Travel

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, but 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 ) allows one cat or small dogs to fly with you in the passenger cabin, as long as they are small enough to fit and stay comfortably in their carrier under the seat in front of you. The fee is $50 for flights within Canada, or between the US and Canada. For other flights the fee is $100 each way. Passengers my travel with one cat or dog (up to 70 lbs pet and carrier combined) in the baggage compartment. The fee for pets traveling in the baggage compartment is from $105 each way. Arrangements for transportation of other types of pets can be made through Air Canada Cargo . A limited number of pets are allowed on each flight and pets will not be accepted at the airport without reservations. Please see Air Canada’s website  for a full explanation of their pet policy with detailed information about carrier requirements, black out days and required documentation.

Air Canada does not charge a fee to book your ticket by telephone. If you choose to make your reservation online, first call the airline to confirm there is space for your pet on the flight. Your pet must be added to your reservation within 24 hours by calling  Air Canada Reservations.

AirTran Airlines (800-247-8726 ) allows small cats and dogs to fly with you in the passenger cabin. Pets must remain inside their carrier, stowed under the seat for the duration of the flight. An additional fee of $95 one way will be charged. A limited number of pets are allowed on each flight, so advance reservations must be made. Please see AirTran’s website for a full explanation of their pet policy with detailed information about carrier requirements, required documentation, and other restrictions.

AirTran charges a $15 fee to book your ticket by telephone. To avoid the fee, call the airline to confirm there is space for your pet on the flight, purchase your ticket on-line, and then quickly call back to add your pet to your reservation.

Alaska Airlines (800-252-7522 ) allows dogs, cats, rabbits, and household birds to travel in the passenger cabin for an additional fee of $100 each way. Pets must remain in a carrier for the duration of the flight and should be stowed under the seat during taxi, takeoff, and landing. Other pets, (up to 150 lbs pet and carrier combined) including cats, dogs, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, household birds, non-poisonous reptiles, pot bellied pigs, rabbits, and tropical fish are allowed to fly in the climate-controlled baggage and cargo compartments. The fee for pets traveling in the baggage compartment is $100 each way. Space for pets is limited, so advance reservations must be made. Please see Alaska Airline’s website for a full explanation of their pet policy, including  required documentation, detailed information about carrier requirements, and black out days.

Alaska Airlines charges a $15 fee to book your ticket by telephone. To avoid the fee, call the airline to confirm there is space for your pet on the flight, purchase your ticket on-line, and then quickly call back to add your pet to your reservation.

Allegiant Air (702-505-8888) allows cats and dogs in the passenger cabin for a fee of $100 each way. Pets must remain in a carrier for the duration of the flight and should be stowed under the seat at all times. There is no limit on the number of pets allowed per flight. Please see the Allegiant Air website for a full explanation of their pet policy, including carrier requirements.

Allegiant Air charges a $15 per-segment fee to book your ticket by telephone. However, because they require you to call and book your flight when traveling with a pet, this fee will be waived.

American Airlines ( 800-433-7300) allows small small dogs and cats to fly in the passenger cabin for an additional fee of $125 each way for flights. Pets must remain in their carrier for the duration of the flight. Reservations are required, as limited number of animals are permitted in the cabin. Animals are not allowed in the cabin on flights to/from Hawaii, on Transatlantic/Transpacific flights and on some flights to Central and South America. Larger dogs and cats (up to 100 lbs pet and carrier combined) are allowed to fly in the baggage compartment, and are accepted on a first-come, first served basis. The charge for pets flying in the baggage compartment is $175 and a maximum of two checked pets per person is allowed. Arrangements for transportation of larger pets, other types of pets, or pets traveling alone can be made through AA Cargo . Please see American Airline’s website for a full explanation of their pet policy, including required documentation, destination specific restrictions, detailed information about carrier requirements, temperature restrictions, and age and health requirements.

Alaska Airlines charges a $25 fee to book your ticket by telephone. To avoid the fee, call the airline to confirm there is space for your pet on the flight, purchase your ticket on-line, and then quickly call back to add your pet to your reservation.

Blue Star Jets (866-538-8463) is a private jet brokerage company that can quickly arrange pet friendly flights anywhere in the world. Pets are flown in the cabin and the flight attendants are trained in pet first aid and CPR programs.

