Airline Pet Policy Guide: What U.S. Airlines Allow—and What They Don’t
Still, policies vary by carrier. Here’s a breakdown of what each airline allows.
| Airline | Cabin Pets Allowed | Cargo Pets Allowed | Cargo Pets Allowed Pet Fee (One Way) | Pet Carrier Type/Size Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | Yes (small dogs, house cats) | Yes | $100 (cabin) $150 (cargo) | 17x11x9.5″ (cabin, soft-sided) 21x16x15”–40x27x30” (cargo) |
| Allegiant | Yes (dogs, cats) | No | $50 | 18x14x8” |
| American | Yes (dogs, cats) | Yes (active-duty military or State Department personnel) | $150 (cabin); cargo fees vary | 18x11x11” (soft), 19x13x9 (hard) |
| Delta | Yes (dogs, cats, birds) | Yes (active military or foreign service personnel only) | $150 (cabin) | 18x11x11” (cabin) |
| Frontier | Yes (dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, small birds) | No | $99 | 18x14x11″ (soft), 18x14x8″ (hard) |
| Hawaiian | Yes (dogs, cats) | Yes | $35–$125 (cabin), $60-$225 (cargo) | 17x11x9.5” (cabin), 36x25x28” (cargo) |
| JetBlue | Yes (small dogs, cats) | No | $150 | 17×12.5×8.5″ (soft or hard) |
| Southwest | Yes (dogs, cats) | No | $125 | 18.5×13.5×9.5” (soft or hard) |
| Spirit | Yes (dogs, cats, small rabbits, small birds) | No | $125 | 18x14x9″ (soft) |
| United | Yes (dogs, cats) | Only with active-duty military or with State Department employees | $150 | 18x11x11″ (soft), 17.5x12x9” (hard) |
Alaska Air
- Pet allowed: Small dogs and house cats. Emotional support animals are not considered service animals, but they may travel under the regular pet policy. Trained service animals fly free.
- Cabin or cargo: Pets allowed in both. In-cabin pets must fit under the seat; cargo pets up to 150 pounds (with kennel).
- Carrier size: Soft carriers (17x11x9.5″) for cabin; hard carriers (up to 40x27x30″) for cargo.
- Fee: $150 one way for cargo, and $100 one way for cabin. In cabin, two similar-size pets of the same species may share one carrier. Various restrictions apply for cargo.
- Health and vaccines: Required for checked pets and international or Hawaii travel.
- Breed restrictions: No brachycephalic pets.
- International travel: Dogs and cats allowed; pet parents must meet destination requirements.
Learn more about Alaska Air’s pet policy.
Allegiant
- Pets allowed: Dogs and cats only. Emotional support animals must travel under the regular pet policy. Service dogs allowed.
- Cabin or cargo: In-cabin only. Carrier must fit under the seat.
- Carrier size: Soft-sided carrier recommended, max 18x14x8”.
- Fee: $50 per carrier, per segment. No more than two pets pet carrier.
- Health and vaccines: No health certificate required.
- Breed restrictions: None listed.
- International travel: Ensure pet meets entry requirements.
Learn more about Allegiant’s pet policy.
American Airlines
- Pets allowed: Dogs and cats only. Emotional support animals must travel under the regular pet policy. Trained service dogs allowed. Some aircraft and flights may not allow pets.
- Cabin or cargo: Small pets allowed in-cabin; only military and State Department can use cargo. No cargo pets to/from Phoenix, Tucson, Las Vegas, or Palm Springs from May through September.
- Carrier size: Soft-sided recommended. Max dimensions: 18x11x 11″ (soft), 19x13x 9″ (hard).
- Fee: $150 for in-cabin. Cargo fees vary by route.
- Health and vaccines: Required for cargo and some international travel. Pet parents must ensure pets meet entry requirements.
- Breed restrictions: Brachycephalic pets not allowed in cargo.
- International travel: Allowed; pet parents must ensure pets meet entry requirements.
Learn more about American Airlines’ pet policy.
Delta
- Pets allowed: Dogs, cats, and household birds. Emotional support animals must travel under regular pet policy. Trained service dogs allowed.
- Cabin or cargo: Pets allowed in-cabin and must fit under seat.
