; Your pet's carrier must be big enough to allow them to stand up, turn around and . Are there other restrictions on dogs in the cabin? Disclaimer: NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. Pets on Southwest travel for $95 per carrier, each way. She previously wrote about travel and credit cards for The New York Times and its sibling site, Wirecutter. Plus, Alaska will transport not just dogs, cats, birds and rabbits in checked baggage or cargo, but also ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, non-poisonous reptiles, pot-bellied pigs and tropical fish. How easy is it to book a space for your pet on the flight? SpiritAirlines only allows six total pet carriers per flight, so its best to add a pet to your reservation as early as possible. No, you can't be sure. She also has worked for MarketWatch and The Orange County Register. Your pet will need to stay in his carrier at all times in the airport and on the airplane. The simple answer is Alaska, Southwest and Frontier offer the best overall experiences for flyers with pets, according to NerdWallet's analysis. Sally studied journalism at the University of Missouri. Most airlines also require proper vaccines. Your pet must remain in that carrier at all times and be more than 10 weeks old. Heres more on that: If flying is definitely the way forward for you and your pup, make sure to set aside time to gather the necessary paperwork, get your dogs medical records up to date, and fulfill any other requirements. Get more smart money moves straight to your inbox. When you check in with your pet, youll receive a JetPaws tag to put on your carrier. The fee is $125 each way, plus an additional $125 for U.S. flights with more than a four-hour voluntary stopover. They also have not been taking pets in cargo since April 2020but they have been taking small pets in the cabin. Flying with Dogs: 26 Things to Know Before Taking Your Pup on a Plane, 15 Dog-Friendly Beaches Your Pooch Will Love, Do Not Sell My Personal Information CA Residents. Fewer airlines will transport your pets in cargo or checked baggage, Other reasons airlines might not let your pet fly. Hard-sided kennels cannot exceed 19 inches by 13 inches by 9 inches for mainline flights, or 16 inches by 12 inches by 8 inches for regional flights. Bringing a pet in the cabin does not count toward your carry-on allowance with Hawaiian, meaning you can bring a bag and a personal item, in addition to your pet. Ahead of your next trip, consider these pet-friendly airlines that allow dogs, cats, and other animals onboard. Quarantine, vaccinations, vaccination records, and health certificates: what are the requirements at your destination, your airline, and your point of origin if its a return trip? Even with the cheapest fare class, you can change your flight at no cost (aside from the fare difference). I love Parks & Rec-- my dog's name is Leslie Knope. Fees to transport pets as Alaska pet cargo vary by route and your pets size and start at $250. However, two puppies or kittens may travel together in the same kennel if they weigh less than 20 pounds, are between eight weeks and six months old, and are similar in size. We normalized the data relative to overall passenger count to avoid penalizing larger airlines that might have more reports because they transport more animals. Soft-sided, collapsible kennels can be slightly larger but still need to fit under the seat without having to excessively collapse the carrier. Dogs and cats must be at least eight weeks old and able to eat solid food. Your emotional support animal likely can no longer fly for free. Health and vaccine requirements: Frontier does not require a health certificate for dogs traveling in the cabin on domestic flights (but your destination state might). Here's a snapshot of some of the data we collected to help you plan for flying with dogs, cats and other pets. Frontier also wont let your pet fly in the baggage compartment or cargo (main cabin only) and the pet must remain underneath your seat. You'll find lower pet fees at brands like Delta, Southwest, Frontier and Alaska. Straight north of North Korea lies the Russian port city of Magadan. Thats no longer the case. This week, American Airlines flew COVID-19 (coronavirus) tests on a regular, non-cargo narrowbody planea classification that includes any airliner with just one aisle and six seats . Pets in cargo: Alaska Airlines allows a more diverse selection of pets to fly in its climate-controlled cargo hold for $100 each way: dogs, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, household birds, non-poisonous reptiles, pot-bellied pigs, rabbits, and tropical fish. We gave each airline a score from 1 to 5 across 12 categories. How much does it cost to bring pets in the main cabin? This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider or specific products site. Up to two pets of the same species may travel in a single carrier. Your pet must be 16 weeks old if traveling to the U.S. from another country and must be at least 15 weeks old when traveling to the European Union. Allegiant ranks as the lowest-fee airline, at just $50 per flight per carrier, which helps it rank as one of the best airlines for pets. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Unfortunately, they have not allowed PetSafe reservations since March 2020. Her work has been published in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and The Washington Post. Youll want to be sure your pet has all the proper vaccinations and necessary medications, along with his regular food to minimize digestive issues. The airline also asks passengers to give 48 hours notice if theyre planning to bring a pet on board. Cons: Like with Southwest, only small pets are allowed. The airline allows two pets of the same size and breed between 10 weeks and six months old to fly together in the same kennel (and charges them as one pet), so long as they get along and can fit into a single kennel. International pet travel will cost $200, but pets are not permitted in the cabin on flights to or from Hawaii, the U.K., Australia, and a few other countries. Caroline Teel of SmarterTravel recommends asking these questions to see if it really is the most pet-friendly airline: Additionally, when in the airport, some pets will need to run around or use the litter box before the flight. Try to find direct flights whenever possible. Spirit only allows small domestic dogs, domestic cats, small household birds and small domestic rabbits on the aircraft. Hard- or soft-sided carriers are both acceptable, but passengers must steer clear of exit rows or seats without under-seat storage in front of them. 1 (Two if between the age of 10 weeks and 6 months and they can fit in a single carrier). There is no one-size-fits-all approach toflying with pets. In summer, try to fly in the early morning or later in the evening, especially if youre traveling to and/or from someplace hot. But Southwest scored some extra points in our rankings because it has many ways to reserve your pets spot, including via Facebook and Twitter. If your four-legged friend passed away recently and you want to bring her cremated remains on the flight, youll need to bring them as a carry-on itemSouthwest Airlines does not allow cremated pet remains in checked luggage. However, most airlines no longer allow pet owners to book their pets directly with the airline as cargo. United can ship cats and dogs using their PetSafe program. The carrier will count as the one standard carry-on item which you are allowed to bring on board. They must be able to fit in a carrier that fits underneath the seat in front of you (18 inches by 11 inches by 11 inches or smaller). Whether pets are allowed to travel in cargo, in any capacity. Seven Wonders of the World to Visit in 2023, The 17 Best Wellness Retreats in the World, Tips and tricks from our travel experts along with the latest news from airlines, hotels, loyalty programs, and more, delivered to your inbox weekly, 12 Best Pet Carriers to Keep Dogs and Cats Comfortable and Safe in Transit, United Airlines' Famous Ice Cream Sundae Cart Is Back. 1. And unlike many other airlines, Hawaiian doesnt count your carry-on pets toward your carry-on luggage. How Much Are Travel Points and Miles Worth in 2023? The airline sells Southwest-branded pet carriers for $58, but travelers can also bring their own. NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. Note, too, that most airlines will not allow these dogs to travel in cargo. Aviation regulator DGCA on Tuesday advised airlines to formulate and prominently display on their websites the policy for carriage of pets. According to the American Kennel Club, you should find a soft or hard carrier that your pet can sit and turn around in without touching the sides. Frontier also wont let your pet fly in the baggage compartment or cargo (main cabin only) and the pet must remain underneath your seat. Most airlines require you that make reservations in advance, but Southwest makes it especially easy by offering plenty of options to make that reservation, including via phone or through Twitter direct message. Before you go, take a look at pet-friendly hotels (and hotel trends), rules to follow next time you fly, and the difference between booking hotels vs. Airbnbs. Companion animals, on the other hand, will not be allowed to be transported in cargo with Alaska, American, and Hawaiian Airlines.. Together, your pet and his kennel must weigh 25 pounds or less. Thats due to a December 2020 ruling from the U.S. Department of Transportation that eliminated a requirement that airlines allow emotional support animals free of charge. Each traveler is allowed one carrier total, but that carrier can hold two pets if they fit comfortably. A pet cage is made up of three parts: small (S), medium (M), and large (L . This might mean packing enough food for the duration of the trip, taking a signed copy of a prescription for their food, or checking online for places youll be able to buy the food at your destination. Check out other options weve researched. Due to pandemic-related flight changes, checked pet service is currently unavailable but the airline will accept checked pets at the ticket counter only for active-duty U.S. Military traveling on assignments. Dogs, cats, rabbits and household birds. The main cabin can accommodate up to five pet carriers per flight; first class can accommodate one. Are brachycephalic dogs allowed in cargo? So how do we make money? Small vaccinated cats and dogs are allowed onboard in the cabin. Yes: $99 each way. Yes, dogs are allowed to fly in cargo. These fees are refundable, so if you cancel your reservation, you can get this money back. , your pet can come too as long as its well-behaved. Refunds, accessibility and ease: Were pet fees refundable? Alaska also limits the number of carriers onboard per flight: three in first class and eight in the main cabin. The lounges, which are accessible to passengers with certain levels of elite status or people who purchase a separate membership, accept quiet service animals and pets in carry-on kennels. Reservations for the departure date are accepted