Your Favorite Canine Companion Can Fly Too – A Guide to Airlines Permitting Pets
Whether you’re a regular dog parent or have just brought a furry friend into your life, eventually the question arises – how can I take my pooch with me when traveling? From my experience owning dogs over the years, I can say they become beloved family members, so leaving them behind is not ideal. Thankfully, many airlines understand the human-animal bond and allow properly kennelled canines in the cabin. Below is a breakdown of major carriers that let you fly with your dog.
United
United is generally pet-friendly, with some restrictions. Only dogs and cats are accepted as in-cabin pets. The animal must travel in an approved hard-sided or soft-sided kennel sized properly for the pet that fits completely under the seat. Kennels cannot take up more space than a human passenger’s foot area. A non-refundable fee of $125 per direction applies. Further rules on health certificates, vaccinations, and special breeds are listed on their website.
From my own experience flying United with my labrador retriever, Smooth check-in and boarding went smoothly once I had all paperwork in order. I had read horror stories but thankfully our flight attendant was very accommodating. My pup seemed comfortable in his carrier the whole trip. I’d fly United with a pet again based on my positive experience.
Delta
Delta has a dedicated page outlining pet policies. They permit dogs and cats in-cabin provided the animal is confined to an FAA-approved hard-sided kennel that fits under the seat. Like most airlines, there is a $125 charge each way. Key Delta specifics include allowing one pet per passenger with a maximum of three pets per flight in economy. Larger kennels like “pet taxis” that Velcro to the seat may be used instead of soft-sided bags.
I know someone who took their poodle on Delta multiple times with no trouble. The dog was well-behaved in its carrier and didn’t disrupt the flight at all. Delta staff were very accommodating according to this friend’s account. So based on that secondhand experience, Delta seems like a solid option for canine air travel.
American Airlines
American Airlines is another major carrier open to pets in the passenger cabin. Dogs and cats up to 20 pounds can travel with their owners. Larger pets must go in the cargo hold. Like other airlines, a TSA-approved hard-sided kennel is required that is leakproof, properly ventilated, and able to fit completely under the seat. A fee of $125 applies each way.
One potential drawback is that AA has a limit of just two pets maximum per flight. So if traveling during a busy season, there is a chance all pet slots could fill up. From what I’ve heard, it’s a bit of a gamble whether your pooch will have an issue-free trip or not with American. Better to have backup plans just in case. Their policies seem average, but individual experience can vary widely.
Alaska Airlines
This Northwest carrier stands out for its pet-friendly approach. In addition to dogs and cats, you can bring emotional support animals, service animals, and even household birds on board in an approved kennel. The fee is just $125 each way, same as competitors. But Alaska has no size limits or quantity restrictions like some airlines – any properly housed pet can fly.
An acquaintance of mine flew with two whippets on Alaska last year and gave it rave reviews. No troubles at all during check-in, the flight, or baggage claim according to their account. Based on that success story, I’d say Alaska is one of the best options right now for traveling with mutliple pets or larger dog breeds.
Southwest
Southwest Airlines allows only small dogs and cats up to 20 pounds maximum to travel as in-cabin pets. They must remain in an FAA-approved hard-sided kennel that fits under the seat. There is no charge beyond the normal flight fare, unlike most competitors. This makes Southwest a really affordable choice for small dog owners.
However, I’ve heard mixed things about how Southwest staff enforce the weight limit. There is potential for issues if your pet exceeds 20 pounds even slightly. Having vaccination records ready beforehand is also a must according to other pet owners I’ve talked to. So prepare for a smoother trip by knowing Southwest’s guidelines inside and out.
Frontier
Budget airline Frontier has fairly flexible pet policies. They allow dogs and cats up to 15 pounds in-cabin, confined to an approved soft or hard carrier that fits under the seat. The fee is $100 each way. What’s great is Frontier does not impose a limit on the number of pets per flight. And larger dogs/cats can ride as cargo for a fee of $150 each way.
