Flying With a Dog: The Complete Guide

Flying with a dog is very doable in the USA, but only if you plan around the airline’s rules rather than your own schedule. Most US airlines carry small dogs in the cabin for a fee, a few still fly larger dogs in the hold, and several budget carriers don’t carry pets below deck at all. Add heat embargoes, breed restrictions, TSA screening and state health rules, and there’s a lot to get right. This guide covers the three ways a dog can fly, compares the pet policies of the major US airlines side by side, and walks you through carriers, paperwork, security and the day of the flight. We checked the airline fees and rules in this guide against each airline’s own website in September 2026, but pet policies change often, so always confirm with your airline when you book.

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Flying with a dog: in-cabin, checked or cargo?

There are three ways a pet dog can travel by air, and your dog’s size decides most of the choice for you. The option you want — and the one most airlines now steer owners toward — is the cabin. The other two exist, but they are far more limited than they used to be.

In the cabin

An in-cabin dog travels in a carrier that fits under the seat in front of you. It stays in that carrier, zipped or latched, from the gate until you leave the plane. You pay a pet fee each way, and the carrier usually takes the place of your carry-on bag or personal item. In practice this means small dogs only: most airlines publish a maximum carrier size, and your dog must be able to stand and turn around inside it.

For a dog that fits, the cabin is the best option: your dog stays with you and you can keep an eye on it the whole way.

As a checked pet

A checked pet flies in a crate in a temperature-controlled part of the hold on the same flight as its owner. You drop it off at the airport and collect it at the other end. This used to be the standard way to fly a medium or large dog, but most of the big US airlines have ended or narrowed it. American Airlines, for example, now accepts checked pets only for active-duty US military and US State Department Foreign Service personnel. Alaska Airlines is one of the few major carriers that still takes pets in its baggage compartment for the general public.

As cargo

Cargo shipping sends your dog through the airline’s freight division, sometimes on a different flight from yours. It usually costs more, needs more paperwork and has strict crate, breed and temperature rules. Delta, for instance, says that until further notice it only ships pets for active US military or State Department Foreign Service staff traveling on permanent change of station orders. American offers its cargo service, American PetEmbark, for pets that don’t qualify to fly in the cabin or as checked pets.

Southwest, Frontier, Spirit and Allegiant say they don’t carry pets in the hold at all. If your dog is too big for an under-seat carrier, check which airlines on your route offer a hold option first.

US airline pet policies compared (2026)

The table below summarizes what each airline publishes on its official pet pages as of September 2026. Fees are each way. Carrier sizes are the maximum the airline lists; the under-seat space on your particular aircraft may be smaller. Where we couldn’t confirm a figure on the airline’s own site, we’ve said so rather than guessed.