Cape Air (866-227-3247 )gladly accepts pets in the passenger cabin for an additional fee of $10. Only one pet (unless in the same family) is allowed per plane, so reservations must be made in advance. Carriers are required for cats on all flight and for dogs on all flights except New Bedford/Nantucket and Hyannis/Nantucket. Please see Cape Air’s website for a full explanation of their pet policy and more information regarding carrier specifications.

You must call Cape Air Reservations to book a flight with a pet. There is no fee imposed by Cape Air for telephone reservations.

Delta Airlines (800-221-1212) allows passengers to carry on small dogs, cats, and household birds for additional fee of $125 each way within the US and Canada. Pets must remain in their carrier for the duration of the flight. Reservations are required, as limited number of animals are permitted in the cabin. Animals are not allowed in the cabin on flights to/from Hawaii. Cats, dogs, household birds, guinea pigs, rabbits, and hamsters may be flown in the baggage compartment for a fee of $200 each way. Restrictions on short-faced cat and dog breeds, as well as weather-related restrictions apply. Transportation for other types of pets can be arranged via Delta Cargo. Note that Delta is no longer carrying pets as cargo or checked baggage on any Boeing 767 flights.  Please see Delta’s website for a full explanation of their pet policy with detailed information regarding carrier specifications, documentation requirements, and destination restrictions.

Delta charges a $25 fee to book your ticket by telephone. To avoid the fee, call the airline to confirm there is space for your pet on the flight, purchase your ticket on-line, and then quickly call back to add your pet to your reservation.

Frontier Airlines (800-432-1359 ) allows dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and household birds to travel in the passenger cabin for an additional fee of $75 or $125 each way, depending on the fare you choose, on flights within the United States. Only dogs and cats are permitted on international flights. Pets must remain in a carrier for the duration of the flight and reservations are required, as a limited number of pets are allowed per flight. Pets may also travel in the baggage compartment for a fee of $150 each way. Please see Frontier’s website for a full explanation of the pet policy, including detailed pet carrier specifications, documentation requirements, and weather restrictions.

You must call Frontier Reservations to book a flight with a pet. There is no fee imposed by Frontier for telephone reservations.

Hawaiian Airlines (800-367-5320 ) permits small cats and dogs to fly in the passenger cabin on inter-island flights and on flights leaving Hawaii. There is a $35 fee on inter-island flights, and passengers are charged $175 for pets on flights leaving Hawaii. Reservations are required, as limited number of animals are permitted in the cabin. Pets must be kept inside of their carrier and stowed under the seat in front of you at all times. Cats, dogs and household birds are also allowed to fly in the baggage compartment from Oct. 16 through April 14th, as long as the combined weight of the pet and carrier does not exceed 70 lbs. The fee for this service is $60 each way for inter-island flights and $225 for flights leaving Hawaii. Reservations are required as space is limited. Please see Hawaiian Airlines’ website for a complete pet policy, including further details pet carrier specifications, quarantine requirements, and options for transporting pets exceeding the 70 lb. weight restriction.

Hawaiian Airlines charges a fee to book your ticket by telephone. To avoid the fee, call the airline to confirm there is space for your pet on the flight, purchase your ticket on-line, and then quickly call back to add your pet to your reservation.

JetBlue (800-538-2583 ) welcomes small cats and dogs in the passenger cabin on both domestic and international flights for an additional fee of $100 per flight segment. The combined weight of the pet and carrier must be 20 pounds or less and the pet must remain inside the carrier and under the seat for the entire duration of the flight. Reservations are required, as a limited number of pets are allowed on each flight. JetBlue does not permit animals to be checked as baggage or cargo. Please refer to JetBlue’s website for their complete pet policy, including carrier specifications, documentation requirements, and certain destination restrictions.

JetBlue allows you to make arrangements for your in-cabin pet online, and charges a $25 fee for reservations made by telephone.

Southwest Airlines (800-435-9792) allows small cats and dogs to fly in-cabin for an additional fee of $95 each way. Pets must remain in their carrier and stowed under the seat for the duration of the flight. Southwest does not permit animals to be checked as baggage or cargo. Please refer to Southwest s website for their complete pet policy, including carrier specifications and documentation requirements.

