Many airlines let you bring pets on board if you follow their guidelines and pay an extra fee.
Each airline decides if pets are allowed in the cabin. If they are, your pet’s carrier counts as a carry-on and must fit under the seat.
Pets must stay in their carriers for the entire flight. Most airlines only allow small dogs and cats, but some also permit birds, ferrets, and rabbits.
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Each airline has its own rules for how many pets you can bring. Most airlines allow just one pet per passenger (unless you can pay a premium to fly with Bark Airlines, of course). However, some let you bring multiple pets of the same species in one carrier
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For example, JetBlue lets you bring two pets in separate carriers if you buy a second seat and pay a second pet fee.
Similarly, Alaska Airlines allows two pet carriers if you purchase two adjacent seats.
Airlines limit the number of in-cabin pets per flight. This limit depends on the aircraft type, destination, and airline.
ince airlines limit the number of in-cabin pets per flight, it’s best to reserve a spot for your pet as soon as you book your flight. It’s also helpful to learn how to ease travel anxiety in dogs with Adaptil Transport spray to ensure a more comfortable journey for your pet.
Pet Carrier Guidelines for Air Travel
Air travel has specific rules for pet carriers that you need to follow.
Here we cover the essential pet carrier guidelines for air travel. We’ve included general requirements and detailed specs for both non-collapsible and soft-sided collapsible kennels.
If you are in the market for a new crate, we have a handy review of the popular Petmate Sky Kennel that may help you pick the right one for you.
Keep This in Mind
- Non-Collapsible Kennels: Must fit under the seat with enough space for your pet to stand, turn around, and lie down.
- Soft-Sided Collapsible Kennels: Preferred for their flexibility; must have secure construction, padding, water-repellant material, and mesh ventilation on three sides.
- Choose the Best One: If you don’t know where to start, check out our in-depth analysis of the best dog crates for travel.
General Requirements
- Size: Make sure the carrier is big enough for your pet to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably.
- Comfort: Your pet should fit snugly inside the closed or zipped carrier.
Non-Collapsible Kennels
- Restrictions: The size of non-collapsible kennels must fit the under-seat dimensions of any aircraft you will be on.
- Verification: Contact reservations to find out the maximum allowed dimensions.
Soft-Sided Collapsible Kennels
- Recommendation: Soft-sided collapsible kennels are preferred.
- Dimensions: These kennels can be a bit larger than non-collapsible ones but must still fit under the seat without excessive collapsing.
- Construction:
- Security: The kennel must be secure.
- Padding: It should have padding for your pet’s comfort.
- Material: It should be made of water-repellant material.
- Ventilation: The kennel must have nylon mesh ventilation on three or more sides.
Follow these guidelines to ensure your pet’s safety and comfort during air travel. Always double-check specific airline requirements, as they may have additional rules or restrictions.
Read also: Can French Bulldogs fly on planes?
Pet Relief Areas at Airports
Many airports now offer pet relief areas beyond the security checkpoint. This means pets can relieve themselves without their owners needing to exit and re-enter through security.
This is especially useful during layovers or for travelers who arrive early.
These areas are designed for convenience and cleanliness, with easy-to-clean surfaces and waste disposal systems.
Some airports have created more elaborate pet parks. These spaces often include:
- Real Grass Areas: Providing a natural environment for pets to relieve themselves and stretch their legs.
- Faux Fire Hydrants: Serving as familiar markers for pets, encouraging them to use the designated areas.
- Space to Run and Play: Allowing pets to expend some energy and reduce anxiety before boarding a flight.
Examples of Pet-Friendly Airports
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
This airport features an advanced pet relief area that includes artificial grass to make pets feel comfortable and familiar.
The room has miniature fire hydrants, mimicking a natural outdoor environment.
A pop-up sprinkler system washes away liquid waste into a drain, keeping the area clean and odor-free.
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
Detroit International Airport offers both real and fake grass patches.
A sprinkler system ensures waste is efficiently washed into drains below the grass, maintaining a sanitary environment.
Pet-Friendly Airlines: Pet Policies
Aegean Airlines Pet Policy
Pets are welcome, but only cats and dogs can travel in the cabin. Only one pet is allowed per passenger.
If you have more than one pet, they need to be the same species, get along well, and fit in the same carrier. The total weight of your pet and the carrier must not exceed 8 kilos.
Pet fees are as follows:
- Domestic flights: EUR 35
- International flights: EUR 65
Aerolinas Argentinas Pet Policy
Aerolinas Argentinas allows pets on board, but there are some restrictions to keep in mind. Only cats and dogs are permitted to travel in the cabin, and each passenger can bring just one pet.
