Trying to figure out if your dog can fly in the cabin with you without spending hours on dozens of airline websites? Here is your ultimate guide to 16 pet-friendly US airlines that allow dogs in the cabin, including weight and size limits, carrier requirements, in-cabin flight rules and restrictions, new CDC regulations, and fees. This puts all the information you need in one place with links to pet policies so you can verify the most current information.
I’ve flown coast to coast (including Hawaii and Alaska) and overseas many times with my 20-pound french bulldog Helga who has to fly in the cabin! I know how stressful this can be. But with a little planning and organization it can be done. Plus, I’ll link to some of the indispensable gear I use with Helga that passes every airline check!
There are many reasons you may want to travel with your dog in the cabin with you. You might be moving permanently, on a military move, you may have a snub-nosed dog that isn’t allowed to fly in the hold, you might not have reliable pet sitters at home, or you may just want to be close to your older dog or a nervous dog while traveling.
Whatever your reason, it can be confusing to navigate all those airline websites, search for pet policies, restrictions and other information. So here’s everything you’ll need to book your four-legged travel buddy in the cabin with you!
US Airlines That Allow Dogs in Cabin
Pet-friendly US airlines that allow dogs in cabin are a bit more lenient than overseas airlines regarding the weight of your animal.
And we are now witnessing a new generation of airlines like Bark Air and K9 Jets that cater exclusively to the canine set. Until these airlines are up to scale, prices remain higher for these options. But at least they’re there!
And, of course, if price is no object, there are private jet companies like Villiers and others where your dog is free to roam onboard.
But for commercial airlines, the days of letting your dog sit in your lap and look out the window are gone. All airlines require your pet to stay in their closed carrier under the seat in front of you for the duration of the flight.
Airlines change their pet policies often, and may have other restrictions like age or breed of the animal, the age of the person traveling with the animal, whether you are also traveling with a baby, and how many pets are allowed per person, per carrier, and per flight. All the airline links below go to pet policies for that airline.
1) Delta Airlines
[Read our detailed review of traveling with an in-cabin dog on Delta Airlines]
Delta is our airline of choice for overseas travel. There are a few European airlines that will accept dogs in the cabin for travel to and from the U.S. but most have weight restrictions of 17 pounds including dog and carrier.
Hub Cities: Major hubs in the US include Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, LA, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York JFK/LGA, Salt Lake City, and Seattle. Internationally, Delta has significant hubs in Amsterdam, Mexico City, and Tokyo.
Policy: Cats, dogs, and birds who meet all requirements are allowed in the cabin.
Weight Limit: There is no specified weight limit, but your pet must be able to fit comfortably in an airline approved carrier which fits under the seat in front of you.
Carrier Dimensions: The kennel must fit under the seat in front of you and have maximum dimensions of 18″ x 11″ x 11”
Fee:
U.S./Canada/Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands: $95
Other international travel: $200
Restrictions: Pets are not permitted on flights to or from certain destinations, including Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Colombia, Dubai, Hawaii, Iceland, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and United Arab Emirates.
2) American Airlines
Hub Cities: Dallas/Fort Worth DFW, Charlotte CLT, Chicago ORD, Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), New York (JFK< LGA), Philadelphia (PHL), Phoenix (PHX), and Washington D.C. (DCA).
Destinations: Pets may travel within and between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean (based on specific country’s entry policy) on flights of 12 hours or less. No cabin pets are allowed on flights to Europe.
Weight Limit: There is no specified weight limit, but your pet must be able to fit comfortably in an airline approved carrier which fits under the seat in front of you.
Carrier Dimensions: Soft-sided carriers are recommended and must be no larger than 18 x 11 x 11 inches / 46 x 28 x 28 centimeters. Hard-sided carriers on American mainline flights must be no larger than 19 x 13 x 9 inches / 48 x 33 x 22 centimeters, and hard-sided carriers on American Eagle flights must not be larger than 16 x 12 x 8 inches / 40 x 30 x 20 centimeters.
Fee: $150 each way
Bag Restrictions: Your pet will count as either your small personal item (like a hand bag or laptop), or as your carry-on. So you can choose whether you want pet, and carry-on in the overhead bin, or your pet and a small personal item. But not all three.
3) United Airlines
Hub Cities: Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), Houston (IAH), Newark (EWR), San Francisco (SFO), Washington Dulles (IAD), Los Angeles (LAX), Guam (GUM)
Policy: You can bring 2 pets per person on most flights but will need to buy an extra seat for the second carrier. Some smaller planes will only allow one pet per person.
Weight Limit: There are no weight limits but they must fit comfortably in a carrier that is stowed under the seat in front of you and remains there for the duration of the flight.
Carrier Dimensions: Hard-sided carriers no larger than 17.5″L x 12″W x 9″H. Soft-sided carriers no larger than 18″L x 11″W x 11″H
Fee: $150 each way
Restrictions: Not all international destinations will allow pets to arrive in the cabin. Check the website for the full list.
