The 5 Best Airlines To Fly with Dogs

It’s crucial to investigate the top airlines for pets if you want to travel with your dog to ensure that you and your dog will have a secure and stress-free journey. There are several pet-friendly airlines available nowadays. But, not every airline that accepts pets has the same rules and regulations for carrying animals. To ensure you’re properly prepared to fly with your dog, always check with your preferred airline for the most current policy and requirement changes (such as airline pet fees and the need to utilize an airline pet carrier). To help you determine, we have compiled a list of the top five airlines so that you can choose the best airlines for pets in terms of comfort and safe travel!

In This Blog – 5 Best Airline To Fly With Dogs

• Alaska Airlines
• Delta Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• American Airlines
• Hawaiian Airlines
• Do I Have a Right to Fly With My Psychiatric Service Dog?
• Conclusion

Alaska Airlines is the number-one airline in 2023 because it now accepts all domestic pets, including birds, rabbits, ferrets, hamsters, reptiles, cats, and dogs. Note that Alaska banned pets traveling in cargo during the busy holiday season, so some pets will have to enjoy back home. Alaska Airlines ranks first because of its cargo policies, open communication, and affordable prices.

Cost Per Pet

Passengers must pay $100 per carrier, roundtrip, for both checked baggage and cabin luggage. The cost increases to $105 if the flight begins from Canada.

Pets in Cabin

Pack carefully because your pet carrier will go towards your carry-on bag limit. The size of the carrier cannot exceed 17 inches × 11 inches × 7.5 inches. Customers are restricted to bringing two pet carriers (only when the same customer also purchases the adjacent seat). Up to two pets of the same breed and size can travel in the same carrier. Pets must always remain in their carriers, including when boarding and departing. For boarding, dogs must be at least eight weeks old.

Pets in Cargo

You can bring your pet in cargo, but you must present each animal with a current health certificate. In traveling in cargo, only one dog or cat may be transported in a kennel at a time. Travelers must complete a Pet Check during check-in to attest that they provided food and water for their pets before the departure. You must ask for access to the animal in the connecting city if you have a flight with a waiting time of more than four hours. You must then re-check the animal after offering it food and water. The owner will be responsible for any additional charges incurred if your pet needs to stay in a kennel facility due to delays until a flight can be scheduled

Delta Airlines is the most pet-friendly airline, encouraging passengers to “take off with your favorite companion, even if they have fur.” Dogs from other nations are not currently permitted to enter the United States due to COVID limitations, which have slightly altered Delta’s policies. Since April 2020, they have stopped allowing pets in the cargo hold, although they have allowed small pets to travel in cabins.

Cost Per Pet

One of the most affordable airlines is Delta, which charges $95 roundtrip. The cost of taking a pet internationally is $200, although Hawaii, the U.K., Australia, and a few other countries do not allow pets in the cabin.

Pets in cabin

You must pay a one-way fee at check-in to bring small dogs on flights. They must be able to fit in the carrier designed to fit beneath the seat in front of you (18 inches × 11 inches × 11 inches or smaller). Your pup must be older than 10 weeks and always be carried in that carrier. Usually, only one dog is allowed per kennel, but if the dogs are of the same breed and are between 10 weeks to six months old, they may be allowed to travel together.

Pets in Cargo

You will need to “ship” the pet with a special service from the Delta Cargo program if the dog cannot fit underneath your seat. Dogs must be dropped off at the airport at least three hours before takeoff and cannot be booked before 14 days of departure. A health certificate is required by the airline. Also, Delta does not advise taking an aged or snub-nosed dog on a flight. If your pet requires in-flight feeding, you must provide the food and instructions (they will feed your pet). Regrettably, since April 2020, the airline has not allowed dogs to travel via cargo.

Southwest is one of the airlines that offers the most flexibility and has a long history. You can change your flight at no cost, even with the cheapest fare class (aside from the fare difference). Instead, you can completely cancel and receive money that is pleasantly non-expiring that can be applied to a future flight. Most airlines require you to make reservations in advance. Still, Southwest makes it exceptionally simple by providing a variety of ways to do so, including over the phone and via a Twitter direct message.

