Best Airlines For Traveling With Pets: A Comprehensive Guide

Travelling with pets can be stressful, and many owners are uncomfortable with the idea of their furry friends being placed in the cargo hold of a plane. Fortunately, several airlines allow small pets to travel in the cabin with their owners. Each airline has its own rules and restrictions, and there are often weight and breed limitations. Some of the airlines that allow pets in the cabin include American Airlines, Air Canada, Air France, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, KLM, Lufthansa, and Turkish Airlines.

Which airlines allow pets in the cabin?

For those who are unable to leave their furry friends at home, many airlines accommodate pets in the cabin. However, it is important to note that there are weight, carrier size, breed, and fee restrictions that vary across airlines.

U.S. Airlines

• Southwest, Alaska, United, American, Delta, Hawaiian, Spirit, and Frontier are some of the airlines that allow pets as carry-ons.
• JetBlue allows small dogs and cats in carriers that can fit beneath the seat for a $125 fee each way.
• American Airlines charges a $125 fee each way and only allows dogs and cats.
• Delta charges a $95 fee each way for flights to and from the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
• United charges a $125 fee each way and only allows dogs and cats.
• Frontier charges a $99 fee each way and allows dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and household birds.
• Spirit charges a $125 fee each way and allows dogs, cats, household birds, and small domestic rabbits.

Canadian Airlines

• Air Canada charges a $50 fee for flights within Canada and the U.S. (except Hawaii) and a $100 fee for international flights.
• WestJet requires pet arrangements to be made over the phone and charges between $50 and $59 for flights within or between Canada and the U.S.

European Airlines

• Aegean Airlines charges a $30 fee for domestic flights and a $60 fee for international flights.
• Air Europa allows up to five pets in cargo and in the cabin and charges between $27 and $165 depending on the destination.
• Air France allows dogs and cats weighing no more than 8 kg and charges between $40 and $125 depending on the destination.
• Lufthansa allows dogs and cats weighing no more than 8 kg and charges between $50 and $110 depending on the destination.
• Vueling allows only three pets per flight and charges $40 for domestic flights and $50 for international flights.
• KLM Royal Dutch Airlines allows small cats or dogs in Economy Class and Business Class cabins on most flights.
• Air France scores high on pet-friendly rankings due to its cabin allowance, hold allowance, and reasonable fees.
• Lufthansa allows up to two animals in the cabin and/or cargo hold.
• Iberia Airline allows dogs, cats, fish, turtles, and birds (except birds of prey) weighing no more than 8 kg.
• Finnair allows small pets, such as cats, dogs, and rabbits, as long as the total weight of the pet and carrier does not exceed 8 kg.
• Norwegian allows pets in the cabin, cargo, and as checked baggage.
• Aegean Airways allows small pets (cats, dogs, and rabbits) as long as the combined weight of the pet and carrier is under 8 kg.

U.K. Airlines

Currently, no U.K.-based airlines allow pets to accompany passengers in the cabin. However, TUI, Loganair, and Aurigny Air Services permit pets on flights, but they must ride in the hold.

What are the weight and carrier size restrictions?

When it comes to weight and carrier size restrictions, each airline has its own set of rules. Here is a list of weight and carrier size restrictions for some popular airlines:

American Airlines

American Airlines allows carry-on pets that are limited to cats and dogs. The combined weight of the carrier and pet cannot exceed 20 lbs. The carrier dimensions for mainline flights are 19 x 13 x 9 inches, while for regional flights on American Eagle, the dimensions are 16 x 12 x 8 inches. Soft-sided collapsible kennels are recommended and can be slightly larger but should not exceed the under-seat dimensions.

Delta Airlines

Delta Airlines allows small dogs, cats, and household birds to travel in the cabin. The maximum carry-on kennel dimensions are determined by the aircraft dimensions, and Delta recommends a soft-sided kennel with maximum dimensions of 18 x 11 x 11 inches. The pet and carrier must not exceed a combined weight of 20 lbs.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines does not specify a weight limit but states that the pet must fit comfortably in the carrier under the seat. The carrier dimensions should not exceed 18.5 x 8.5 x 13.5 inches.

United Airlines

United Airlines does not specify a weight limit but states that the pet must fit comfortably in the carrier under the seat. The carrier dimensions for soft-sided carriers are 17.5 x 12 x 7.5 inches, while for hard-sided carriers, they are 17.5 x 12 x 7.5 inches.

JetBlue Airways

JetBlue Airways allows a combined weight of the pet and carrier of up to 20 lbs. The carrier dimensions should not exceed 17 x 8.5 x 12.5 inches.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines allows a combined weight of the pet and carrier of up to 20 lbs. The carrier dimensions should not exceed 17 x 9.5 x 11 inches for soft-sided kennels and 17 x 11 x 7.5 inches for hard-sided kennels.

Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines allows a combined weight of the pet and carrier of up to 40 lbs. The carrier dimensions should not exceed 18 x 9 x 14 inches.

Frontier Airlines

Frontier Airlines does not specify a weight limit but states that the pet must fit comfortably in the carrier under the seat. The carrier dimensions should not exceed 18 x 8 x 14 inches.

How much does it cost?

