Pet friendly airlines for flying with dogs
We all love a nice vacation to get away from our daily grind. But when you are a proud pet parent it can be tricky to either find a pet sitter or to put them in a kennel. Have you ever wanted to bring them with you? We have. And we do! Some American airline companies are pet-friendly and will allow you to fly with your dog or cat. We have put together a list of airlines that allow you to fly with pets.
Delta Pet Policies
Delta Airlines allows you to bring your furry friend as a carry-on and in the cargo hold. There are some restrictions and rules to follow but with Delta, you can fly with your dog on your next vacation.
Delta’s pet policy states that small dogs, cats, and household birds ‘can travel in the cabin if they are able to fit in a small, ventilated pet carrier that fits under the seat in front of you. They will charge a fee of between $75 and $200 each way depending on your destination. The fee is paid at check-in.
The following requirements must be adhered to when flying with a small pet as a carry-on:
Your pet must be at least 10 weeks old for domestic travel.
Your pet must be 16 weeks old if traveling from outside the U.S. and at least 15 weeks old when traveling to the European Union.
2 pets of the same breed and size between the age of 10 weeks and 6 months may be allowed to travel in 1 kennel as long as they are small enough to fit into a single kennel and are compatible – they will be charged as 1 pet.
Pets in cabin carriers will count as one carry-on item so it will reduce your carry-on allowance. In addition to the kennel/pet carrier, you are permitted to bring one personal item onboard the aircraft.
Carry-On Kennel Requirements for Delta
Your dog/pet must be able to fit inside a small, ventilated pet carrier that fits under the seat in front of you and must conform to the following requirements:
Be small enough to fit comfortably in a kennel without touching or protruding from the sides of the kennel and have the ability to move around.
The kennel must fit under the seat directly in front of you
The kennels must be leak-proof and have ventilation openings on three sides (four sides for international travel)
The maximum carry-on kennel sizes are determined by your flight as the space under the seats varies by aircraft. Delta recommends a soft-sided kennel with maximum dimensions of 18” x 11” x 11” since this fits most aircraft types.
Your pet must remain inside the kennel with the door secured while in a Delta boarding area, lounge, during boarding, and onboard the aircraft.
Carry-On Pet Policy Exceptions
For any travel to or from the destinations below, with the exception of service animals, pets must travel as cargo and are not permitted in the cabin:
Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Colombia, Dubai, Hong Kong, Iceland, Jamaica,
New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates
American Airlines Pet Policies
Depending on animal breed and size, American Airlines allow pets on planes either as carry-on or through American Airlines Cargo. Carry-on pets are limited to cats and dogs that meet the size, age, and destination requirements. Fully-trained service dogs may fly in the cabin at no charge if they meet the airline’s pet policy requirements.
On flights with American Airlines, you can fly with a dog or cat in one kennel as your carry-on bag if:
You pay the carry-on pet fee.
Your pet stays in the kennel and under the seat in front of you for the duration of the flight.
You can travel with your pet carrier and one personal item, but you will not be permitted to bring any additional carry-on bags. The pet carrier will replace your carry-on bag.
If your pet is too large to fly in the cabin, it must travel with American Airlines Cargo. They will only accept checked pets for active-duty U.S. Military and U.S. State Department Foreign Service personnel traveling on official orders, and the pet carrier must meet all kennel guidelines for checked pets. If you don’t meet these requirements, your pet may not travel. Fees and restrictions apply. The cost for flying with your pet is between $125 and $200. Service animals can travel free of charge.
You can travel with a pet on most flights up to 12 hours or flights to/from select locations:
Within the 48 contiguous United States
The U.S. and Canada, Alaska
Central America, Mexico
Puerto Rico, St. Croix, St. Thomas
United Airlines Pet Policies
United’s pet policy allows for pets in the cabin if they are domesticated cats or dogs that can fit in a pet travel carrier underneath the seat in front of you.
Pets cannot be inside their cabin on flights to, from, or through Hawaii and the international cities listed below. They are allowed in the cabins on select United flights.
United allows you to bring your pet carrier/kennel in addition to your carry-on bag allowance. They charge a $125 service fee each way and an additional $125 service charge for every stopover of more than four hours within the U.S. or more than 24 hours outside of the U.S.
United Requirements for In-Cabin Pets
On United’s domestic flights, puppies and kittens must be at least 2 months old. On their international flights, they must be at least 4 months old due to vaccination requirements.
Pets must travel with an adult and cannot travel with unaccompanied minors.
Pets must travel on the same flights as the traveler responsible for them.
If you are traveling with any additional pets you are required to purchase an extra ticket for that pet and also pay an additional $125 each way.
If your pet doesn’t fit in a kennel or carrier they will need to travel with United’s PetSafe® program.
Carriers and kennels
A pet traveling in a cabin must be carried in an approved hard-sided or soft-sided kennel. The kennel must fit completely under the seat in front of you and remain there at all times. The maximum dimensions for hard-sided kennels are 17.5” x 12” x 7.5” (44cm x 30cm x 19cm). Soft-sided pet carriers can exceed these dimensions slightly because they are collapsible and able to fit underneath a seat without blocking the aisle. Only one pet is allowed in a kennel, and the animal must be able to stand up and turn around comfortably.
United Pet Policy Countries
United doesn’t allow in-cabin pets on flights to, from, or through:
Australia, Barbados, Cuba, Guam, Federated States of Micronesia
Hawaii, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Marshall Islands
New Zealand, Palau, Panama, Philippines, Singapore
South Africa, Tahiti, Trinidad and Tobago, UK
Southwest Pet Policy
Southwest Airlines allow for small, fully vaccinated cats and dogs to travel with you in the cabin on your flight.
They must remain under the seat in front of you. All pets must be carried in an approved carrier, as listed below.
Pets are not allowed to travel in-cabin on international flights or any itinerary that includes an international flight.
Pets will be accepted if a maximum of six pets hasn’t been reached.
There is a limit of one pet carrier per customer traveling on the same flight.
However, circumstances may allow for more or less than six pet carriers per scheduled flight.
Pets must be checked in at the ticket counter in the airport.
Southwest Pet Carrier Sizes
You can buy an official Southwest Airlines pet carrier online for $58. The size is 17” x 9.5” x 10”.
Other pet carriers are allowed with maximum dimensions of 18.5” x 8.5” x 13.5”.
Soft-sided and hard-sided carriers specifically designed as pet carriers are acceptable.
The carriers must be sufficiently ventilated and leak-proof.
The pet carrier must be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you.
The carrier may contain two cats or dogs of the same species.
The cat or dog must be contained within the carrier and be free to stand up and move around with ease.
Your pet must be secured in the pet carrier at all times while in the gate area, during boarding/deplaning.
Dogs on a plane must remain in the carrier for the entire duration of the flight.
Southwest will substitute your carry-on bag for the pet carrier. This means that you cannot bring an additional carry-on bag with the pet carrier.
Pet-Friendly Hotels
Traveling on vacation with your pet? Check out our list of pet-friendly hotels in California >>
If you would like to find out what pet insurance costs before you take them on vacation, try our online Quick Quote tool now to see how much you can save.