Cost per pet

Southwest Airlines charges a $95 pet fee each way and per pet carrier. It is also one of the most affordable airlines.

Pets in Cabin

Small and vaccinated dogs that are at least eight weeks old are allowed to fly in the cabin with passengers on Southwest Airlines. International flights and flights to Hawaii do not permit carrying furry companions in the cabin. Only one pet kennel per traveler is allowed in the cabin. Southwest Airlines permits a maximum of six carriers on each aircraft, and those seats are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations for pets on Southwest Airlines must be made over the phone. Finally, passengers must check in their pet on the day of the flight and pay the cost at the airport’s ticket counter.

Pets in Cargo

Southwest Airlines doesn’t provide a pet shipping or cargo program. Therefore, the only way to bring your pet on a flight with Southwest is by traveling in the cabin.

Although American Airlines has excellent safety measures in place, they do not permit dogs to be checked as cargo unless an active duty service member is carrying them on assignment (this could change in a post-COVID world). Only cats and dogs are allowed to board flights, so if you plan to fly with another animal, you should look for another airline.

Cost per pet

Taking a dog or cat on a flight costs $125 for domestic travel and $200 for international travel, but they only accept pets from the U.S. due to COVID-19 regulations.

Pets in Cabin

Your pet must remain in his kennel under the seat before you during the entire journey, as they are considered one of your own stuff. For mainline flights, hard-sided kennels cannot be larger than 19 inches × × 13 inches × 9 inches; for regional flights, they cannot be larger than 16 inches × 12 inches × 8 inches. Soft-sided kennels shouldn’t be 18 inches × 11 inches × 11 inches. If you’re traveling in first class, your pet will be accommodated throughout takeoff and landing in a particular animal compartment in the front of the aircraft. Only five to seven kennels can travel on an American flight at a time, so make your reservations as soon as possible.

Pets in Cargo

Only animals flying with the United States Department of Military or Foreign Service on active duty can travel in cargo. Your pet must remain home if they are too big to fit in an under-seat carrier.

Only dogs and cats are permitted to be transported onboard Hawaiian Air flights; other pets such as house birds are not accepted. Both in the cabin and the cargo, dogs must have valid health certificates.

Price Per Pet

The fee for bringing a pet into the cabin is $125 roundtrip. This cost increases to $225 roundtrip for larger pets traveling in cargo or checked luggage.

Pets in Cabin

Except for flights to/from JFK, MCO, BOS, or AUS airports, dogs are allowed on inter-island flights within Hawaii and between Hawaii and North America. Dogs must be in an approved carrier that fits underneath the seat before you.

Pets in Cargo

If you own a large breed of dog, for example, a Bernese mountain dog, you have to leave your dog at home since the pet and kennel cannot weigh more than 70 pounds altogether. Plan ahead if you’re going in the summer because pets are not allowed in the cargo due to the heat.

Do I Have a Right to Fly With My Psychiatric Service Dog?

Because psychiatric service dogs are protected under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), you have the right to fly with your psychiatric service dog on flights. According to the Department of Transportation (DOT), airlines are required to allow passengers with disabilities to bring their psychiatric service dog on board with them as long as they meet specific requirements of being a PSD, i.e., they should have completed their training to assist their owners in daily life and that a dog should behave well and should be in control of their owners at all times. To bring a psychiatric service dog on flights, an individual with a disability must submit all the required training and certification documents along with a PSD letter to the airline in advance. It’s important to inform the airline in advance so that they can make the specific procedures to ensure the safety and comfort of each passenger traveling on the flight. It is also important to check with the airline beforehand and be prepared to provide the additional documents and follow all procedures in order to fly with your psychiatric service dog.

Conclusion:

I hope this guide has helped you provide the relevant information you’re looking for! If your dog has been assisting you with any mental or emotional health disability, you can also travel with them. For that, you need to consult a licensed mental health professional first and apply for a PSD Letter. Contact Fast ESA Letter today to determine whether your mental or emotional health disability qualifies for a PSD!