up to the day before the departure. For a safe and comfortable journey for . Allegiant does not transport animals in cargo. Yes, but the weight of the pet and carrier must not exceed 70lbs. His work has been featured by Fast Company, The Associated Press and The Onion. These breeds can run into respiratory challenges in increased temperature or humidity. By early 2021, all of the major airlines announced that they would no longer recognize emotional support animal air travel. On Alaska, pets arent accepted in baggage or cargo for the entire period from Nov. 15 to Jan. 10. The Southwest pet fee is $95 each way, per pet carrier, which is among the cheapest pet fees youll find. No matter the type, pets must be able to stand up and turn around inside while its closed. Sometimes, the fee to store your pet under the seat in front of you (while sacrificing your own precious legroom) is pricier than your own airfare. If pets are too large for carry-on, they wont be able to fly. The American Kennel Club, Inc. 2022. Animals must stay in their carrier for the duration of the flight, and the animal has to be harmless, inoffensive, and odorless. The combined weight of the pet and carrier cannot exceed 40 pounds, and youre able to sit anywhere except for the first row and emergency exit rows. Contact reservations by starting a chat using the link below or calling 1-800-252-7522 to reserve space for your pet 4. Yes: the total weight of the pet and carrier must not exceed 25 pounds. Your pet carrier will not count toward your carry-on baggage. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institutions Terms and Conditions. There is also a $125 fee for each layover of more than . Pets in cargo: JetBlue does not accept pets in cargo. To ensure your pet has a safe, healthy and happy flight, please review the following requirements when flying with a small pet as a carry-on: Your pet must be at least 10 weeks old for domestic travel. Thats no longer the case. Pets in cargo: American Airlines only allows active-duty U.S. military servicemembers and U.S. State Department Foreign Service personnel traveling on official orders to check theirfurry friends. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. There is a fee of $125 each way, and an additional $125 service fee for each stopover of more than four hours (or 24 hours for international flights). Some airlines, like American Airlines, don't allow cargo pets that have been sedated. Home and decor enthusiast with work published in Real Simple, InStyle, Food Network Magazine and others. The carrier itself cannot be larger than 17 inches by 12.5 inches by 8.5 inches, and only one pet is allowed per carrier. Whether pets are allowed in checked baggage or cargo, and, if so, how much it costs. It's the holiday season: Some airlines don't accept pets in the baggage or cargo compartments during the holidays. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. One big reason is that while other airlines will fly cats and dogs only, Frontier accepts rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and small household birds, too (though international flights still limit pets to cats and dogs only). If youre flying with one of those breeds, which includes pit bulls, Boston terriers and many types of bulldogs and pugs, check the airlines specific policy. It was there that 25 airline passengers and six crew members were headed Jan. 9 after boarding an IrAero Airlines plane in the inland city of Magan. While Alaska scored a 4, only one other airline, Southwest, scored a 3. The Department of Transportation ( DOT) has rules (14 CFR part 382) (PDF) that require airlines to allow passengers to fly with their service animals in the cabin on all U.S. airlines. Yes: $125 to U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Let the 80/20 rule guide you. Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card. The embargo applies to all live animals transported in cargo under the PET product code throughout the domestic and international network. You will be charged the cargo rate, which is considerably more than excess baggage. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. Always check your airlines own materials before booking a flight, and communicate directly with your airline before traveling. Southwest reserves the right to deny boarding if the pet is growling, biting, urinating, or scratching. Are there other restrictions on dogs in cargo? However,Southwest Airlines only allows six total carriers on each flight, and those spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Frontier doesnt often win many awards, but it does handle pets better than many other airlines. DeltaAir Lines only allows one pet per carrier, with a few exceptions. Guests can bring up to two pets per carrier, but may only bring one carrier on the plane. These U.S. airlines allow passengers to fly with dogs, cats, and even household birds safelyand with ease. The kennel with the pet inside cannot weigh more than 20 pounds. Pets should be able to stand and sit, turn around normally and lie down in a natural position in their carrier without touching the sides or top of the carrier. If they do, they will very likely charge a fee to have Fido on board. The weight of your pet and the carrier cannot exceed 20 pounds to fly in the cabin. All animals must be at least eight (8) weeks of age. There will be no need to use the restroom during the flight because the cargo compartment's lights will be turned off. Allow pets in cargo: Whether pets are allowed to travel in cargo, in any capacity. These days, all pets are subject to pet policies and fees on all of the major airlines we reviewed. iy_2023; im_01; id_18; ih_06; imh_53; i_epoch:1674053628285, py_2023; pm_01; pd_02; ph_04; pmh_30; p_epoch:1672662613500, link-block; link-block_link-block; bodystr, pn_tstr:Mon Jan 02 04:30:13 PST 2023; pn_epoch:1672662613500. Health and vaccination requirements: Spirit doesnt require a health certificate for dogs traveling in the cabin, except for travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands. The IATA Live Animal Regulations is the standard for transporting live animals by commercial airlines. COVID-19 upended many facets of the travel industry, and flying with pets is no exception. Uniteds age requirement for pets is two months old for puppies and kittens, or four months old for puppies and kittens traveling internationally. Always confirm space is available before booking your own seat, as you dont want to deal with the headache of canceling should there be no room for your pet. Pets cannot be booked until 14 days prior to the flight, and they must be dropped off at least three hours before departure. Pets of larger size/weight will be carried in the cargo hold. Depending on the airline, your pet may be able to travel on your flight either in the cabin or in the cargo hold. Pettravel in the cabin: UnitedAirlines only allows dogs and cats totravel in the cabin. Lead Writer/Spokesperson | Travel, credit cards. She is a graduate of the University of Southern California with a degree in journalism. Our focus is on ensuring the safety and welfare of animals' jet-petting around the world. If your dogs fits into one of these categories, consider flying with them only when absolutely necessary, and always make sure to prepare well to make sure their needs are met. Are there other restrictions on dogs in the cabin? The average pet fee across airlines is $113 airlines typically charge from $95 to $125 each way per pet. AKC actively advocates for responsible dog ownership and is dedicated to advancing dog sports. And some airlines make it especially so. The carrier can be no larger than 17 inches by 11 inches by 7.5 inches. They must be at least 8 weeks old, healthy, meet weight restrictions (less than 100. Pettravel in the cabin: Southwest Airlines permits small, vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least eight weeks old to fly with travelers in the cabin for a $95pet fee each way. Pettravel in the cabin: For a $125 one-waypet fee, travelers can bring dogs, cats, household birds, and small domestic rabbits that are at least eight weeks old in the cabin onSpirit Airlines routes throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Pets in cargo: Southwest Airlines does not have a pet cargo or shipping program, so the only way to bring your pet on a Southwest flight is byflying in the cabin. And for your pet to fly in the main cabin, it must fit in a pet carrier underneath the seat, with a maximum size of 18.5 inches by 8.5 inches by 13.5 inches. However, each passenger is only permitted to bring one animal with them whileflying in the cabin. Stress associated with flight can make those conditions worse.. Yes, on most flights up to 11 hours and 30 minutes traveling within the US (excluding Hawaii) or to Canada, Mexico, Central America, and some other destinations. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. Are dogs allowed in the cabin? Each guest can bring one carrier onto the plane. The definition of a poorly behaved pet can be subjective, but most airlines outline growling, excessive whining or barking, or urinating or defecating in the cabin or gate area as reasons. What sorts of limits are there on allowing pets in lounges? Yeson all domestic flights, plus flights to/from the Dominican Republic and Mexico. Delta has additional seating rules for people traveling with pets: Passengers carrying on pets are not permitted to sit in bulkhead seats, emergency exit rows, flat-bed seats, and certain rows on the A330-200 or B757-200 aircrafts. If youre flying first class, your pet will be placed in a dedicated animal compartment in the front of the plane during takeoff and landing. You can travel with two pets, but you must book and pay for the second seat and pet fee). And the reality is, flying with pets is a bleak undertaking with any airline. Traveling with children Unaccompanied minors Pets Carry on or transport your pet Depending on animal breed and size, they can travel as a carry-on or be transported through American Airlines Cargo. Pets may fly domestically in the cargo hold with SpiceJet. Most airlines also require proper vaccines. Your pet carrier will count toward your carry-on bag allowance, so pack well! Airline Price per pet Allowed in cargo? Additionally, pets may not be checked in cargo on many flights between April 15 and October 15 every year, and pets are not allowed to travel as checked baggage or cargo if the temperature is below 20F or above 85F at the origin, destination, or connection airport. For inquiry, please contact the authorities concerned (US CDC). Pregnant pets will not be accepted," AI website says. Illness, age, or even temperament will affect how your pet travels and whether it will be a positive (or neutral) experience. Even if your pet is an angel at home, dont assume it will behave the same way at an airport. A non-refundable fee of $50.00 per segment per carrier will apply for all pets. OK92033) Property & Casualty Licenses, NerdWallet | 55 Hawthorne St. - 11th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. 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