The cost of flying with a pet varies depending on the airline, the size of the animal, the type of animal, the length of the flight, and the destination. Some airlines charge a flat fee per pet carrier, while others charge based on the weight or size of the animal. Here is a breakdown of the costs for some popular airlines:

American Airlines

American Airlines charges between $125 and $200 for pets travelling in the cabin. The airline also offers a cargo service for pets, called American PetEmbark, which has a variable fee that depends on the specifics of the trip.

JetBlue

JetBlue charges $100 each way for pets travelling in the cabin, and offers a pet perks program that includes a carrier bag, tips for managing your pet while travelling, and 300 TrueBlue points.

Air Canada

Air Canada's prices range from $50 to $118, depending on the flight and the size of the pet.

Delta

Delta's fees range from $75 to $200, depending on the destination. The airline also offers a cargo service for pets, but it is currently suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

United

United charges $125 each way for pets in the cabin. For layovers longer than four hours for U.S. flights or 24 hours for international flights, an additional $125 fee is charged.

Southwest

Southwest charges a $95 pet fee each way for pets in the cabin.

Frontier

Frontier charges $99 each way for pets in the cabin.

Hawaiian

Hawaiian Airlines charges $35 one-way for flights within Hawaii and $125 one-way for flights between Hawaii and North America. For pets travelling as checked baggage, the fee is $60 one-way for flights within Hawaii and $225 one-way for flights between Hawaii and North America.

Spirit

Spirit charges $125 each way for pets in the cabin.

Alaska

Alaska Airlines charges $100 each way for pets in the cabin, and $150 each way for pets travelling in the cargo hold.

What are the breed restrictions?

Breed restrictions vary by airline, but generally, short-nosed or snub-nosed breeds are banned from flying in the cabin or cargo. This is because anatomical abnormalities may make these breeds more vulnerable to changes in air quality and temperature in the cargo hold of a plane.

Aegean Airlines

The following breeds are not permitted:

• American Bully
• Cavalier king Charles Spaniel
• Pinscher
• Boston Terrier
• Affenpinscher
• Boxer (all breeds)
• Brussels Griffon
• Bulldog (all breeds)
• Cane Corso
• Chow Chow
• Dogue De Bordeaux
• English Toy Spaniel (King Charles Spaniel)
• Japanese Spaniel (Chin)
• Lhasa Apso
• Mastiff (all breeds)
• Pekingese
• Pit Bull
• Presa Canario
• Pug (all breeds)
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• Shar Pei
• Shih Tzu
• Tibetan Spaniel

Air Canada

No breed restrictions listed.

Air Europa

No breed restrictions listed.

Alaska Air

No breed restrictions listed.

American Airlines

No breed restrictions listed.

Air France

No breed restrictions listed.

Delta

No breed restrictions listed.

French Bee

Sub-nosed animals are not permitted, including:

• Pugs
• Bulldogs
• Boxers
• Pekinese
• Shih Tzus

Category 1 (attack dogs) and Category 2 dogs (guard and defence dogs) are not permitted to be taken by any one under the age of 18, or by adults subject to guardianship.

JetBlue

No breed restrictions listed.

Lufthansa

No breed restrictions listed.

Southwest

No breed restrictions listed.

TAP Air Portugal

No breed restrictions listed.

TUI

No breed restrictions listed.

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines does not permit the transportation of dangerous dog breeds such as:

• American Pitbull Terrier
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Pitbull Terrier
• Japanese Tosa
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasileiro

United Airlines

Pit Bull breed dogs aren't allowed in the cabin.

What are the age restrictions?

When it comes to age restrictions, different airlines have different requirements. Here is a list of some popular airlines and their age restrictions for pets:

• American Airlines: Pets travelling within the US and Puerto Rico must be at least 8 weeks old. Dogs flying into the US must meet government regulations on vaccinations, and their age and vaccine requirements depend on the risk of dog rabies where the trip starts. Dogs arriving from high-risk countries need to be at least 16 weeks old and have their rabies shots before travelling into the US.
• Air Canada: Dogs must be at least 12 weeks old and must be fully weaned.
• Air Europa: Dogs must be at least 3 months old to travel on medium and long-haul flights.
• Alaska Air: Dogs must be at least 8 weeks old and must be fully weaned. Passengers must be at least 18 years old to travel with a dog in the cabin.
• Air France: Dogs must be at least 10 weeks old for domestic travel. The minimum age is 8 weeks for flights within metropolitan France and between metropolitan France and Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Reunion Island. For flights between metropolitan France and French Guiana, dogs must be at least 15 weeks old.
• Delta: Dogs must be at least 10 weeks old for domestic travel, 16 weeks old for travel to/from the US, and 15 weeks old for travel to/from the EU.
• French Bee: Sub-nosed dogs are not permitted on flights.
• JetBlue: No specific age restrictions were mentioned, but the airline allows small dogs and charges a fee of $125 each way.
• Lufthansa: All dogs must be at least 12 weeks old, or 16 weeks old for journeys to/from the USA.
• Southwest: No specific age restrictions were mentioned, but the airline allows small vaccinated dogs and cats, charging a fee of $95 each way.
• TAP Air Portugal: Pregnant dogs and puppies under 10 weeks old are not permitted.
• TUI: Dogs must be at least 12 weeks old.
• Turkish Airlines: Pregnant animals and puppies or kittens under 10 weeks old are not permitted.
• United Airlines: Dogs must be at least 4 months/16 weeks old.
• Vueling: Dogs must be at least 3 months old.

Frequently asked questions