carrier $88-$465usd Each Way | Yes 18″Lx11″Hx9.5″W | Yes 18″Lx11″Hx9.5″W |
ALASKA AIR $105usd Each Way | Yes 17″L x 11″Hx 7.5″W | Yes 17″L x 11″H x 7.5″W |
KOREAN AIR 15.5lbs Max w/ Carrier $150-$300usd Each Way | Yes Sum Total (LxHxW=45″ Soft Max Height=10″ Hard Max Height=8″ | Yes Sum Total (LxHxW=45″ Soft Max Height=10″ Hard Max Height=8″ |
COPA AIR 20lbs Max w/ Carrier M-F Only for Int’l Int’l=$125 Domestic=$25 | Yes 17″Lx7.5″Hx13″W | Yes 17″Lx7.5″Hx13″W |
FINNAIR 17lbs Max Europe, Russia & Middle East=$60 Intercontinental= $100 | Yes Soft=22″Lx9″Hx16″W Hard=14″Lx12″Wx8″H | Yes Soft=22″Lx9″Hx16″W Hard=14″Lx12″Wx8″H |
AIR CANADA Int’l= $100-$120usd Canada & US(Excluding HI= $50-60 | Yes -Except HI Soft=21.5″Lx15.5″Wx 10.5″H Hard=21.5″Lx15.5″Wx9″H | Yes Soft=21.5″Lx15.5″Wx10.5″H Hard=21.5″Lx15.5″Wx 9″H |
AIR FRANCE 8kg/17lbs w/ Carrier Int’l= | Yes 18″Lx11″Hx9″W | Yes 18″Lx11″Hx9″W |
AEROMEXICO Dogs Only 7-9kg/15.5-19lbs w/Carrier Int’l-$125 Domestic=$50 | Yes Aircraft E-145= 16″Lx12″Hx 7″W All Other Aircraft= 19″Lx12″Hx 10″W | Yes Aircraft E-145= 16″Lx12″Hx 7″W All Other Aircraft= 19″Lx12″Hx 10″W |
La COMPAGNIE Dogs and Cats | Yes Up to 33 lbs! All Business Class Limited Departure and Destinations | Cost: Fare is about 8k Your Pet’s Fare is 10% of your Ticket Price |
JSX Airlines | Snub Nose Dogs Up to 79 lbs! | Cost: Regular Seat Fare Medium and Large Dogs In Cabin will be Travel on the Floor Space Next to Your Seat–All Business Class-Limited Cities |
Chartered Air Travel with Pets | Large Dogs Accepted and Encouraged. No Weight, No Size Restrictions Average of 5k to 8k for International Flights | You Can Travel with Your Large Dog In-Cabin, More Room on an International Flight with Less Custom Hassle and Little Wait at the Airport |
Elite Airways | Dogs and Cats are allowed on the floor in front of the window seat (not under the seat!) You will have to purchase an adjacent seat but you’ll have a lot more room. |
These are my best Pet carriers for flying. I have used these 4 and each has its strengths and are benefits. 4 Best In-Cabin Pet Carriers for Airlines 2022
The factors that determine if your snub nose pet is allowed to fly and if in Cabin, Checked Baggage or Cargo are:
- If your flight International or Domestic
- If your Destination and any Layover City
- The Size and Weight of your Pet with Carrier
- The Length of Flight restriction are often imposed for flights over 11 hours.
See Also, Can I Buy an Extra Seat on a Plane for My Dog or Cat in Cabin?
I have tried and liked a number of carriers. My favorite bag, for the extra room a snub-nose Dog needs is also expandable and the Petmate See and Extend makes a good quality carrier at an affordable price. I like best that it has ventilation on all 4 sides and expandability.
Can I Fly My English Bulldog In-Cabin on a Plane?
Yes, you can fly your English Bulldog In-Cabin. JSX Airlines will fly Dogs up to 65lbs in the US. Cost: Regular Seat Fare. Dogs travel on the floor space next to your seat–All Business Class-Limited Cities. International flights for large snub nose Dogs In-Cabin include La Compagnie Airlines and Shared Charter Flights.
(for more,see Can I Buy an Extra Seat on a Plane for My Dog or Cat in Cabin?