Airline	In-cabin fee (each way)	Carrier and age rules	Pets per passenger / flight	Checked or cargo	Key restrictions
Delta	$150 within the US, Canada, Puerto Rico and USVI (tickets issued on or after April 8, 2025); $200 international	Soft-sided kennel up to 18 x 11 x 11 in; leak-proof, ventilated on 3 sides for domestic travel; at least 8 weeks old for domestic flights	1 pet per kennel (limited exceptions for young pets); first-come, first-served limit per flight	Cargo only for active US military and State Department Foreign Service staff on PCS orders, until further notice	No pet travel on flights to Hawaii; snub-nosed breeds not accepted for shipping; no shipping above 80°F or below 20°F
American	$150 per kennel	Soft-sided carrier up to 18 x 11 x 11 in recommended; hard-sided up to 19 x 13 x 9 in (mainline) or 16 x 12 x 8 in (regional); at least 8 weeks old	1 pet per carrier; per-flight limit varies by aircraft	Checked pets only for active-duty military and Foreign Service ($200 per kennel); others via American PetEmbark cargo	No carry-on pets to Hawaii or on trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific trips; snub-nosed dogs not accepted as checked pets; heat and cold limits for non-cabin pets
Alaska and Hawaiian	$100 per carrier; $35 for travel wholly within Hawaii	Soft-sided carrier up to 17 x 11 x 9.5 in	Limits apply; check when booking	Baggage compartment: $200 per kennel; dog and kennel up to 150 lb combined	Short-nosed dogs not allowed in the baggage compartment; hold travel often stopped above 85°F or below 45°F
Southwest	$125 per carrier; $35 between the Hawaiian Islands	Carrier stowed under the seat (soft-sided recommended); at least 8 weeks old	1 carrier per ticketed customer; up to 2 small pets of the same species per carrier	No pets in the cargo compartment	Domestic flights only; unaccompanied minors can’t travel with a pet
JetBlue	Fee applies, paid when you book (amount not shown on the pages we could read)	Carrier up to 17 x 12.5 x 8.5 in; small dogs and cats only	Up to 2 pets per traveler, each in its own carrier, with a second seat and fee for the second pet; contract caps in-cabin pets at 6 per flight	No hold option described on its pet page	No exit row, bulkhead or Mint seats; extra documentation for international destinations
Frontier	$149 per pet	Hard-sided up to 18 x 14 x 8 in or soft-sided up to 18 x 14 x 11 in; at least 8 weeks old	1 pet per passenger; 1 adult dog or cat per carrier	No cargo, no checked pets	US flights only; no seats in row one or exit rows
Spirit	Fee applies (see Spirit’s optional services page)	Carrier up to 18 x 14 x 9 in; pet and carrier up to 40 lb combined; at least 8 weeks old	1 carrier per guest, up to 2 pets per carrier; 6 carriers per flight	No cargo, no checked pets	No pets on international flights
Allegiant	$50 per carrier, per one-way flight	Soft-sided up to 18 x 12 x 11 in or hard-sided up to 17 x 11 x 10.5 in; at least 8 weeks old	2 pets may share 1 carrier if both fit comfortably	No pets in the cargo area	Cats and dogs only, on flights within the 48 contiguous states

What about United and Sun Country? Their official pet pages didn’t load for our fact-checkers in September 2026, so we haven’t listed any figures we couldn’t confirm. Check United’s pet travel page and Sun Country’s help center directly before you book.

Delta

Delta’s pet travel overview sets the in-cabin fee at $150 each way within the US, Canada, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands for tickets issued on or after April 8, 2025, and $200 for international trips. Your dog must travel in a soft-sided kennel no larger than 18 x 11 x 11 inches, leak-proof and ventilated on three sides for domestic flights. It must be able to move around without touching or sticking out of the sides. Dogs must be at least eight weeks old for domestic travel.

Delta takes in-cabin pets on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limit on each flight. Pets aren’t allowed in its Delta One or business class cabins, and in Delta First only on domestic cabins without flat-bed seats. Its pet page says pet travel isn’t allowed on flights to Hawaii. For larger dogs, Delta’s shipping page says Delta Cargo is currently only accepting pets for active military and Foreign Service staff with permanent change of station orders — so for most families, a dog that doesn’t fit under the seat can’t fly Delta.

American Airlines

American’s pet policy charges $150 per kennel for carry-on pets. It recommends a soft-sided carrier no larger than 18 x 11 x 11 inches, and lists hard-sided limits of 19 x 13 x 9 inches on mainline flights and 16 x 12 x 8 inches on regional (American Eagle) flights. Pets must be at least eight weeks old. With a pet, you can bring only one other item on board — a personal item or a carry-on bag, not both.

Carry-on pets are accepted within the 48 contiguous states and to Alaska, Puerto Rico, St. Croix and St. Thomas, as well as Canada and Mexico. They aren’t accepted to Hawaii or on trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific trips. Checked pets are limited to active-duty military and Foreign Service personnel, and larger pets that don’t qualify can travel through American PetEmbark cargo.

Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines

Alaska and Hawaiian now share a single pet policy, with fees from $100 to $200 each way per carrier or kennel, depending on the route and type of travel. According to Alaska’s August 2026 pet travel update, small dogs fly in the cabin for $100 per carrier each way, or $35 when the trip is wholly within Hawaii. In-cabin dogs must fit in a soft-sided carrier no larger than 17 x 11 x 9.5 inches.

