Comparing Airlines’ Pet Policies
Bringing your dog or pet on a plane in a pet carrier? There are a lot of things to keep in mind and to think about. Is it safe? Will they bark at your fellow travelers? What do you do if they poop?
Seriously, there’s a lot to think about. But you’ll also need to keep the specific pet policies for your chosen airline in mind, too.
American Airlines recently altered its pet policy for flights, and per those changes, pet owners can now “bring one pet carrier as a carry-on” if they pay the carry-on pet fee, and your pet stays in the pet carrier and under the seat in front of you the entire flight. Travelers can also bring one additional item onboard along with their pet—either a personal item or a carry-on bag, but not both. Before the changes, passengers were only allowed to bring a personal item along with their pet carrier—so, you wouldn’t be able to bring your carry-on bag and the pet carrier.
There’s still a fee in the mix, too, for bringing a pet on board, and it’s $150. But effectively, the change does make it a bit easier for pet owners to travel with their animals.
Airlines’ pet policies
Here’s a quick rundown of some other airlines’ carry-on pet policies:
Alaska Airlines
Passengers can bring a pet carrier onboard, and the fee is $100 each way. Animals permitted in the passenger cabin are small dogs, house cats, domesticated rabbits, and household birds.
Delta Airlines
Delta allows small dogs, cats, and birds in the cabin, and like other airlines, they must fit in a carrier that can be placed under the seat in front of you. There may also be limitations to which seats you can choose. There’s a one-way fee of $95, but that may vary depending on your destination.
Southwest Airlines
Passengers on Southwest flights can bring small dogs and cats into the cabin in a carrier. The fee for flights within the U.S., or its “Pet Fare,” is $125 each way.
United Airlines
Similar to the other airlines addressed above, United allows dogs and cats in a pet carrier on flights, and each passenger can bring up to two pets. You will need to purchase two seats, however, if you’re traveling with two pets. The one-way pet fee is $125 per pet.
Keep your pets safe in the air
For those traveling with a pet, you’ll want to take some measures to make sure your trip goes smoothly before you even call for that Lyft to the airport.
That starts with booking direct flights, when possible, to slim down the chances of being separated from your pet during a layover. You’ll also want to make sure your pet’s vaccinations are up to date, and that you have a record of them—depending on your destination, you may need to provide proof and documentation. Also, make sure your pet carrier is up to snuff—meaning that it’s the proper size, and that your pet will be comfortable traveling in it.
It may also be worthwhile to check out alternatives to flying, if you can. Some pets don’t do well on planes (some people don’t, either, for that matter), and they may be scared or stressed during the travel process. If it’s a short trip, it may be a good idea to consider driving or taking another form of transportation, such as a train.
But again, it all depends on the specifics of your trip. The point is: Do what you can to keep your pet safe and comfortable in the sky!
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