Not all airlines are fur-baby friendly. If you’re planning on flying with your dog, we suggest you do some homework.
While the Federal Aviation Administration requires all airlines to allow disabled passengers to fly with their service animals in the cabin, some airlines will allow pets with restrictions. Some allow pets only in the cargo area while some do not allow any pets on board.
Since the pandemic, fewer airlines transport pets in cargo. Another important factor of travel with your pet is the destination. Some countries won’t allow animals to disembark. There are more reasons why airlines might not let your pet fly, such as their breed (no short-nosed dogs allowed in cargo) or behavior, the time of year, or lack of proper paperwork. Still want to bring your pup along?
Alaska Airlines leads the pack for doggy travel, while United is the worst, according to Newsweek’s list. Also, you might want to think twice about flying Delta Airlines. More pets have died in recent years on Delta flights than on any other airline, according to the Department of Transportation. However, Delta carries more animals than any other airline, which could explain why in 2010, 2011, and 2012 it was responsible for 41 of the 97 reported animal deaths..
United Airlines
With United, there’s a $125 service charge each way and an additional $125 service charge for each stopover of more than four hours within the U.S. or more than 24 hours outside of the U.S. Pets can’t be in-cabin on flights to Hawaii and these international locations, but they are allowed in-cabin on select United flights. United reported 12 animal deaths in 2012 among six airlines that reported incidents.
Southwest Airlines
It’s stampede seating at Southwest. You can take pets on board, but their policy is to accept pets on a first-come, first-served basis until capacity is reached. Pets are not allowed to travel in-cabin on international flights or any itinerary that includes an international flight. Their pet fee is $95 per carrier. You can review their pet policy here.
Delta Airlines
Delta allows small dogs to travel in the cabin. Their pet fee is $125 per carrier, and the maximum weight requirement is about 20 pounds. Review their pet policy allowance here.
JetBlue Airways
JetBlue Airways allows two pets per traveler, each in their own carrier. However, a second pet will cost a second seat. They only allow a maximum of six pets per flight, so it’s best to book your tickets way in advance.
Virgin America Airlines
Virgin (recently bought by Alaska Airlines) only lets certain breeds on board, for health or safety reasons. You need to book at least seven days before you plan to fly, and the earlier the better, “as we have limited space,” they state.
Air Canada
Air Canada has stiff rules. You can bring a small dog in the cabin, provided it is small enough to stand, turn around, and lie down in its carrier under the seat in front of you — but not if you’re traveling in Premium Economy or in the Business Class cabin of certain aircraft. They allow 2-4 pets in the cabin per flight, so they advise making your pet’s reservation as soon as possible. Pets are banned in cargo until mid-Sept., CBC reports.
If these rules and regulations are discouraging, don’t despair: this dog apparently delayed a flight. Check out the Instagram post.
