Airline Pet Travel Policies
A vacation with your pet is the best kind of vacation, and that may include taking to the air. Many airlines allow pets aboard their flights, and some are more pet friendly than others. Comparing the policies, requirements, and charges will allow you to make a good decision about this method of travel with your pet. To make that easy, we’ve compiled the pet policies and contact information for several airlines, so you can find the one that will work best for you.
Air Canada (888-247-2262) allows cats and small dogs to fly with you in the passenger cabin, as long as they are small enough to fit and stay comfortably in their carrier under the seat in front of you. The fee is $50 for flights within Canada, or between the US and Canada. For other flights the fee is $100 each way. Larger cats and dogs (up to 70 lbs pet and carrier combined) can fly in the baggage compartment. Temperature controlled and ventilated baggage compartments are only available on specific aircraft, so please check with the airline in advance. The fee for pets traveling in the baggage compartment is from $105 each way. Arrangements for transportation of other types of pets can be made through Air Canada Cargo.
You must make a reservation for your pet on the same flight as you. To do so, call Air Canada Reservations at 888-247-2262. Reservations for pets must be made within 24 hours of ticket purchase. A limited number of pets are allowed on each flight and pets will not be accepted at the airport without reservations. Please see Air Canada’s website for a full explanation of their pet policy with detailed information about carrier requirements, black out days and required documentation.
AirTran Airlines (800-247-8726) allows small, domesticated cats, dogs, and birds to fly with you in the passenger cabin. Pets must remain inside their carrier, stowed under the seat for the duration of the flight. An additional fee of $69 one way will be charged. Space for pets is limited, so advance reservations must be made. Please see AirTran’s website for a full explanation of their pet policy with detailed information about carrier requirements, required documentation, travel to San Juan, and other restrictions.
Alaska Airlines (800-252-7522) allows dogs, cats, rabbits, and household birds to travel in the passenger cabin for an additional fee of $100 each way. Pets must remain in a carrier for the duration of the flight and should be stowed under the seat during taxi, takeoff, and landing. Other pets, (up to 150 lbs pet and carrier combined) including cats, dogs, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, household birds, non-poisonous reptiles, pot bellied pigs, rabbits, and tropical fish are allowed to fly in the climate-controlled baggage and cargo compartments. The fee for pets traveling in the baggage compartment is $100 each way. Space for pets is limited, so advance reservations must be made. Please see Alaska Airline’s website for a full explanation of their pet policy, including required documentation, detailed information about carrier requirements, and black out days. Alaska Air does not permit pets on flights to Hawaii and will not accept pets in the baggage and cargo compartments on flights to Reno/Tahoe.
American Airlines (800- 433-7300) allows small small dogs and cats to fly in the passenger cabin for an additional fee of $100 each way for flights. Pets must remain in their carrier for the duration of the flight. Reservations are required, as limited number of animals are permitted in the cabin. Animals are not allowed in the cabin on flights to/from Hawaii, Central and South America or on Transatlantic/Transpacific flights.
Larger dogs and cats (up to 100 lbs pet and carrier combined) are allowed to fly in the baggage compartment, and are accepted on a first-come, first served basis. The charge for pets flying in the baggage compartment is $150 within the US, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Additional fees may apply for other itineraries. A maximum of two checked pets per person is allowed. Arrangements for transportation of larger pets, other types of pets, or pets traveling alone can be made through AA Cargo. Please see American Airline’s website for a full explanation of their pet policy, including required documentation, destination specific restrictions, detailed information about carrier requirements, temperature restrictions, and age and health requirements.
Blue Star Jets (866-538-8463) is a private jet brokerage company that can quickly arrange pet friendly flights anywhere in the world. Pets are flown in the cabin and the flight attendants are trained in pet first aid and CPR programs.
Cape Air (800-352-0714) gladly accepts pets in the passenger cabin for an additional fee of $10. Only one pet (unless in the same family) is allowed per plane, so reservations must be made in advance. Carriers are required for dog traveling to/from Boston, Providence, Fort Myers, San Juan, Saint Croix, Saint Thomas, and Tortola for dogs, and cats need to be in carriers at all times on all flights. Please see Cape Air’s website for a full explanation of their pet policy and more information regarding carrier specifications.
