A vacation with your pet is the best kind of vacation, and that may include taking to the air. Many airlines allow pets aboard their flights, and some are more pet friendly than others. Comparing the policies, requirements, and charges will allow you to make a good decision about this method of travel with your pet. To make that easy, we’ve compiled the pet policies and contact information for several airlines, so you can find the one that will work best for you.
Air Canada 888-247-2262
http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/airport/baggage/pets.html
Air Canada accepts only cats and dogs, and even they are no longer welcome in the passenger cabin. Arrangements for transportation of other types of pets can be made through Air Canada Cargo. For pets traveling as checked baggage within Canada and the United States passengers will be charged $105 each way. On international flights a fee of $270 each way will be charged. Temperature controlled and ventilated baggage compartments are only available on specific aircrafts. You must make a reservation for your pet on the same flight as you. To do so, call Air Canada Reservations at 888-247-2262. Reservations for pets must be made within 24 hours of ticket purchase. Pets will not be accepted at the airport without reservations. Please see Air Canada’s website for carrier requirements and additional information regarding black out days when animals are not permitted to travel.
AirTran Airlines 800-247-8726
http://192.216.212.230/policies/general_information.aspx#Animals
AirTran Airways allows small, domesticated cats, dogs, and birds on flight. Animals must remain inside their carrier stowed under your seat for the duration of the flight. An additional fee of $69 one way will be charged. Space for pets is limited. Check AirTran’s website for a full explanation of their pet policy, detailed information about kennels, travel to San Juan, and other restrictions.
Alaska Airlines 800-252-7522
http://www.alaskaair.com/as/www2/help/faqs/Traveling-With-Pets.asp
Alaska Airlines allows dogs, cats, rabbits, household birds and tropical fish to travel in the passenger cabin for an additional fee of $100. Pets must stay in a carrier for the duration of the flight and should be stowed under the seat during taxi, takeoff, and landing. Animals can also be checked for an additional fee of $100. Proof of rabies vaccination is required for animals traveling within Alaska or when traveling across state borders. Alaska Air does not permit pets on flights to Hawaii. Please see Alaska Air’s website for more information regarding approved carriers, health certificates, and restrictions on travel to Reno/Tahoe.
American Airlines 800- 433-7300
https://www.aacargo.com/shipping/animals.jhtml
American Airlines charges a fee of $150 for checked pets and $100 for pets traveling in the passenger cabin. Due to limited space for animals in the cabin, a reservation is required. Checked pets do not require a reservation and animals will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis. Passengers traveling with pets are required to check in at the ticket counter. A maximum of two checked pets per person is allowed. Pets are welcome on flights within the 48 contiguous United States, Alaska, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. Croix. When traveling from the U.S. to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean animals are welcome provided the country of arrival permits entry. Animals are not permitted to travel in the passenger cabin when flying to/from Hawaii, Central and South America or on Transatlantic/Transpacific flights. American Airlines does not require a health certificate for the acceptance of pets for travel in the cabin or as checked baggage within the United States.
Cape Air 800-352-0714
http://www.flycapeair.com/common/index.php?lng=ENG&div=GG&nav=GG&page=G03
Cape Air welcomes pets to travel with them. Only one pet (unless in the same family) can be transported at a time. Reservations must be made in advance. A $10 fee per pet each way will be charged. Kennels are required for travel to/from Boston, Providence, Fort Myers, San Juan, Saint Croix, Saint Thomas, and Tortola for dogs, and cats need to be crated at all times on all flights. Please see Cape Air’s website for more information regarding carrier specifications.
Continental Airlines 800-523-3273 or Dedicated 24-hour Live Animal Desk: 800-575-3335
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/travel/animals/default.aspx
Continental welcomes domesticated cats, dogs, pet rabbits, and birds to travel in the passenger cabin on most flights within the United States for a fee of $125 each way. Space is limited, so be sure to make a reservation for your pet shortly after your travel arrangements have been confirmed. Pets are not permitted to travel in the cabin on flights to/from Hawaii. Pets cannot be checked but may be shipped via cargo through Continental’s PetSafe program. Please, see Continental’s website regarding carrier requirements and for more information on the PetSafe program as well as for international travel.
Delta Airlines 800-221-1212
http://www.delta.com/planning_reservations/special_travel_needs/
pet_travel_information/index.jsp
Delta allows passengers to carry on small pets, i.e. dogs, cats, birds, ferrets, rabbits, hamsters, and guinea pigs, on most flights for an additional fee of $150 each way. This fee will be collected at check in. Passengers must check in at the ticket counter and should allow additional time. Pets are to remain in their carrier and stowed under the seat in front of you at all times. Pets cannot be checked as baggage between May 15 and September 15. Barring extreme weather, pets may be checked during other times of the year for an additional fee of $275 each way for flights within the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. A fee of $550 each way will be charged for other destinations. Please see Delta’s website regarding carrier specifications and other restrictions.
