Can You Buy Your Dog a Seat on a Plane? These 10 Airlines Say Yes!

Dogs are becoming frequent fliers more and more these days, but can you buy your dog a seat on a plane?

You may want to buy your dog a seat for any of these reasons:

For your comfort
For their comfort
Because they are too big to fit under the seat
Because they are a large snub-nosed breed
Because they have medical conditions
Because they are seniors
Because you want to be with them during a stressful move

Although many airlines are becoming more dog-friendly, it still remains challenging to find an airline that will let you actually buy a seat for your dog. But it’s not impossible. Here are 10 airlines that may help you and your dog take that trip, or make that move together in comfort!

What You'll Find in this Post

1) Alaska Airlines comfort seat (US)

Alaska Airlines is generally very dog friendly and does allow smaller dogs in an airline-approved carrier to travel under the seat in front of you. Sometimes, though, wedging your dog between your feet can make for a fairly uncomfortable ride for both of you.

Enter the “comfort seat” option in which you can purchase a “seat” for your dog, but your dog still needs to remain under the seat in front. So in essence, the seat next to you will be empty but the area under the seat in front of the empty seat will be for your dog. This situation will free you up to have leg room which is nice, especially on a long flight. And you’ll also have some elbow room up top because there will be no human next to you.

*Or, you can actually travel with two pets if you buy a comfort seat for the extra pet.

Alaska Airlines Pet Policy

Alaska Airlines Route Map

Here’s a detailed post about flying on Alaska Airlines with your dog in cabin. We’ve flown Alaska more than any other dog-friendly airline and have never had issues of any kind.

2) Delta comfort seat (US and International)

A picture from the window of a plane, the front end of a Delta airlines plane sits at an airport gate

Although Delta doesn’t expressly state anything about buying an extra comfort seat for your dog, you can purchase a “comfort seat” (an extra seat next to you) for you! Same end result.

You cannot book a comfort seat online though, so you’ll have to speak directly with a customer service representative for booking.

Delta Airlines Comfort Seat Policy

Delta Airlines Pet Policies Search Page

Delta Airlines Route Map

Here is a detailed post about flying on Delta Airlines with your dog in cabin. We’ve used Delta many times with no problems.

3) United comfort seat (US and International)

A man walks in the airport with a luggage trolley. A white french bulldog on a leash follows him

United Airlines will also allow the purchase of a “comfort seat” where one person can buy two seats next to each other. So you can sit in one, and your dog can be under the seat in front of the extra seat.

United also allows you to take up to two carrier dogs with you per flight, which is unusual. In this case you would have one dog under the seat in front of you, and one dog under the seat in front of the empty comfort seat.

Certain aircraft don’t have enough room under the middle seat to accommodate a dog carrier, so you’ll have to check with the airline before you book.

*United does not allow in-cabin dogs on all of its flights though, so be sure you purchase your tickets with a human agent and confirm that you can bring your dog on board before you buy the tickets.

Carrier dimensions are a maximum of 22 x 44 x 12 cm (9 x 17.5 x 12 inches) for a hard carrier, and 27 x 45 x 27cm (11 x 18 x 11 inches) for a soft-sided carrier.

United Airlines Pet Policy

United Airlines Route Map

4) Jet Blue comfort seat (US and limited International)

JetBlue does specifically allow you to purchase a seat for your dog, although they have to stay in an airline approved carrier under the seat in front of the one you purchased for them at certain times.

Here’s where Jet Blue is a little different than other airlines that allow comfort seat. While your dog has to stay under the seat in front for taxi, takeoff, and landing, you can put the whole carrier on the seat next to you during the flight itself.

Your dog still has to stay in the carrier, but it’s a little nicer if you have a nervous dog or want to be able to keep a closer eye on them during the flight.

Jet Blue Pet Policy

Jet Blue Route Map

5) JSX (Limited US & Cabo San Lucas, Mexico)

JSX has a very lenient weight restriction, allowing dogs up to 79 pounds on board when you purchase an additional seat.

And obviously, your 79 pound dog does not need to fit under the seat in front of you, and they don’t need a carrier at all. But they also can’t sit on the seat either. You can, however, keep your dog leashed and next to you, sitting or lying down on the floor.

JSX Pet Policy

JSX Route Map

7) Etihad Airways (United Arab Emerits)

Etihad Airways allows you to buy a seat for your dog, and services quite a few destinations in Europe and the Middle East. They also offer layovers with free hotel stays in Abu Dabi. Of course, you’ll have to confirm that whatever hotel they offer you in Abu Dabi is dog friendly at the time of your ticket purchase.

When you buy an Economy Class ticket, your dog must remain in the carrier at all times, either under the seat or on the seat next to you.

In Business Class, your dog must also be in a carrier, but sits in the seat next to you, and not under the seat.

Carrier’s maximum size for under the seat in front of you: 40 x 40 x 22cm (L x W x H) or 15.75 x 15.75 x 8.75 inches (L x W x H).

Carrier’s maximum size for the adjacent seat 50 x 43 x 50cm (L x W x H) or 19.75 x 17 x 19.75 inches (L x W x H).

All tickets must be purchased directly through Etihad Airways, and you must speak with an agent to arrange travel with your dog.

Etihad Airways Pet Policy

Etihad Airways Route Map

8) Bark Air (Limited US and International)

An airline on-board map showing the icon of the airplane coming from overseas and about to land in NYC

Bark Air is a public charter operator that caters specifically to dogs first. There are no carrier, breed, or weight restrictions for the flight. If you want to bring a carrier you can, but no large crates are allowed on the aircraft.

Currently the routes they service are only the metro areas of New York City, Los Angeles, London, and Paris. They are looking to expand their route map in the future.

Also, buckle your seatbelt because these seats are much more expensive than normal commercial airlines.

9) K9 Jets (Limited US and International)

K9 Jets is a pay-per-seat, private jet charter service. It has limited routes in the US and Europe, but more than Bark Air at this time. These destinations include, Frankfurt, Florida, and others.

There are no weight or breed restrictions, and your dog can sit on the floor, or on your lap. If you buy an extra seat just for your dog, they can sit in the seat without a carrier.

For each seat you purchase, you can bring up to two dogs if they weigh less than 50 pounds each, or one dog if it weights over 51 pounds. If you have two over-50 pound dogs, you’ll need to purchase two tickets.

10) Villiers (US and International)

A smiling french bulldog stands by a purple suitcase

Villiers is a private jet service on which you can purchase empty legs of flights. So it costs less than a full-out private jet charter, but it is the most expensive option on this list.

That said, the private jet experience will allow you to create the ultimate experience for you and your dog. You can arrange for special seating, bedding, temperature controls, and even customized meal plans for you and your dog!

Also, there will be no other dogs or people on the flight, so it really is the least stressful and most luxurious way to travel with your dog.

You can read more about traveling with your dog on Villiers private jets at their website. Here they will show you which flights are available to where and on what aircraft.