Continental Airlines (800-523-3273 or Dedicated 24-hour Live Animal Desk: 800-575-3335) welcomes domesticated cats, dogs, pet rabbits, and household birds to travel in the passenger cabin on most flights within the US for a fee of $125 each way. Pets must remain in their carrier, and space is limited, so be sure to make a reservation for your pet shortly after your travel arrangements have been confirmed. Pets are not permitted to travel in the cabin on flights to/from Hawaii.
Continental Airlines does not allow pets to fly in the baggage compartment, but does provide their PetSafe program, which ships pets via cargo. Please, see Continental’s website for a full explanation of their pet policy, including documentation requirements, detailed information regarding carrier requirements, and for more information on the PetSafe program, as well as information on international travel.
Delta Airlines (800-221-1212) allows passengers to carry on small dogs, cats, and household birds for additional fee of $125 each way within the US and Canada. Pets must remain in their carrier for the duration of the flight. Reservations are required, as limited number of animals are permitted in the cabin. Animals are not allowed in the cabin on flights to/from Hawaii. Between Sept 16th and May 14th, cats, dogs, household birds, guinea pigs, rabbits, and hamsters may be flown in the baggage compartment for a fee of $200 each way. Transportation for other types of pets (and the pets listed above during black-out dates) can be arranged via Delta Cargo. Please see Delta’s website for a full explanation of their pet policy with detailed information regarding carrier specifications, documentation requirements, and weather restrictions.
Frontier Airlines (800-432-1359) allows dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and household birds to travel in the passenger cabin for an additional fee of $75 each way on flights within the United States. Only dogs and cats are permitted on international flights. Reservations are required, as a limited number of pets are allowed per flight. Pets must remain in a carrier for the duration of the flight. Pets may also travel in the baggage compartment for a fee of $150 each way. Please see Frontier’s website for a full explanation of the pet policy, including detailed pet carrier specifications, documentation requirements, and weather restrictions.
Hawaiian Airlines (800-367-5320) permits small cats and dogs to fly in the passenger cabin on inter-island flights and on flights leaving Hawaii. There is no fee for pets on inter-island flights, and passengers are charged $175 for pets on flights leaving Hawaii. Reservations are required, as limited number of animals are permitted in the cabin. Pets must be kept inside of their carrier and stowed under the seat in front of you at all times. Cats, dogs and household birds are also allowed to fly in the baggage compartment from Oct. 16 through April 14th, as long as the combined weight of the pet and carrier does not exceed 70 lbs. The fee for this service is $60 each way for inter-island flights and $225 for flights leaving Hawaii. Reservations are required as space is limited. Please see Hawaiian Airlines’ website for a complete pet policy, including further details pet carrier specifications, quarantine requirements, and options for transporting pets exceeding the 70 lb. weight restriction.
Horizon Air (800-547-9308) allows dogs, cats, rabbits, and household birds to travel in the passenger cabin for an additional fee of $100 each way. Pets must remain in a carrier for the duration of the flight and should be stowed under the seat during taxi, takeoff, and landing. Other pets, (up to 150 lbs pet and carrier combined) including cats, dogs, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, household birds, non-poisonous reptiles, pot bellied pigs, rabbits, and tropical fish are allowed to fly in the climate-controlled baggage and cargo compartments. The fee for pets traveling in the baggage compartment is $100 each way. Space for pets is limited, so advance reservations must be made. See Horizon Air’s website for a full explanation of their pet policy, including required documentation, detailed information about carrier requirements, and black out days. Horizon Air does not permit pets on flights to Hawaii and will not accept pets in the baggage and cargo compartments on flights to Reno/Tahoe.
Jet Blue (800-538-2583) welcomes small cats and dogs in the passenger cabin on both domestic and international flights for an additional fee of $100 each way. The combined weight of the pet and carrier must be 20 pounds or less and the pet must remain inside the carrier and under the seat for the entire duration of the flight. Reservations are required, as a limited number of pets are allowed on each flight. Jet Blue does not permit animals to be checked as baggage or cargo. Please refer to Jet Blue’s website for their complete pet policy, including carrier specifications, documentation requirements, and certain destination restrictions.
Midwest Airlines (800-452-2022) no longer allows pets to fly in the passenger cabin. They do provide an option for dogs and cats to fly in a temperature-controlled, pressurized pet compartment below the cabin for an additional fee of $150 each way. Reservations are required, and are on a first-come, first-served basis. Midwest also offers transportation via cargo for pets that are traveling unaccompanied. Please see Midwest’s website for a their detailed pet policy, including carrier specifications and required documentation.