More About Flying with Snub Nose Pets In-Cabin
Delta Airlines–Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) dogs and cats and their mixes are not permitted on Delta or Delta Connection flights in cabin, checked baggage or cargo.
Southwest Airlines—Allows snub-nose pets in cabin on domestic flights only. Snub-nose pets are not allowed on international flights or any itinerary that includes an international flight. Southwest Airlines allows small vaccinated domestic cats and dogs to travel with you in-cabin under the seat in front of you. All pets must be carried in an appropriate carrier. Pets traveling are subject to a $95 Pet Fare each way per pet carrier.
American Airlines— The airline does not allow the transportation of brachycephalic and snub-nosed cats and dogs because of safety concerns.
United Airlines—Allows snub-nose Dogs and Cats. Pets must be at least 2 months (8 weeks) old. On international flights, Dogs and Cats must be at least 4 months (16 weeks) old due to rabies vaccination requirements. Pets can’t travel with unaccompanied minors. Cost is $125 each way. Your pet must also always remain in the floor space under the seat.
Alaska Air—Alaska Air does allow brachycephalic breeds in cabin. Dogs and cats must be at least 8 weeks old and must have been fully weaned. Up to 2 pets of the same species and similar size may travel in the same carrier, provided no body parts protrude from the carrier and the animals are not in distress. Alaska Airlines does not accept snub-nose breeds in cargo or checked baggage.
KLM—KLM allows snub-nosed pets in cabin. Cost is $65-$200usd per pet in cabin. KLM does not transport most of snub-nose pets in the hold as they may have trouble breathing during the flight due to high temperatures and stress. Great transatlantic pet travel option!
Lufthansa—Your snub nose dog or cat can travel in the passenger compartment/in cabin. Snub-nosed breeds of dogs or cats can be transported as air freight, not as traditional cargo. My favorite Pet Friendly airline for transatlantic pet travel!
COPA Airlines—Allows snub nose pets in cabin and in cargo. Cost is $25 for Domestic flights and $125 for International flights. For International flights, you are allowed to transport pets from Monday through Friday only. Pets are not accepted on flights where the departure itinerary originates on Friday and the arrival is on Saturday morning. One pet per container. One pet per passenger. Children under 11 years of age are not allowed to travel with pets.
Korean Air—Snub nose Dogs and Cats are accepted in cabin/passenger compartment and as checked baggage. For In-Cabin, the Total weight of pet + carrier maximum is 7kg or less.
For Checked Baggage, the Total weight of pet + carrier maximum is 45kg or less. The total sum of the carrier’s width, length, and height should be less than 291cm/114in and the maximum height is 84cm/33in.
Each passenger may be accompanied by 1 animal on-board or 2 as checked pets. Brachycephalic/ snub-nosed Dogs and Cats cannot be accepted as cargo.
British Airways– accepts some snub nose breeds in a larger kennel. They specifically do not allow Pugs, Bulldogs, Pekingese or their cross-breeds.
Emirates Airlines– does not accept snub nose breeds as of December 2020.
Aero Mexico-allows snub-nose dogs and cats in cabin and cargo. In cabin up to 20lbs/9kg including carrier In Cargo up to 99lbs/45gk including crate. Flight must be 6 hours or less.
Finnair–Bigger dogs and all ferrets can travel in the hold on the same flight with you, if the combined weight of the pet and its pet carrier is under 50 kg (110 lb). Please note that if your pet and its box weigh together over 50 kg (110 lb), the pet needs to be shipped as cargo.
La Compagnie –Allows Larger Snub Nose Dogs and Cats! Flights from New York to Paris, Nice, Milan, Tel Aviv, Faro, Naples, Pisa, Toulouse, Rome.
La Compagnie Airlines is a great alternative to the 8kg/18lbs pet weight limit on most airlines.
Your Pet’s Flight Cost is 10% of Your Ticket Price
Book at Least 48 hours In Advance Online or by Phone. You can Book a Flight for 1 Pet In Cabin Per Person
Your Dog or Cat Must be at Least 16 weeks old, vaccinated (Pet Passport or Health Certificate required).
Great transatlantic pet travel option!
Chartered Air Travel with Pets. Yes, you can fly with your large Dog In Cabin from US to Europe, UK/England with a shared charter flight. You will need to be flexible with dates and the cost depends on how many seats are sold and is approximately $8,000 one-way from NYC to France. See Chartered Air Travel with Pets and Animal Travelers on Facebook.
Large Dogs are allowed on the floor in front of the window seat (not under the seat!) You can purchase a seat for extra floor space. Dogs are not allowed on the seat or your lap but, being able to purchase an empty seat and have your large Dog in cabin on the floor space may be worth the extra seat price. (You’ll have a bit more room too!)
Pet reservations must be made at least 48-hours in advance of departure, and are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until capacity is reached.
Elite Airways is a smaller airline; however, if you are on the East coast, they are an option for Large Dogs In Cabin!

See Also, Best Pet Carriers & Airlines for Pugs and Snub Nose Dogs
Even airlines that allow snub-nose pets on flights, each has restrictions on the number of pets per flight and for the length of the flight (usually any over 11 hours).

Snub-nose, also known as brachycephalic, these pets have been bred to have noses/snouts that are shorter than most and this adorable signature feature can cause them to have breathing and heat acclimation issues. These breeds include:
DOGS
• Affenpinscher
• American Bulldog
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• American Pit Bull Terrier
• Boston Terrier
• Boxer (all breeds)
• Brussels Griffin,
• Bulldog (all breeds)
• Cane Corso
• Chow Chow
• Douge de Bordeaux
- English Toy Spaniel (King Charles)
- Japanese Chin
- Lhasa Apso
- Mastiff (all breeds except Great Danes)
- Pekinese
- Pit Bull
- Pug (all breeds)
- Shar Pei
- Shih Tzu
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier Tibetan Spaniel
CATS
- Burmese Cats
- Exotic Cats
- Himalayan Cats
- Persian Cats

Why Do Airlines Not Allow Snub-Nose Breeds on Flights?
Because snub-nose breeds have smaller nostrils, a longer soft palate, and a narrowed trachea/windpipe, brachycephalic breeds don’t breathe as well as animals with average length snouts. They can have difficulty cooling off when playing, exercising, or if they are stressed or overheated. They have difficulty breathing normally at higher altitudes. Their airway can actually collapse, either partially or completely, and cut off their airflow.
Do I need a different Crate for a Snub-Nose Pet for Air Travel?
Yes. Because of their breathing issues many airlines require a pet crate that is at least 4”/10 cm larger than the dog or cat (this includes 1 size larger is using Standard Crate Sizing or 10% larger). This additional space allows for extra ventilation and air flow.
Can I Fly My Large Dog In Cabin from US to Europe, UK/England?
Yes, you can fly with your large Dog In Cabin from US to Europe, UK/England with a shared charter flight.
You will need to be flexible with dates and the cost depends on how many seats are sold and is approximately $8,000 one-way from NYC to France. See Chartered Air Travel with Pets and Animal Travelers on Facebook. You and your Pet will fly in great comfort with your Pet by your side. without long lines at customs.
Airlines that accept brachycephalic breeds require pet owners to have an airline or IPATA approved flight pet crate that is at least one size larger than the size for a pet of equal size. Purchasing a larger pet travel crate will help minimize the risks.
Can I Fly My Snub Nose Pet in an Oversized Crate?
The correct size crate for a snub-nose pet is one size larger than the standard for their size. All other pets should use the standard crate for their size. A crate larger than one size larger is not recommended for brachycephalic breeds by airlines for two reasons: 1. Airlines have limited cargo space and each pet is apportioned their space depending on their size and breed, and 2. It can be hazardous for a pet when air turbulence occurs; your pet may be thrown against the wall of the crate instead of leaning against the wall of the crate.
Why Does United Airlines have so Many Dogs Die in Flight?
United’s sky-high numbers of recent pet deaths may be more complicated than they appear at first glance. While United does carry a disproportionate number of the animals who die on planes, the airline says the disparity results from one simple variable: United accepts higher-risk dog breeds that other major U.S. carriers do not allow.
“Snub-nosed” breeds such as French bulldogs are banned from Delta and American Airlines because their compact airway can lead to in-flight breathing problems. But up until last month, United continued to accept shipments of these dogs
See all about Flying with Pets at Companion Pet Travel: Flying with Pets
