How Airlines Handle Pets: What Each Major Carrier Allows

What you can bring on a plane depends on the airline, not the government

The Federal Aviation Administration sets safety rules, but each airline decides whether to allow pets at all, how many, what size, and what you pay. There is no single pet policy across all carriers. A dog that flies free on one airline may cost $125 on another, or be banned entirely. Before you book, you need to check the specific airline's rules — not a general guide, but that airline's actual policy page or a call to their reservations line.

Most major U.S. carriers allow one small pet in the cabin for a fee, usually $100 to $150 per flight. Larger pets and additional pets almost always go in cargo, which is more expensive and carries real risks. Some airlines do not allow pets in cargo at all. A few carriers have stopped accepting pets in cargo after high-profile deaths, so the option that worked last year may not exist this year.

Key Takeaways

• Each airline sets its own pet policy — there is no federal standard, so you must check your specific carrier before booking.
• Small pets in the cabin typically cost $100 to $150 per flight and must fit in a carrier under the seat; size limits vary by airline.
• Pets traveling in cargo are exposed to temperature and pressure changes, and several major carriers have stopped accepting them due to safety concerns.
• Brachycephalic breeds (flat-faced dogs and cats) face restrictions or bans on most airlines because they are at higher risk during flight.
• You will need a health certificate from a veterinarian dated within 10 days of travel, and some airlines require it to be USDA-endorsed for international flights.

In-cabin pets: size limits and fees across major carriers

If your pet is small enough to fit in a carrier that slides under the seat in front of you, most airlines will let it travel in the cabin with you. The carrier itself counts toward your carry-on baggage limit, so you cannot bring a full roller bag plus a pet carrier on most flights. The pet stays in the carrier for takeoff, landing, and whenever the seatbelt sign is on.

American Airlines allows one pet per passenger in the cabin for $125 per flight segment. The pet and carrier combined must weigh no more than 10 pounds. Delta charges $125 per segment and allows pets up to 10 pounds. United charges $125 per segment with a 10-pound limit. Southwest allows two pets per passenger for $95 each per flight segment and does not publish a weight limit, only that the pet must fit in a carrier that fits under the seat. JetBlue charges $125 per segment with a 20-pound limit, which is larger than most competitors.

These fees are per flight segment, not per round trip. A round trip with one connection means two segments each way, so four segments total. A pet traveling round trip with one connection on American, Delta, or United would cost $500 in pet fees alone. Budget carriers like Spirit and Frontier charge $100 to $110 per segment but have stricter size limits.

Cargo travel: what happens and why many airlines stopped offering it

Pets traveling in cargo are loaded into a pressurized, temperature-controlled hold separate from the passenger cabin. The airline does not monitor them during flight. They experience changes in air pressure and temperature, noise, and vibration. For most healthy adult dogs and cats, a flight under four hours is survivable, but it is stressful and carries real risk.

Brachycephalic breeds — flat-faced dogs like bulldogs, pugs, and Boston terriers, and flat-faced cats like Persians and Himalayans — are at much higher risk of dying in cargo because they cannot regulate their body temperature as well as other breeds. They overheat easily. American Airlines, Delta, and United all stopped accepting brachycephalic breeds in cargo years ago. Some have stopped accepting all pets in cargo entirely. As of 2024, American Airlines no longer accepts any pets in cargo. Delta and United still do, but with restrictions and at high cost.

If your airline does offer cargo, expect to pay $500 to $2,000 depending on the distance and the pet's weight. You will need to book cargo separately from your ticket, often through a freight forwarder, and drop the pet off at a cargo facility hours before your flight. You cannot pick them up immediately after landing — cargo is unloaded after passengers, and facilities have limited hours.

Health certificates and documentation you need before travel

Every airline requires a health certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of your travel date. The certificate confirms your pet is healthy enough to fly and lists their name, breed, age, and identifying marks. Your vet will charge $50 to $150 for this document. It is not optional, and you cannot board without it.

For domestic flights, the health certificate from your regular veterinarian is sufficient. For international flights, many countries require a USDA-endorsed health certificate, which means your vet's signature must be verified by the USDA. This takes additional time and costs more — often $100 to $300 total. Some countries also require proof of rabies vaccination, microchipping, or a quarantine period after arrival. Check the destination country's requirements at least six weeks before travel, because some documents take weeks to obtain.

