Yes: a maximum of four pets are allowed per flight. Unfortunately, the airline has not accepted any pets to travel via cargo since April 2020. While Alaska scored a 4, only one other airline, Southwest, scored a 3. But Southwest scored some extra points in our rankings because it has many ways to reserve your pets spot, including via Facebook and Twitter. Health and vaccine requirements: Health certificates are required for dogs traveling in the cabin as well as in cargo/the baggage compartment. iy_2023; im_01; id_18; ih_06; imh_53; i_epoch:1674053628285, py_2023; pm_01; pd_02; ph_04; pmh_30; p_epoch:1672662613500, link-block; link-block_link-block; bodystr, pn_tstr:Mon Jan 02 04:30:13 PST 2023; pn_epoch:1672662613500. Are dogs allowed in cargo/the baggage compartment? Health certificates are required for dogs in both the cabin and cargo. Yes: $125 each way. Booking pet tickets. Before you go, take a look at pet-friendly hotels (and hotel trends), rules to follow next time you fly, and the difference between booking hotels vs. Airbnbs. Check out other options weve researched. Up to two pets of the same species and similar size can travel in the same carrier, as long as they fit comfortably. Yes: the total weight of the pet and carrier must not exceed 25 pounds. Sam Kemmis is a travel rewards expert at NerdWallet specializing in airline and hotel loyalty programs. Currently, at least two Indian carriers -- Air India and Akasa Air -- permit passengers to carry pets onboard. Most airlines specify that your pet must be well behaved (not growling, barking excessively, or making disturbing noises or smells) and that they reserve the right to refuse travel to disruptive pets. Jetblue - allows pets in the cabin, but never as cargo Southwest - allows pets in the cabin, but never as cargo Spirit - allows pets in the cabin, but never as cargo United Airlines -. Unfortunately, they have not allowed PetSafe reservations since March 2020. The Department of Transportation ( DOT) has rules (14 CFR part 382) (PDF) that require airlines to allow passengers to fly with their service animals in the cabin on all U.S. airlines. Are there other restrictions on dogs in cargo? One pet is permitted per kennel, with some exceptions for puppies. We looked at Department of Transportation data from June 2021 to May 2022 for reports of deaths, injuries or losses of pets shipped via cargo. If they do, they will very likely charge a fee to have Fido on board. With the pet inside, the carrier must weigh 40 pounds or less. The American Kennel Club notes that anxiety or temperature increases may exacerbate breathing problems for some dog breeds with respiratory challenges. These breeds can run into respiratory challenges in increased temperature or humidity. Are there restrictions on dogs in the cabin? Yes, as long as theyre at least eight weeks old and weaned. 1. Your pet will need to stay in his carrier at all times in the airport and on the airplane. In SpiceJet, pets can be carried in cargo hold of domestic . Most airlines allow fully-trained service dogs to ride in the cabin without a carrier. Pets in cargo: JetBlue does not accept pets in cargo. Eachpet-friendly airline has differentand, at times, confusingpolicies about the types of animals allowed on planes, where they can spend the flight, which destinations theyre allowed to travel to, and what time of year they can fly. Pets are permitted only in the cabin, not checked as baggage. Yes, dogs are allowed to fly in cargo. Pets should be able to stand and sit, turn around normally and lie down in a natural position in their carrier without touching the sides or top of the carrier. Yes, on most flights up to 11 hours and 30 minutes traveling within the US (excluding Hawaii) or to Canada, Mexico, Central America, and some other destinations. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Siberian Airline Passengers Survive Harrowing In-Flight Mishap. Only one other airline, Southwest, scored a 3 and everything else fell below that. They strongly suggest a soft-sided carrier, no larger than 9 inches by 16 inches by 19 inches. As people around the world start to travel again, dog owners should be aware that many airlines have changed their rules on pet travel during the past year. So how do we make money? Whether pets are allowed to travel in cargo, in any capacity. Before traveling, take your pet to your vet (dog carriers are a requisite for a hassle-free trip) to have him examined. We analyzed the nine U.S. airlines based on factors including whether pets are allowed, the average pet fee and airline safety records to determine what airline is best for pet travel. If youre flying first class, your pet will be placed in a dedicated animal compartment in the front of the plane during takeoff and landing. Theoretically, you can fly with up to four pets. 2023 Cond Nast. $125 each way, plus an additional $125 charge for each stopover of more than four hours within the U.S. 2 (with purchase of a second . You will be charged the cargo rate, which is considerably more than excess baggage. Your pet counts as one of your personal items, and he must stay in his kennel under the seat in front of you for the entire flight. In addition to cats and dogs, rabbits and household birds can also travel aboard Alaska Airlines. They must be at least 16 weeks old. A rabies certificate is required for pets traveling to Puerto Rico. The carrier can be no larger than 17 inches by 11 inches by 7.5 inches. No health certificate needed for pets traveling in the cabinbut all pets must be in good health, and the airline reserves the right to refuse travel to pets in obvious distress. Frontier also wont let your pet fly in the baggage compartment or cargo (main cabin only) and the pet must remain underneath your seat. Pet carriers must be leak-proof, well ventilated, and no more than 18.5 inches by 8.5 inches by 13.5 inches. However, each passenger is only permitted to bring one animal with them whileflying in the cabin. There may also be specific check-in requirements at your departure airport. According to the American Kennel Club, you should find a soft or hard carrier that your pet can sit and turn around in without touching the sides. Passengerstraveling with a pet cannot sit in an emergency exit row, a United Premium Plus seat, or the front row of each cabin. Alaska has among the lowest pet fees for the main cabin, charging $100 each way per kennel or carrier. Only six pets are allowed per flight, with a limit of one carrier per paying customersomething to note if you have a few animalsthough they do allow more than one animal per carrier if they can fit safely. Or, you can go to My Trips to add a pet to an existing trip. Because of their cargo policies, transparent information, and fairly low cost, Alaska Airlines comes in at No. Airlines are no longer required to accommodate emotional support animals (ESAs) and they must travel as pets. No matter how young or healthy your dog is, check in with your veterinarian before taking a flight. Is there a fee to travel with your pet? Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023, including those best for: Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, No annual fee: Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card, Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve, Luxury perks: The Platinum Card from American Express, Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card, About the authors: Sally French is a reporter for NerdWallet. This week, American Airlines flew COVID-19 (coronavirus) tests on a regular, non-cargo narrowbody planea classification that includes any airliner with just one aisle and six seats . We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. What will they do if theres a flight delay? Ad Choices. Animals can travel on most flights that are 12 hours or less to certain destinations: within the 48 contiguous U.S. plus Alaska, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and St. Thomas. Note, too, that most airlines will not allow these dogs to travel in cargo. Pet owners can fly with the following major US airlines in 2022. Senior Writer | Travel rewards, point and mile valuation, data analysis. From November 1 onwards, you can fly your pets. Unaccompanied minors cannot bring pets with them into the plane. JetBlue even has a limited quantity of pet carriers you can purchase at the airport ticket counter for $55. Soft-sided kennels should be 18 inches by 11 inches by 11 inches maximum. The carrier must be placed below the seat in front of you for takeoff and landing, but you can keep your friend (in their carrier) on your lap during the flighta big departure from other pet-friendly airlines. According to the Department of Transportation, there were an incident rate of 0.82 per 10,000 animals transported in 2021. A non-refundable fee of $50.00 per segment per carrier will apply for all pets. Pets in cargo: Alaska Airlines allows a more diverse selection of pets to fly in its climate-controlled cargo hold for $100 each way: dogs, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, household birds, non-poisonous reptiles, pot-bellied pigs, rabbits, and tropical fish. Pettravel in the cabin: For a $125 one-waypet fee, travelers can bring dogs, cats, household birds, and small domestic rabbits that are at least eight weeks old in the cabin onSpirit Airlines routes throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. If your pet needs in-flight feeding, you need to provide the food and directions (theyll feed your pet, which is rare!). Are there other restrictions on dogs in the cabin? Two adult household birds can travel together in the same kennel, as long as they are at least two weeks old. Only small pets are allowed. The carrier itself cannot be larger than 17 inches by 12.5 inches by 8.5 inches, and only one pet is allowed per carrier. Our partners compensate us. Pets are admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. Frontier was the third-place winner. Read more. In addition, many airlines limit the number of pets allowed on each flight. Cat or dog (maximum of six pets per flight; not available in Mint). However, most airlines no longer allow pet owners to book their pets directly with the airline as cargo. $95 for tickets issued on/after Feb. 28, 2022. Weve got you covered. The reservations desk can verify your maximum dimensions based on your airplane. The amount of pets permitted per flight varies depending on the aircraft, up to a maximum of four. Confirm this ahead of time with your airline. If the fight is leaving from Canada, the price goes up to $105. Youll pay an additional $125 for each layover that lasts four or more hours for U.S. flights, or 24 or more hours forinternational flights. Her work has been published in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and The Washington Post. AKC actively advocates for responsible dog ownership and is dedicated to advancing dog sports. Pets are not allowed on international flights, and birds and rabbits are not permitted to fly to or from Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. The combined weight of the dog and carrier may not exceed 20 pounds, and only one pet is allowed per carrier. For example, Alaskas first-class cabin can accommodate only one pet carrier per flight, and the main cabin accommodates up to five. Each passenger can