Traveling With Pets: Which Airlines Are Most Pet-Friendly?

Bringing a dog or cat on a plane involves more than just buying a ticket. You have to navigate a complex web of fees, crate dimensions, and strict health requirements. While most major carriers allow pets, the experience varies significantly between them. This guide breaks down the specific costs, rules, and safety records of the top airlines to help you choose the right flight for your companion.

Alaska Airlines: The Overall Leader

Alaska Airlines consistently ranks at the top of pet-friendly lists for a reason. They offer one of the most flexible policies combined with some of the lowest fees in the industry.

  • Fees: Alaska charges $100 each way for pets in the cabin or in the cargo hold. This is significantly cheaper than competitors like American or United.
  • Cabin Rules: Hard-sided carriers must be small (17” x 11” x 7.5”), but soft-sided carriers can be slightly larger (17” x 11” x 9.5”). The airline allows you to bring up to two pets in the main cabin if you purchase two seats.
  • Cargo Options: Unlike many airlines that have suspended checked-pet services, Alaska still accepts pets in the climate-controlled baggage compartment on most flights. This is vital for owners of larger dogs like Golden Retrievers or Labradors.

JetBlue: Best for Amenities

If your pet is small enough to fit under the seat, JetBlue offers the most perks through their dedicated “JetPaws” program. They aim to make the experience feel less like a transaction and more like a service.

  • Fees: The fee is $125 each way.
  • Perks: JetBlue is unique because they reward you for bringing your pet. Members of the TrueBlue loyalty program earn 300 extra points on every flight segment traveled with a pet.
  • Resources: They provide a specialized carrier bag tag and a free e-booklet on pet etiquette.
  • Restrictions: JetBlue does not fly animals in the cargo hold. If your dog cannot stand up and turn around inside a carrier under the seat (maximum 17” x 12.5” x 8.5”), they cannot fly.

Delta Air Lines: Accessibility and Reach

Delta is a solid choice due to its massive route network, meaning you are more likely to find a direct flight. Direct flights are always safer for pets to reduce time in transit and eliminate transfer stress.

  • Fees: The standard fee is $95 USD for travel within the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. This makes Delta one of the most affordable options alongside Alaska.
  • Cabin Rules: Delta does not have strict weight limits for the pet itself, but the pet must fit comfortably in the carrier under the seat.
  • Cargo Restrictions: Delta currently does not accept pets as checked baggage for average customers. They only offer this service for active-duty U.S. military personnel or Foreign Service Officers with active transfer orders.

American Airlines: The Premium Option

American Airlines allows pets, but it is generally the most expensive option among the major domestic carriers.

  • Fees: The fee is $150 per kennel, per flight. This is 50% higher than Alaska.
  • Cargo: American Airlines has a specific service called American PetEmbark. They accept checked pets for active-duty military, and they also have a cargo service for non-military larger dogs, though it is subject to strict temperature restrictions. If the ground temperature is above 85 degrees or below 45 degrees at any location on the itinerary, they will refuse the pet for safety reasons.

Southwest Airlines: Flexibility and Space

Southwest is popular for its open seating policy, which can be an advantage or a disadvantage when flying with a pet.

  • Fees: Southwest charges $125 each way.
  • Seating Strategy: Because there are no assigned seats, you can choose a window or aisle seat that offers the most under-seat clearance. However, you cannot sit in an exit row or a seat with no stowage in front of it.
  • Pet Carrier: The carrier counts as your carry-on bag or personal item. You can buy an official Southwest branded carrier for $58, which fits their specific dimensions perfectly (18.5” x 8.5” x 13.5”).

Important Safety and Regulation Changes

It is vital to understand two major shifts in air travel regarding animals in recent years.

The End of Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)

As of early 2021, the Department of Transportation (DOT) updated its rules. Airlines are no longer required to treat emotional support animals as service animals.

  • Impact: If you previously flew with an ESA for free, you must now pay the standard pet fee (e.g., $125 on United or JetBlue).
  • Exceptions: Only trained Service Dogs (specifically trained to perform tasks for a disability) fly for free. Airlines like United and Delta require DOT forms to be submitted 48 hours before the flight to verify the service dog’s status.

DOT Incident Reporting

The U.S. Department of Transportation requires airlines to report any incident involving the loss, injury, or death of an animal.

  • Safest Method: Statistically, keeping your pet in the cabin with you is the safest method of travel.
  • Cargo Risks: Most incidents occur in cargo holds due to extreme temperatures or pre-existing health conditions of the animal, particularly brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds like Pugs or Bulldogs. Many airlines, including United, have banned these breeds from cargo entirely to improve safety records.

Checklist for Booking Your Flight

  1. Call Before Booking: Never book a ticket online without confirming there is space for your pet. Most flights have a cap on the total number of animals allowed in the cabin (often 4 to 6 total).
  2. Measure Your Pet: Your dog or cat must be able to stand up and turn around inside the closed carrier. If they look cramped at check-in, the agent can deny boarding.
  3. Get a Health Certificate: While domestic flights rarely check for health certificates, most airlines officially require a certificate of veterinary inspection issued within 10 days of travel.
  4. Acclimate: Buy your travel carrier weeks in advance. Leave it open in your living room with treats inside so your pet views it as a safe space, not a trap.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy a seat for my dog? generally no. On major commercial airlines like Delta or United, you cannot buy a seat for a dog to sit on. The dog must remain in a carrier under the seat in front of you. However, some boutique air carriers like JSX (a hop-on jet service) do allow medium-to-large dogs in the cabin for the price of a seat.

Which airlines allow large dogs? If your dog does not fit in a carrier under the seat, your options are limited. Alaska Airlines and American Airlines (via PetEmbark) are the primary carriers that accept large dogs in the cargo hold. JSX allows leashed large dogs in the cabin, but their routes are limited to specific West Coast and Texas destinations.

How much does it cost to fly with a dog? Expect to pay between $95 and $150 each way for domestic U.S. travel. Round-trip costs will total between $190 and $300.

Does my pet carrier count as a carry-on? Yes. On almost all airlines, your pet carrier replaces either your carry-on luggage or your personal item. You usually cannot bring a full-sized carry-on suitcase, a personal backpack, and a pet carrier. Check the specific baggage allowance for your ticket class.