From what I’ve read online, Frontier seems like a mixed bag for pet traveling. Some report no problems at all while others faced hiccups over weight restrictions or paperwork issues. Consistency may vary depending on the individual airport. But for the price and flexibility on sizes/quantities, Frontier’s policies appear quite accommodating.
JetBlue
JetBlue is another budget airline allowing canine companions onboard. Dogs and cats up to 20 pounds may ride in an approved hard-sided carrier that fits under the seat. There is a fee of just $100 each way – the same as Frontier. JetBlue’s stated policy is smooth and clearcut too with few ambiguous rules.
Based on reviews I came across, JetBlue tends to enforce restrictions strictly. So be sure your pet and kennel both meet size limits right on the nose to avoid potential denial of boarding. With its competitive fee structure and transparent policies though, JetBlue looks like a great low-cost choice overall for smaller dog travel.
In summary, most major US airlines understand humans want their furry family by their side when traveling. With some research into individual carrier policies and advance preparation, you have decent options to fly with your dog as an in-cabin pet. With a few exceptions like breed/weight cutoffs, there’s a way to take man’s best friend along on your next adventure. Happy travels to both you and your canine compadre!
Airlines That Allow Traveling With Dogs
| Airline | Cabin | Size Limit | Crate Required | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta | Cabin | 20 lbs or less | Yes | $125 each way |
| United | Cabin | 20 lbs or less | Yes | $125 each way |
| American | Cabin or Cargo | 50 lbs or less | Depends on size | $125 each way |
| Alaska | Cabin | 15 lbs or less | Yes | $100 each way |
| JetBlue | Cabin | 15 lbs or less | Yes | $125 each way |
FAQ
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Which airlines allow dogs as carry-on?
Quite a few airlines let you bring smaller dogs with you in the cabin for a fee. Airlines like Delta, American, Alaska, and United allow dogs under 20 pounds in carriers that fit under the seat. They consider these “emotional support animals”. Basically you just need a note from your doctor or therapist.
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Do I need special paperwork for my dog to fly?
You’ll need more than just a note if you want to bring your pooch in the cabin as an emotional support animal or service dog. The airline may need records that your dog was trained as an ESA or ask for documentation that you need them. At the same time, I’d recommend contacting the airline directly to find out their exact rules. Don’t assume – check!
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What size dog cage is allowed?
For carry-on dogs, the cage normally can’t be bigger than roughly the size of a takeout pizza box. It’s got to fit under the seat in front of you without sticking into the aisle. Most airlines specify the carrier shouldn’t exceed around 18x13x9 inches. Always measure your pup’s travel kennel before heading to the airport.
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Is it stressful for dogs to fly?
Flying can be pretty awful and scary for some nervous pups. All that engine noise and unfamiliar smells in a cramped space – ugh! However, if your dog is calm and accustomed to car travel, they might do fine on a plane too. Be sure to take them on a test car ride before the big flight. And maybe ask your vet for a light sedative to help keep Fido chill.
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What if my dog is too big for the cabin?
If your fluffy friend exceeds size limits for the main cabin, you’ll have to check them into the cargo hold. I know, what a stunning thought! But animals fly down there all the time and as long as the temperature and pressure are carefully regulated, the risk is fairly low. Still, you may want to consider driving instead for a large or elderly dog’s sake.
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Is it cheaper to fly my dog as emotional support or checked baggage?
Fees can vary a lot by airline, but in general it tends to cost more to bring your pet in the cabin as an emotional support animal. The ticket price is often the regular fare plus around $125 each way. Meanwhile, most airlines charge something like $75-150 to transport your pal as checked cargo. So flying Fido below might save you money, if the size rules allow it. Who knows, maybe the baggage handlers will treat him extra nice!
So in summary – check airline policies thoroughly, make sure to get any documentation they require, and carefully consider your pup’s comfort level. The perfect solution depends on the individual dog and flight. With a bit of preparation humans and their hound friends can hopefully travel together with minimal hassle. Hope this FAQ helped sort out some of the basics! Feel free to bark out any other questions.