Planning a trip by air can be stressful enough , but if you ’re traveling with your ducky , you ’ll also postulate to consider their welfare . Travel guidelines for brute motley from airline business to airline , which is why it ’s significant to prefer cautiously . Based on safety , Alaska Airlines is the best airline for pets , followed by American Airlines , Frontier Airlines , JetBlue , and Delta Airways . However , your positron emission tomography ’s coinage , breed , and size can impact which airline might be your top choice . From the good airway for carry - on pet to the few airline that consent reptiles , this guide will facilitate you experience confident flying with your furred , feathered , or scale companion .
Best Airlines for Pets
You might have your own airline preference when vaporize , but have you considered which airline business are most pet - favorable ? Depending on your pet ’s size and species , one of our top five airlines may be a more ideal choice than another .
1. Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines is one of the best option for traveling pets establish on safety data . According to Air Travel Consumer Reports from the United States Department of Transportation , Alaskahad thelowest incidence of reported animal - related incidentsbetween 2015 and 2020 . They also reportedly vanish more pets than any other domestic airline , which make this data even more telling .
In increase to their safety platter , Alaska also accommodates a wide range of metal money . pocket-sized dogs , cats , rabbits , and domesticated birds can fly in Alaskan Airlines ' cabin if they count less than 20 pounds and can well go in a flattop with maximum dimensions of 17- by 11- by 7.5 - inches . Unlike many other airlines , Alaska will permit a traveler to bring two pet carrier on a flight . However , you will have to buy two backside in order of magnitude to fly two pets .
Alaska will also fly hotdog , cats , hamsters , ferrets , dago pigs , domestic birds , fish , pot - bellied pigs , and non - poisonous reptiles in theclimate - controlled baggage compartment . Their weighting limitation is a generous 149 pounds ( including both your positron emission tomography ’s weight and the weighting of their kennel ) , which is more than most airlines allow .
2. American Airlines
American Airlines follow Alaska in rubber withlow figure of pet incidents , as well as a thorough preferent insurance policy . This airline business is your best bet when choosing to bring your kat or little dog as a carry - on due to their pet aircraft carrier proportion allowance . On mainline American flight , you’re able to lend your pet in a kennel as large as19- by 13- by 9 - inches . However , they only allow cats and small andiron in the cabin . No other species may fly with American .
If your cat or dog wo n’t be flying in the cabin with you , an alternative is to transport them via American Airlines cargo . Just note , they do have weighting limitations , so both your deary and their doghouse must weigh less than 100 pounds . American take safeguard to ensure no pets are exposed to severe temperature during consignment transit through temperature restriction . They will not let pets to wing if the primer coat temperature is above 85 degrees Fahrenheit or below 45 degrees . This can be frustrating if you discover your deary ca n’t travel , but it ’s for their safety .
3. Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlinesallows several species of pets to travel in the cabin : cat , wienerwurst , guinea pigs , hamsters , rabbits , and small bird . Their dog house tolerance for carry - on pets is close to the large size of American Airlines at 18- by 14- by 8 - inches .
They do not want a wellness certificate to be make out for pet traveling within the United States , unless the state you ’re shore in ( such as Hawaii ) requires special certification . If you have a larger wiener or your ducky ca n’t well match within the specified carrier dimensions , unfortunately your pet can not fly on Frontier . The airline business does n’t send pets in checked baggage or cargo .
4. JetBlue Airways
JetBlue is a best-loved air hose among citizenry , and they ’re also a top pickwhen flying with petsfor the same reason : spare pegleg way ! Standard JetBlue seats boast more legroom than other airlines , though you’re able to purchase an upgrade tooshie with even more . That means even with your pet ’s carrier wave under the seat in front of you , you ’ll have plenty of room to stretch your legs .
someone who aviate with theirservice dogcan also benefit from this extra space . The airway allows diminished dogs and Caterpillar to vanish within the cabin only ; they do not fly pets as baggage or lading .
5. Delta Airlines
WithDelta Airlines , you could fly your big cat , small dog , or household bird in the cabin with you . They allow pets to reside in a roomie 18- by 11- by 11 - inches soft letter carrier . Delta ’s carry - on pet fee is one of the crushed at just $ 95 per positron emission tomography each way .
Larger pets must beshipped as freight . They have temperature necessary in place to keep shipment pet safe ; they wo n’t ship ducky when the ground temporary is above 80 degrees Fahrenheit or below 20 arcdegree .
Flying with Short-nosed Dogs
If you ’re the owner of a brachycephalic dog , you might be frustrated to discover that most airlines will not fell these " snub - nosed " breeds . Short - nosed dog are at a much higher risk of develop breathing job due to their abnormal anatomy , which can make flying very severe for them , so much so that most airlines have banned these dogs fromtraveling in shipment . These breeds include :
If you have a smaller short - nosed heel that can fit in an appropriate - sized carry - on dog house , most all air hose , including Alaska Airlines , American Airlines , and Frontier , will allow them to flee in the cabin with you . you may work to keep your preferent safe by minimizing their stress level , hold back them at a intelligent weight , and avoiding travel onhot days . Unfortunately , if your hotdog is large , you may demand to make organisation to locomote by automobile , power train , or boat .
Airlines for Pet Reptiles
airway do not permit reptiles of any kind to flee with you in the cabin . However , some give up reptiles to travel as checked luggage or as cargo . Our top selection , Alaska Airlines , will take non - toxicant reptile with a valid wellness certificate in their climate - controlled luggage compartment . Make certain you choose a safe and well - insulated carrier within their dimensions .
Best Airlines for Service Dogs
Service dogs are not considered ducky and are instead classified as working hotdog . Therefore , they ’re not limited by airline pet insurance . Under theAir Carrier Access Act ( ACAA ) , any airline fly within or from the U.S. can not discriminate against a service animal , so your divine service dog can fly in the cabin with you complimentary of tutelage , irrespective of their stock or size .
When pilot with aservice click , they ’ll either need to sit down on the floor within the footprint of your seat or , if they ’re small enough , on your lap . Based on this standard , the good airline for service dog would be one with the most legroom . JetBlue Airways tops the charts in this area .
If you ’re go for to fly with your emotional support beast ( ESA ) , you may be out of luck . According to theU.S. Department of Transportation , emotional support animals can no longer fell as armed service animals as of December 2020 , so you ’ll need to take your ESA as a dearie . serve animals are also define as " dogs , " which excludesminiature service horsesfrom protective law .
Take Flight With Your Pet
Whether you ’re taking a stumble or act across the area with your pet , you want them to arrive safely . Alaska Airlines is the frontrunner for the safest and best air hose for pet travelling . Still , it ’s important to take down that vanish with an creature always convey some jeopardy . Speak to your veterinary to insure it ’s safe for your positron emission tomography to travel , then hold a flight with your top airline choice .