4) Alaska Airlines
[Read our detailed review and guidance about flying with an in-cabin pet on Alaska Airlines]
Hub Cities: Anchorage, Los Angeles, Portland Oregon, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle/Tacoma
Policy: Dogs, cats, birds, and rabbits are permitted to fly in the cabin if they meet specified requirements.
Weight Limit: There is no specified weight limit but your pet must fit comfortably inside an airline approved carrier placed under the seat in front of you.
Carrier Dimensions: Hard-sided carriers must be no larger than 17″ x 11″ x 7.5″ and soft-sided carriers must be no larger than 7″ x 11″ x 9.5″
Fee: $100 each way
Destinations: In cabin pets are permitted on all flights, but additional paperwork and medical requirements exist for international and Hawaiian travel.
5) Jet Blue
Hub Cities: Jet Blue’s primary hub is JFK-New York
Policy: Only small dogs and cats are permitted in the cabin. You may purchase an additional seat for your pet, but your pet must remain in the carrier and stowed under the seat for taxi, takeoff and landing, but the carrier can be placed on the empty seat next to you during the flight.
Weight Limit: 20 pounds including dog and carrier.
Carrier Dimensions: Carriers cannot exceed 17″ L x 12.5″ W x 8.5″ H (43.18 cm L x 31.75 cm W x 21.59 cm H)
Fee: $125 each way
Restrictions: In-cabin pets are only permitted on domestic flights and some flights to Mexico and the Caribbean. They are not permitted on flights to or from Europe.
6) Southwest Airlines
[Read our detailed review and guidance about flying with an in-cabin pet on Southwest Airlines]
Hub Cities: Southwest does not have traditional “hub cities” but their headquarters is located in Dallas.
Policy: Southwest allows one pet carrier per ticketed customer. Each pet carrier can contain no more than two of the same species of small cat or dog. Pet carriers are considered either your carry-on item, or your small personal item.
Weight Limit: There is no specific weight limit but your pet(s) must fit comfortably in their airline approved carrier stowed beneath the seat in front of you.
Carrier Dimensions: Carriers may be no larger than 18.5” (L) x 13.5” (W) x 9.5” (H).
Fee: $125 each way, or $35 between Hawaiian islands
Restrictions: Pets are not allowed to travel on flights to/from Hawaii but may travel between Hawaiian islands. Pets are not allowed on international flights or any itinerary that includes an international flight. For Customers traveling to Puerto Rico, special requirements apply.
7) Hawaiian Airlines
Hub Cities: Honolulu
Policy: Pets can travel in the cabin on inter-island flights and flights leaving Hawaii, but not on flights arriving into Hawaii due to quarantine requirements. Service animals are an exception to these rules. If you need to fly your pet into Hawaii, try Alaska Airlines.
Weight Limit: 25 pounds including pet and carrier
Carrier Dimensions: Contact airline
Fee: $125 leaving Hawaii, $35 inter-island
Medium-Sized Airlines That Allow Dogs in the Cabin
8) Sun Country Airlines
Hub City: Minneapolis/St. Paul
Policy: One small dog or cat per traveler is allowed in the cabin.
Weight Limit: There is no specific weight limit, but your pet must be small enough to fit comfortably in an airline approved carrier which will be stowed underneath the seat in front of you.
Carrier Dimensions: The size of the carrier should be a maximum size of 16 inches x 10 inches x 8 inches.
Fee: With an advanced reservation the fee is $75 per direction. For walk-up requests, the fee is $100 per direction, and only if there is room on the aircraft. Please keep in mind that a maximum of six pets can travel on a flight, so definitely book your pet’s reservation in advance.
Restrictions: Pets are not accepted on any international flights or on flights to/from Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
9) Avelo Airlines
Hub Cities: Wilmington, DE (ILG) and Hollywood Burbank, CA (BUR)
Policy: You can travel with no more than one pet carrier per person in the cabin. Each pet carrier can have no more than two small cats, dogs, rabbits or birds.
Weight Limit: There is no specified weight limit, but pets must fit comfortably in the carrier and be able to turn around.
Carrier Dimensions: Hard-sided containers no larger than 17″L x 13″H x 9″W (43 cm x 33 cm x 22 cm) or soft-sided containers that fit in the same space.
Fee: $125 each way
Restrictions: Pets are only allowed on domestic flights
10) Breeze Airways
Hub Cities: Providence RI and others
Policy: Small dogs and cats only on a first-come-first-served basis. One pet per carrier.
Weight Limit: The maximum weight allowed for a pet is 25 lbs, including the carrier.
Carrier Dimensions: Carriers must be a maximum of 17″ L x 8″ W x 13 H”
Fee: $99 each way
Restrictions: You may purchase an extra “comfort seat” for your pet but they still must remain under the seat in front of it.
11) Allegiant Air
Hub Cities: Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix, and others
Policy: Only dogs and cats are permitted in the cabin, up to 2 animals per carrier
Weight Limit: There is no specified weight limit but your pet should be comfortable and able to turn around in the airline approved carrier that is to be stowed under the seat in front of you.