Frontier Airlines 800-432-1359
http://www.frontierairlines.com/frontier/plan-book/travel-info-services/family-pets/
traveling-with-pets.do
Frontier Airlines does not permit pets to travel in the passenger cabin. Pets may travel as checked baggage. A fee of $100 for small pet carriers and $200 for large containers will be charged at the time of check in. Please allow additional time for checking in. A health certificate is required for all pets and must be dated within 10 days of outbound travel. Please see Frontier’s website for more information regarding health certificate and vaccination requirements for international flight as well as carrier specifications and other restrictions.
Gulfstream Airlines 800-523-3273
http://www.gulfstreamair.com/
Gulfstream Airlines welcomes small pets that can be carried in a soft-sided carrier to travel in the passenger cabin. Pets must be stowed under the seat. Large animals are not permitted. Please call for more detailed information.
Hawaiian Airlines 800-367-5320
http://www.hawaiianair.com/Programs/Pages/PetTravelInformation.aspx?haid=1
Hawaiian Airlines permits small cats and dogs to fly in the passenger cabin on inter-island flights and flights leaving Hawaii. There is no fee for pets on inter-island flights. On flights leaving Hawaii a fee of $225 one way will be charged for pets carried on board. Only one animal per passenger is permitted. Pets must be kept inside of their carrier and stowed under the seat in front of you at all times. Passengers also have the option to check household birds, cats, and dogs, as long as the combined weight of your pet and their carrier does not exceed 70 lbs. The fee for this service is $60 each way for inter-island flights and $225 each way for all other flights. Reservations are required as space is limited. Please see Hawaiian Airlines’ website for further details on pets exceeding the 70 lb. weight restriction, quarantine requirements, and carrier specifications.
Horizon Air 800-252-7522
http://www.alaskaair.com/as/www2/help/faqs/Traveling-With-Pets.asp
Horizon Air welcomes passengers, 18 years and older, to carry on pets for an additional fee of $100 each way. Dogs, cats, rabbits, household birds, and tropical fish are allowed. Pets may be transported in this manner to/from Mexico and Canada. All pets crossing state borders must have a valid health certificate issued by a veterinarian within 30 days of travel. Small domesticated pets, such as cats, dogs, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, birds, non-poisonous reptiles, tropical fish, rabbits, and pot bellied pigs can be checked. Animals will be held in the climate controlled baggage and cargo compartments. An additional fee of $100 each way will be charged for pets and containers with a combined weight of 149 lbs. or less. Please check with Horizon Air regarding fees for pets and carriers that exceed this weight limit. Please make a reservation for your pet shortly after confirming your travel plans, and check in at least 1 hour prior to take off. See Horizon Air’s website for more information regarding carrier specifications, travel to Hawaii, breeders, and travel restrictions pertaining to weather.
Jet Blue 800-538-2583
http://www.jetblue.com/jetpaws/
Jet Blue welcomes cats and dogs to fly in the cabin on domestic and international flights. The combined weight of the pet and carrier must be 20 pounds or less and a fee of $100 each way per pet will be charged. The pet must remain inside the carrier and under the seat for the entire duration of the flight. Jet Blue does not permit animals to be checked as baggage or cargo. Reservations must be made shortly after confirming your travel arrangements. Please refer to Jet Blue’s website for more information regarding carrier guidelines.
Midwest 800-452-2022
http://www.midwestairlines.com/ProgramsAndServices/PetTravel.aspx
Midwest Airlines welcomes small domestic cats and dogs to travel in the passenger cabin. Pets must be in their carrier and under the seat for the duration of the flight. An additional fee of $100 each way will be charged. Check in at the ticket counter where you must present a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian. This certificate must include current vaccination records and should be dated within 10 days of travel. Larger pets may be checked and will fly in a temperature-controlled and pressurized pet compartment below the cockpit for an additional fee of $100 each way. This will not count against your checked baggage allowance. You must make a reservation for your pet. Midwest also offers a Premier Pet Program where you can earn rewards that can be used to pay for your pet’s travel fees on future flights. Please see Midwest’s website for more information about this program as well as carrier guidelines and other travel restrictions.
Northwest Airlines 800-225-2525
http://www.nwa.com/travel/animals/index.html
Northwest Airlines welcomes cats, dogs, and domesticated birds in the passenger cabin on flights within the United States, barring Hawaii, and on several international flights. A fee of $150 will apply for carry-on pets on domestic flights and flights between the United States, Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean. Please check in at the ticket counter to one to two hours prior to your flight to inform the airline you will be carrying on your pet. Domesticated animals such as dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, and gerbils may be checked on all flights within the United States and on flights between the United States and Canada. For other flights only cats and dogs are allowed to be checked. There is a fee of $275 each way for domestic flights. Fees for international flights vary. Reservations for pet travelers are necessary due to limited space for animals. Please refer to NWA’s website for international flight restrictions and fees, as well as carrier guidelines.
