5 Best Pet Friendly Airlines in U.S.A. (Explained)

A broad collection of famous U.S.A. airlines, such as Alaska, American, and Delta, offers pet-friendly travel. Moreover, these carriers charge affordable fees to the passengers, ranging from $95 to $135. However, most of these carriers follow strict pet-friendly guidelines.

In addition, it’s important to check the category of pets allowed in-cabin or in-cargo, policies on size dimensions, and medical documentation. This page presents the key information and ways to enhance pet travel in the United States.

5 Best Pet-Friendly Airlines in the U.S.A.

Above all, here is an overview of the top 5 pet-friendly carriers in the United States of America. 

The guide below presents airline-specific pet travel policies for better clarity.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines is one of the best airlines in the United States for pet travel. They allow the safe transportation of pets through the under-seat cabin or in the baggage compartment. 

First and foremost, the following are the guidelines and policies for In-Cabin Pet Transportation:

• Alaska Airlines allows only small dogs, house cats, and domesticated rabbits in the cabin.
• The cost of the pet travel is around $100 for a one-way trip. Also, for flights within the State of Hawaii, it costs $35. 
• However, passengers should make pet travel bookings a few days before the scheduled trip. 
• Alaska advises passengers to reserve pet bookings as early as possible because the airline accepts only limited bookings.
• Most importantly, the traveller must be 18 years or older to carry a pet in an under-seat carrier.
• Travellers can bring a pet carrier and a personal item or a standard-size carry-on bag in-flight.
• Also, airlines do not allow pet travellers to occupy emergency exit rows or bulkhead rows.
• In addition, the dogs and cats must be at least eight weeks old and should be taking solid food items. 
• Although passengers can stow up to two small-sized pets in one under-seat carrier.
• Equally important, Alaska doesn’t allow pets with strong odours or those that are extremely noisy. 
• Alaska doesn’t accept pet travel from certain regions or airports. This includes Europe, Japan, LHR, ICN, BZE, GUA, PPG, PPT, RAR, AKL, and SYD Airports. 
• The owners must ensure that their pets remain inside the carrier throughout the journey without disturbing fellow passengers. 

Secondly, below are protocols and other important guidelines of Alaska Airlines for pet travel in Baggage Compartments:

• Quite importantly, Alaska has a unique climate-controlled baggage compartment in its planes.
• Not only this, Alaska allows almost all domesticated pets to travel in this compartment. For instance, airlines permit pets such as cats, dogs, ferrets, guinea pigs, pot-bellied pigs, rabbits, and tropical fish.
• But the fees for such animals are $200 for one-way, which is slightly higher than cabin travel. 
• However, the pet and its kennel or carrier should not weigh more than 150 lbs. 
• Similar to cabin travel, airlines allow only a limited number of pets in the baggage compartment.
• Further, the pet should be 8 weeks old to be eligible for the compartment.
• Also, the flyers must have all the medical certificates issued by a licensed veterinarian for their pet.
• Travellers should also keep in mind that airlines allow only one grown pet in a single carrier.
• Likewise, passengers can carry only one kitten or puppy weighing up to 20 lbs in a single kennel.
• But passengers can place two small pets of comparable size and weighing 20 lbs or less in one kennel or carrier.
• Alaska doesn’t accept pet travel from certain regions or airports. This includes Europe, Japan, LHR, ICN, BZE, GUA, PPG, PPT, RAR, AKL, and SYD Airports. 

Along with these policies, Alaska also has definite dimensions for pet carriers as presented here: 

Indeed, the generous size dimensions as well as affordable pet travel fees make Alaska Airlines the traveller’s choice for pet travel. As a Reddit user said, ‘I flew in April and May with my 15lb dachshund on Alaska and had zero issues. No one asked anything about him outside the pet fee.’

Frontier Airlines

In spite of being a low-cost carrier, Frontier has been performing well in aspects of pet travel. The airline charges an economical fee from pet owners and allows a diverse number of animal species within the cabin. 

Additionally, Frontier Airlines only allows pets in the cabin. The section below provides all the significant information.

