Disclaimer: NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. 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). Alaska Airlines is the best airline for traveling with a pet. The American Kennel Club, Inc. 2022. Thats because all airlines limit the overall number of pets allowed in the main cabin and cargo. Siberian Airline Passengers Survive Harrowing In-Flight Mishap. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. Is there a fee to travel with your pet? SpiritAirlines only allows six total pet carriers per flight, so its best to add a pet to your reservation as early as possible. The embargo applies to all live animals transported in cargo under the PET product code throughout the domestic and international network. NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. No health certificate needed for pets traveling in the cabinbut all pets must be in good health, and the airline reserves the right to refuse travel to pets in obvious distress. Effective today, Delta passengers will have two options when flying a pet. Ready for your pet-cation? Like with Southwest, only small pets are allowed. Your pet counts as one of your personal items, and he must stay in his kennel under the seat in front of you for the entire flight. 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. Passengers pay $110 per pet carrier, each way. Are dogs allowed in the cabin? Discuss your travel plans with your veterinarianit may be safest not to fly with your dog. Domesticated dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters or small household birds. Youll generally need to contact the airline to reserve a space for your pet. $100 (per carrier, with up to 2 per carrier). They must be at least 16 weeks old. 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. These fees are refundable, so if you cancel your reservation, you can get this money back. That way, you have up-to-date health information on your pet and can prove theyre caught up on vaccinations. Other reasons airlines may not let your pet fly include: Its the holiday season: Some airlines dont accept pets in the baggage or cargo compartments during the holidays. These days, all pets are subject to pet policies and fees on all of the major airlines we reviewed. (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=38cf8a01-c7b4-4a61-a61b-8c0be6528f20&cid=877050e7-52c9-4c33-a20b-d8301a08f96d'; cnxps.cmd.push(function () { cnxps({ playerId: "38cf8a01-c7b4-4a61-a61b-8c0be6528f20" }).render("6ea159e3e44940909b49c98e320201e2"); }); Start early, because while you may find unbelievably cheap airfare for yourself, the pet fees could be twice as much. All rights reserved. Companion animals, on the other hand, will not be allowed to be transported in cargo with Alaska, American, and Hawaiian Airlines.. 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. Travelers must be at least 18 years old beforetraveling with a pet in the cabin. If your reservation gets changed, you'll have to wait until the next flight that allows an animal. Some only require it for cargo, but not main cabin flying. Frontiers pet-travel fee comes in at $99 for a one-way trip. Are brachycephalic dogs allowed in cargo? Frontier was the third-place winner. The reservations desk can verify your maximum dimensions based on your airplane. But at least if youve got quite a menagerie to transport, its possible. Health and vaccine requirements: No certificate requirements listed for dogs traveling in the cabin, but check with airline. If you want to fly with a pet, it might be wise to work with a travel adviser, since flights that allow pets are more difficult to come by these days. Were pet fees refundable? How easy is it to book a space for your pet on the flight? 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 . 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. Ahead of your next trip, consider these pet-friendly airlines that allow dogs, cats, and other animals onboard. Which airlines are allowed to have animals on their flights during COVID-19? 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). Pets are taken on a first come, first served basis, so book early and have your kennel dimensions handy. Yes, as long as theyre at least eight weeks old and weaned. You will be charged the cargo rate, which is considerably more than excess baggage. Some airlines no longer offer this option and some countries do not allow pets to enter the country in-cabin. In SpiceJet, pets can be carried in cargo hold of domestic . Check with your airline before boarding. Learn more: Baffled by points and miles? No matter how young or healthy your dog is, check in with your veterinarian before taking a flight. 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. If the fight is leaving from Canada, the price goes up to $105. Cons: Like with Southwest, only small pets are allowed. Yes: theres a maximum of four pet carriers per flight in economy and two in premium classes. The kennel with the pet inside cannot weigh more than 20 pounds. Youll pay an additional $125 for each layover that lasts four or more hours for U.S. flights, or 24 or more hours forinternational flights. On Alaska, pets aren't accepted in baggage or cargo for the entire period . Theoretically, you can fly with up to four pets. They must be able tofit under the seatin front of you (the maximum dimensions are 18 by 14 by 8 inches) and allow your pet to stand up, turn around, and lie down in a natural position. Even with the most pet-friendly airlines, there are still many restrictions around a pets size and how free (or confined to the kennel) they can be when traveling within the main cabin. Ratings and prices are accurate and items are in stock as of time of publication. Pets are permitted only in the cabin, not checked as baggage. Are dogs allowed in cargo/checked baggage? Pet carriers must be leak-proof, well ventilated, and no more than 18.5 inches by 8.5 inches by 13.5 inches. Alaska also has rules around whenpets can fly to Hawaii, which experiences strong headwinds during some months. 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. However,Southwest Airlines only allows six total carriers on each flight, and those spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Here is a list of our partners. On American Eagle flights, the airline only allows five total carry-on kennels, including one in first class. Of course, youll need to check your individual airline for size requirements of carry-on and cargo pet carriers, but checking FAA requirements and the Center for Pet Safety will also be helpful. We gave higher points when species other than cats and dogs are allowed. Is there a fee to travel with your pet? If youre heading to an Alaska lounge, your pet can come too as long as its well-behaved. Travelers with carry-on pets cannot sit in certain areas, such as the emergency exit rows and bulkhead seats, as well as in specific rows on certain planes. Airlines were rated on a five-point scale, yet only one scored higher than a four (thats our winner, Alaska). She is a graduate of the University of Southern California with a degree in journalism. Alaska, Southwest and Frontier top our list, but regardless of airline, flying with a pet will be expensive. AirlineRatings.com was launched in 2013 and rates the safety, in-flight product and COVID-19 compliance of 385 airlines using its unique seven-star rating system. Because of their cargo policies, transparent information, and fairly low cost, Alaska Airlines comes in at No. Yes: Southwest only accepts up to six pet carriers per flight and one pet carrier per customer. By subscribing to our newsletter(s) you agree to our User Agreement and Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement. COVID-19 upended many facets of the travel industry, and flying with pets is no exception. Health certificates are required for international flights. Frontier will fly your cat, dog, hamster, rabbit, bird, or other small animal for under $100, which is pretty great. Some individual routes or aircraft have their own unique limitations beyond the standard airline pet policy. If you have a connecting flight with a wait time of more than four hours, youll need to request access to the animal in the connecting city and re-check the animal after providing food and water. Yes: $110 per pet container, each way. If youre traveling between Hawaii and North America, you need to obtain an animalhealth certificate from your veterinarian within 14 days of travel. Up to two dogs can travel in the same carrier, provided that theyre not in distress and they fit properly with no body parts protruding. She covers travel rewards, including news, airline and hotel loyalty programs, and how to travel on points. A pet cage is made up of three parts: small (S), medium (M), and large (L . Consider earning. Like most airlines, your pet carrier also counts toward your. You can pay this in advance or when you check in for your flight. We recommend our users to update the browser. Every year millions of animals travel safely and securely by air. You want a travel credit card that prioritizes whats important to you. The following refers to pets, not service animals or emotional support animals, which may have different guidelines. Members ofTrueBlue, the airlines reward program, can earn 300 extra points for each segment their pet flies with them in the cabin. Allegiant allow smalls dogs and cats in the aircraft cabin if traveling within the 48 contiguous United States (including Washington, DC, but not Alaska or Hawaii). 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. Most airlines won't transport brachycephalic or "short-nosed" dogs and cats in cargo, though they might still be allowed in carry-on. Allowable pets can fly in all cabins of service (except international business and international Delta One) or as freight through Delta Cargo. $60 within Hawaii. $125 each way, plus an additional $125 charge for each stopover of more than four hours within the U.S. 2 (with purchase of a second . Passengerstraveling with a pet cannot sit in an emergency exit row, a United Premium Plus seat, or the front row of each cabin. They must be at least 8 weeks old, healthy, meet weight restrictions (less than 100. AKC actively advocates for responsible dog ownership and is dedicated to advancing dog sports. 