bring up to two pet carriers with them in the cabin, as long as the traveler purchases two seats next to each other on the plane. Since up to two pets of the same species and similar size may travel in the same carrier, thats just $50 per pet if traveling with two. Most airlines also require proper vaccines. Passengers pay $110 per pet carrier, each way. Have a backup plan if theres any chance your pet will be unpredictable on a plane. Airline Price per pet Allowed in cargo? Yes, on all domestic flights except to and from Hawaii, and some international flights. Lead Writer/Spokesperson | Travel, credit cards. The combined weight of the pet and carrier cant exceed 40 pounds. Aside from complying with these requirements, make sure to: In general, if your pet carrier (with your pet inside) can fit undertheseat in front of you, your dog can ride inthecabin on flights that permit it. Southwest reserves the right to deny boarding if the pet is growling, biting, urinating, or scratching. If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion directly. Your pets carrier counts as your carry-on, meaning you can only bring an additional small personal item. Pettravel in the cabin: For $125 each way, passengers can bring small dogs and cats, safely secured inside a carrier thatfits under the seat in front of them, on all domesticJetBlue flights. Southwest wont let your pet fly in the baggage compartment or cargo, which means in the main cabin only. Know what youre getting into before planning a flight with a pet. Types of animals allowed in the main cabin: Can you fly with a pet bird? Hawaiian allows one adult dog or cat per kennel, or up to two puppies or kittens of the same breed or litter that are between eight weeks and six months old. Yes: $125 for carry-on, $200 ($150 for Brazil) for Military checked pet, and prices vary based on size and destination for cargo. The kennel with the pet inside cannot weigh more than 20 pounds. Some individual routes or aircraft have their own unique limitations beyond the standard airline pet policy. In winter, try to book flights in the middle of the day. Yes, on domestic flightsbut not on international flights or any itinerary that includes an international flight. AKC is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to akc.org. Pre-qualified offers are not binding. Spirit only allows soft-sided carriers for petsflying in the cabin and they may be no larger than 18 by 14 by 9 inches. Home and decor enthusiast with work published in Real Simple, InStyle, Food Network Magazine and others. If your pet cant fit underneath your seat, youll need to ship the animal with a special service from their Delta Cargo program. Delta, for example, allows small dogs, cats, and household birds to travel in the cabin inside a small, ventilated. Hard- or soft-sided carriers are both acceptable, but passengers must steer clear of exit rows or seats without under-seat storage in front of them. I love Parks & Rec-- my dog's name is Leslie Knope. Companion animals, on the other hand, will not be allowed to be transported in cargo with Alaska, American, and Hawaiian Airlines.. When it comes to air travel with pets, you dont exactly have your pick of the litter. Is there a fee to travel with your pet? He has spoken about travel rewards at CardCon, the Altitude conference and AwardWallet's . has among the lowest pet fees for the main cabin, charging $100 each way per kennel or carrier. If youre bringing your dog into the cabin, the carrier will count toward your carry-on baggage allowance on most airlines. Are brachycephalic dogs allowed in cargo? Pets must remain inside a carrier for the entire flight. That way, you have up-to-date health information on your pet and can prove theyre caught up on vaccinations. Pet travel in the cabin: For $100 each way (or $105 for flights departing from Canada),Alaska Airlines allows passengers to bring dogs, cats, rabbits, and household birds in the cabin. American Airlines: $125: No, due to COVID-19: United Airlines: Cabin: $125 Cargo: Varies by weight: Yes: Delta Airlines: $125 to/from US, Canada, Puerto Rico $75 to/from Brazil $200 Virgin Islands/International: No, due to COVID-19: Southwest Airlines: $95: No Pettravel in the cabin: Southwest Airlines permits small, vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least eight weeks old to fly with travelers in the cabin for a $95pet fee each way. When you check in with your pet, youll receive a JetPaws tag to put on your carrier. Pets in cargo: Southwest Airlines does not have a pet cargo or shipping program, so the only way to bring your pet on a Southwest flight is byflying in the cabin. They do not allow pets as checked baggage, which means any pet that cant fit in your carry-on cant fly. Today, all major airlines have fees for flying with your furry friend, but these are our recommended options for the best airlines for pets. Confinement in a carrier could cause anxiety which could exacerbate these conditions, notes Dr. Klein. Its also a good chance to check whether there are any regulations you might have missed. You want a travel credit card that prioritizes whats important to you. The airline does not ban any specific breeds, however, it strongly discourages travelers from checking pets that are short-nosed, or brachycephalic. Southwest encourages sending a direct message on Twitter to @Southwestairor viaFacebookprivate message your confirmation number to reserve your pets spot. Above all else, make sure to check out the airlines safety measures. Dogs, cats, rabbits and household birds. 18 by 14 by 9 inches by 13.5 inches an existing trip, no larger 18! 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