If you’re traveling with multiple pets, they must be the same species and get along well enough to share a single carrier. Also, your pet and carrier together cannot weigh more than 8 kilos.
Pet fees are as follows:
- Domestic flights: EUR 35
- International flights: EUR 65
Air Algerie Pet Policy
Air Algerie allows pets in the cabin, but there are some restrictions.
Only small pets under 6 kg are accepted on board, including cats, dogs, hamsters, small birds, and turtles.
Bringing your furry friend along is possible, as long as they meet the size and weight requirements.
Air Canada Pet Policy
Air Canada allows pets in the cabin, but only cats and dogs are permitted. You can only bring one pet per passenger, and your furry friend must be at least 10 weeks old and fully weaned.
Keep in mind that pets are not accepted in the cabin or baggage compartment on flights to or from Hawaii.
Pet fees are as follows:
- One-way travel within Canada and Canada/U.S. (except Hawaii): $50 – $59 CAD/USD
- International: $100 – $118 CAD/USD
Air Europa Pet Policy
On short- and medium-haul flights, Air Europa allows dogs, cats, small birds (except birds of prey), fish, aquarium turtles, and some rodents (hamsters, guinea pigs, and small rabbits) in the cabin.
You can bring up to 3 animals in one container, as long as they are the same species and don’t exceed the permitted dimension/weight limits.
The total weight of your pet must not exceed 8 kilos, and the combined weight of your pet and carrier must not exceed 10 kilos.
However, on long-haul flights (e.g., Brazil-Madrid), only dogs and cats are allowed to be transported, and animals of any kind are not permitted in the business cabin.
Air France Pet Policy
Air France welcomes pets on board, but with some restrictions.
Unfortunately, they do not allow Staffordshire Terriers (pitbulls), American Staffordshire Terriers (pitbulls), Mastiffs (Bœrbœls), or Tosas in the cabin.
Your pet and carrier together must not exceed a total weight of 8 kilos.
For more info, check out the full Air France pet policy guide.
Air India Pet Policy
Air India allows cats, dogs, and birds to travel with you in the cabin. However, there are some destination restrictions to keep in mind.
Birds are not permitted in the cabin or as checked baggage when transiting through the Middle East, with an exception for flights from India to the Gulf countries.
No pets are allowed on flights to and from the UK.
The maximum weight for your pet and carrier combined is 5 kilos (11 lbs).
Alaska Airlines Pet Policy
Alaska Airlines allows dogs, cats, rabbits, and household birds to join you in the cabin.
On flights to Hawaii and international locations, only dogs and cats are permitted.
You can travel with a maximum of two pet carriers in the main cabin, but you must purchase a second ticket with an adjacent seat.
Up to two pets of the same species and similar size may share the same carrier, but the total weight of your pet and carrier must not exceed 20 lbs.
Pet fees are as follows:
- Flights within the US: $100 each way
- Flights departing from Canada: $105 each way
For more info, check out the full Alaska Airlines pet policy guide.
Allegiant Air Pet Policy
Allegiant Air allows only cats and dogs to travel in the cabin, and only on flights within the contiguous 48 United States.
Each passenger is limited to one pet carrier, with a maximum of two pets per carrier.
The pets must be of the same species and size to share a carrier.
Pet fees are as follows:
- All flights: $50 per segment per carrier
For more info, check out the full Allegiant Air pet policy guide
American Airlines Pet Policy
American Airlines welcomes pets on most flights, but with some restrictions.
Only cats and dogs are allowed in the cabin, and you can only bring one pet carrier as your carry-on bag.
The total weight of your pet and carrier must not exceed 20 lbs. (9.07 kilos).
There are some routes where pets are not allowed, such as transatlantic trips, flights to/from Hawaii, Jamaica, and certain countries in South America.
Pets are not permitted in First or Business class on certain aircraft due to the lack of underseat storage space.
Pet fees are as follows:
- $150 each way
- Additional $125 for U.S. flights with more than a four-hour voluntary stopover
For more info, check out the full American Airlines pet policy guide.
Asiana Airlines Pet Policy
Asiana Airlines allows dogs, cats, and birds to travel in the cabin, but only one pet per passenger is permitted.
The total weight of your pet and carrier must not exceed 7 kilos.
For more info, check out the full Asiana Airlines pet policy guide.
Austrian Airlines Pet Policy
Austrian Airlines allows cats and dogs to travel in the cabin.
You can bring up to two pets in an approved carrier, as long as the total weight of your pets and carrier does not exceed 8 kilos.
For more info, check out the full Austrian Airlines pet policy guide.
Avelo Airlines Pet Policy
Avelo Airlines welcomes dogs, cats, rabbits, and birds in the cabin.
Each passenger can bring one pet carrier, which can contain no more than two small pets of the same species.
Pet fees are as follows:
- $125 each way per pet carrier
For more info, check out the full Avelo pet policy guide.
Avianca Airlines Pet Policy
Avianca Airlines allows cats and dogs older than 4 months to travel in the cabin, but only one pet per passenger is permitted.
The total weight of your pet and carrier must not exceed 10 kilos (22 lbs.).
For more info, check out the full Avianca Airlines pet policy guide.
Brussels Airlines Pet Policy
Brussels Airlines allows cats and dogs older than 15 weeks to travel in the cabin.
Each passenger can bring one pet carrier.
Two adult pets may travel in the same bag if they are comfortable with each other, and two small pets (max. 6 months old) from the same litter may also share a carrier.
The total weight of your pets and carrier must not exceed 8 kilos (18 lbs.).
Copa Airlines Pet Policy
Copa Airlines welcomes pets on board, but there are a few things to keep in mind.
Only cats and dogs older than 16 weeks are allowed in the cabin, and you can only bring one pet per passenger.
The total weight of your pet and their carrier must not exceed 10 kilos (20 lbs).
Delta Air Lines Pet Policy
Delta Air Lines allows cats, dogs, and household birds in the cabin.
Household birds are only permitted on domestic U.S. flights, excluding flights to Hawaii, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam.
You can only bring one pet carrier per passenger, and it can contain either one pet or two pets under specific conditions:
- A female cat or dog may travel with her un-weaned litter if the litter is between 8 weeks and 6 months old. There’s no limit on the number of animals in the litter as long as they fit safely in the kennel.
- Two pets of the same breed and size, between 8 weeks and 6 months old, may travel in one kennel if they are small enough to fit and are compatible.
Please note that pets are not permitted in the cabin on flights to or from certain destinations, including Hawaii, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
Pet fees are as follows:
- One-way travel to/from U.S./Canada/Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Island: $95 USD/CAD
- International: $200 USD/CAD/EUR
For more info, check out the full Delta Airlines pet policy guide.
Czech Airlines Pet Policy
Czech Airlines allows cats and dogs to travel in the cabin.
The total weight of your pet and their carrier must not exceed 8 kilos.
Pet fees are as follows:
- 75 EUR / 1,800 CZK is paid for each direction of the animal carriage, which is not included in the free checked baggage allowance.
Ethiopian Airlines Pet Policy
Ethiopian Airlines welcomes pets in the cabin, but only cats and dogs are allowed.
They are accepted on all Ethiopian Q-400 aircrafts.
The total weight of your pet and their carrier must not exceed 8 kilos.
Finnair Pet Policy
Finnair allows dogs, cats, and ferrets in the cabin on flights from countries outside of the European Union.
All other animals, including pet rabbits, tortoises, and hedgehogs, can only be shipped as cargo from outside of the EU.
The total weight of your pet and their carrier must not exceed 8 kilos (17 lbs).
Frontier Airlines Pet Policy
Frontier Airlines allows dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and small household birds in the cabin on flights within the United States and on international flights to/from the Dominican Republic and Mexico.
However, only dogs and cats may be carried to or from other international destinations. You can only bring one pet per passeng
Pet fees are as follows:
- $99 per pet, per direction (non-refundable)
Hawaiian Airlines Pet Policy
Hawaiian Airlines allows cats and dogs in the cabin, but only on inter-island flights within Hawaii and flights between the State of Hawaii and the US Mainland (excluding flights to/from JFK, BOS, or AUS).
You can only bring one pet carrier per passenger, and it can contain either one adult dog or cat, or two puppies or kittens of the same breed between 8 weeks and 6 months old.
The total weight of your pet and their carrier must not exceed 25 lbs.
- Pet fees are as follows:
- Flights between Hawaii and North America: $125
- Trips inside Hawaii (including connecting interisland flights occurring on the same day, when booked in the same reservation): $35
For more info, check out the full Hawaiian Airlines pet policy guide.
Iberia Airlines Pet Policy
Iberia Airlines welcomes a variety of pets in the cabin, including dogs, cats, fish, tortoises, and birds (except birds of prey).
You can bring up to two small, lightweight animals of the same species in a single carrier.
The total weight of your pet and the carrier must not exceed 8 kilos.
JetBlue Pet Policy
JetBlue allows only cats and dogs in the cabin. You can bring a maximum of two pets per passenger, each in their own carrier.
If you want to bring a second pet, you’ll need to pay for a second seat and pet fee.
Only one pet is allowed per carrier, and the total weight of your pet and the carrier must not exceed 20 lbs.
Pet fees are as follows:
- Each way: $125
For more info, check out the full JetBlue pet policy guide.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Pet Policy
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines allows only cats and dogs in the cabin, with a limit of one pet per passenger.
The total weight of your pet and the carrier must not exceed 8 kilos.
For more info, check out the full KLM pet policy guide.
La Compagnie Pet Policy
La Compagnie welcomes cats, dogs, and dwarf rabbits in the cabin, with a maximum of one pet per passenger.
Your pet’s weight must not exceed 15 kilos (33 lbs.), not including the carrier’s weight.
Pet fees are as follows:
- 10% of the passenger’s ticket price
Lufthansa Airlines Pet Policy
Lufthansa Airlines allows only cats and dogs in the cabin, with a maximum of two animals per passenger in an approved transport container.
The total weight of your pet and the carrier must not exceed 8 kilos.
Norwegian Air Pet Policy
Norwegian Air allows cats or dogs in the cabin on flights within Schengen and/or EU.
You can book up to three very small puppies or kittens traveling in the same carrier as one animal.
The total weight of your pet and the carrier must not exceed 8 kilos.
Pet fees are as follows:
- Online: 55 – 75 EUR per animal, each way
- Airport: 60 – 85 EUR per animal, each way
Royal Air Maroc Pet Policy
Royal Air Maroc allows dogs, cats, and birds in the cabin, with more than one animal allowed per carrier.
Pets in cabins are not accepted on Royal Air Maroc flights to the UK and on flights chartered and operated by Qatar Airways.
The total weight of your pet and the carrier must not exceed 8 kilos.
SAS-Scandinavian Airlines Pet Policy
SAS-Scandinavian Airlines allows only cats and dogs in the cabin, with a limit of one pet carrier per passenger.
You can bring up to two pets per carrier as long as they are of the same species.
The total weight of your pet and the carrier must not exceed 8 kilos.
Southwest Airlines Pet Policy
Cats and dogs are allowed in the cabin, but only one pet carrier per passenger is permitted.
You can bring up to two cats or dogs per carrier, as long as they are the same species.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed to travel in the cabin on international flights or any itinerary that includes an international flight.
Pet fees are as follows:
- U.S. Mainland: $125 per pet carrier, each way
- Between Hawaiian Island: $35 per pet carrier, each way
For more info, check out the full Southwest pet policy guide.
Spirit Airlines Pet Policy
Dogs, cats, household birds and domestic rabbits are welcome in the cabin.
Each passenger is limited to one pet carrier, but you can bring up to two pets per carrier.
Keep in mind that Spirit Airlines does not accept animals on international flights.
Household birds and rabbits are not permitted on flights to / from Puerto Rico and the U.S.V.I.
- Pet fee: $125 per pet carrier, each way
For more info, check out the full Spirit Airlines pet policy guide.
Swiss International Airlines Pet Policy
Cats and dogs are allowed in the cabin, with a maximum of two animals per passenger in an approved transport container.
The total weight of your pet and carrier must not exceed 8 kilos.
TAP Air Portugal Pet Policy
Only cats and dogs are allowed in the cabin.
The total weight of your pet and carrier must not exceed 8 kilos / 17 lbs.
Turkish Airlines Pet Policy
Cats, dogs and small songbirds (budgies, canaries) are allowed in the cabin.
Animals traveling together must be of the same species and have similar living habits.
For example, two birds, two cats, or two dogs that are accustomed to each other can travel in the same cage.
The total weight of your pet and carrier must not exceed 8 kilos.
United Airlines Pet Policy
Cats and dogs are welcome in the cabin.
You can travel with up to two pets, but you must purchase two seats on your flight if bringing two pets. There can only be one pet per carrier.
Please note that pets are not permitted in the cabin on flights to, from or through certain countries.
Pet fees are as follows:
- $125 fee each way for traveling with your pet
- $125 fee for each layover of more than four hours for flights within the U.S. and more than 24 hours internationally
WestJet Pet Policy
Birds (see entrance requirements), cats, dogs, and rabbits are allowed in the cabin.
Only one pet per passenger is permitted.