Alaska is one of the few major US airlines that still flies larger dogs in its climate-controlled baggage compartment for regular passengers. The fee is $200 each way per kennel, and a dog and kennel can weigh up to 150 pounds combined. The kennel must let your dog stand fully, turn around and lie down. Short-nosed breeds can’t fly in the baggage compartment, and the airline says pets often can’t fly in the hold when it’s hotter than 85°F or cooler than 45°F in the departure or destination city.

Southwest

Southwest’s pet policy accepts small, vaccinated dogs and cats in the cabin on domestic flights only. Each ticketed customer can bring one carrier, and each carrier can hold up to two small cats or dogs of the same species. Pets must be at least eight weeks old. Southwest’s fee page lists the pet fare at $125 per carrier each way on the US mainland and $35 between the Hawaiian Islands.

Southwest doesn’t carry pets in the cargo compartment, and it recommends a soft-sided carrier because under-seat space varies by seat. A pet that behaves disruptively — constant barking, scratching, growling or accidents — may be denied boarding.

JetBlue

JetBlue’s pet page allows small dogs and cats in the cabin in a carrier no larger than 17 x 12.5 x 8.5 inches. You can bring up to two pets, each in its own carrier, but the second pet needs a second seat and a second pet fee. Customers with pets can’t sit in an exit row, a bulkhead seat, a Mint seat or any seat without under-seat storage.

JetBlue’s contract of carriage says a pet fee applies and must be paid when you book, and caps in-cabin pets at six per flight. We couldn’t confirm the current fee amount on the pages we were able to read, so check it at booking.

Frontier

Frontier’s optional services page lists the in-cabin pet fee at $149 per pet, per direction. Its pet FAQ allows one pet per passenger, with one adult dog or cat per carrier. Hard-sided carriers can be up to 18 x 14 x 8 inches and soft-sided carriers up to 18 x 14 x 11 inches. Pets must be at least eight weeks old.

Pets fly on Frontier’s US flights only — only service dogs are allowed on its international flights — and the airline doesn’t carry pets in the hold or as checked baggage. You can’t sit in row one or an exit row with a pet.

Spirit

Spirit’s pet policy allows a carrier up to 18 x 14 x 9 inches, and the pet and carrier together can’t weigh more than 40 pounds. Up to two pets can share one carrier, each guest can bring one carrier, and there’s a maximum of six pet carriers on each domestic flight. Pets should be at least eight weeks old and fully weaned.

Spirit doesn’t carry pets on international flights, and it doesn’t accept animals as cargo or checked baggage. A pet fee applies; Spirit’s fee is listed on its optional services page, which we couldn’t load, so confirm it when you book.

Allegiant

Allegiant’s contract of carriage sets a non-refundable $50 fee per pet carrier on each one-way flight. Soft-sided carriers can be up to 18 x 12 x 11 inches and hard-sided carriers up to 17 x 11 x 10.5 inches. Two pets can share a carrier if both fit comfortably, and all animals must be at least eight weeks old.

Allegiant takes only cats and dogs, in the cabin only, on flights within the 48 contiguous states, according to its fee page.

Is your dog ready to fly?

Before you compare fares, ask whether flying is right for your dog. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recommends talking to your veterinarian before any air trip, and that’s the best first step. Four things matter most.

Size. If your dog can’t stand, turn around and lie down in a carrier that fits the airline’s limits, the cabin is out. For most owners of medium and large dogs, that leaves Alaska’s baggage compartment, cargo where it’s offered, or driving.
Age. Delta, American, Southwest, Frontier, Spirit and Allegiant all require dogs to be at least eight weeks old. The AVMA notes that federal rules also require puppies to be weaned for at least five days before flying.
Health. Dogs with heart or breathing problems, and short-nosed breeds, face more risk in the air. Your vet can tell you whether a flight is sensible.
Temperament. A dog that panics in a carrier or barks nonstop will have a hard flight — and airlines like Southwest say disruptive pets may be denied boarding. Carrier training (below) helps a lot.

Short-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds

Short-nosed dogs face special risks in the air. The AVMA’s guide to air travel and short-nosed dogs explains that breeds like pugs, Boston terriers, boxers, some mastiffs, Pekingese, Lhasa apsos, shih tzus and bulldogs have narrowed airways. When they’re stressed or overheated, their airway can partly or fully collapse. The AVMA notes that, over one five-year period of US Department of Transportation data, about half of the 122 dog deaths linked to airline flights involved short-nosed breeds.

