Airline Requirements for Pet Carriers
Are you worried about not being able to travel with your furry friends because you are unsure if the policies allow? Read the following article which tells you everything you need to know before traveling with your pets.
To start, different airlines have different regulations for the size and number of pets you can bring on the cabin. We summarize the major airlines' policy here to help you better understand the requirements.
United Airlines
Only Dogs and Cats are allowed on United Airlines, and you can bring up to 2 pets with you. However, if you want to bring 2 pets, you have to purchase 2 seats and the second seat has to be next to your assigned seat. There can only be 1 pet per carrier. Only service dogs are allow in the cabin without carriers. Here are the requirements of the carriers.
Hard Sided Carrier: 12.5 x 17.5 x 7.5 inches
Soft Sided Carrier: 11 x 18 x 11 inches
*Please remember to book the pet ticket when booking your flight
American Airlines
American Airlines only allows 1 pet carrier as your carry on only if you:
- You pay the carry-on pet fee
- Your pet stays in the carrier for the entire flight
Hard Sided Carrier:
Mainline flights on American: 19 x 13 x 9 inches / 48 x 33 x 22 centimeters (length + width + height)
Regional flights on American Eagle: 16 x 12 x 8 inches / 40 x 30 x 20 centimeters (length + width + height)
Soft Sided Carrier:
18 x 11 x 11 inches / 46 x 28 x 28 centimeters (length + width + height)
Delta Airlines
Your pet can only travel in a soft-sided ventilated carrier.
Small dogs, cats and household birds can travel in the cabin for a one-way fee that is collected at check-in. The pet must be able to fit in a soft-sided ventilated pet kennel that will go underneath the seat directly in front of you.
Please review the following requirements to ensure a safe and healthy flight with a small pet traveling as a carry-on:
- Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old for domestic travel.
- Your pet must be 16 weeks old if traveling to the U.S. from another country and at least 15 weeks old when traveling to the European Union.
- 1 pet is permitted per kennel with the following exceptions:
- 1 female cat or dog may travel with her un-weaned litter if the litter is between 8 weeks and 6 months of age. There is no limit on the number of animals in the litter as long as they can fit safely in the kennel.
- 2 pets of the same breed and size between the ages of 8 weeks and 6 months may be allowed to travel in 1 kennel, as long as they are small enough to fit into a single kennel and are compatible. If the pets are allowed to travel in 1 kennel, they will be charged as 1 pet.
Soft Sided Carrier:
18 x 11 x 11 inches / 46 x 28 x 28 centimeters (length + width + height)
Alaska Airlines
Small pets are allowed in the passenger cabin for a fee of $100. Here are the types of pets allowed in cabin.
- Small dogs
- House cats
- Domesticated rabbits
- Household birds
Requirements
- You must be 18 years or older to travel with a pet in the cabin.
- When traveling with a pet, you may not occupy an emergency exit row or bulkhead row.
- Your pet counts towards your carry-on allotment. You can bring a pet carrier and a personal item or a pet carrier and a standard size carry-on bag.
- The First Class cabin can accommodate a total of three pet carriers per flight, and the Main Cabin can accommodate a total of eight pet carriers per flight.
- You may travel with a maximum of two pet carriers in the main cabin, only when you purchase a second ticket with an adjacent seat.
- Only dogs, cats, rabbits, and household birds are permitted in the Main Cabin. (See Details)
Hard Sided Carrier:
17 x 11 x 7.5 inches
Soft Sided Carrier:
17 x 11 x 9.5 inches
JetBlue
- Only small dogs and cats may travel in the cabin in an FAA-approved pet carrier that fits comfortably under the seat in front of you.
- We only accept small dogs and cats. No large dogs are accommodated on JetBlue.
- Only one pet per customer is allowed.
- JetBlue does not accept pet remains, cremated or otherwise, in the cabin or as cargo.
The Pet fee is $125 each way, and the the required size of the carrier is not exceeding 17 x 12.5 x 8.5 inches. (See Details)
To find appropriate carrier for your pet, browse our products here
