Traveling with your pet is an amazing experience, but it can be a little confusing when it comes to booking flights. Luckily, all of the major airlines have made it really easy to find out if your pet is allowed on a plane and provide you with all of the information you need to prepare them for their journey.
In order to travel with your furry friend, you’ll need to confirm that they’re okay to fly when you book the flight. You can also find out if any airlines allow pets in the cabin or as cargo by checking their website or by calling them directly.
American Airlines allows pets to travel in the cabin on most flights (except for some international routes). You can purchase your pet’s ticket at the same time you book your own flight, although you will be charged an additional $125 fee per pet. The fee is required whether or not your pet actually boards the plane.
Check out their website at https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/special-assistance/pets.jsp for the most up-to-date information.
Delta Air Lines is the largest airline in the United States. They are also the only airline that allows pets to travel in the cabin. Delta Air Lines requires that your pet be at least 8 weeks old and you must provide a health certificate from your veterinarian stating they are healthy enough to travel.
Check out their website at https://www.delta.com/us/en/pet-travel/overview for carry-on, shipping, kennel requirements, fees, booking, and checking your pet in for the flight.
When flying with United Airlines, your pet must be at least 8 weeks old and fully weaned. The airline allows dogs and cats in the cabin on most flights, but they must be in a carrier that fits under the seat in front of you. For example, if you’re flying on an aircraft with rows of three seats on each side of the aisle, your pet should fit comfortably under one of these seats. This does not apply to pets traveling in cargo; these animals will be loaded into crates for transport via plane.
The maximum weight limit for this type of pet travel is 20 pounds (9 kg), so make sure your animal doesn’t exceed this limit before arriving at the airport!
Check out the following websites: https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/animals/in-cabin.html for traveling with in-cabin pets, https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/animals.html for travel with animals, and https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/animals/petsafe.html for PetSafe pet transport and shipping. Finally, for military personnel, check out the website militarypetsafe@united.com for further information.
If you’re traveling with a pet, Southwest Airlines requires that you book your dog or cat in advance. You can only bring your pet in a carrier that will fit under the seat in front of you, and it must be carried on not checked. Please note that all animals must be at least 8 weeks old in order to fly with the airline.
Check out https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/traveling-with-animals/pets/index-pol.html for their pet policy and restrictions.
You can take your pet with you on a plane, but you need to confirm that they’re okay to fly when you book the flight. The airline will also be able to tell you if there are any fees associated with bringing your pet on board their flight. They’ll also ask for your pet’s health records and vaccination records so they can make sure everything is up-to-date before letting them travel with passengers.
Got a travel story with your pet that you would like to share? Post a comment below. Have questions about traveling by airplane with your pet(s), email us at support@gotraveltails.com. You can also reach us by clicking Chat Now at the bottom of this webpage to get answers to your questions. Personally, we traveled with our three dogs when we moved to Kenya a few years ago and back to the U.S. recently. Simply, we have personal experience too. Another great resource is your veterinarian. Bon voyage!!
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