Carrier Dimensions: 18″ L x 14″ W x 8″ H
Fee: $50 each way
Restrictions: Cabin pets are only permitted on domestic flights
12) Frontier Airlines
Hub Cities: Orlando, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Miami
Policy: Frontier Airlines allows domestic dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and small household birds in the cabin on domestic flights. Only one adult dog or cat may be transported per container.
Weight Limit: No specific weight limit, but your pet must be able to fit comfortably in the airline approved carrier.
Carrier Dimensions: A soft-sided pet carrier is recommended and can be a maximum of 18″ L x 14″ W x 11″ H. Hard-sided carriers must be no larger than 18″ L x 14″ W x 8″ H.
Fee: $99 each way
Restrictions: Pets in the cabin are only allowed on domestic flights. In addition to the travel container for your pet, you are allowed either a personal item (8”H x 14”W x 18”L) OR a carry-on bag (10”H x 16”W x 24”L). An additional fee will apply for the carry-on bag.
13) Spirit Airlines
Hub City: Fort Lauderdale
Policy: Small dogs, cats, rabbits, and household birds are permitted in the cabin on all domestic flights, including to Puerto Rico and St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.
Weight Limit:
Carrier Dimensions: The carrier must not exceed 18″x14″x9″ (45.72cm x 35.56 cm x 22.86cm), and must be soft-sided.
Fee: $125 each way.
Restrictions: In-cabin pets permitted only on domestic flights. Health certificate required for travel to the US Virgin Islands.
Private Jet/Charters That Cater to In-Cabin Dogs
These options are available and are the most comfortable way to have your dog in the cabin with you. They do cost substantially more than the other airlines above.
14) K9 Jets
Destination Cities: K9 Jets has limited routes in the US and Europe. These destinations include, Frankfurt, Florida, and others.
Policy: 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.
Weight Limit: There is no weight limit for your in-cabin dog
Carrier Dimensions: Not required, but you can bring a carrier if you wish.
Fee: Included in the price of your ticket
Restrictions: 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.
15) Bark Air
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.
Destinations: 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.
Policy: Bark Air is a public charter operator that caters specifically to dogs first.
Weight Limit: There are no weight restrictions.
Carrier Dimensions: There are no carrier requirements, but you can bring carriers (no large crates) on the aircraft.
Fee: Included in the cost of your ticket.
Restrictions: No large crates in the cabin.
16) Villiers Jets
Destinations: 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.
Policy: 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.
Weight Limit: No weight limit
Carrier Dimensions: No carriers required
Fee: Included in your charter
Bonuses: There will be no other dogs or people on the flight. It’s all yours, and you can arrange for special seating, bedding, temperature controls, and even customized meal plans for your dog.
Before You Fly With Your Dog
▪️ Make sure you have satisfied all medical, vaccine, and paperwork requirements for your destination. Even if no special paperwork is required, it’s always a good idea to carry your pet’s health records with you. Be sure your pet is healthy and capable of making the trip in good condition.
▪️ Always inform the airline when you are purchasing your ticket that you will be flying with a dog. Only a certain number of pets are allowed (and sometimes only certain seats are available) on each flight.
▪️ Always book your flight as early as possible so you can be sure to secure one of the available dog reservations.
▪️ Give your dog a bath. Some airlines specifically warn of stinky dogs not being permitted, and you’ll also cut down on dander and allergens that might affect other passengers.
▪️ Always re-confirm that the airline has your dog reservation on record at some point between your booking and your flight.
▪️Investigate where the nearest pet relief areas in your airports of departure and arrival to minimize accidents!
▪️ Read How to Fly With Your Dog in Cabin for tips, tricks, and hacks, to make your flight smooth and easy for you and your dog!
The Adventure Lion contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, we will receive a small amount of compensation at no extra cost to you.Helga’s Gear 🐾
✅ We recommend this well-ventilated, lightweight airline approved carrier. It is soft-sided, reasonably priced, allows for sufficient air flow, is airline approved, and gives her room to turn around. For reference, she weighs about 20 pounds.
🧊 If you are traveling in the summer, have cooling mats for your dog in case they need them. You can use larger-sized ones that your dog can stretch out on, or smaller ones that fit right inside a carrier. Also consider bringing a battery-operated fan in case the plane or airport is hot.
🚨Even if your dog doesn’t normally use pee pads, use them to line the bottom of their carrier or kennel just in case of accidents. And a loose one is handy to quickly clean up an accident. We use these charcoal ones because of the padding and odor control.
🍵 We use collapsible silicone bowls which are food grade, lightweight, will pack flat, and come with caribiners so you can clip them on to a carrier or leash. They’re good to have handy so you can make sure your dog stays hydrated if they get hot.
Bon Voyage!
With so many US airlines that allow dogs in cabin, you’re sure to find at least one that fits your travel plans! Be sure to check out the links below for more related content to help you travel the world with your best friend.
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