• For international flights, airlines allow only domesticated dogs and cats onboard.
• Whereas, for domestic flights within the United States. Passengers can carry pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and small household birds along with dogs and cats.
• Pet parents should remember that airlines allow only pets aged 8 weeks or older to travel for $99 each way.
• Owners should actively avoid reserving seats in row 1 or the exit row when travelling with pets.
• The pets should remain within the under-seat carriers or kennels throughout the flight.
• Owners cannot offer pets any food or beverages during the flight.
• Airlines do not allow pets with strong odours or noisy animals on board.
• Pet parents should also ensure that the container is big enough for the pet to turn around and sit comfortably.
• The carrier should also fit under the seat in front of the traveller.
• Moreover, Frontier allows only 1 adult dog or cat per container.
• Although Frontier doesn’t require health certificates of pet onboard. But passengers might need to present a valid certificate at the destination.
• Along with this, airlines accept service dogs and animals in the cabin.

Here are the size dimensions of the carrier eligible for Frontier Airlines flight.

All these factors have led Frontier Airlines to receive an affirmative response in pet travel. As a Reddit user wrote, “Highly recommend Frontier if you’re travelling with a cabin pet!”   

American Airlines

American Airlines is another airline that remains among the top pet-friendly carriers of the U.S.A. The major airline allows most pet categories to fly in the cabin within the U.S.A. However, for other international destinations, protocols are stricter, and American Airlines offers checked and cargo alternatives for pet travel. 

Here is an overview of American Airlines’ rules for pets travelling In-Cabin: 

• The airline allows only dogs and cats that are small enough to fit within the carrier approved by American Airlines. 
• The pets must be 8 weeks old for domestic flights and 6 months old for international flights.
• Passengers should make reservations online through the American Airlines official website under the Additional Services section.
• Secondly, the fees for carry-on pets are $150 per kennel. But for Canadian locations, the price ranges from Canadian $180 to Canadian $258.
• Most importantly, American Airlines accepts pets on flights across the U.S.A., Canada, Alaska, Mexico, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and St. Thomas.
• Whereas airlines might not allow carry-on pets on certain international destinations.
• Similar to other airlines, American has strict instructions that pets should remain within the carrier throughout the flight. 
• Owners can carry a purse containing essentials for their pets.
• Further, airlines do not allow pet parents to reserve exit row or bulkhead seats on any flight.
• Apart from this, airlines do not allow pets in First and Business Class seats on Boeing B777-200, B777-300ER, B787-8, and B787-9 aircraft.
• Likewise, airlines prohibit pets from traveling in Seat 13D of the Airbus A321NEO and Row 11 of the A321XLR.
• For the airplane, specific instructions, passengers can also visit the Travelling with Pets section of American Airlines. 

Similarly, American Airlines exclusively allows animals as checked pets in the carrier. But, pets of active members of the U.S. military and U.S. State Department Foreign Service are permitted to bring their pets. The fees for checked animals are $200 per kennel and $150 to and from Brazil. 

In addition, the following guidelines apply to pets transported through cargo:

• All the dogs are allowed for cargo travel, but they should be 8 weeks old for domestic flights and 6 months old for international travel. 
• Customers must pre-book the reservations for their pets.
• Also, the right size of kennel or carrier must be selected.
• Passengers must confirm the drop-off location and hours of the animals.
• Also, customers must attach some food to a bag at the top of the container.
• The pick-up location as well as hours must be clearly mentioned by the owners of the pet.
• However, the fees for cargo pets are not definite. It varies from one flight to another.

Below are the specific size dimensions eligible on American Airlines Flights: 

Delta Airlines

Delta Airlines allows travel of small pets such as dogs, cats, and birds inside the flight cabin. For larger pets, in-flight transportation isn’t allowed; they can only be shipped through cargo. Thus, all the important guidelines and travel protocols for dogs and cats are mentioned below.

