Traveling is all fun and games until you have a four-legged best friend. Unlike us, humans, dog and pet traveling polices are more limiting, especially when it comes to taking your dog on your flight. But is it possible for dogs to travel in-cabin with us? If not, what are the alternatives?
So, can my dog fly in the cabin with me?
Some dogs are allowed to travel in-cabin with you as long as they are small in size and weight less than twenty pounds ( including the carrier). The carrier should also have a specific size, as it should be able to fit in the foot area, beneath the seat that is in front of you the airline, your dog’s size, and their breed.
If you want to know which airlines allow your dog to travel in-cabin with you, which airlines are considered to be large-dogs friendly, and you are interested in learning five useful tips about traveling with dogs, then make sure that you continue reading this post.
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Can my dog fly in the cabin with me?
There are many airlines that allow dogs to travel with their owners in-cabin. However, this mostly only applies to dogs who are small in size.
As long as your dog fits inside a carrier comfortably, meaning that they can stand, turn around, and sit comfortably and they the carrier can fit under the seat that is in front of you, it is all good.
By the way, you are not allowed to take your dog out of their carrier by Federal law when you are in the plane’s cabin.
Now, let us talk about eight airlines that allow dogs to travel in-cabin with you.
Eight airlines that allow dogs to travel in-cabin with you
Here is the list of eight airlines that allow dogs and cats to travel in-cabin with you:
- American Airlines
- JetBlue Airlines
- Delta Airlines
- United Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- Alaska Air Airlines
- Air France Airlines
- Air Canada Airlines
Airline no 1: American Airlines
- How much does it cost?
It costs one hundred and twenty-five dollars (125 dollars) per one-way flight ticket.
- What is the maximum weight allowed per pet + their carrier?
The maximum weight allowed per pet + their carrier is twenty pounds (20 Ib).
- What kind of pets are allowed to be in-cabin with you?
The type of pets that are allowed are dogs and cats who are older than eight weeks old. The dog or cat will be in their kennel or crates under the plane’s seat that is in front of you during the entire flight.
- What about international flights?
The same rules still apply, but there is an exception. Unfortunately, your pet can not travel in-cabin with you on flights that are longer than twelve hours (12 hours) or on flights that cross the Atlantics, aka, the transatlantic flights.
Also, checked pet are not allowed to travel at all on the following flights:
- The A321 Aircraft
- The A321S Aircraft
- The A321H Aircraft
- The A320 Aircraft
- The A319 Aircraft
If you want to learn more about these destination restrictions and to check their pet traveling guidelines, check out American Airlines’ website.
Airline no 2: JetBlue Airlines
- How much does it cost?
It costs one hundred dollars (100 dollars) per one-way flight ticket.
- What is the maximum weight allowed per pet + their carrier?
The maximum weight allowed per pet + their carrier is twenty pounds (20 Ib). The dimensions of the carrier should not exceed the following:
- Seventeen inches (17 inches) in length
- Twelve inches (12 inches ) in width
- Eight inches (8 inches) in height
- What kind of pets are allowed to be in-cabin with you?
The type of pets that are allowed are small dogs and small cats.
- What about international flights?
Yes. The same rules apply.
If you want to learn more about their pet traveling guidelines, check out JetBlue’s website
Airline no 3: Delta Airlines
- How much does it cost?
It costs one hundred and twenty-five dollars (125 dollars) in North America and two hundred dollars (200 dollars) for international flights per one-way flight ticket.
- What is the maximum weight allowed per pet + their carrier?
There is no weight limit set for the pet + their carrier. The only requirement is that the pet is comfortable in their carrier and that the carrier can fit under the seat that is in front of you on the plane.
- What kind of pets are allowed to be in-cabin with you?
The type of pets that are allowed are dogs and cats for both domestic and international flights. Household birds are allowed on domestic U.S. flights only. These pets should bet at least ten weeks old for domestic flights and at least sixteen weeks old for international flights.
- What about international flights?
Yes. The same rules apply.
If you want to learn more about their pet traveling guidelines, check out Delta’s website.
Airline no 4: United Airlines
- How much does it cost?
It costs one hundred and twenty-five dollars (125 dollars) per one-way flight ticket. However, you will be charged an extra service charge of one hundred and twenty-five dollars (125 dollars) for each stopover that is longer than four hours (4 hours) if you are traveling inside the United States.
If you are traveling outside of the United States, then you only pay the extra an extra service charge of one hundred and twenty-five dollars (125 dollars) for each stopover that is longer than twenty-four hours ( 24 hours).