PetAirways (888-738-2479) is happy to transports your pets, but you’ll need to find your own flight! At this airline, pets fly in the main cabin on planes that have been converted to house the animals comfortably. Simply drop your pet off at the Pet Lounge and the staff will attend to them until you pick them up at your destination. PetAirways will even board your pet overnight if you are unable to pick them up the same day. Destinations are limited and the average one-way fee is $250. Find out more at Pet Airways’ website.
Spirit Airlines (800-772-7117) welcomes small domesticated dogs, cats, and household birds to travel in the passenger cabin for an additional fee of $100 each way. Reservations are required, as limited number of animals are permitted on each flight. Spirit Airlines does not allow animals to be transported in baggage or cargo. Please see Spirit Airlines’ website for their complete pet policy, including pet carrier specifications, restrictions on international travel, and required documentation.
Sun Country Airlines (800-359-6786) allows small cats and dogs (16 lbs or less) to travel in the passenger cabin on flights within the contiguous United States for an additional fee of $100 each way. Pets must remain in their carrier and must be stowed during the entire flight. Reservations are required as availability is limited. Sun Country does not accept pets on international flights or flights to/from Anchorage. Larger cats and dogs can be transported in the baggage compartment for a fee of $199 each way. Please see Sun Country Airlines’ website for their complete pet policy, including pet carried specifications, required documentation, certain destination restrictions, and weather restrictions.
United Airlines (800-864-8331) welcomes small cats, dogs, cats, and household birds to travel in the passenger cabin for an additional fee of $125 each way on domestic flights and $250 on international flights. No pets are allowed in the cabin on flights to Hawaii. United allows dogs, cats, household birds, rabbits, hamsters, and guinea pigs to be transported in the baggage compartment. The fee for this service is $250 each way for a small or medium kennel and $500 for an intermediate, large or extra-large kennel. Due to limited availability, reservations for pets flying in the cabin or in the baggage compartment are required. Other types of pet and unaccompanied pets can be transported via United Cargo. Please see United Airlines’ website for their complete pet policy, including documentation requirements, summer embargo on certain short-nosed dogs, and pet carrier guidelines.
USA 3000 (877-872-3000) accepts small cats and dogs (up to 15 lbs combined pet and carrier) on domestic flights for an additional fee of $75 per segment. Reservations are required, and pets must remain in their carrier and stowed under the seat for the duration of the flight. Larger pets are allowed to fly in the baggage compartment. The fee for this service is $125 per pet per segment. All animals must have a health certificated which has been issued by a licensed veterinarian within 90 days of travel. Please see USA3000′s website for their complete pet policy, including pet carrier specifications, documentation requirements, and other travel restrictions.
US Airways (800-428-4322) welcomes small dogs, cats, and birds to travel in the passenger cabin on most flights for an additional fee of $100 each way. Pets must remain inside their carrier and stowed in front of the seat in front of you for the duration of the flight. Only dogs and cats are permitted on flights to/from Costa Rica and Mexico, and carry-on pets are not permitted on any transatlantic flights or flights to/from Hawaii, Brazil, Tel Aviv and Barbados. In general, US Air does not allow pets to be transported in the baggage or cargo holds. An exception is made for pets traveling on nonstop flights between Boston, Washington, D.C., and New York. Reservations are required for pets and passengers must check in at the ticket counter. Please see U.S. Airways’ website for their complete pet policy, including pet carrier guidelines, international travel restrictions, and fees for animals traveling in the baggage hold.
Virgin America (877-359-8474) welcomes small cats and dogs (up to 20 lbs combined pet and carrier) to travel as carry-on pets for an additional fee of $100 per segment. Virgin America does not transport animals in either the baggage or cargo compartments. Reservations are required. Please see Virgin America’s website for more detail regarding carrier guidelines and documentation requirements.
WestJet(888-937-8538) allows small cats, dogs, rabbits and birds to travel in the passenger cabin for an additional fee of $50 each way. The combined weight of your pet and its carrier may not exceed 22 pounds. WestJet allows cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, chinchillas, guinea pigs, and hedgehogs to fly in th baggage compartment for a fee of $50 each way. The combined weight of your pet and carrier may not exceed 100 pounds. Reservations for pets are required, as available space is limited. Please see WestJet’s website for a complete pet policy, including restrictions on traveling with pets to certain destinations, specifications for pet carriers, summer embargos in certain locations, and pet travel blackout periods.
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