That’s why airlines restrict them. American doesn’t accept snub-nosed dogs of any mix as checked pets, Delta doesn’t accept them for shipping, and Alaska doesn’t allow them in its baggage compartment. If a small short-nosed dog meets an airline’s carrier rules, the AVMA suggests asking to keep it in the cabin rather than the hold.

If you have a flat-faced breed, the AVMA suggests seeing your vet shortly before the trip, avoiding sedatives and choosing cooler flight times.

Heat and cold embargoes

Temperature rules mainly affect dogs flying in the hold, where waiting on a hot tarmac is the biggest risk. Each airline sets its own limits, and they differ:

American: non-cabin pets can’t fly if it’s above 85°F or below 45°F anywhere on the itinerary, and they can’t fly to, through or from Phoenix, Tucson, Las Vegas or Palm Springs from May 1 to September 30.
Delta: it doesn’t ship pets when the temperature is above 80°F or below 20°F while the animal is on the ground at any point in the trip.
Alaska and Hawaiian: pets often can’t fly in the hold when it’s hotter than 85°F or cooler than 45°F in the departure or destination city.

American’s rule covers forecast temperatures, so a summer booking can be refused on the day. If your dog must fly in the hold, the AVMA suggests nonstop flights early in the morning or in the evening during warm months, and afternoon flights in cold weather. In-cabin dogs aren’t covered by these hold rules, but a hot parking lot, curbside wait or delayed jet bridge can still be dangerous — our guide to traveling with a dog in hot weather covers the warning signs.

How to book a flight with your dog

Book your dog as early as you book yourself. Airlines cap the number of pets on each flight, and spots go on a first-come, first-served basis. A few booking tips:

Add the pet to your reservation and pay the pet fee when the airline requires it.
Choose nonstop flights where you can. Fewer connections mean less time in the carrier and fewer chances for a missed connection.
Check your aircraft and cabin. Some seats have no under-seat space. Delta doesn’t take pets in Delta One or business class, and American doesn’t allow them in First and Business on many aircraft because there’s no under-seat space.
Avoid restricted seats. Exit rows and bulkheads are off-limits on most airlines, including JetBlue and Frontier.

How to pick a carrier and practice with it

The carrier is the most important piece of kit when flying with a dog. Pick one that meets your airline’s size rules, then spend weeks getting your dog comfortable in it.

Choosing the right carrier

Soft-sided beats hard-sided for the cabin. Delta requires a soft-sided kennel, Alaska requires soft-sided for the cabin, and American and Southwest recommend one because a soft carrier squashes to fit under-seat space.
Use the smallest limit on your itinerary. Carrier limits differ by airline — for example, 17 x 11 x 9.5 inches on Alaska and 18 x 14 x 11 inches (soft-sided) on Frontier. If you’re flying more than one airline, size to the strictest limit.
Your dog must fit comfortably. Airlines and the AVMA agree that your dog should be able to stand, turn around and lie down without touching or poking out of the sides.
Look for good ventilation and a leak-proof base. Delta requires ventilation on three sides for domestic flights. An absorbent pad in the bottom helps with accidents.
Label it. Put your name, phone number and destination on the carrier, and keep an ID tag on your dog’s collar or harness.

Carrier training, step by step

Start at least a few weeks before your trip, so your dog sees the carrier as a safe, calm place.

Leave it out at home with the door open, a familiar blanket inside and treats tossed in. Let your dog explore on its own.
Feed meals in or next to the carrier so it becomes a good place to be.
Close the door for short spells — a minute, then five, then longer — while you stay nearby. Open it only when your dog is calm.
Practice under a chair or desk to mimic the space under an airplane seat.
Go on short car rides with your dog in the carrier, building up to an hour or more.

What about sedation?

Don’t sedate your dog for a flight unless your own vet advises it. The AVMA says tranquilizers and sedatives can increase the risk of heart and breathing problems and generally aren’t allowed by airlines. Good carrier training and plenty of exercise before the flight are safer ways to help your dog settle.

