A Comprehensive Guide to Pet Travel Fees Charged by Airlines
If you want to take your furry friend along on your next flight, you’ll need to prepare for potential pet fees from the airline. From my experience booking dozens of pet-friendly flights over the years, airlines can charge anywhere from $100 to $1500 or more depending on the pet’s size, destination, and other factors. In this article, I’ll break down the different types of pet fees you may encounter and offer tips on saving money.
Check-In Fees
Nearly all airlines levy a basic pet check-in fee just to bring your pet in the cabin or cargo hold. These fees typically range from $100 to $200 per one-way flight. However, some budget carriers may charge as little as $50, while certain international flights on premium airlines could have check-in fees approaching $300. The fees are designed to cover the airline’s extra effort of processing, feeding, and caring for pets during the journey.
Crate Fees
In addition to the check-in fee, you may face additional charges for your pet’s crate or carrier. Airlines have size regulations for crates, usually requiring pets under 20 pounds to fly in soft-sided carriers that fit under the seat. Larger dogs over 20 pounds must travel in hard-sided, ISO-approved kennels that can be secured in the cargo hold. The fees for these regulated crates typically run $50-150 each way depending on the airline. It can add up, kind of like paying a pet rent.
Overweight Pet Fees
If Fluffy tips the scales over the airline’s weight limit, be ready for hefty overweight charges. Most carriers allow up to 20 pounds for in-cabin pets and 100 pounds in cargo. Going 1-10 pounds over usually tacks on $100 extra each way. From my experience, exceeding the limit by 30+ pounds could mean fees surpassing $500 round-trip. Ouch! The fees are non-negotiable for safety reasons. So watch your pal’s diet before travel season.
International/Long-Haul Surcharges
Flights requiring a connecting flight or those leaving the contiguous U.S. typically involve premium surcharges for pets. International routes might charge $150-300 extra each way, while long 8+ hour hauls within America could add $75-150. Airlines say longer flights require more resources for periodic pet checks. Thankfully, with some savvy shopping you can sometimes find international itineraries without these additional fees.
Holiday/Seasonal Price Hikes
Around major holidays like Christmas or spring break, demand for air travel skyrockets. Unfortunately, so do pet policies and rates. Airlines know people will pay up to travel during these times, so it’s not uncommon to see check-in fees double or seasonal surcharges of $50-100 each way applied. Your best bet is flying before or after peak dates if possible. Otherwise, that holiday puppy cuddle might cost way more than expected.
Third Pet Fees
Most airlines allow one or two pets per passenger depending on flight availability. However, trying to book that third furry family member results in astronomical charges, with fees ranging anywhere from $300 to $1500 extra each way! Some airlines simply refuse to transport more than the allowed pet limit. So if you’ve got an extensive pet crew hoping to fly, be prepared for major financial pains or finding alternate travel arrangements.
Other Considerations
A few other factors can cause unforeseen pet fees, so be sure to thoroughly read the fine print of your chosen airline’s policy page. For example, routing through certain countries may add import/export charges of a few hundred dollars. Flights near holidays are prone to higher rates. And if your pet becomes disruptive onboard, extra “cleaning and disturbance” charges up to $1000 per incident could apply. Yikes!
In summary, hidden pet fees charged by airlines can add up fast – sometimes more than the human ticket! To help guard against financial surprises, here are a few tips:
- Shop around different airlines – Policies and rates vary significantly between carriers. A $50 fee change could save hundreds.
- Book as early as possible – The sooner you reserve, the likelier you’ll snag standard rates before peak prices and slots fill up.
- Consider cargo instead of cabin – Check-in is cheaper for animals flying below, but safety standards are higher cabining smaller pets.
- Package deals can help – Sites offering all-inclusive pet-friendly vacations sometimes cover pet travel costs or offer transport discounts.
- Fly direct routes if able – Multi-leg itineraries often trigger additional international/long-haul fees.
Of course, budgeting travel with pets requires extensive research to avoid unexpected fees. But with some savvy planning and flexibility, you can find affordable ways to keep the fur family together on your next big trip. Just be sure to check Fido’s passport is in order too! Have you had to paw through confusing pet policies with an airline before? Share your story in the comments.
I hope this breakdown of common pet travel fees charged by airlines was helpful for understanding the financial responsibilities involved. Please let me know if you have any other questions! With the right preparation, flying with pets need not break the bank. Safe travels to you and your four-legged friends.
Airline Pet Fees
| Airline | Pet Type | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Delta | Dog or Cat | $125 each way |
| American | Dog or Cat | $125 each way |
| United | Dog or Cat | $125 each way |
| Alaska | Dog or Cat | $100 each way |
| JetBlue | Dog or Cat | $100 each way |
| Southwest | No Pets Allowed | N/A |
FAQ
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How much do airlines usually charge for carrying pets in the cabin?
Airlines can charge anywhere from basically $50 to $175 each way to bring a pet along in the cabin of an airplane. The exact cost depends on things like the pet’s size and weight, as well as the rules of the specific airline.
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Do animal fees vary based on the type of pet?
Yes, some airlines charge higher fees for cats or dogs than other pets like birds or rabbits. Dogs and cats are usually the most expensive at around $100 to $175 each way. Smaller pets like reptiles might be $50 to $100 each way instead. Basically, the bigger and more noticeable a pet is, the higher the fee tends to be.
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Are there size or weight limits for pets in-cabin?
You bet. A pet must be able to fit comfortably in a carrier that can go under the seat in front of you. Most airlines limit cabin pets to around 20 pounds or less. Also, the carrier usually cannot be larger than around 18 x 14 x 8 inches. Anything over these sizes would require the pet to go as cargo instead of in the cabin.
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Do fees vary by airline?
You’re absolutely right that fees can fluctuate quite a bit depending on the specific airline. Generally speaking, major carriers tend to charge more – sometimes even double what a discount airline would cost. On the other hand, budget airlines are usually kind of strict with pet policies and might have more limitations overall. Ultimately, it pays to shop around and compare fees between airlines when planning pet travel.
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Are there any “frequent flier” programs for pets?
Haha, that would be kind of funny! While airlines don’t actually have mileage programs just for pets, some carriers do reward human passengers with extra miles or perks if they fly with their animal companion more often. I seem to remember my brother telling me about getting upgraded once because he had reached pet “elite” status or something. So in a way, yeah – pets can help you earn extra benefits too!
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What other costs might be involved with flying with a pet?
In addition to the basic pet fee, you may need to pay charges like $25 to $50 if your pet is considered an “overweight” animal. Veterinary records or health certificates can cost $50-$75 too depending on where you live. As for documents, you’ll also need a USDA-approved carrier which starts at around $50. And perish the thought – but late pet fees are usually a painful $150 if you don’t prepare everything in time! So budget extra for those potential added expenses.
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Are emotional support animals subject to the same rates?
That’s an interesting topic that airlines seem to wrestle with. Technically, emotional support animals are supposed to have different rules than pets since they provide medical benefits. However, some people try to take advantage of that and pass off regular pets as support animals. As a result, policies can vary a lot between airlines. In general, documentation is important to prove an animal’s status. But rates may be lower or even waived in some cases for legitimate support animals.
In conclusion, airline pet fees may seem kind of pricey compared to what people expected ten or twenty years ago. However, when you consider things like safety, liability for the airline, and proper animal care in-flight – the costs don’t appear totally unreasonable. Remembering to plan and budget early makes the experience much smoother too. After all, wouldn’t you pay a fair price to keep your furry family member by your side?