Southwest does not allow you to make a reservation for your pet in advance. In-cabin slots are assigned to pets at the ticket counter on the day of your flight on a first-come-first-served basis. Only five pets are allowed aboard each aircraft, so check in early to ensure your pet is able to accompany you on the flight.

Spirit Airlines (800-772-7117) welcomes small domesticated dogs, cats, and household birds to travel in the passenger cabin for an additional fee of $100 each way. Reservations are required, as limited number of animals are permitted on each flight. Spirit Airlines does not allow animals to be transported in baggage or cargo.  Please see Spirit Airlines website for their complete pet policy, including pet carrier specifications, restrictions on international travel, and required documentation.

Spirit charges a $10 fee to book your ticket by telephone. To avoid the fee, call the airline to confirm there is space for your pet on the flight, purchase your ticket on-line, and then quickly call back to add your pet to your reservation.

Sun Country Airlines (800-359-6786 ) allows up to four small cats and dogs (16 lbs or less) to travel in the passenger cabin on flights within the contiguous United States for an additional fee of $125 each way if you ve made a reservation for your pet and $199 if you do not have a reservation. Pets must remain in their carrier and must be stowed during the entire flight. Sun Country does not accept pets on international flights or flights to/from Anchorage. Larger cats and dogs can be transported in the baggage compartment for a fee of $199 each way. Please see Sun Country Airlines website for their complete pet policy, including pet carried specifications, required documentation, certain destination restrictions, and weather restrictions.

Sun Country charges a $10 fee to book your ticket by telephone. However, because they require you to call and book your flight when traveling with a pet, this fee will be waived.

United Airlines (832-235-1541 or Dedicated 24-hour Live Animal Desk: 800-575-3335)  welcomes domesticated cats, dogs, pet rabbits, and household birds to travel in the passenger cabin on most flights within the US for a fee of $125 each way. Pets must remain in their carrier and stowed during the entire flight.United does not allow pets to fly in the baggage compartment, but does provide their PetSafe program, which ships pets via cargo. Ten breeds of dogs require special, reinforced crates on United flights. Please, see United’s website  for a full explanation of their pet policy, including documentation requirements, detailed information regarding carrier requirements, and for more information on the PetSafe program, as well as information on international travel.

United allows you to make arrangements for your in-cabin pet online. In the Whose Traveling section, check the box to include your pet in the reservation.

US Airways (800-428-4322) welcomes small dogs, cats, and birds to travel in the passenger cabin on most flights for an additional fee of $125 each way. Pets must remain inside their carrier and stowed in front of the seat in front of you for the duration of the flight. US Airways does not allow pets to be checked at baggage or cargo. Please see U.S. Airways’ website for their complete pet policy, including pet carrier guidelines and international travel restrictions.

US Airways does not allow you to make a reservation for your pet in advance. In-cabin slots are assigned to pets at the ticket counter on the day of your flight on a first-come-first-served basis. Only six pets are allowed aboard each aircraft, so check in early to ensure your pet is able to accompany you on the flight.

Virgin America (877-359-8474 ) welcomes small cats and dogs (up to 20 lbs combined pet and carrier) to travel as carry-on pets for an additional fee of $100 per segment. Virgin America does not transport animals in either the baggage or cargo compartments. Reservations are required. Please see Virgin America s website for more detail regarding carrier guidelines and documentation requirements.

Virgin America allows you to make arrangements for your in-cabin pet online. Add your pet during the reservation process or click on Anything Else? when viewing your itinerary.

WestJet   (888-937-8538 ) allows small cats, dogs, rabbits and birds to travel in the passenger cabin for an additional fee of $50-$59 each way. The combined weight of your pet and its carrier may not exceed 22 pounds. WestJet allows cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, chinchillas, guinea pigs, and hedgehogs to fly in the baggage compartment for a fee of $50-$59 each way. The combined weight of your pet and carrier may not exceed 100 pounds. Reservations for pets are required, as available space is limited. Please see WestJet s website  for a complete pet policy, including restrictions on traveling with pets to certain destinations, specifications for pet carriers, summer embargos in certain locations, and pet travel blackout periods.

You must call WestJet at 800-581-9499 to book a flight with a pet. There is no fee imposed by WestJet for telephone reservations.

Planning a pet friendly trip of your own? We’ll make it easy: