Which airlines allow dog seats? Tips and Tricks

JetBlue

JetBlue is perhaps one of the most pet-friendly airlines, offering their furry passengers their own pet perks program! The JetPaws program provides pet-parent travellers with a carrier bag, a list of tips for managing your pet while travelling, and 300 TrueBlue points.

With a $100 fee each way, it’s also an affordable option when touring around north (and a bit of the south) with your four-legged friend. With their pet perks and extra helping hands, you and your pet are sure to get from point A to point B safely and happily. Read more about flying with animals and the JetBlue policy in detail here.

  • Price: $100 and up
  • Cabin: Yes
  • Cargo: No
  • Animals: Cats, dogs, service animals
  • Which airlines allow dog seats?

    Documents required to Fly with Dogs In-Cabin

    The documents required to fly with a dog in cabin will vary depending on which airline you are flying with, and where you are flying from and to. Generally you will require the following:

  • Microchip certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Animal health certificate
  • Additional vaccination certificates
  • Rabies titer test results
  • Parasite treatment certificate
  • This is just a guide on what is required, please check the requirements for your specific airline and destination country.

    a) Microchip.

    Your dog can get microchipped at your local vet or a charity, such as RSPCA.

    Not only is it a requirement when traveling with dogs, it is in your best interest. If your dog was to go missing whilst abroad, then you are far more likely to be reunited. Get your dog microchipped BEFORE getting his/her rabies vaccinations. They will not be valid if microchipped after.

    b) Rabies vaccinations.

    If you want your take dogs on flights, it is likely that he/she requires a valid rabies vaccination. Particularly if you are taking your dog on an international flight as this is a requirement for entering most countries.

    Most countries require dogs to have their rabies vaccination between 30 days and 12 months prior to importing.

    You can get your pet’s rabies vaccination at your local vet, alternatively some charities offer this service for free or for a discounted price.

    c) Animal health certificate.

    Most airlines will require an official animal health certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian in order to export and import dogs.

    In most cases, your health certificate will also need to be endorsed by the country’s authority responsible for the import and export of animals. For example, if you are traveling from the US, you will need your documents endorsed by the USDA. If you are traveling from Canada, you will need to have your documents endorsed by CFIA.

    d) Additional vaccinations.

    Depending on where you are flying to, your dog may also require additional vaccinations or treatments.

    For example, Turkey requires that all dogs are vaccinated against parainfluenza, leptospirosis, parvovirus, bordetella, hepatitis and distemper before being allowed into the country.

    e) Rabies titer test.

    Some countries require pets to have a rabies titer test before entering. This is usually the case when you are traveling from a country that is considered high risk for rabies.

    If your dog requires a titer test the process is as follows:

  • Your pet will have a blood sample taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination.
  • Your vet will then send the blood sample to an approved blood testing laboratory.
  • Your pet’s blood test results must show a rabies antibody level of at least 0.5 IU/ml.
  • You must wait 3 months from the date the blood sample was taken before you travel.
  • The vet will give you a copy of the test results.
  • f) Parasite treatment.

    To enter many countries, dogs are required to be treated against internal and/or external parasites before entering. This includes treatment for tapeworm, fleas, ticks, nematodes and cestodes.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    1 TAP Air Portugal

    Thinking of a trip to Lisbon? Fly with TAP and your pet will be taken care of! Dogs and cats are both welcome to fly in the cabin or the cargo, as long as the owner provides valid documentation and the carrier is deemed safe.

    Owners are also asked to arrive a bit earlier than normal, so airline staff can ensure the animal is comfortable and secure in their carrier. Prices are affordable, starting at €35 for domestic flights and €150 for intercontinental travel. Read more about flying with animals and the TAP Air Portgual policy in detail here.

  • Price: €35 and up
  • Cabin: Yes
  • Cargo: Yes
  • Animals: Cats, dogs, service animals
  • See Also: Cheapest Places to Fly from London

    ANIMALS on PLANES? Is your PET SAFE flying in CARGO??? Explained by CAPTAIN JOE

    Have you ever felt the pet-mom or dad guilt when leaving your furry friend at home while you are on vacation? Have you ever considered bringing your pet along with you? Newsweek has gathered the top 9 airlines that allow you to bring your furbabies on board with you.

    Although all airlines are required to allow disabled passengers to fly with their service animals in the cabin, some airlines do not allow any other dogs on board, while others allow them with restrictions, or only in the cargo area.

    If youre planning on traveling internationally with your pet, you should also make sure that you check the specific countrys policies on allowing animals in the country, as they vary from depending on the destination.

    American Airlines allows you to travel with pets on board, but their policy is limited by restrictions. According to their website, you can travel with a pet on most flights, for up to 12 hours, or flights to / from select locations, which include: the 48 contiguous United States, the U.S. and Canada, Alaska, Mexico, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and St. Thomas.

    Depending on animal breed and size, your pet may be allowed to travel as a carry-on or be transported through American Airlines Cargo. Carry-on pets are limited to cats and dogs that meet the size, age, and destination requirements, which you can see here.

