US Airline Pet Policy for a Hassle-Free Flying Experience with your Pet

Flying with your loveliest furry pet is not simple, simply for the airline's policy. There are airline policies that may work for one airline, but for another, the same pet policy is negated. The most touching point is that airlines are likely to change their pet policies impromptu, and this is obviously tried with the majority of US airlines.

Many of the domestic and international airlines ask for health certificates from a certified veterinarian. If you are flying for the sub nosed dog, then there is a requirement for additional certificates. The most recent vaccination inoculations are required to be produced if you are flying with your pet to specific states within the USA. The pet regulations are even far more stringent in the case you are traveling to states or several other types of territories such as Hawaii that have stricter regulations in place for the rabies. The US airlines do not very often need microchipping in domestic travel, the recommendations are always meant to keep your pooch safe and secure both during the flight and even after the landing.

Restrictions by the US Airlines based on the Breed

Aren’t the restrictions on a few specific breeds come straight as an amazement to you? Just in case you have brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs, pugs, Boston terriers, and Persian cats, the US airlines may levy restrictions on the pretext that your pet may get affected by breathing issues in an air journey. There are also a few US airlines that put limitations if you bring a strong jawed furry pet onboard. A few of these breeds include American bully breeds, American pit bull terriers, and rottweilers.

If the dog breed is big enough than the usual levels, and you want to travel with him in the cabin, then you need to converse with pet transport service. There could be ground transportation that could work out the reasons for allowing your pet to travel smoothly. Many times, the US airlines could deny pet boarding irrespective of the dog breed in case the weather conditions in the departure city and the arrival city are 45 to 80 Degree Celsius. You could get a certificate of acclimation, but this will also not be the guarantee that your pet will board the plane with you and is seated beside you in the cabin.

Crate Requirements Mandated by the US Airlines

In general, the airline in the US will require you to have a soft-sided crate with size almost 18” x 11” x 11” such that the crate gets easily fitted in the front seat. The crate should be durable and leak-proof and the ventilation on three sides should also be good enough to allow your pooch breathe easily. In case it is a hard sided crate, then the crate should meet International Air Transport Association (IATA) standards for cargo travel. The crate should have free moving space to prevent any discomfort for your pet. There should also be a highly absorbing linen along with food and water supply and a clear label that indicates that the animal is alive.

Giving your Pet a thoroughly Exciting Airport Experience

You are accompanied by your pet at the airport, and things are not going to be the same as it would have been otherwise when your pooch was at home. You could expect many things simultaneously at the airport on the day of your flight with the pooch.

It is better for you to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before the plane departure as this time will be used comfortably for paper work and pet processing;
Make sure you check-in at the ticket counter and the let the airline staff take a closer look on the behavior of your pet both inside the crate and out of the crate;
Stretch and relieve your pet in the pet relief areas available on many airports;
In case of the pets that will be placed in the cabin, you have to follow the TSA guidelines, which calls for the pet removal from the crate for undergoing a metal detector test. The empty crate will be scanned by an X Ray machine;
The in-cabin pets will be tethered by leash, or if they are small enough, you can also them in your arms for the security processing at the airport;
If the pet is traveling in a cargo hold area, then they are placed in a temperature-controlled and pressurized area and more significantly managed by experienced staff.

