Planning to travel with your furry friend? Flying with pets can seem daunting, but with the right preparation and knowledge, it can be a smooth experience for both you and your animal companion. Airlines are increasingly accommodating to pets, but it’s crucial to understand the specific policies and procedures involved to ensure a comfortable and safe journey. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about How To Fly With Pets, focusing on dogs, to help you navigate the skies with your beloved companion.
Before you book your tickets, it’s essential to contact the airline directly, preferably when you are purchasing your tickets. Airlines will provide detailed information on their pet policies and confirm availability for your dog on the flight, as most airlines have restrictions on the number of animals allowed in the cabin. Pets typically travel in one of two ways: in a carrier under the seat in front of you, or in a crate in the cargo hold. It’s important to note that purchasing a separate seat for your pet is not an option; only trained service dogs assisting individuals with disabilities are permitted to travel outside of carriers in the cabin. As of recent policy updates, emotional support animals are now considered pets and must also travel in carriers.
$js_path = ‘assets/js/realtor-in-content.js’; wp_enqueue_script( ‘realtor-in-content’, get_template_directory_uri() . $js_path, [ ‘main’, ‘jquery’ ], AKCRelease::version(get_template_directory() . $js_path), true ); ? In Partnership with 
realtor.com logo
Find Your Perfect Home
White paw print icon indicating dog-friendly search filter
*Dog friendly rental filter applied to results
Is Air Travel Right for Your Dog?
Before making flight arrangements for your dog, carefully consider whether air travel is the best option for them. Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer for the American Kennel Club, emphasizes that, “Traveling by air can be stressful for both people and dogs.” The unfamiliar environment of airports, with their loud noises, bustling crowds, and new smells, can be particularly overwhelming for pets.
Furthermore, changes in your dog’s routine, including diet and water, upon arrival at your destination can lead to gastrointestinal issues. Travel disruptions and time zone changes can also cause dehydration or complicate medication schedules, especially for dogs with conditions like diabetes requiring regular insulin doses. These disruptions can have serious health consequences. Consult your veterinarian to discuss whether flying is safe and appropriate for your dog, considering their health and temperament.
Papillon sitting indoors with a traveling crate in the background.
Pre-Flight Preparations for Your Pet
If you decide to fly with your dog, thorough preparation is key. Start by researching travel regulations for your destination, including any quarantine requirements, vaccination prerequisites, or breed-specific restrictions. The AKC provides a helpful state-by-state guide to pet travel requirements within the US. For international travel, or for US residents returning with pets from abroad, regulations can be more complex and require additional research.
Many airlines permit small dogs to travel in the cabin, provided they are in an airline-approved carrier that fits comfortably under the seat in front of you. Larger dogs, however, typically must travel in the cargo hold. When booking your flight, opt for direct flights whenever possible to minimize stress and layover risks for your dog. If you’re traveling during summer, choose early morning or late evening flights to avoid the heat of the day. Conversely, in winter, midday flights are preferable to avoid the coldest temperatures. Be aware that extreme temperatures can lead to restrictions on pets traveling in cargo.
For those entering the U.S. with dogs, it’s important to note the updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), effective August 2024. These guidelines require individuals importing dogs, whether for the first time or returning from international travel, to submit a CDC-approved Dog Import Form online prior to arrival. All dogs entering the U.S. must be vaccinated against rabies, be at least 6 months old, and have a compliant microchip based on International Standards Organization (ISO) standards. Dogs originating from countries classified as “high-risk” for rabies will face additional requirements, potentially including a U.S.-issued rabies vaccination certificate, a foreign rabies vaccination certificate, or a foreign rabies vaccination certification, along with a microchip form. Quarantine may also be required in certain cases upon arrival in the U.S.
Health Checklist for Flying with Your Dog
Ensuring your dog is healthy enough for air travel is paramount. Here’s a health checklist to follow before your flight:
- Veterinary Check-up: Schedule a vet appointment before your trip. While a health certificate isn’t always required for domestic flights, a veterinary examination is highly recommended. Your vet can confirm your dog is fit to fly, verify vaccination status, and provide an updated rabies certificate if needed.
- Medication Management: Pack an ample supply of any prescription medications your dog takes, enough to last the entire trip and a bit extra for potential delays. Don’t forget preventative medications for fleas and ticks.
- Special Diet Provisions: If your dog requires a prescription or specialized diet, bring enough food to cover the duration of your trip. Finding specific pet foods while traveling can be challenging.
Essential Items to Pack for Your Dog’s Flight
Packing the right supplies is crucial for a smooth journey. Here’s a list of essential items to pack for flying with your dog:
- Vaccination and Health Documentation: Check if your destination requires a signed health certificate from your vet. Even if not mandatory, carrying these documents is advisable. Always verify entry requirements, including quarantine information, for your destination.
