8 Popular Airlines’ Pet Policies—So You Can Jet-Set Together

We broke down the details so you don’t have to.

June 26, 2025

Wherever we are, we want our pets by our side. They just make everything better. But travel can stressful, and bringing an animal along — especially on a flight — can be even more complicated. It doesn’t help that each airline seems to follow its own set of rules (and set their own price tags) when it comes to flying with pets.

If your head’s swimming with pet travel fees and carrier requirements, we’ve got you covered. Below, a breakdown of pet policies of the most popular airlines. A quick note: These guidelines apply to domestic flights within the United States. If you’re planning to travel internationally, be sure to review the airline’s full pet policy pages linked below. (Where applicable, that is; unfortunately, not all airlines allow pets on international routes.)

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines has one of the most pet-friendly policies out there. Pets who fit in an under-seat carrier can travel along with their pet parents in the cabin for a fee of $100, and larger pets can travel in a baggage compartment for $150. Two pets can travel in the same carrier in the main cabin, and two carriers are allowed. In other words, up to four pets can tag along (as long as they fit). The pet’s carrier can be either soft or hard if they’re in the cabin; only hard carriers are allowed in cargo.

One quick caveat: Brachycephalic (or flat-faced) dogs aren’t allowed to travel in the baggage compartment. And keep in mind that your pet will count as your carry-on bag.

Check out Alaska Airlines’ international pet travel policies and recommendations.

American Airlines

On American Airlines, a carry-on pet who can fit under the seat can hop aboard for $150 per kennel — and unlike on many other airlines, you can still bring an additional carry-on along with you. Soft-sided kennels are recommended, but hard kennels that are small enough to fit under the seat work, too. Only one pet is allowed per carrier, and only one carrier is allowed per seat.

Larger pets can be transported through American PetEmbark, part of American Airlines Cargo; rates differ by size and can be calculated with their online rate calculator. But there’s a catch — American Airlines Cargo has a pretty long list of breed restrictions. Affenpinscher, American Bully, American Staffordshire Terriers, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Brussels Griffons, Bulldogs, Cane Corsos, Chow Chows, Dogue De Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniels, Japanese Chins, Lhasa Apsos, Mastiffs, Pekingeses, Pit Bulls, Presa Canarios, Pugs, Shar Peis, Shih Tzus, Staffordshire Terriers, and Tibetan Spaniels are not allowed in cargo.

American Airlines only allows pet travel within the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and St. Thomas.

Delta Airlines

Delta allows dogs, cats, and birds to travel as a carry-on if they fit under the seat in front of you. Two pets of the same breed and size between the ages of eight weeks and six months can travel in the same carrier for the price of one pet. Keep in mind that the carrier must be soft-sided. And the price isn’t too bad: A carry-on pet costs $95. Larger pets are out of luck, though; shipping a pet as cargo is currently only available for active military members traveling with change of station orders.

Check out Delta Airlines’ international pet travel policies and recommendations.

Frontier Airlines

Pets can travel on Frontier Airlines for $99 per pet, per direction. Pets can’t fly as cargo or checked baggage, so they have to be small enough to fit under the seat in a carrier. There’s another Frontier perk besides the decent price, too: Frontier allows rabbits, small birds, guinea pigs, and hamsters to travel. A soft-sided case is recommended.

Frontier airlines does not allow pets on international flights.

JetBlue Airlines

JetBlue allows dogs and cats to travel in the cabin as a carry-on. Like Frontier, larger pets aren’t allowed aboard, and there’s no cargo option. If you purchase an additional seat for your pet, they can travel in their carrier beside you, instead of under the seat, as long as the plane isn’t taking off or landing; the pet must still remain inside the carrier for the duration of the flight. Two pets are allowed per flight, as long as a second seat is purchased. The JetBlue pet fee is $125.

Check out JetBlue’s international pet travel policies and recommendations.

Spirit Airlines

Dogs, cats, small birds, and rabbits who are under 40 pounds can fly Spirit Airlines. One soft-sided carrier is allowed, and two pets are allowed in one carrier. The pet fee is $125.

Spirit Airlines does not accept pets on international flights.

Southwest Airlines

Small dogs and cats are allowed to travel as a carry-on for a fee of $125. One hard or soft carrier is allowed, but two pets can use the same carrier. Pets can’t travel in cargo, so large dogs and cats will have to choose another airline.

Southwest does not allow pets on international flights.

United Airlines

Pets who fit under a seat can be brought aboard as a carry-on. Pet parents can bring along two pets but must purchase an additional seat for a second pet. Hard-sided and soft-sided carriers are allowed.

Check out United Airlines’ international pet travel policies and recommendations.

Honorable mention: RetrievAir

Although it’s a heavier hit on the wallet and the location possibilities are more limited than most airlines, we have to give a shout-out to RetrievAir, a new airline catering specifically to dogs. Unlike any of the airlines above, RetrievAir offers a crate-free experience for pups; they can sit on your lap, lie down in the space between two seats, or lounge in their very own seat.

Each flight is equipped with complimentary treats and water. And maybe most amazingly, there are no size or breed restrictions. The bad news? Bark Air currently only offers flights to a handful of cities in the country — and prices are hefty. But hey, there’s no pet fee.

Some final tips

It can’t be overstated: When you’re flying with your pet, plan ahead. Most airlines have very limited space for pets, even if they’re just going to be under the seat in front of you. The earlier you book, the better.

Be sure to double check the airline’s policies when you book, since fees and requirements sometimes change.

Some airlines require that your pet is up to date on rabies vaccinations for domestic flights, and they may have more vaccine and microchip requirements for international travel. Plus, some individual states have documentation requirements for visiting pets. Packing a pet health certificate from your veterinarian — which will list your pet’s breed, age, weight, vaccinations, surgeries, disease status, and other health history — is your safest bet.