US Airlines and their Pet Policies

US Airlines	Excess Baggage/Cargo	Service Animals	In Cabin Pets	Pets Allowed
Alaska Airlines	The airline provides a climate-controlled baggage compartment for a fee of $150 each way if booked as excess baggage.	No charge for the Service Animals with a valid U.S. Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation Form (DOT Service Animal Form). The dog must fit in the space at your feet for the duration of the flight.	Small sized dogs and cats may be allowed to fly in-cabin for a fee of $100 per pet. (Rabbits and household birds are permitted until April 4, 2026, but only if you purchased tickets before June 5, 2025.) Pet carriers are limited in size to 17″ x 11″ x 9.5″ and count toward your carry-on allowance. Space is limited, especially in the first-class cabin, and therefore book the pets prior to getting to the ticket counter. Alaska Airlines doesn’t require health certificates for pets traveling in-cabin, but pet import requirements can vary by state. Dogs and cats traveling to Hawaii in-cabin must meet the same requirements as those flying in cargo.	cats, dogs, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, household birds, non-poisonous reptiles, pot-bellied pigs, rabbits, and tropical fish
Allegiant	Pets are not allowed in the cargo.	Fill valid U.S. Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation Form (DOT Service Animal Form) 48 hours before the flight.	Small cats and dogs may travel in-cabin for a fee of $50 each segment. Carriers may not be larger than 18” x 14” x 8” and count toward your carry-on allowance. You can travel with up to 2 pets per carrier, but it must fully close. Allegiant does not require health certificates, but there may be additional rules that qualify.	Pets traveling on Allegiant must be at least 8 weeks old.
American Airlines	Checked pets flying as excess baggage are only allowed for active-duty military and U.S. State Department foreign personnel traveling on official orders. The airline offers its American PetEmbark service for pets that don’t meet these criteria. These pets may travel on a separate ticket in cargo.	Service dogs at least 4 months old fly free with a complete DOT Service Animal Form at least 48 hours before travel. The animal should fit at your feet or in your lap.	Small cats and dogs may travel in-cabin to select destinations for a fee of $150. (Household birds are no longer allowed in-cabin.) Soft-sided carriers, the recommended option, may not be larger than 18” x 11” x 11”. Hard-sided carrier limits depend on the aircraft. The combined weight of your pet and carrier should not exceed 20 lbs. You may bring one additional carry-on or personal item. Health certificates are not required.	Breed and size restrictions for cargo pets may apply depending on the aircraft. Fees vary based on flight duration and pet size, but expect pet travel costs to start at $450 for smaller pets. (This includes a $150 Live Animal Processing Fee on top of all posted rates.)
Delta Airlines	From November 2024, Delta has a temporary embargo on pets through Delta Cargo (including pets flying on their owner’s ticket as excess baggage). The only exception is for active U.S. military or U.S. diplomats with travel orders. Eligible pets must still meet health certificate and crate size requirements.	Service dogs fly free on Delta with a complete DOT Service Animal Form completed at least 48 hours before travel. The animal should fit in the space at your feet.	Small cats, dogs, and birds may travel in-cabin to select destinations. Fees range from $150 to $200 each way. Carriers may not be larger than 18” x 11” x 11” and count toward your carry-on allowance.	Pets flying on Delta must be at least 8 weeks old for domestic flights. Dogs must be at least 6 months old, and cats must be at least 16 weeks old if traveling to the U.S. from another country.
Frontier	Pets not transported in cargo hold.	Service dogs at least 4 months old fly free on Frontier, provided they complete DOT Service Animal Forms at least 48 hours before travel.	Small dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and birds may travel in-cabin to destinations around the U.S. for $99 each way. Only dogs and cats are allowed in-cabin on international flights. Carriers are limited to 18” x 14” x 8” for hard-sided carriers and 18″ x 14″ x 11″ for soft-sided carriers. You may bring an additional carry-on.	Dogs and cats flying on Frontier must be at least 8 weeks old. Health certificates are not required, but requirements may vary depending on the destination.
Hawaiian Airlines	Hawaiian Airlines accepts dogs, cats, and household birds as checked baggage on select domestic flights for $225 each way. Fees within Hawaii start at $60 for each segment.	Service dogs fly free on Hawaiian with a complete DOT Service Animal Form at least 48 hours before travel.	Small cats and dogs may travel in-cabin for a fee of $125 each way. (Household birds are no longer allowed in-cabin, but may be allowed as excess baggage.) Pets traveling within Hawaii may do so for a fee of $35 for each segment. Carriers may not be larger than 17” x 11” x 9.5”. You may bring an additional carry-on along with your pet carrier.	Pets must have health certificates on most routes and be at least 8 weeks old to travel. Hawaii is rabies-free and has strict regulations for pets traveling to the state.
JetBlue	The airlines do not transport pets in its cargo.	Service dogs are welcome on JetBlue at no extra charge as long as DOT Service Animal Forms are completed at least 48 hours before travel. If you’re traveling with a dog that can’t fit comfortably in the space at your feet, you must purchase the adjacent seat.	Small dogs and cats may travel in-cabin for a fee of $125 each way. Carriers are limited to 17” x 12.5” x 8.5” and count toward your carry-on allowance. You can travel with up to 2 pets, each in their own carrier. In that case, you’ll need to purchase a second seat and pay a second pet fee.	Travelers may bring up to 2 pets per booking on JetBlue flights. Health certificates and vaccine requirements vary by destination. JetBlue does not accept pets to/from Medellin, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Europe.
Spirit Airlines	The airlines do not transport pets in its cargo.	Trained service dogs are welcome on JetBlue for free with completed DOT Service Animal Forms at least 48 hours before travel. Dogs may sit on your lap or at your feet. You’ll need to purchase the adjacent seat if they need additional space.	Pets flying in-cabin are limited to U.S. destinations for $125 each way. Small dogs, cats, birds, and rabbits may fly to all but Puerto Rico and the USVI. Carriers are limited to 18” x 14” x 9” and count toward your carry-on allowance.	Pets traveling on Spirit should be at least 8 weeks old. This airline only requires health certificates for travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), but some states may have additional requirements.
Southwest Airlines	The airlines do not transport pets in its cargo.	Service dogs are welcome on Southwest without additional charge. Complete DOT Service Animal Forms at least 48 hours before travel. Dogs may sit on your lap or at your feet.	Small dogs and cats may travel in-cabin for a fee of $125 each way. (Southwest Airlines’ pet fees for pets traveling between Hawaiian Islands are $35 per leg.) Carrier size is limited to 18.5” x 13.5” x 8.5” and counts toward your carry-on allowance. Southwest is phasing out its open-seating, first-come, first-served policy, but assume that until that happens, pets cannot sit in an emergency exit row or bulkhead seat.	Pets at least 8 weeks old may travel domestically on Southwest. They are not allowed on international flights or flights to/from Hawaii, but they may travel between Hawaiian islands.
United Airlines	United no longer flies pets in cargo through its PetSafe program, with the exception of active U.S. military personnel, their spouses, or State Department Foreign Service Personnel. Eligible pets must still meet health certificate and kennel requirements.	Service dogs at least 4 months old fly free on United with a complete DOT Service Animal Form at least 48 hours before check-in.	Small dogs and cats may travel in the main cabin for a pet fee of $150 each way. There are no breed or weight limitations, but carriers are limited to 18” x 11” x 11” and count toward your carry-on allowance.	United allows pets to travel in-cabin on United and United Express as long as destinations allow it. International travel bookings for pets must be made over the phone to confirm country restrictions.

Verdict

It is very important and even necessary for you to prepare everything from the perspective of your furry pet, when you book a flight. Planning and preparing in advance of your air journey will ensure that your pet enjoys a completely hassle-free air journey and concurrently reduce the risk possibilities altogether.

U.S. Airline Pet Policy -Bring Completely Stress-Free Flying Experience For Your Furry Companion