    American Airlines pet fee is around $125 per carrier, and allows a maximum weight of 20 lbs.

    United Airlines allows in-cabin pets as long as they are “domesticated cats and dogs that can fit in a travel carrier underneath the seat in front of you.”

    Their website states that pets are allowed in-cabin on select United flights, but cant be in-cabin on flights to, from, or through Hawaii and other international locations including Australia, the UK, and some other countries in Europe and Africa.

    Their pet fee is $125 each way, and an additional $125 service charge for each stopover of more than four hours within the U.S., or more than 24 hours outside of the U.S., and they have no maximum weight requirements, which you can read more about here.

    Southwest Airlines allows you to take pets on board, as long as youve made a reservation in advance as pet space is limited.

    Their policy is to accept pets on a first-come, first-served basis on all Southwest-operated flights until capacity is reached. The only pets allowed on board by the company are small cats and dogs in carriers that can be stowed under the Customers seat, and they are not allowed to travel in-cabin on international flights or any itinerary that includes an international flight.

    Their pet fee is $95 per carrier, and must be paid on the day of travel at the ticket counter, prior to proceeding through security. You can review their pet policy here.

    Delta Airlines allows small dogs, cats, and household birds to travel in the cabin for a one-way fee, which is collected at check-in. But, in order to be allowed on board, your pet must fit the following requirements.

    Your pet must be able to fit in a small, ventilated pet carrier that fits under the seat in front of you, it needs to be small enough to fit comfortably in a kennel without touching or protruding from the sides of the kennel, and have the ability to move around. Plus, the kennel must fit under the seat directly in front of you.

    In addition, the kennel must be leak-proof and have ventilation openings on three sides, (four sides for international travel). The size of the kennel allowed varies by flight, so the airlines advises you to contact their customer service before booking.

    Their pet fee is $125 per carrier, and the maximum weight requirement is about 20 lbs, you can review their pet policy allowance here.

    JetBlue Airways allows a maximum of two pets per traveler, each in their own carrier, and in order to bring a second pet, you must pay for a second seat. They only allow a maximum of six pets per flight, so its best to book your tickets long before your trip if you want to secure a seat for your pet.

    According to their website, only one pet per carrier is allowed, and the pet must have enough space to move around freely. Your pet carrier cannot exceed 17″ L x 12.5″ W x 8.5″ H (43.18 cm L x 31.75 cm W x 21.59 cm H) and the combined weight of your pet and the carrier must not exceed 20 pounds.

    Their pet fee is $125 each way and can be added in the Extras section during booking. You can check JetBlue Airlines pet policy here.

    Alaska Airline ranked most pet friendly airline in the nerdwallet ranking for 2021.

    Passengers who are 18 years or older are allowed to travel with a pet in the cabin, as long as they do not occupy an emergency exit row or bulkhead row.

    The First Class cabin can accommodate a total of one pet carrier per flight, and the main cabin can accommodate a total of up to five pet carriers per flight. They allow up to 2 pets of the same species and similar size to travel in the same carrier, as long as the animals are not in distress.

    Pets allowed in the passenger cabin include dogs, cats, rabbits, and household birds. Dogs and cats must be at least 8 weeks old and must be fully weaned and accustomed to take solid food, without nursing, for a period of at least 5 days.

    Their pet fee is $100 per pet, and their maximum weight requirement is 150 lbs in cargo, and there is no weight limit for a carry on. You can review their pet policy here.

    Virgin America Airlines only allows you to bring your pet on board if you have a cat or a dog, as they do not offer travel to other kinds of pets. And even then, there are certain breeds that are not allowed on board, for health or safety reasons.

    The airline does not allow animals in the main cabin unless they are assistance animals, and you need to book at least 7 days before you plan to fly, and the earlier the better, as we have limited space.

    Their pet fee is $100 per pet and even though the website doesnt specify a maximum weight or size, it states that the minimum size cage the airline will accept is 71 x 52 x 54 cm. You can review their pet policy here.

    Hawaiian Airlines allows you to take on board only cats and dogs, which are permitted only on inter-island flights and flights between the State of Hawaii and North America, except flights to/from JFK, BOS, MCO, or AUS.

    In order to be allowed to fly on Hawaiian Airlines, your pet must be in an approved carrier that will fit comfortably under the seat in front of you.

    Their pet fees are $35.00 to travel within the State of Hawaii, and $125 to travel between the State of Hawaii and North America. The combined weight of the pet and kennel must not exceed 70 lbs. If the combined weight is in excess of 70 lbs, they may transport it via cargo. You can review their pet policy here.

    Only certain animals are allowed in the cabin, and they include domesticated dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, or small household birds.

    They will not accept species such as large birds (e.g. parrots, macaws, cockatoos, birds of prey), rodents (including mice, rats, squirrels), beavers, ferrets, reptiles (including snakes), amphibians, spiders, and insects.

    While flying with Frontier, your pet must stay in its carrier at all times, and the company also asks pet owners to not feed their pets in the aircraft. Their pet fee is $99 per pet and there are no maximum weight requirements. You can check their policy here.