You will also need proof of current rabies vaccination. Bring the actual vaccination record from your vet, not a photo. Airlines may ask to see it at check-in. If your pet's rabies vaccination is expired or you cannot find the record, your vet can revaccinate, but this must happen before your travel date.

Breeds and conditions that airlines restrict or ban

Brachycephalic breeds face the strictest limits. American, Delta, and United do not allow flat-faced dogs or cats in cargo at all. Some airlines also restrict them in the cabin during summer months (May through September) because the cabin can get warm during boarding and taxiing, even with air conditioning running. If you have a bulldog, pug, French bulldog, Boston terrier, Pekingese, Shih Tzu, Persian, or Himalayan cat, check your airline's specific policy before booking.

Pets with heart disease, respiratory disease, or seizure disorders may not be cleared to fly by your veterinarian, and airlines can refuse to transport them even with a health certificate. Your vet will note any concerns on the health certificate. If your pet has a chronic condition, discuss flying with your vet at least two weeks before your trip.

Aggressive or anxious pets are not allowed in the cabin. Airlines do not require a behavioral assessment, but if your pet barks continuously, lunges at other passengers, or shows signs of severe stress, crew members can refuse to let it fly or remove it mid-flight. Sedation is not recommended for flying — it can interfere with the pet's ability to regulate body temperature and breathing at altitude.

Emotional support animals and service dogs: different rules

A service dog trained to perform a specific task for a person with a disability (guiding someone who is blind, alerting to seizures, retrieving items) is allowed in the cabin free of charge on all airlines. The dog does not need to be in a carrier. You will need documentation from a licensed mental health professional or physician, and the airline may ask to see it.

An emotional support animal (ESA) is not the same as a service dog. ESAs provide comfort through their presence but are not trained to perform a specific task. As of 2021, the U.S. Department of Transportation changed the rules: airlines no longer have to allow ESAs in the cabin for free. Most major carriers now treat ESAs like regular pets — they must fit in a carrier, stay under the weight limit, and you pay the pet fee. A few airlines still allow one ESA per passenger in the cabin free of charge, but this is becoming rare. Check your specific airline's policy.

International travel and country-specific rules

If you are flying outside the United States, the destination country's rules override the airline's rules. Some countries require a quarantine period (anywhere from 10 days to six months) after arrival. Others require a microchip, specific vaccinations, or blood tests for rabies antibodies. The United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan have particularly strict requirements. Start researching at least three months before your trip.

The USDA's APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) website lists requirements by country. Your veterinarian can also help, but they may not know every country's rules — it is your responsibility to confirm. Some countries require documents to be obtained in a specific order and within specific timeframes. Missing one step can mean your pet is not allowed to enter, even if you are already at the airport.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring my pet on a connecting flight without leaving the airport?

Yes, if your pet stays in the cabin with you. You do not need to pick them up between flights. If your pet is in cargo, you will need to arrange for them to be transferred by the airline, which happens automatically on most connections. Ask the airline when you book whether your pet will be transferred or if you need to collect and re-check them.

What if my pet gets sick or injured during the flight?

The airline crew can provide basic first aid, but they cannot treat medical conditions. If your pet becomes seriously ill, the plane may divert to the nearest airport. You are responsible for all veterinary costs. Travel insurance for pets exists but is rare and expensive. The best protection is a pre-flight vet check to catch any health issues before you travel.

Do I need to tell the airline about my pet when I book, or can I just show up with them?

You must tell the airline when you book or as soon as possible after. Most airlines limit the number of pets per flight, and if you do not notify them in advance, you may be denied boarding. Call the airline's reservations line or add the pet through their website during booking.

What happens if my pet is too large for the cabin but I do not want them in cargo?

Your options are to leave your pet with someone else, hire a pet sitter, or use a pet transport service that drives your pet to your destination. Some pet transport companies specialize in long-distance moves and are safer than cargo for large or anxious pets, but they cost $1,000 to $5,000 depending on distance.

Can I sedate my pet to keep them calm during the flight?

Sedation is not recommended by most veterinarians for flying. Sedatives can interfere with your pet's ability to regulate body temperature and breathing at altitude, which increases the risk of serious complications. Talk to your vet about anxiety management before the flight, but expect them to advise against sedation for air travel.