- Airline-Approved Carrier: Ensure your carrier meets the airline’s size and type specifications for your flight. Carriers should be waterproof, well-ventilated, and spacious enough for your dog to comfortably sit, stand, lie down, and turn around.
- Portable Water and Food Bowls: Pack collapsible bowls for easy access to food and water during travel.
- Food for Carry-On: Keep a small amount of your dog’s food in a baggie in your carry-on luggage, especially important in case of flight delays.
- Dog Treats: Bring your dog’s favorite treats for positive reinforcement and to help alleviate stress.
- Poop Bags: Be prepared for walks and potty breaks at the airport and upon arrival.
- Pet Wipes: Useful for quick cleanups in case of accidents or sickness during travel.
- Chew Toy: A familiar chew toy can provide comfort and distraction, especially during takeoff and landing when pressure changes can be unsettling.
Preparing Your Dog Behaviorally for Air Travel
Acclimating your dog to their travel crate well in advance of your flight is incredibly beneficial for their comfort and overall travel experience. Introduce the crate at home as a safe and positive space. Encourage your dog to enter the crate with praise and treats, making it a familiar and comforting den.
To further prepare your dog for the airport environment, expose them to busy, noisy, and dog-friendly public places like bus stations or pet stores. This helps them become accustomed to the sights and sounds they’ll encounter at the airport. Airlines require that all dogs are well-behaved during flights; excessive barking, growling, or aggressive behavior is not permitted. Consider enrolling your dog in a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) training program. The skills learned in CGC training, such as navigating crowds and polite behavior around other dogs, are excellent preparation for airport environments. Some dog trainers even offer airplane simulation training, using rows of seats to mimic an airplane cabin, teaching dogs how to settle under a seat in a carrier.
Navigating the Airport with Your Dog
If your dog is traveling in cargo, you’ll need to check them in with the airline upon arrival at the airport. From check-in, airline staff will handle the process of loading your dog’s crate onto the plane and retrieving it at your destination. If your dog is traveling in the cabin with you, you will proceed through TSA security. At security checkpoints, you’ll need to remove your dog from their carrier. Your dog will then need to walk through the full-body scanner, while TSA personnel will screen the carrier. They may also inspect your dog’s leash, collar, or harness.
Once through security, take advantage of pet relief areas available at most airports to allow your dog to relieve themselves before the flight. While waiting to board, you may be allowed to take your dog out of their carrier to stretch their legs, depending on airport regulations and gate area space.
Sealyham Terrier laying down in a travel crate.
During Your Flight with Your Dog
Once onboard, your dog must remain inside their carrier for the duration of the flight. Dogs are not allowed to sit on laps or roam freely in the cabin. Offering your dog a chew toy during takeoff, landing, and times of turbulence can help to comfort them. Chewing is a natural stress reliever for dogs and can also help them adjust to cabin pressure changes during ascent and descent.
Airline-by-Airline Guide for Flying with Dogs
Navigating airline pet policies can be complex, as each airline has its own specific rules and regulations. Always confirm the most up-to-date information with your chosen airline directly before booking your flight, as policies can change. Contacting the airline in advance ensures there is space for your dog on your flight and that you are fully aware of all requirements. Below is a summary of pet policies for several major US airlines:
Alaska Airlines
Health and Vaccine Requirements: For cabin travel on Alaska Airlines, health certificates or vaccination proof are not mandatory, but dogs must be in good health. Animals appearing unwell can be denied boarding. For cargo travel, a health certificate issued within 10 days of the outbound flight and within 30 days of the return flight is required.
Cabin Pet Policy: Yes, small dogs in approved carriers are allowed in the cabin. A cabin pet counts as the passenger’s carry-on item. Two similarly sized dogs can share a carrier if comfortable, with no body parts protruding.
Cabin Restrictions: First Class cabins can accommodate up to three pet carriers per flight, and the Main Cabin can accommodate up to eight. Only cabin pets are allowed on international flights and flights to Hawaii. For two pets in the cabin, a second adjacent seat can be purchased in the Main Cabin.
Cargo Pet Policy: Yes, dogs at least 8 weeks old and weaned can travel as cargo.
Cargo Restrictions: Combined weight of dog and crate cannot exceed 150 pounds. Cargo pets must be on the same flight as their owner. Pets must be comfortable in their crates and not require attention during the flight.
Pet Fee: $100 per pet, each way, for both cabin and cargo travel.
Shetland Sheepdog service dog laying next to its owner at the airport.
American Airlines
Health and Vaccine Requirements: For cargo travel on American Airlines, an original health certificate signed by a vet within 20 days of the flight is required for both outbound and return trips. Cabin pets do not require health certificates.
Cabin Pet Policy: Yes, dogs are permitted in approved carriers under the seat on flights up to 11 hours and 30 minutes.
Cabin Restrictions: Cabin pet capacity is limited to either five or seven pets per flight, depending on the aircraft type.