Health certificates and paperwork

Paperwork depends on where you’re flying and which airline you use. Keep your dog’s rabies certificate and vaccination records with you on every trip, on paper or on your phone.

Flights between states

According to USDA APHIS, rules for pets moving within the US are set by the receiving state or territory. Your destination may require a health certificate, updated vaccinations, diagnostic testing or treatments. APHIS keeps a list of each state’s rules. Your airline may have its own requirements too, and the AVMA advises seeing your vet within 10 days before an interstate trip if you need a health certificate. Check both before you fly.

Flying to Hawaii

Hawaii is different. The state is rabies-free, and the Hawaii Department of Agriculture’s animal quarantine program requires dogs to meet strict rules or face up to 120 days of quarantine. Dogs that qualify for the “5 Day or Less” program, or for direct release at the airport, need a microchip, two rabies vaccinations and a passing FAVN rabies blood test, followed by waiting periods before arrival. Fees apply, and they’re higher if your paperwork arrives late.

Start months ahead, and check the airline too. Delta says pet travel isn’t allowed on flights to Hawaii, and American doesn’t take carry-on pets there, although it accepts checked pets to Hawaii via Honolulu for eligible passengers. Alaska and Hawaiian carry pets on flights within Hawaii for a reduced fee, and Southwest carries in-cabin pets between the Hawaiian Islands.

Coming home from abroad

If your dog leaves the country — even on a short trip to Canada or Mexico — plan for the return flight. Under the CDC’s dog import rules, what’s needed depends on where your dog was vaccinated and which countries it has been in during the past six months. The rules apply to US dogs coming home, too.

Rabies-free or low-risk countries only: the CDC says your dog must be at least six months old, have a microchip that a universal scanner can read, appear healthy on arrival and have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt.
A high-risk country in the past six months: requirements are stricter. For US-vaccinated dogs, the microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccine, and you’ll need a Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form, completed by a USDA-accredited vet and endorsed by USDA, before you leave.

The CDC won’t let a dog in if it hasn’t been vaccinated against rabies and has been in a high-risk country in the past six months. Use the CDC’s Dog Importation Navigator to see exactly which rules apply before you book.

Service animals and emotional support animals

Service dogs follow different rules from pets. Under the Department of Transportation’s service animal rules, a service animal is a dog, of any breed or type, that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. Trained service animals fly in the cabin and don’t pay pet fees — Alaska, for example, says they travel free.

The DOT’s final rule, announced in December 2020, lets airlines:

ask for DOT forms about the dog’s health, behavior and training, plus a relief form for flights of eight hours or more;
ask for those forms up to 48 hours in advance;
limit each passenger to two service animals;
require the dog to fit in its handler’s foot space; and
require the dog to be harnessed, leashed or tethered at all times in the airport and on the plane.

Airlines can’t refuse a service dog based on breed alone, and psychiatric service dogs must be treated the same as other service dogs.

Emotional support animals are not service animals under the rule. Airlines may treat them as pets, which means pet fees, carrier size limits and per-flight caps apply. If your emotional support dog is too big for an under-seat carrier, you’ll face the same limited options as any other large dog.

Getting through TSA security with a dog

Your dog goes through the checkpoint with you, but it never goes through the X-ray machine. TSA’s guidance is simple:

Take your dog out of the carrier just before screening begins.
Put the empty carrier on the belt to be X-rayed. Never put your dog in the X-ray tunnel.
Carry your dog through the metal detector, or walk it through on a leash. TSA asks you to take the leash off if you carry your dog through the metal detector.
An officer may swab your hands to check for explosive residue.
Once you’re through, put your dog back in the carrier at the recomposure area, away from the checkpoint.

A snug harness is safer than a collar for this step, because a nervous dog can slip a collar in a busy terminal. If your dog is likely to bolt, tell the officer before you start.

Day-of-flight checklist

A calm travel day starts the night before. Use this checklist when flying with a dog, and see our full list of what to pack for a dog-friendly vacation for the rest of the trip.

