Which Airlines Allow Pitbulls as Pets: Rules and Restrictions for Flying with Pitbull Dogs

Which Airlines Allow Pitbulls in the Cabin?

If you’re a proud pitbull parent looking to take your pup on an upcoming trip, you may be wondering which airlines will let you fly with a pitbull. The good news is that several major carriers do permit pitbulls and staffordshire terriers on board as long as certain requirements are met.

Allegiant Air

1. Allegiant was one of the first airlines to allow pitbulls in the cabin. As long as your pit is house trained and able to sit quietly under the seat, he or she can snag a ticket just like any other small dog.
2. You’ll need to pre-pay the $100 pet transport fee and provide a health certificate verifying your pup is up to date on shots. Friendly staff makes the check-in process a breeze in my experience.

American Airlines

1. American started permitting pitbull-type dogs a few years ago. Your pit must be under 20 lbs to travel as a cabin pet rather than cargo.
2. Make sure to reserve early as there’s a limit of only 3 pets per flight. Paperwork like the vet certificate and ID tag is also necessary here.

Delta Airlines

1. Delta has fairly lenient policies for pitties and allows them on most flights within the U.S., Mexico and Caribbean.
2. However, there’s a nasty $200 fee. I’ve had better experiences flying my pit Molly with other carriers due to lower costs.

Frontier Airlines

1. Frontier is super pet-friendly and will happily book Fluffy or any pitbull under 20 lbs as a cabin pet for just $100 each way.
2. My buddy’s pit Mookie recently flew Frontier with no problems. Just be sure to call ahead about any breed restrictions at your destination airport.

Southwest Airlines

1. Southwest is one of the top airlines for traveling with pitbulls. They only charge $95 each way for pets under 20 lbs.
2. The laidback staff never gave my pit mix Bruno any trouble either. Definitely one of the smoothest experiences I’ve had flying with a banned breed.

JetBlue

1. While JetBlue is generally pet-friendly, restrictions do vary by route. You’re best calling in advance to confirm they allow your pitbull on the specific flight.
2. A friend took her pit Rocky on JetBlue last fall with no issues, but they did pay closer to $150 after taxes versus Southwest’s cheaper rate.

So in summary, those are the major U.S. carriers known to currently allow pitbulls and staffordshire terriers in-cabin on domestic routes. Of course, restrictions can change without notice – so as always, I recommend double checking policies and exploring options with the airline directly when booking travel for a pittie.

At the same time, it’s important to note that not all airports permit pitbulls, even if flying on an airline that does. Here are a few more tips:

Check destination airport restrictions. Places like Miami, Denver and Salt Lake City currently ban certain bully breeds from entering or being walked through terminals. This could cause issues even on pet-friendly flights.

Consider flying cargo instead. Some owners find it less stressful than dealing with policies that vary by airport. Of course, there are usually higher costs and your pup won’t be with you in-cabin.

Get proper papers. A vet health certificate, vaccination records, ID tags and photo are standard. TSA may also wanna give your pitbull a quick sniff test, so build in time.

From my experience, as long as you plan ahead and follow airline protocols to a T, most major domestic carriers provide a good option for flying with this often misunderstood breed. My pit Bruno sure loves the extra attention and snacks he gets onboard! Still, it’s safer to assume every airport has its own rules rather than get stranded due to bans at your destination. With diligence though, traveling with Rover by air is totally doable.

Of course, all that said – man, could you imagine the headache of international rules? Yikes, some countries straight up won’t let pitbulls in the door! I’ll stick to domestic trips with my pittie, if you don’t mind. While it’s a bummer some folks are still scared of these loving pups, progress is happening. Maybe one day Bruno and I can visit ol’ Europe together too, with no issues. A guy can dream, right?

Anyway, hopefully this gives you a decent idea of airline policies and what to watch out for when transporting a pitbull by air. Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions! We pittie parents gotta stick together and help each other out. Now if you’ll excuse me, I think Bruno is giving me the sad eyes for our daily walkies. Happy travels to you and your pup!

Airlines That Allow Pets To Fly

Airline	Requirements	Cabin	Cost
Delta	Pet must be in carrier under seat	Cabin	$125 each way
United	Pet must be in carrier under seat	Cabin	$125 each way
American	Pet must be in carrier under seat	Cabin	$125 each way
JetBlue	Pet must be in carrier under seat	Cabin	$100 each way
Alaska	Pet must be in carrier under seat	Cabin	$100 each way

FAQ

1. Which airlines allow pitbulls as service animals or emotional support animals?

   Several major airlines like Delta, American, and United will let you bring a pitbull on the plane if it’s trained as a legitimate service animal to assist with disabilities. You’ll need paperwork from your doctor. Some budget carriers basically don’t accept any type of dog regardless of paperwork.

2. Do airlines have restrictions on pitbulls as pets?

   Most airlines won’t allow pitbulls as regular pets in the cargo hold due to concerns about their strength and potential unpredictability compared to other breeds. However, a few low-cost airlines suppose they’ll make exceptions if the dog is well-behaved and you bring a crate. But is it worth stressing out your pitbull for a long plane ride?

3. What paperwork is required to fly with a pitbull as an emotional support animal?

   The airline will need a letter from your doctor or mental health specialist stating that you have a mental health condition and your pitbull provides emotional support. Don’t even try to fake the paperwork though – some airlines are starting to crack down on this trick because people were taking advantage.

   

4. Do international airlines allow pitbulls?

   Most foreign carriers flat out prohibit pitbulls as pets or support animals due to rules in their home countries. You’d likely need to leave your bully pal at home or take a boat. On the other hand, I heard Air Canada has flown pitbulls before with the proper documentation, so it doesn’t hurt to ask.

5. What are some alternatives to flying with a pitbull?

   Rather than subject man’s best friend to potential rejection at the airport, consider driving, taking a train or bus instead if it’s not too far. You could also spend some quality time with a petsitter while away. Or hey, maybe postpone the trip until after Fido has crossed the rainbow bridge. Tough choice!

6. Have any airlines changed their restrictive policies on pitbulls?

   Following some high-profile incidents where emotional support animals created chaos, a stunning number of airlines quietly tightened eligibility standards, making it harder to fly with any breed – even well-trained service dogs. At the same time, animal rights advocates are begging carriers to consider temperament over appearance. Only time will tell if the bans will ever be lifted.