First and foremost, pet parents should look for Delta’s In-Cabin Travel for domesticated animals: 

• All the pets must be 8 weeks of age for domestic flights.
• However, in the case of flights arriving in the U.S.A. from international destinations. The pet dogs must be 6 months old, and the pet cats should be at least 16 weeks old. 
• For voyages to the European Union, the minimum age of the domestic animal should be 15 weeks.
• Only 1 pet is allowed per kennel unless the unweaned litters are accompanying the parents and meet age eligibility.
• All the kennels must fit under the front seats.
• As mentioned above for other United States carriers, Delta doesn’t allow pet parents to reserve certain seats on board.
• These are Bulkhead, Emergency Exit, “No Stowage”, Flat-Bed, and Delta One Seats.
• Along with this, Rows 46-51 on the A330-200 aircraft. Also, Center seats on the B757-200 aircraft and Rows 54-59 on the A330-300 aircraft are prohibited for pet travel.
• Travel across the U.S./Canada/Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands will cost $150.
• For international travel, prices go up to $200 for Brazilian locations, price remains the same. 

Here is an overview of the Cargo Shipments of Pets: 

• Besides, Delta allows shipments of animals owned by active U.S. Military or U.S. State Department Foreign Service Office members. 
• To make reservations, customers should contact 1-800-352-2746. 
• Nevertheless, booking cannot be made only 14 days before the date of travel.
• Owners must reach the airport to drop their pets 2.5 hours before the domestic flights and 4 hours before international ones. 
• However, all the pets must have certificates issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian. 
• In case of extreme weather conditions, Delta Airlines potentially cancels Cargo shipments.

Additionally, Delta Airlines states that kennels must be ventilated from 3 sides for domestic travel and 4 sides for international travel. To be precise, the following are the acceptable sizes:

Delta follows the size dimensions proposed by IATA for pets shipped via cargo. 

JetBlue Airways

After Alaska Airlines, JetBlue is the top U.S. carrier that supports passengers travelling with pets. Through its JetPaws program, the airline not only makes the shipment of animals convenient but also rewards the travellers. Although JetBlue allows pets solely in the cabins. 

Thus, all the important guidelines are given below for flyer support: 

• Above all, JetBlue permits only small dogs as well as cats on board.
• The passengers below 18 years of age, i.e., unaccompanied minors, cannot carry a pet.
• Also, pets must remain within the carriers of the correct size that can fit under the seat.
• Only 1 pet per carrier is allowed.
• However, a passenger can carry 2 pets each, which must be kept in separate carriers, and individual seats must be booked. 
• But, travellers are advised to reserve their seats and add the JetPaws service to the itinerary as early as possible. Only 6 pets are allowed per flight.
• JetBlue doesn’t allow pet parents to sit in the bulkhead, exit row and “no stowage” seats. 
• Therefore, flyers can prefer window and aisle seats for the best experience. 
• Flyers must also carry all the vaccination and latest health certificates of the furry friends.
• Even ID Tags and pet licenses must be kept.
• Most importantly, unlike other airlines, JetBlue encourages pet parents to feed their pets with treats and chews.
• The favourite toy of the animals can also be kept in the carrier for enhanced comfort.
• Another significant factor is that JetBlue charges $150 for one-way travel.
• Although the fees or extra seats can be purchased using the TruBlue points as well.

The dimensions of the JetBlue-approved pet carrier are as follows: 

Things to Remember when Travelling with Pets on U.S. Airlines

For enhanced clarity, below are some of the important items that must be packed when travelling with pets. 

Medical Documents: Most of the U.S. airlines require health certificates, such as vaccination records for their pets. Especially for passengers hailing from disease-prone regions.

ID Tags: Secondly, owners should put a personalized ID tag on their pet’s carrier. This increases the overall safety of the pets.

Pee Pads: Owners must put some pee pads at the bottom of the carriers for the animal’s comfort during the flight.

Leash: Although pets are supposed to be inside the carrier throughout the flight, the leash would still be required after the journey.

Pet-Friendly Toys: Additionally, owners must carry the most favourite toys of the pets and place them in their carriers. This offers emotional support to pets during the flight. 

Conclusion

There are some of the best carriers of the United States of America that allow in-cabin, checked or cargo pet travel. Moreover, these airlines charge reasonable prices for welcoming domesticated animals to their aircraft. Hence, on this page, all the information regarding such pet-friendly airlines is highlighted.

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