- What is the maximum weight allowed per pet + their carrier?
There is no weight limit set for the pet + their carrier. The only requirement is that the pet is comfortable in their carrier and that the carrier can fit under the seat that is in front of you on the plane.
- What kind of pets are allowed to be in-cabin with you?
The type of pets that are allowed are dogs, cats, birds, and even birds who are older than eight weeks old. However, Cockatoos, which is a type of parrots, are not allowed.
- What about international flights?
Unlike the last couple of airlines, the international in-cabin pet rules for the United’s airlines vary. If you have any questions regarding a specific flight, then I highly recommend that you contact United’s customer contact center.
Also, pets are not allowed on flights that are coming from, going to, or passing through the following:
- Hawaii
- Australia
- Micronesia
If you want to learn more about their pet traveling guidelines, check out United’s website.
Airline no. 5: Southwest Airlines
- How much does it cost?
It costs ninety-five dollars (95 dollars) per one-way flight ticket.
- What is the maximum weight allowed per pet + their carrier?
There is no weight limit set for the pet + their carrier. The only requirement is that the pet is comfortable in their carrier and that the carrier can fit under the seat that is in front of you on the plane.
- What kind of pets are allowed to be in-cabin with you?
The type of pets that are allowed are small dogs and cats.
- What about international flights?
Unfortunately, no dogs are allowed on international flights except for emotional support and trained assistance animals.
However, no animals will be allowed even if they are emotional support animals if you are flying from or to Jamaica.
If you want to learn more about their pet traveling guidelines, check out Southwest’s website.
Airline no. 6: Alaska Air Airlines
- How much does it cost?
It costs one hundred dollars (100 dollars) per one-way flight ticket.
- What is the maximum weight allowed per pet + their carrier?
The maximum weight allowed per pet + their carrier is twenty pounds (20 Ib).
- What kind of pets are allowed to be in-cabin with you?
The type of pets that are allowed are dogs and cats who are weaned and are at least eight weeks old. Dosmiticates rabbits, as well as, household birds, are allowed as well.
- What about international flights?
Yes. The same rules apply. However, if you are flying from or to Mexico, then you will be required to have with you the proper veterinary documentation.
If you want to learn more about their pet traveling guidelines, check out Alaska Air’s website.
Airline no. 7: Air France Airlines
- How much does it cost?
It costs one hundred and fifty-three dollars and fifty-six cents (153.56 dollars) per one-way flight ticket that is departing from the United States.
- What is the maximum weight allowed per pet + their carrier?
The maximum weight allowed per pet + their transport bag is seventeen pounds (10 Ib). However, guide dogs will be allowed, no matter how much they weigh.
Also, no matter what their dimensions are, crates are no longer allowed to be in the cabin.
- What kind of pets are allowed to be in-cabin with you?
The type of pets that are allowed are small dogs and cats.
- What about international flights?
Yes. The same rules apply. However, Air France airlines does not allow pets to travel in-cabin in business class or even intercontinental flights.
If you want to learn more about their pet traveling guidelines, check out Air France’s website.
Airline no. 8: Air Canada Airlines
- How much does it cost?
It costs between fifty and fifty- nine dollars (50-59 dollars) or 100 hundred dollars (100 dollars) plus taxes per one-way flight ticket. The price depends on the destination.
- What is the maximum weight allowed per pet + their carrier?
The maximum weight allowed per pet + their carrier is twenty-two pounds (22 Ib). The pet must comfortable in their carrier and that the carrier can fit under the seat that is in front of you on the plane.
- What kind of pets are allowed to be in-cabin with you?
The type of pets that are allowed are small dogs and cats.
- What about international flights?
Yes. The same rules apply.
If you want to learn more about their pet traveling guidelines, check out Air Canada’s website.
Now that you are aware of the airlines that allow you to fly with your small pets in-cabin with you, let us talk about thirteen airlines that are large-dog friendly.
Eight large-dog friendly airlines
Eight of the most large-dog friendly airlines include the following:
- Air France airlines
- American Airlines
- Delta Airlines
- Hawaiian Airlines
- LATAM Airlines
- Lufthansa Airlines
- Iberia Airlines
- Sun Country Airlines
- Air France Airlines
Non-snub-nosed dogs that weigh between seventeen and 165.3 pounds ( this weight is inclusive of their carrier) are allowed to travel in the hold for a fee that ranges between seventy-five and two hundred and forty-five dollars ( 75- 245 dollars). The price depends on your destination.
- American Airlines
Checked pets that weigh a maximum of 100 pounds (100 Ib) ( this weight is inclusive of their carrier) are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis for a total price of two hundred dollars (200 dollars) per pet + their carrier.
If you are flying from and to Brazil, then you will pay one hundred and fifty dollars (150 dollars) per pet + their carrier.
- Delta Airlines
Pets are allowed to travel in cargo as long as your flight is shorter than twelve hours (12 hours). This is going to cost you two hundred dollars (200 dollars).
If you are flying from and to Brazil, then you will pay one hundred and fifty dollars (150 dollars) per pet + their carrier.
- Hawaiian Airlines
Dogs that weigh a maximum of seventy pounds (70 Ib) ( this weight is inclusive of their carrier) can be boarded as checked baggage. Heavier dogs are welcomes as well. However, the more massive dogs will have to travel in the cargo.
- LATAM Airlines
Large dogs are allowed to travel in the cargo hold as long as they weigh a maximum of one hundred pounds (100 Ib) or even seventy pounds ( 70 Ib) for specific destinations ( this weight is inclusive of their carrier). The price ranges between sixty- five and three hundred dollars (65- 300 dollars.)
The price depends on your destination.
- Lufthansa Airlines
Dogs that weigh more than seventeen pounds (17 Ib) ( this weight is inclusive of their carrier) are allowed to travel as excess baggage in the cargo hold for a price that ranges between one hundred and fifty and four hundred dollars (150- 400 dollars). The price depends on your destination.
- Iberia Airlines
Large dogs are allowed to travel in the cargo hold for a price that ranges between one hundred and twenty dollars and three hundred and seventy dollars ( 120- 370 dollars). The price depends on your destination.
- Sun Country Airlines
Large dogs are allowed to travel as checked baggage for a price of two hundred dollars ( $200).
Speaking of crates, make sure to invest in a high-quality crate that is going to keep your beloved dog safe. You can do that by taking a look at the SportPet Designs Plastic Kennels Rolling Plastic Wire Door Travel Dog Crate.
Now that you know many airlines that allow you to fly with your large dog, let us discuss a few tips that you should know if you intend to travel via flying with your beloved dog.
Top 5 tips for traveling with dogs
- Some short-nosed dogs, like pugs, are unable to breathe properly in the cargo area of the airplane. That is why you should not fly with such dog breeds.
- Make sure to plan your flights in advance and ensure that you are following all of the regulations that are set by the airline you are traveling with. Always try to check-in at the airport at least 3 hours before the departure time of your flight
- Always book a nonstop flight to make things easier and try to take the weather into consideration.
How?
Well, if you are traveling during the summertime, then try to fly at night, so the temperature is cooler. If you are traveling during the winter, then try to fly during the day, so the temperature is warmer.
- Avoid feeding your dog before traveling because it might upset your pooch’s stomach during the flight. Do not forget to leave your dog a couple of ice cubes, which will melt slowly and thus not get spilled when the plane is boarding.
- Do not forget to leave a blanket and some toys in the crate to make your beloved dog more comfortable during the flight.
Other questions related to can my dog fly in the cabin with me
Can my large travel in-cabin with me?
Unfortunately, large dogs are not allowed to travel in-cabin with you. But how can you identify whether your dog is large or not? A large dog is a dog that can not fit comfortably in an airline-approved pet carrier that can be placed under the airplane seat that is in front of you.
Which airlines allow emotional support dogs in-cabin?
The majority of the U.S. airlines allow people to bring their emotional support animals in-cabin with them. Three of these U.S. airlines include the following:
- Delta Airlines- PS: Pitbulls are not allowed as support dogs.
- United Airlines: The max wt for support dog is sixty-five pounds
- American Airlines
However, it is essential to note that breed and weight restrictions still apply.
Can I buy an extra seat on the plane for my dog?
Unfortunately, you can not buy an extra seat on the plane for your dog. However, your dog can travel in-cabin with you as long as they are small in size and weight less than twenty pounds ( including the carrier).
The carrier should also have a specific size, as it should be able to fit in the foot area, beneath the seat that is in front of you, the airline, your dog’s size, and their breed.
That’s it for today’s post. You should now know that small dogs and dogs that weigh less than twenty pounds ( including their carrier) can fly in-cabin with their pet owners.
However, it is essential to check the airline’s site and contact them for more details before you book both of your tickets.
My Sources
- 8 Airlines That Allow Pets In-Cabin & What You Need to Know Before You Fly
- Airlines That Allow Large Dogs
- Can a dog or cat travel in the plane cabin with me?
- How to Take Your Dog on a Plane