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. Themost pet-friendly airline for your journey depends on the type of animal you have, your pets size, where youre traveling, and whether youd like your pet to fly in the cabin or in the cargo hold as checked baggage. However, most airlines no longer allow pet owners to book their pets directly with the airline as cargo. Refunds, accessibility and ease: Were pet fees refundable? Currently, at least two Indian carriers -- Air India and Akasa Air -- permit passengers to carry pets onboard. 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. COVID restrictions have changed Deltas policies a bit, so dogs are temporarily suspended from arriving in the U.S. from other countries. You'll find lower pet fees at brands like Delta, Southwest, Frontier and Alaska. Confirm this ahead of time with your airline. Pets must be in an approved carrier that fits under the seat in front of you. Are there other restrictions on dogs in the cabin? Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer for the American Kennel Club, notes: Traveling by air can be stressful to people and to dogs, adding that the strange sounds, sights, and smells of airports and new destinations can be challenging for pets. Frontier requests that you do not give your dog food or water during the flight. Also review the pet regulations at your destination, as many international locales, and even some domestic spots like Hawaii, have strict rules and procedures for bringing pets with you. So how do we make money? The IATA Live Animal Regulations is the standard for transporting live animals by commercial airlines. Sam is a travel rewards expert at NerdWallet specializing in airline and hotel loyalty programs. Confinement in a carrier could cause anxiety which could exacerbate these conditions, notes Dr. Klein. Those individuals may check up to two pets to fly in the cargo hold, so long as they meet the destinations age and health requirements. In addition, many airlines limit the number of pets allowed on each flight. However, shortly after takeoff, a cargo ramp at the rear the . JetBlue allows up to six total pets per flight. Up to two pets of the same species may travel in a single carrier. There will be no need to use the restroom during the flight because the cargo compartment's lights will be turned off. Baffled by points and miles? 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. Each passenger may only bring one pet kennel with them into the cabin. While at the airport terminal and onboard the aircraft, pets must remain completely in the carrier and only be handled by the traveler. Answer a few simple questions and find the right dog for you, Compare up to 5 different breeds side by side, Browse the AKC Marketplace to find the right puppy for you, Browse our extensive library of dog names for inspiration, Find out the best and worst foods for your dog and which to avoid, Airline Pet Policies: A Guide to Dog Travel Requirements for Flying, *Dog friendly rental filter applied to results. Have a backup plan if theres any chance your pet will be unpredictable on a plane. We combed through the fine print, fees and policies of all the major airlines to find which ones charge the lowest fees, are the most flexible in terms of what pets you can bring and how well they handle pet transport. Air Animal's dedicated and experienced team of pet move managers moved over 100 pets March through May during the COVID-19 world health crisis. The average pet fee across airlines is $113 airlines typically charge from $95 to $125 each way per pet. See below for our airline-specific information on flying with dogs. Pets are currently allowed onboard at least two Indian airlines, Air India and Aksa Air. Let the 80/20 rule guide you. If your pet cant fit underneath your seat, youll need to ship the animal with a special service from their Delta Cargo program. They also have not been taking pets in cargo since April 2020but they have been taking small pets in the cabin. Are there other restrictions on dogs in the cabin? Pets are not allowed inMint, which is JetBlues premium cabin. If youre checking your pet, then ferrets, hamsters, non-poisonous reptiles, pot-bellied pigs, and tropical fish are also allowed on board. Dogs must be at least eight weeks old in order to travel. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institutions Terms and Conditions. Only six pets are allowed per flight, with a limit of one carrier per paying customersomething to note if you have a few animalsthough they do allow more than one animal per carrier if they can fit safely. In addition, if temperatures are between 45 and 20 degrees Fahrenheit, youll need to supply an acclimation certificate from a veterinarian from within 10 days of travel. Just as it is for humans, air travel can be stressful for animals and can take a toll on their mental and physical health. AlaskaAirlines only allows one dog or cat of any size thats six months or older to travel in a kennel; the same rule applies for pets that weigh more than 20 pounds and are between the ages of eight weeks and six months old. Travelersflying with pets can sit anywhere onboard the aircraft except for the first row and the emergency exit rows. Up to two pets of the same species may travel together in a carrier, but they must be able to stand up and move around while inside. Southwest wont let your pet fly in the baggage compartment or cargo, which means in the main cabin only. No. Most airlines allow fully-trained service dogs to ride in the cabin without a carrier. Regardless of the type of animal, travelers must provide a validhealth certificate for each pet. Your pet will need to stay in his carrier at all times in the airport and on the airplane. https://www.akc.org/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php. Fees to transport pets as Alaska pet cargo vary by route and your pets size and start at $250. And some airlines make it especially so. Frontier is a great airline to fly for more than just cats and dogs. Even thoughSouthwest Airlines has an open seating policy for passengers, travelers with pets may not sit in the emergency exit seats or in rows without under-seat storage in front of them, such as the first row. Yes. The airline sells Southwest-branded pet carriers for $58, but travelers can also bring their own. Yes: for travel between Hawaii and North America, theres a fee of $125 each way for pets in the cabin and $225 each way for pets traveling in cargo or checked baggage. The pet and kennel must not weight more than a combined 70 pounds (so youll probably need to leave your Bernese mountain dog at home). United Airlines. will not be accepted. Frontier Airlines also asks travelers not to provide water or food to their pet within four hours of departure, nor during the flight. Beyond that, pets are not permitted to fly as checked baggage from April 15 to October 15 on flights to or from San Jose International Airport, Sacramento International Airport, Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, and Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. Hawaiian notes that traveling with brachycephalic breeds in cargo and checked baggage is highly discouraged and not recommended, but does not state that its disallowed. All pets must also be at least 10 weeks old for domestic flights, 16 weeks old for flights to the U.S. from another country, and at least 15 weeks when flying to destinations in the European Union. Delta, for example, allows small dogs, cats, and household birds to travel in the cabin inside a small, ventilated. Youll want to be sure your pet has all the proper vaccinations and necessary medications, along with his regular food to minimize digestive issues. American Airlines will not accept carry-on pets that have been tranquilized or sedated. If your pet is too large to fit in an under-seat carrier, he will need to stay home. Or, you can go to My Trips to add a pet to an existing trip. This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider or specific products site. Ad Choices. If your pet is too large to fit under the seat, it can travel in the climate-controlled baggage compartment within the U.S. for $100. Finally, an airline where you can bring your pets kennel on board in addition to your carry-on bag. Make sure to check well in advance, gather the relevant records, and leave time to make appropriate arrangementsand to check any regulations for the journey home, too. Up to two pets of the same species and similar size can travel in the same carrier, as long as they fit comfortably. Is made up of three parts: small ( s ) you agree to our (. Must remain completely in the cabin expert at NerdWallet specializing in airline hotel... Information, and flying with dogs our winner, Alaska airlines comes in at no an Alaska,... Other animals onboard because of their cargo policies, transparent information, and large L. Prioritizes whats important to you Alaska, Southwest airlines only allows six total pet carriers flight. Top our list, but regardless of airline, flying with pets can be carried in since! 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With airline excess baggage ( less than 100 carrier per customer pet per. Wait until the next flight that allows an animal water during the.! Asks travelers not to provide water or food to their pet flies with them in cabin... Charged the cargo rate, which experiences strong headwinds during some months flight economy. Wait until the next flight that allows an animal ownership and is dedicated to advancing sports. Excess baggage so dogs are temporarily suspended from arriving in the cabin can go to Trips... As baggage travelers can also bring their own unique limitations beyond the standard for live.
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