Planning a flight with dogs can be stressful and relaxing, too, depending on the airline and the destination. Certain factors can affect travel with pets like cats and dogs. These can include health conditions, age, personality, medical injections, etc., to fly to any particular location. Flight travel with pets is totally dependent on the experience your dog has, whether good or bad, knowing what to expect from the airline for the reservation.
If you wish to get hassle-free flight travel, you must know about the top Airlines and their regulations for more enjoyable pup flying. So, get a round-up about the pet-friendly Airlines to fly with your pets.
Best airlines to fly with the pets around the world:
Alaska Airlines:
Pack your bags with your companion and fly with any pet to your destination. Alaska Airlines allows a complete range of pets on the board, including dogs, birds, cats, rabbits, and others. The cost to fly with pets can vary regularly depending on the airline. Each way, the price can be between $100 and $105.
In the cabin, pets are considered carry-on luggage or checked into the hold. Your pet must be 8 weeks old to fly with Alaska Airlines.
In the cargo, you should submit the pet's medical certificates for the health standards.
American Airlines:
You can travel with your dogs and cats on American Airlines flights. A domestic flight with a pet costs around $125, and an international flight costs around $200. Airlines allow pets that reside within the US to be allowed.
This air carrier only allows five or seven pets in one journey due to some restrictions. You must book in advance, and the pet carrier must not be more than the dimensions of (19" x 13" x 9"). In the first class, pets can receive a separate or own compartment in the head of the aircraft.
Delta Airlines:
Dogs are not permitted to travel into the US from any other country. It is essential to check the size and restrictions before getting the flight ticket. To select a list of international destinations, you can't take the pets in the cabin. They must be two or six months old and remain the carrier throughout the complete journey. In most pets, you can't use a single carrier. If you are flying with the pets, you are not eligible to take the emergency exit seats, bulkhead seats, and certain other areas of the plane as per the aircraft security.
The cost per pet can vary between $95 and $200 each way, depending on the location and travel class.
Hawaiian Airlines:
Flights between Hawaii and North America or between the Hawaiian Islands allow pets like dogs or cats to travel with them. Any other destination doesn't permit travel with pets for certain security reasons. Soft carries must not be more than (16" x 10" x 9.5") and in the cargo, the pet carrier can be (36" x 24" x 26") or (40" x 27" x 30") as per the aircraft. Hawaiian Airlines welcomes household animals, and only canines or felines can fly in the cabin. The weight allowance for pet travel is more relaxing than the other airlines. The pet carrier can weigh up to 70 pounds in total.
Jetblue Airlines:
Travelers, with a fee of $125 each way, can take small cats, dogs, and other animals in the carrier on the main cabin. The Pet carrier must remain under the seat in front of you or in the dedicated overhead bin space.
According to Jetblue, one can take only up to six pets in a single cabin at one time. The carrier and the pet inside itself must not be more than 20 pounds and should be considered as a personal item.
Pets are not allowed in one of the premium cabins of the Jetblue name Mint. TrueBlue members are eligible to earn an extra 300 points for every segment of the flight.
Jetblue doesn't accept pets in the cargo, depending on the destination and the aircraft capacity.
Spirit Airlines:
One can carry up to two pets per carrier on the plane. The carrier's weight, along with the pet, must be within 40 pounds. A total of six pets can be there in a single journey according to the destination and the travel class.
You can sit anywhere in the aircraft except the emergency exit seats and the first row with the pet. As per the spirit, a pet carrier can be soft-sided and not be larger than 18 by 14 by 9 inches.
Pets and birds are not allowed in Puerto Rico or other US destinations. Pet parents with larger dogs cannot carry them in Spirit Airlines cargo.
Frontier Airlines:
This is one of the best airlines in terms of pet travel, as they offer the relaxation of accompanying your companion on the journey. The prices to carry pets are very low, like $99 each way, as per the travel class. It is advisable not to give water and food to the pets before four hours of the scheduled departure.
Pet kennels or carriers count as carry-on luggage during the journey, and their maximum dimensions can be 18 by 14 by 8 inches.
Your pets cannot be in the checked luggage or transported as cargo.
Tips to fly with the pets with your airlines:
Before planning a trip to a domestic or overseas destination with pets, you must schedule a visit with the usual vet. To have a hassle-free flying experience, here are some pro tips and advice for traveling with animals.
- You are up to date with the vaccination of your pets, so submit the necessary paperwork as proof.
- All travelers must check the health of their pet to ensure it is suitable to travel on the flight without any issues.
- The temperature on the plane or at your destination doesn't cause any trouble for your pets.
- Reserve the seat or the flight for your pet as soon as possible before the scheduled departure.
- The seats are limited and provided on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- Your dog must follow the training and be obedient to the PSD training rules.
Different airlines have different rules related to the pet carrier and the pet's size. Look at the relevant table to become familiar with them all quickly or get a quick snapshot.
Airlines |
Prices one-way |
Types of Animals that are allowed |
Dimensions of carrier |
Number of pets allowed per passenger |
Alaska Airlines |
$125 to $200 per pet. |
Household birds, dogs, cats and rabbits |
Hard carriers: 17” x 11" x 7.5” and soft carriers: 17” x 11” x 9.5” |
4 if you get any adjacent seats. |
American Airlines |
$125 to $200 per pet. |
Cat and dogs |
19”x 13” x 9” |
2 |
Delta Airlines |
Between $95 to $200 per way |
Cats, dogs, and household birds |
21” x 15” x 16” |
1 or 2 if the age is between 10 weeks to 6 months. |
Hawaiian Airlines |
$60 within Hawaii and $125 between North America and Hawaii. |
Dogs and cat |
16” x 10” x 9.5” |
1 or 2 if the age is between 8 weeks and 6 months old. |
Spirit Airlines |
$125 and an Additional $125 for the Stopovers, too. |
Household birds, dogs, cats and rabbits |
18 by 14 by 9 inches. |
2 in the same carrier per passenger. |
Frontier Airlines |
Less than any other airline, $99 |
Guinea pigs, small household birds, domesticated cats, dogs, rabbits, hamsters etc. |
18 by 14 by 8 inches |
Only 1, as directed by the TSA. |
Jetblue Airlines |
Get the Jetpaws tag of fees of $125 |
Dogs and cats are not allowed on the MINT flight. |
17” x 12.5” x 8.5” |
Only 2 per carrier and a maximum of six as per the travel destination. |
Conclusion
Every airline has its own set of rules and regulations regarding pet travel. So, learn & research the appropriate procedures & policies before getting a flight ticket for your pet. If you have any concerns, you can also contact the customer service of your airline and obtain help.