Documents: booking confirmation showing your dog, rabies certificate, vaccination records, any health certificate your destination or airline needs, and for international returns your CDC Dog Import Form receipt.
Carrier: the right size for your airline, labeled with your contact details, with an absorbent pad inside and a spare in your bag.
ID: collar or harness with ID tags, and a microchip registered with your current phone number. The AVMA suggests carrying a recent photo of your dog too.
Leash and harness for security and relief areas.
Food and water: a collapsible bowl, a small amount of food and treats. Ask your vet about when to feed before the flight.
Clean-up kit: poop bags, wipes, paper towels and a zip-top bag for soiled pads.
Exercise: a long walk before you leave for the airport helps your dog rest on the plane.
Timing: arrive early. Ask your airline whether you need to check in at the counter with your dog, and leave time for security and a last relief break.

Before you go, check your departure and arrival airports’ websites for the location of their pet relief areas, and whether any are inside security.

On the plane and after you land

Keep your dog in its carrier, under the seat in front of you, for the whole flight. Airlines expect this, and Southwest spells out that pets must be fully inside the carrier, head and tail included, at the gate, during boarding and throughout the flight. Don’t open the carrier to let your dog sit on your lap.

Speak calmly, and if your dog pants heavily or seems distressed, tell a flight attendant.

After landing, head for a relief area before baggage claim, offer water and give your dog time to decompress. If you’re staying in a hotel, our guide to dog-friendly hotels in the USA compares pet fees and weight limits at the major chains.

When driving makes more sense

For many families, especially with a medium or large dog, driving is simply easier than flying. You avoid carrier limits, embargoes and hold travel, and your dog stays with you the whole way. Our road trip tips for traveling with a dog cover restraints, rest stops and heat safety, and our ultimate guide to dog-friendly travel in the USA compares flying, trains and road trips. For trip ideas that work by car or plane, see our guide to dog-friendly vacations in the USA.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to fly with a dog in the cabin?

It depends on the airline. At the time of writing, the in-cabin pet fee each way is $150 on Delta (within the US) and American, $149 on Frontier, $125 on Southwest, $100 on Alaska and Hawaiian, and $50 on Allegiant. Some airlines charge less within Hawaii. Fees change often, so confirm when you book.

Can a large dog fly in the cabin?

Not as a pet. In-cabin pets must fit in a carrier under the seat in front of you, which in practice means small dogs only. Larger dogs can only fly in the hold on airlines that still offer it, such as Alaska’s baggage compartment, or with a cargo service where available. Trained service dogs are different and can fly in the cabin if they fit in their handler’s foot space.

Which airlines don’t carry pets in the hold?

Southwest, Frontier, Spirit and Allegiant say they don’t carry pets in the cargo hold. Delta ships pets only for active US military and State Department Foreign Service staff on relocation orders, and American accepts checked pets only for those same groups, with other larger pets going through its cargo service.

Does my dog need a health certificate to fly?

Sometimes. For trips within the US, USDA APHIS says the destination state or territory sets the rules, which may include a health certificate, vaccinations or testing. Your airline may have its own requirements, Hawaii has strict quarantine rules, and dogs returning from abroad must meet CDC import rules. Always carry your dog’s rabies certificate.

Does my dog go through the X-ray at airport security?

No. TSA asks you to take your dog out of its carrier and send the empty carrier through the X-ray machine. You carry your dog through the metal detector, or walk it through on a leash, and an officer may swab your hands for explosive residue.

Can emotional support animals still fly free?

No. Under the Department of Transportation’s rule, emotional support animals are no longer considered service animals, so airlines may treat them as pets. That means pet fees, carrier rules and per-flight limits apply. Only dogs individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability count as service animals.

Flying with a dog takes more planning than most trips, but for a small, well-prepared dog it can be the quickest and calmest way to get where you’re going. Pick the airline whose rules fit your dog, book early, practice with the carrier and double-check the paperwork. Then enjoy the trip — and find your next destination in our dog-friendly places hub.

Last reviewed: September 2026. Compiled from the official pet pages of Delta, American Airlines, Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest, JetBlue, Frontier, Spirit and Allegiant; TSA; the U.S. Department of Transportation; the CDC; USDA APHIS; the Hawaii Department of Agriculture; and the AVMA. Airline pet fees and rules change often — confirm anything time-sensitive before you travel.