PetAirways 888-738-2479
http://www.petairways.com
PetAirways is happy to transports your pets, but you'll need to find your own flight! At this airline, pets fly in the main cabin on planes that have been converted to house the animals comfortably. Simply drop your pet off at the Pet Lounge and the staff will attend to them until you pick them up at your destination. PetAirways will even board your pet overnight if you are unable to pick them up the same day.
Spirit Airlines 800-772-7117
http://www.spiritair.com/Policiesspecialneeds.aspx#Pets
Spirit Airlines welcomes small domesticated dogs, cats, and birds to travel in the passenger cabin on flights within the 48 contiguous states. Dogs and cats are also welcome on flights to/from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. An additional fee of $100 each way will be charged per carrier. Passengers with pets must check-in at the ticket counter. Spirit Airlines does not allow animals to be checked as baggage or cargo. Reservations for pets are necessary. Please see Spirit’s website for more information regarding carrier guidelines and other restrictions.
Sun Country Airlines 800-359-6786
http://www.suncountry.com/hometools/helpBaggage.shtml#pets
Sun Country Airlines accepts cats and dogs to travel in the passenger cabin on flights within the 48 contiguous states. Pets must weigh 16 pounds or less and a fee of $75 each way will be charged. Only one pet carrier is permitted and will count against your carry-on baggage allowance. Sun Country does not accept pets on international flights or flights to/from Anchorage. Pets cannot be accepted as checked baggage or cargo. Be sure to make a reservation for your pet. Please see Sun Country’s website for further information regarding carrier guidelines.
United Airlines 800-241-6522
http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,51255,00.html
United Airlines welcomes dogs, cats, and small domesticated birds to travel in the passenger cabin on most flights. Pets must remain in their carrier and stowed under the seat in front of you for the duration of the flight. A fee of $125 per pet will be charged each way for flights with the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands. Passengers must check in at the ticket counter. Dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, hamsters, and guinea pigs will be accepted as checked baggage. The fee for this service is $250 each way. When transporting animals such as parrots, cockatiels, or ferrets, please contact United Cargo at 1-800-UA-Cargo. Reservations are necessary. Please see website for more information about fees for pets on international flights, carrier guidelines, and inclement weather restrictions.
USA 3000 877-872-3000
http://www.usa3000.com/pets.htm
USA 3000 accepts cats and dogs on domestic flights. Pets may travel in the passenger cabin for an additional fee of $75 per pet per segment. Animals are to remain in their carrier at all times and stowed under the seat for the duration of the flight. Pets may also be checked for an additional fee of $125 per pet per segment. All animals must have a health certificated which has been issued by a licensed veterinarian within 90 days of travel. Please make a reservation in advance. For more information regarding carrier specifications and other travel restrictions, please refer to USA3000’s website.
US Airways 800-428-4322
http://www.usairways.com/awa/content/traveltools/specialneeds/pets.aspx
US Airways welcomes small domestic dogs, cats, and birds to travel in the passenger cabin on most flights for an additional fee of $100 each way. Only dogs and cats are permitted on flights to/from Costa Rica and Mexico and carry-on pets are not permitted at all on transatlantic flights or flights to/from Hawaii and Barbados. Carry-on pets must remain inside their carrier and stowed in front of the seat in front of you for the duration of the flight. Pets can only be checked on nonstop flights between Boston, Washington, D.C., and New York. Reservations are required for pets and passengers must check in at the ticket counter. Please see U.S. Airways’ website for more information regarding carrier guidelines and fees for animals traveling in the baggage hold.
Virgin America 800-828-6822
http://virginamerica.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/virginamerica.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=88&p_created=1164400995&p_sid=nN1jkehj&p_accessibility=
0&p_redirect=&p_lva=43&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5P
Virgin America welcomes cats and dogs to travel as carry-on pets for an additional fee of $100 per segment. The combined weight of your pet and its carrier may not exceed 20 pounds. Carry-on pets count towards your baggage allowance and only one carrier per ticket is permitted. You must provide a health certificate provided by a licensed veterinarian within 30 days of travel. Virgin America does not transport animals either as checked baggage or cargo. Reservations are required. Please see website for more detail regarding carrier guidelines.
WestJet 888-937-8538
http://c5dsp.westjet.com/guest/travelTips.jsp;jsessionid=
yLhwJ2XKLcptWNVQw70LGhzyNVdmnHKQfdWJt92cJdKRNbJSZVnB!-1982997376#pets
West Jet welcomes small cats, dogs, rabbits and birds to travel in the passenger cabin for an additional fee of $50 each way. The combined weight of your pet and its carrier may not exceed 22 pounds. Most animals will need a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in order to travel with West Jet on cross border flights. Passengers must check-in at the ticket counter and should do so two hours before flight time. Pets, including dogs, cats, rabbits, hedgehogs, birds, guinea pigs, and chinchillas, may also be checked for an additional fee of $50 each way. The combined weight of your pet and carrier may not exceed 100 pounds. Please see the WestJet website for restrictions regarding travel to Hawaii and inclement weather as well as for more information about carrier specification and pet travel blackout periods.