Flying with a pet can be expensive and confusing, with fees, weight limits, carrier size rules and the need to make sure there’s no loud barking (or meowing) on board.
American Airlines recently relaxed its pet policy, allowing passengers to bring one carry-on bag in addition to a pet on a carrier, and in recent years more private flight options have emerged for pet owners who can afford it.
However, flying with large or medium-sized dogs can be difficult, and many travelers are wary of leaving a pet in the hold of an airplane.
For those traveling on the major airlines with their pets as hand luggage, here’s what you need to know about each major domestic airline’s policy.
Southwest Airlines
On Southwest, a Dallas-based carrier, two checked bags can fly free, but pets can’t. Southwest charges $125 per pet carrier on its flights.
Dogs or cats are allowed to travel under a seat in an approved carrier — up to 18.5 inches long by 8.5 inches high and 13.5 inches wide — according to the airline.
Southwest has a few caveats for those traveling with pets: The pet must stay in its carrier during the flight, and the carrier is considered a personal item or carry-on.
Up to six pets are allowed on Southwest flights. Once six pets are booked on a flight, no other customer can add an accompanying pet to their booking.
united airlines
United Airlines has no weight or breed restrictions for cats and dogs as long as they are in an approved hard or soft-sided carrier, measuring 17.5 inches long by 9 inches high and 12 inches wide for a hard carrier or 18 inches long by 11 inches high and 11 inches wide for soft carrier.
United charges $125 each time for travel with pets. There is no charge for service animals on United flights, but certain forms are required before the flight.
The carrier must fit under a seat and where a passenger is allowed to sit may vary by aircraft type. For example, people traveling with pets cannot sit in emergency rows. If you are traveling with two pets (the maximum allowed), you must book two seats.
Delta Air Lines
Small dogs and cats can travel on Delta Air Lines flights as long as they fit in a carrier stored under the seat. The size of the carrier depends on the aircraft, but generally the airline recommends a soft-faced carrier no larger than 18 inches long, 11 inches high, and 11 inches wide.
Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old and small enough to have room to move around in the carrier, which must have ventilation openings on three sides.
Delta charges $95 for pets traveling as carry-on companions, and the passenger can only bring one personal item with the pet. Certain seats cannot be reserved for travel with an animal, such as those on an emergency exit row.
American Airlines
American Airlines allows cats and dogs to travel in carry-on luggage, which must remain under the seat in front of the pet owner throughout the flight. The airline recommends a soft-faced carrier that is 18 inches long, 11 inches high, and 11 inches wide.
The fee for a hand-carried pet on an American Airlines domestic flight is $150.
Flights are limited to seven carry-on pets, not including service animals, and American Eagle flights are limited to five carry-on bags, with one in first class. There is no fee for service animals flying on an American flight, but the airline does require forms to be filled out in advance.
The airline said in a statement that it recently changed its cabin pet policy to allow customers with a pet to also bring either a personal item or a carry-on bag stowed in the bin (but not both).
“We made the change to provide a more convenient and comfortable experience for customers whose pets fly American,” the airline said.
Spirit, JetBlue, Frontier and Alaska
Spirit allows dogs and cats on its flights in a carrier no longer than 18 inches long, 14 inches wide and 9 inches high for a fee of $125. The weight of the pet and the carrier cannot exceed 40 kg, according to the airline.
Small dogs and cats can fly on JetBlue for a fee of $125 each way, on an approved carrier. Up to six pets are allowed on JetBlue flights.
Frontier allows pets on board for a fee of $99 each time as long as the pet fits in a carrier. Passengers may only have one personal item or carry-on bag other than their pet carrier.
Pets may travel on Alaska Airlines flights for a fee of $100 each way. A passenger may travel with a pet carrier and a personal item or a carrier and a carry-on bag.
Private or charter flights
Those who take their pets on private or charter flights, which can cost many thousands of dollars, have much more leeway. Dogs weighing less than 150 kg can sit in seats.
BarkAir, a charter company specifically designed for those who fly with dogs, charges about $6,000 to fly a dog and its owner, with flights between New York and Los Angeles and New York and London. No carriers are required, and dogs can sit on laps, seats or beds.