- Carrier size: Soft-sided carrier with 3+ ventilation openings (4 for international). Recommended max: 18x11x11″.
- Fee: $150 domestic; $200 international.
- Health and vaccines: Required for international travel, depending on destination country requirements.
- Breed restrictions: None listed for cabin.
- International travel: Dogs and cats allowed; pet parents must ensure entry requirements are met.
Learn more about Delta’s pet policy.
Frontier
- Pets allowed: Dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and small household birds. Emotional support animals not accepted; trained service animals allowed.
- Cabin or cargo: In-cabin only. Pets must fit under the seat.
- Carrier size: Max 18x14x 11″ (soft) or 18x14x 8″ (hard).
- Fee: $99 per pet, per direction.
- Health and vaccines: Required for international travel with service animals. Look into the regulations of your destination.
- Breed restrictions: None listed.
- International travel: Pets not allowed unless they are trained service animals.
Learn more about Frontier’s pet policy.
Hawaiian Airlines
- Pets allowed: Cats and dogs only. Emotional support animals not accepted; service animals fly free.
- Cabin or cargo: Pets allowed in-cabin if they fit under the seat. Cargo travel requires separate booking.
- Carrier size: Max 17x11x 9.5″ (soft-sided). Max for cargo 36x25x28”.
- Fee: $35 interisland; $125 between Hawaii and mainland. Cargo fees vary $60 – $225. One adult or two puppies/kittens (same breed, 8 weeks old) per carrier.
- Health and vaccines: Health certificate required for cargo travel between Hawaii and mainland; not required interisland.
- Breed restrictions: None listed for cabin; brachycephalic breeds not recommended in cargo.
- International travel: Pets not allowed in cabin on international flights.
Learn more about Hawaiian Airlines’ pet policy.
JetBlue
- Pets allowed: Small cats and dogs only. Emotional support animal category not accepted; service animals allowed.
- Cabin or cargo: In-cabin only. Carrier must fit under the seat; no cargo option.
- Carrier size: Max 17×12.5x 8.5″. Hard and soft carriers allowed.
- Fee: $150 each way. One pet per carrier.
- Health and vaccines: Vary by destination. U.S. territories like Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands require vaccine documentation.
- Breed restrictions: None listed.
- International travel: Dogs and cats allowed; pet parents must meet entry requirements.
Learn more about JetBlue’s pet policy.
Southwest
- Pets allowed: Small dogs and cats only. Vaccination required.
- Cabin or cargo: In-cabin only for domestic flights. No cargo option.
- Carrier size: Max 18.5×13.5x 9.5″ (fits under seat). Soft and hard carriers allowed.
- Fee: $125 one way within U.S. mainland; $35 interisland in Hawaii.
- Health and vaccines: Pets must be vaccinated.
- Breed restrictions: None listed.
- International travel: Not allowed nor to/from Hawaii. Puerto Rico travel may have special rules.
Learn more about Southwest’s pet policy.
Spirit Airlines
- Pets allowed: Domestic dogs; domestic cats; small, domestic rabbits; and small, household birds. No emotional support categories. Trained service animals allowed.
- Cabin or cargo: In-cabin only. No cargo option.
- Carrier size: Soft carriers only. Max 18x14x 9″.
- Fee: $125 per carrier, per direction. Up to two pets allowed per container.
- Health and vaccines: No certificate needed for most domestic flights. Rabies vaccine required for travel to Puerto Rico; certificate required for U.S. Virgin Islands.
- Breed restrictions: Brachycephalic breeds not banned but consult your vet.
- International travel: Not allowed, except for service animals.
Learn more about Spirit Airlines’ pet policy.
United Airlines
- Pets allowed: Dogs and cats, for domestic and international travel. Emotional support is not a category, and service animals fly free.
- Cabin or cargo: In-cabin pets must fit under the seat. Cargo available only for active-duty military or State Department employees.
- Carrier size: 17.5x12x9” (hard); 18x11x11 (soft).
- Fee: $150 per pet, each way. One pet per carrier. Two pets allowed if a second seat is purchased.
- Health and vaccines: Rabies vaccine and health certificate required for international travel.
- Breed restrictions: None listed.
- International travel: Dogs and cats allowed; pet parents must meet entry requirements.
*A lot of this information was taken from Chewy – a great resource for all animals*