Most airlines allow fully-trained service dogs to ride in the cabin without a carrier. Whether you are planning on getting your dog CGC certified or just looking to learn more about the test this e-book is a great place to start. Travelers must make a pet reservation withSouthwest Airlines over the phone. Some individual routes or aircraft have their own unique limitations beyond the standard airline pet policy. Are there other restrictions on pets in the cabin? Delta's carry-on pet fee is $95 each way for flights to and from the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Injuries, deaths or lost pets: 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. With Frontier, maximum pet container dimensions are a tad smaller than Southwests at 18 inches by 14 inches by 8 inches. Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card. Pets in cargo: United does not allow pets to fly in the cargo hold. Of course, youll need to check your individual airline for size requirements of carry-on and cargo pet carriers, but checking FAA requirements and the Center for Pet Safety will also be helpful. Similarly, if your dog is on a prescription diet or has food sensitivities, make sure theyll be able to eat at your destination. The definition of a poorly behaved pet can be subjective, but most airlines outline growling, excessive whining or barking, or urinating or defecating in the cabin or gate area as reasons. Each passenger may only bring one pet kennel with them into the cabin. The animal must have room to stand up and turn around inside the kennel, and United only allows one pet per kennel. You will be charged the cargo rate, which is considerably more than excess baggage. It was there that 25 airline passengers and six crew members were headed Jan. 9 after boarding an IrAero Airlines plane in the inland city of Magan. Traveling with a pet can be stressful and expensive, period. Confirm this ahead of time with your airline. Meanwhile, changes in diet and water on arrival can affect dogs gastrointestinal health, and the upheaval of traveling and time-zone changes could lead to dehydration or interruptions to strict medication schedules, such as insulin for diabetic dogsleading to potentially serious consequences. Its also recommended that certain breeds dont travel by air, so you may consider taking a train, bus, or car. Here are our picks for the. With the resurgence of travel, if youre thinking of traveling with your pet, finding the most pet-friendly airlines will be crucial to making sure your trip goes off without a hitch (and without any fur flying). Airlines are allowed to carry to, from and within India, animals, birds, and reptiles. Most airlines also require proper vaccines. You'll find lower pet fees at brands like Delta, Southwest, Frontier and Alaska. For example, Alaskas first-class cabin can accommodate only one pet carrier per flight, and the main cabin accommodates up to five. Animal owners and shippers rely heavily on airlines to carry their precious cargo. Pet container requirements. When you check in with your pet, youll receive a JetPaws tag to put on your carrier. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Learn more: Baffled by points and miles? The embargo applies to all live animals transported in cargo under the PET product code throughout the domestic and international network. Sign up and well send you Nerdy articles about the money topics that matter most to you along with other ways to help you get more from your money. Your pet must remain in that carrier at all times and be more than 10 weeks old. You can book your pet on a separate flight. 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. This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider or specific products site. If they do, they will very likely charge a fee to have Fido on board. When determining which flight to book, carefully read each airlines pet rules for non-emotional support, non-service dogs and cats to ensure you and your furry friend have the smoothest experience possible. Her work has been published in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and The Washington Post. $125 each way, plus an additional $125 charge for each stopover of more than four hours within the U.S. Pets may not travel in cargo November 15January 10. The kennel with the pet inside cannot weigh more than 20 pounds. Are dogs allowed in the cabin? Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. If the fight is leaving from Canada, the price goes up to $105. There is a fee of $125 each way, and an additional $125 service fee for each stopover of more than four hours (or 24 hours for international flights). Most airlines allow fully-trained service dogs to ride in the cabin without a carrier. Is there a fee to travel with your pet? 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. Your pet carrier will not count toward your carry-on baggage. 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. 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 . Up to two dogs can travel in the same carrier, provided that theyre not in distress and they fit properly with no body parts protruding. Yes: $125 for carry-on, $200 ($150 for Brazil) for Military checked pet, and prices vary based on size and destination for cargo. If youre flying with one of those breeds, which includes pit bulls, Boston terriers and many types of bulldogs and pugs, check the airlines specific policy. Bringing a pet in the cabin does not count toward your carry-on allowance with Hawaiian, meaning you can bring a bag and a personal item, in addition to your pet. Also, your animal must be able to move around inside and fit comfortably, without protruding from or touching the sides. 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. Sherpa Original Deluxe Airline-Approved Dog & Cat Carrier Bag, Related article: How to Keep Your Dog Safe When Pet Theft Is on the Rise, Medications! COVID. Plus, Alaska will transport not just dogs, cats, birds and rabbits in checked baggage or cargo, but also ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, non-poisonous reptiles, pot-bellied pigs and tropical fish. Soft-sided, collapsible kennels can be slightly larger but still need to fit under the seat without having to excessively collapse the carrier. Then, on the day of the flight, travelers must go to the ticket counter at the airport to check in their pet and pay the fee. While Alaska scored a 4, only one other airline, Southwest, scored a 3. The pet and kennel must not weight more than a combined 70 pounds (so youll probably need to leave your Bernese mountain dog at home). The airline suspended its pet shipping program,PetSafe, in 2018 and has not announced when (or if) it will resume. And even though youve paid for a second seat, you still need to keep your dog inside a carrier for the whole flight. Are dogs allowed in cargo/checked baggage? Pets may also be prohibited in cargo due to hot weather, so be sure to plan ahead if youre traveling during summer months. Plus, beyond fees, youll likely also incur a bunch of paperwork and phone calls before your pet can fly. Any information published by Cond Nast Traveler is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Disclaimer: NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. She is a graduate of the University of Southern California with a degree in journalism. Pets of larger size/weight will be carried in the cargo hold. Air Animal's dedicated and experienced team of pet move managers moved over 100 pets March through May during the COVID-19 world health crisis. Most airlines require a valid health certificate issued by your vet, certifying that your pet is fit to fly. Many airlines allow pets to fly in the cabin as a carry-on, so long as they stay inside a carrier thats small enough tofit under the seat in front of you for the duration of the flight. Dogs must be at least eight weeks old. Small dogs can typically accompany you in the cabin, however, mostairlines require them to remain inside a kennel tucked under theseat in front of you for the entire flight. If your pet needs in-flight feeding, you need to provide the food and directions (theyll feed your pet, which is rare!). If your pet cant fit underneath your seat, youll need to ship the animal with a special service from their Delta Cargo program. Delta has additional seating rules for people traveling with pets: Passengers carrying on pets are not permitted to sit in bulkhead seats, emergency exit rows, flat-bed seats, and certain rows on the A330-200 or B757-200 aircrafts. Pettravel in the cabin: UnitedAirlines only allows dogs and cats totravel in the cabin. Yes: a maximum of four pets are allowed per flight. Other major airlines, including Southwest Airlines and Spirit Airlines, never accepted pets in cargo. Pets must stay in their carrier, with all doors and flaps secured at all times, while onboard the plane, as well as in the boarding area. Flying with pets requires a little extra leg work, however. By early 2021, all of the major airlines announced that they would no longer recognize emotional support animal air travel. We gave higher points when species other than cats and dogs are allowed. By subscribing to our newsletter(s) you agree to our User Agreement and Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement. Here's a snapshot of some of the data we collected to help you plan for flying with dogs, cats and other pets. Themost pet-friendly airline for your journey depends on the type of animal you have, your pets size, where youre traveling, and whether youd like your pet to fly in the cabin or in the cargo hold as checked baggage. Booking pet tickets. These days, all pets are subject to pet policies and fees on all of the major airlines we reviewed. Effective today, Delta passengers will have two options when flying a pet. In winter, try to book flights in the middle of the day. $125 between Hawaii and North America. Youll generally need to contact the airline to reserve a space for your pet. Ratings and prices are accurate and items are in stock as of time of publication. 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 IATA Live Animal Regulations is the standard for transporting live animals by commercial airlines. AirlineRatings.com was launched in 2013 and rates the safety, in-flight product and COVID-19 compliance of 385 airlines using its unique seven-star rating system. OK92033) Property & Casualty Licenses, NerdWallet | 55 Hawthorne St. - 11th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Are there other restrictions on dogs in the cabin? 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. One big reason is that while other airlines will fly cats and dogs only, Frontier accepts rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and small household birds, too (though international flights still limit pets to cats and dogs only). There is no one-size-fits-all approach toflying with pets. COVID restrictions have changed Deltas policies a bit, so dogs are temporarily suspended from arriving in the U.S. from other countries. Know what youre getting into before planning a flight with a pet. Jet-setting pet parents know just how heartbreaking it feels to leave a belovedfurry friend at home while traveling. Additionally, travelers can bring one female dog or cat with her un-weaned litter, as long as the animals in the litter are 10 weeks to six months old. Book your passenger ticket on alaskaair.com 2. Review our policies for pet travel linked in the section below to determine which travel option is right for you and your pet 3. Pets may fly domestically in the cargo hold with SpiceJet. Health and vaccine requirements: Dogs traveling in cargo must have a health certificate dated within 10 days of the outward journey and 30 days of the return journey. Make sure to check well in advance, gather the relevant records, and leave time to make appropriate arrangementsand to check any regulations for the journey home, too. Regardless of the type of animal, travelers must provide a validhealth certificate for each pet. Carry-on pets are limited to cats and dogs that meet the size, age and destination requirements. Up to two pets of the same species may travel together in a carrier, but they must be able to stand up and move around while inside. Sam is a travel rewards expert at NerdWallet specializing in airline and hotel loyalty programs. Health and vaccine requirements: Your dog will need ID tags and a pet license. So how do we make money? Jump down to the airline-by-airline guidelines. Service animals are not pets. According to the Department of Transportation, there were an incident rate of 0.82 per 10,000 animals transported in 2021. Home and decor enthusiast with work published in Real Simple, InStyle, Food Network Magazine and others. Let the 80/20 rule guide you. Brandi Hunter-Munden, VP of Communications at the. Yes: $110 per pet container, each way. The combined weight of the dog and carrier may not exceed 20 pounds, and only one pet is allowed per carrier. for free. You must reserve a spot in advance so your pets travels aren't guaranteed (even if your seat is booked), Emotional support animals are no longer recognized as service animals, In past years, you may have traveled with your. Check with your airline to confirm specific requirements. Number of pets allowed per passenger: If pets were allowed in the main cabin, how many you can bring? Which Loyalty Program Is Best For You in 2023? Before arriving at the airport, expect paperwork to sign and phone calls to make. On airlines that allow pets to travel, only small dogs and cats that can fit in special carriers under the seat are allowed in the cabin. Pets in cargo: Hawaiian Airlines accepts dogs, cats, and household birdsas checked baggage for $60 one-way on flights within the state of Hawaii and $225 one-way on flights between Hawaii and North America. Quarantine, vaccinations, vaccination records, and health certificates: what are the requirements at your destination, your airline, and your point of origin if its a return trip? Airlines also charge varyingpet fees for passengerstraveling with a pet. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer). A pet cage is made up of three parts: small (S), medium (M), and large (L . Health certificates are required for dogs in both the cabin and cargo. The amount of pets permitted per flight varies depending on the aircraft, up to a maximum of four. Because of a lack of under-seat storage, American does not allow carry-on pets to fly in first or business class on some planes. You cant sit in the first row or exit row when traveling with your pet, and pets must remain in their carriers at all times. We normalized the data relative to overall passenger count to avoid penalizing larger airlines that might have more reports because they transport more animals. Sam's work has been featured by the Associated Press, The Points Guy and Fast Company. Pre-qualified offers are not binding. Flying, even on our highly ranked airlines, can be annoyingly uncertain. Sally French is a travel rewards expert who joined NerdWallet in 2020. How Much Are Travel Points and Miles Worth in 2023? Spirit Airlines does not accept pets in cargo. A maximum of 2 pets per container is permitted, but only one container per guest . Frontier allows a large variety of pets to be carried onboard, but only dogs and cats can be carried on international flights. Yes. These breeds can run into respiratory challenges in increased temperature or humidity. Members ofTrueBlue, the airlines reward program, can earn 300 extra points for each segment their pet flies with them in the cabin. The carry-onpet fee is $35 one-way for flights within the state of Hawaii, and $125 one-way for trips between Hawaii and North America. What sorts of limits are there on allowing pets in lounges? Are there other restrictions on dogs in cargo/checked baggage? 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. Its also a good chance to check whether there are any regulations you might have missed. Today, all major airlines have fees for flying with your furry friend, but these are our recommended options for the best airlines for pets. JetBlue, for example, requires travelers to pay for a second seat (and pay a second pet fee) to bring two pets onboard the plane at the same time. Yes, on domestic flightsbut not on international flights or any itinerary that includes an international flight. In addition, many airlines limit the number of pets allowed on each flight. Finally, an airline where you can bring your pets kennel on board in addition to your carry-on bag. Yes: for travel between Hawaii and North America, theres a fee of $125 each way for pets in the cabin and $225 each way for pets traveling in cargo or checked baggage. Yes: $125 each way, plus an extra service fee of $125 for certain (lengthy) stopovers. Pettravel in the cabin: For $99 each way, pets maytravel in the cabin onFrontier Airlines flights. Travelersflying with pets can sit anywhere onboard the aircraft except for the first row and the emergency exit rows. The reservations desk can verify your maximum dimensions based on your airplane. And for your pet to fly in the main cabin, it must fit in a pet carrier underneath the seat, with a maximum size of 18.5 inches by 8.5 inches by 13.5 inches. JetBlue doesnt require any health or vaccine certifications for its own purposes, however the airline does note that passengers are responsible for complying with the animal import requirements at their destination. Yes: the total weight of the pet and carrier must not exceed 25 pounds. Yes, dogs are allowed to fly in cargo. In the early days of the pandemic, United suspended its pet cargo services and has yet to resume them. Unfortunately, they have not allowed PetSafe reservations since March 2020. Before traveling, take your pet to your vet (dog carriers are a requisite for a hassle-free trip) to have him examined. Some airlines dont accept pets in the baggage or cargo compartments during the holidays. Guests can bring up to two pets per carrier, but may only bring one carrier on the plane. If youre traveling between Hawaii and North America, you need to obtain an animalhealth certificate from your veterinarian within 14 days of travel. , your pet can come too as long as its well-behaved. Are brachycephalic dogs allowed in cargo? The pet fee is $125 per pet each way. Those individuals may check up to two pets to fly in the cargo hold, so long as they meet the destinations age and health requirements. Only one other airline, Southwest, scored a 3 and everything else fell below that. They must be at least 16 weeks old. If your reservation gets changed, you'll have to wait until the next flight that allows an animal. Thats due to a December 2020 ruling from the U.S. Department of Transportation that eliminated a requirement that airlines allow emotional support animals free of charge. United can ship cats and dogs using their PetSafe program. Get more smart money moves straight to your inbox. Sam Kemmis is a travel rewards expert at NerdWallet specializing in airline and hotel loyalty programs. Hard-sided carry-on kennels on mainlineAmerican Airlines flights can measure up to 19 by 13 by 9 inches, while those on regional American Eagle flights can be up to 16 by 12 by 8 inches. Dogs and cats are permitted on inter-island flights within Hawaii, and on flights between Hawaii and North America, with the exception of flights to/from JFK, MCO, BOS, or AUS airports. With the pet inside, the carrier must weigh 40 pounds or less. These U.S. airlines allow passengers to fly with dogs, cats, and even household birds safelyand with ease. Pregnant pets will not be accepted," AI website says. Beyond that, pets are not permitted to fly as checked baggage from April 15 to October 15 on flights to or from San Jose International Airport, Sacramento International Airport, Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, and Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. Pet fees are a nonrefundable $99 per pet, per direction. All rights reserved. Pets need to stay inside the carrier for the entire flight, and the kennel counts toward your carry-on allowance. American Airlines will not accept carry-on pets that have been tranquilized or sedated. And while our site doesnt feature every company or financial product available on the market, were proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward and free. The days of pets flying for free are gone, unfortunately. The kennel counts as your carry-on bag, meaning you can only bring one small personal item in addition to your pet. While none are exactly great, here are the best airlines for traveling with a pet. For pets traveling in the cabin, the cost is $125 each way. Japan Airlines will not accept dogs from countries listed as high-risk Rabies countries from July 14, 2021. Straight north of North Korea lies the Russian port city of Magadan. No. (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=38cf8a01-c7b4-4a61-a61b-8c0be6528f20&cid=877050e7-52c9-4c33-a20b-d8301a08f96d'; cnxps.cmd.push(function () { cnxps({ playerId: "38cf8a01-c7b4-4a61-a61b-8c0be6528f20" }).render("6ea159e3e44940909b49c98e320201e2"); }); Start early, because while you may find unbelievably cheap airfare for yourself, the pet fees could be twice as much. Spirit Airlines is known for their bargain airfare, but your pets ticket may cost just as much as your own! Types of animals allowed in the main cabin: Can you fly with a pet bird? And pit bull breeds are not allowed in the cabin. Only one pet is permitted per kennel typically, but two pets of the same breed and size may be allowed to travel in one kennel if theyre between 10 weeks and six months old. Spirit only allows soft-sided carriers for petsflying in the cabin and they may be no larger than 18 by 14 by 9 inches. A non-refundable fee of $50.00 per segment per carrier will apply for all pets. Yes, as long as theyre at least eight weeks old and weaned. Dont feed your dog for about six hours before travel, but do give them bottled water. Budget carrier Akasa Air will allow pets in the cabin and cargo hold, and a total of 7 kg weight will be allowed. Each traveler is allowed one carrier total, but that carrier can hold two pets if they fit comfortably. Allegiant has many of the same rules most airlines have: The pet must fit comfortably in the carrier, which must fit under the seat in front of you. Some airlines no longer offer this option and some countries do not allow pets to enter the country in-cabin. Your emotional support animal likely can no longer fly for free. His work has been featured by Fast Company, The Associated Press and The Onion. Hawaiian notes that traveling with brachycephalic breeds in cargo and checked baggage is highly discouraged and not recommended, but does not state that its disallowed. The carry-on pet fee for flights to and from Brazil is $75 each way . Frontier was the third-place winner. Most airlines also require proper vaccines. Small vaccinated cats and dogs are allowed onboard in the cabin. United Airlines. Traveling with children Unaccompanied minors Pets Carry on or transport your pet Depending on animal breed and size, they can travel as a carry-on or be transported through American Airlines Cargo. Fewer airlines will transport your pets in cargo or checked baggage, Other reasons airlines might not let your pet fly. Frontiers pet-travel fee comes in at $99 for a one-way trip. Pets are currently allowed onboard at least two Indian airlines, Air India and Aksa Air. Frontier also wont let your pet fly in the baggage compartment or cargo (main cabin only) and the pet must remain underneath your seat. https://www.akc.org/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php. Is there a fee to travel with your pet? Here are a few road bumps to watch out for: Even on the best airline for flying with pets, Alaska, its not a guarantee that your pet can fly. Ad Choices. The following guidelines are up-to-date at the time of writing, and offer a distilled version of airline rules. We analyzed nine U.S. airlines on 12 variables to find the most pet-friendly airlines. Is there a fee to travel with your pet? Airlines are allowed to carry to, from and within India, animals, birds, and reptiles. 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. The price for traveling with a dog or cat is $125 per kennel for domestic travel, and $200 if youre going abroad, although right now theyre only accepting pets from the U.S. due to COVID-19 restrictions. Health and vaccine requirements: No certificate requirements listed for dogs traveling in the cabin, but check with airline. His work has been featured by Fast Company, The Associated Press and The Onion. Allow pets in cargo: Whether pets are allowed to travel in cargo, in any capacity. The weight of your pet and the carrier cannot exceed 20 pounds to fly in the cabin. The carry-onpet fee for flights to and from Brazil is $75 each way; all otherinternational flights are $200 each way. At certain levels of heat and cold, dogs may not be allowed to fly in cargo or checked baggage.