Cargo Pet Policy: Cargo pet transport is restricted to active-duty US Military and US State Department Foreign Service personnel on official orders. Up to two pets can be checked as cargo under these conditions.
Pet Fee: $150 per carrier for cabin pets. Cargo fees vary by destination and are confirmed at booking.
Delta Air Lines
Health and Vaccine Requirements: Cabin pets on Delta do not require health certificates. Cargo pets require a current health certificate from a vet issued within 10 days of travel.
Cabin Pet Policy: Yes, dogs must fit in a carrier under the seat in front of you. Carriers must have ventilation on three sides for domestic flights and four sides for international flights.
Cabin Restrictions: For domestic flights, pets must be at least 8 weeks old. For international flights, pets must be 16 weeks old when entering the US and 15 weeks old for European destinations.
Cargo Pet Policy: Yes, pet carriers must be large enough for the dog to stand, sit, lie down, and turn around without touching the crate top or sides and must comply with International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations.
Pet Fee: $95 each way for domestic flights and $200 for international flights.
Frontier Airlines
Health and Vaccine Requirements: Frontier does not generally require health certificates, but specific destinations may.
Cabin Pet Policy: Yes, dogs at least 8 weeks old are allowed on all domestic Frontier flights, as well as flights to/from the Dominican Republic and Mexico.
Cabin Restrictions: Dogs must be able to stand, turn around, and lie down naturally in a soft-sided carrier that fits under the seat.
Cargo Pet Policy: No, Frontier does not transport pets as cargo.
Pet Fee: $99 each way.
Hawaiian Airlines
Health and Vaccine Requirements: For travel between Hawaii and the US mainland on Hawaiian Airlines, health certificates from a vet are required, dated within 14 days of arrival in Hawaii. Hawaii has strict rabies control due to being rabies-free; contact the Hawaii Department of Agriculture for quarantine and vaccination details before travel.
Cabin Pet Policy: Yes, on select flights.
Cabin Restrictions: Pets are allowed on inter-island flights within Hawaii and between mainland US and Hawaii. Combined pet and carrier weight limit is 25 pounds.
Cargo Pet Policy: Yes, but combined weight of pet and carrier must not exceed 70 pounds.
Cargo Restrictions: Cargo pet transport is restricted on most flights between April 15 and October 15, and anytime temperatures at origin, destination, or connection airports are below 20F or above 85F. No international cargo pet transport.
Pet Fee: $35 for inter-Hawaii flights, $125 for flights between Hawaii and the mainland US.
JetBlue Airways
Health and Vaccine Requirements: JetBlue requires pets to have all destination-required vaccinations and documentation, along with ID tags and licenses.
Cabin Pet Policy: Yes, dogs under 20 pounds (combined weight with carrier) can travel in the cabin.
Cabin Restrictions: Combined weight of pet and carrier must not exceed 20 pounds.
Cargo Pet Policy: No, JetBlue does not transport pets as cargo.
Pet Fee: $125 per flight segment.
Southwest Airlines
Health and Vaccine Requirements: Southwest requires passengers to comply with all destination-specific vaccination and health certificate requirements.
Cabin Pet Policy: Yes, cabin pets are allowed on domestic flights only, not on international flights or itineraries including international segments.
Cabin Restrictions: Cabin pet acceptance is first-come, first-served, up to six pets per flight. Disruptive pets may be denied boarding.
Cargo Pet Policy: No, Southwest does not transport pets as cargo.
Pet Fee: $125 per pet carrier for US mainland flights, $35 per pet carrier for inter-Hawaii flights.
Spirit Airlines
Health and Vaccine Requirements: Health certificates are not required by Spirit Airlines, except for flights to the US Virgin Islands. Rabies vaccination proof is needed for Puerto Rico flights.
Cabin Pet Policy: Yes, dogs at least 8 weeks old and weaned are allowed on domestic flights. No international pet flights.
Cabin Restrictions: One pet carrier per passenger, with up to two dogs inside if they fit comfortably. Combined weight of pet(s) and carrier must not exceed 40 pounds.
Cargo Pet Policy: No, Spirit does not transport pets as cargo.
Pet Fee: $125 per flight segment.
United Airlines
Health and Vaccine Requirements: United Airlines recommends health certificates but does not require them for domestic flights. International flights require rabies vaccination proof and health certificates.
Cabin Pet Policy: Yes, dogs at least 2 months old are permitted on domestic flights, and at least 4 months old for international flights.
Cabin Restrictions: Cabin pet capacity varies by aircraft, ranging from two to six pets per plane.
Cargo Pet Policy: No, United does not transport pets as cargo.
Pet Fee: $125 per flight segment, plus an additional $125 for layovers over four hours domestically or over 24 hours internationally.
Flying with pets requires careful planning and adherence to airline policies. By preparing thoroughly and understanding the guidelines, you can ensure a safer and more comfortable travel experience for your beloved dog. Always double-check directly with your airline for the most current and specific information related to your travel plans.
