U.S. airline pet policies for in-cabin travel
The following information has been collected from the airlines’ published pet policies, supplemented (in some cases) by telephone inquiries. It was last updated on February 21, 2010.
For each airline, I have provided a link to the airline’s pet policy. It is a good idea to print out a copy of your airline’s policy, so that if a dispute arises with a ticketing or gate agent, you will have the actual policy to refer to (not the agent’s potentially faulty memory of the policy).
| Airline | Pets in cabin | Pets per passenger | Weight limit | Minimum age | Carrier size | Fee (each way) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AirTran | 6 | 1 | none | none | 8.5Hx17Lx12W | $69 |
| Alaska | 1 in First 5 in Coach | 1 (note A) | none | 8 weeks | 7.5Hx17Lx12W | $100 |
| Allegiant | no limit | 2 | none | none | 9Hx19Lx16W | $100 |
| American | 2 in First 5 in Coach | 1 carrier (note B) | none | 8 weeks | 9Hx19Lx13W | $100 |
| American Eagle American Connection | 2 | 1 carrier (note B) | none | 8 weeks | 9Hx19Lx13W | $100 |
| Continental | 1 in First 4 in Coach | 1 | none | 8 weeks | 8Hx17Lx12.5W | $125 |
| Delta | 1 in First 1 in Business 2 in Coach | 1 (note C) | none | 8 weeks | varies, call Reservations (800-221-1212) | $100 |
| Frontier | none | |||||
| Hawaiian | 5 inter-island; 2 (First) and 5 (Coach) leaving HI | 1 (note D) | 25 lbs. total | none | 9.5Hx16Lx10W softsided only | $0 inter-island; $175 leaving HI |
| Horizon | 1 in First 5 in Coach | 1 (note A) | none | 8 weeks | varies, see chart on Alaska's page | $100 |
| JetBlue | 4 | 1 (note E) | 20 lbs. total | 8 weeks | 8.5Hx17Lx12.5W | $100 |
| Midwest | none | |||||
| Northwest | same as Delta | |||||
| Southwest | 5 carriers | 1 carrier (note F) | none | 8 weeks | undefined | $75 |
| Spirit | 4 | 1 carrier (note G) | 40 lbs. total | none | 9Hx18Lx14W | $100 |
| Sun Country | 2 | 1 | 16 lb. pet | none | 8Hx16Lx11W | $100 |
| United | 2 or 3 | 1 (note H) | none | 8 weeks | 8Hx17Lx12W hardsided 10Hx17Lx10H softsided | $125 |
| U.S. Air | 1 in First 2 in Coach | 1 | none | none | 8Hx17Lx16W hardsided 10Hx17Lx16W softsided 8Hx17Lx15W U.S. Air Express | $100 |
| Virgin America | 5 | 1 (note I) | 20 lbs. total | 8 weeks | 8Hx18Lx15W | $100 |
Notes:
- “A customer may travel with a maximum of two carry-on kennels/containers in the main cabin, only when the adjacent seat is purchased by the same customer.” (Alaska, Horizon)
- “Only one pet kennel per ticketed passenger may be accepted for travel in the cabin. The kennel may contain two (2) dogs or two (2) cats but they must be the same species, at least 8-weeks old, and the pet and container can weigh no more than 20 lbs. combined.” (American)
- “Two pets of the same type may be allowed in one kennel. They must be small enough to fit in one kennel and must be of the same species, size and each weigh less than 20 pounds.” (Delta)
- 1 container per customer; 1 adult pet per container. ” Two puppies or kittens may occupy a single container provided they are at least 8 weeks old and no more than 6 months old, and weigh less than 20 pounds in total.” (Hawaiian)
- 1 pet per customer; may purchase another ticket to bring a second pet (Jet Blue)
- “Southwest Airlines allows only one pet carrier per ticketed Customer. The carrier may contain two (2) cats or dogs and must be of the same species per carrier.”
- “One (1) pet container, with a maximum of two (2) pets per container, per ticketed passenger is permitted.” (Spirit)
- One dog or “2 puppies or kittens (minimum 8 weeks old/maximum 6 months old).” The provision regarding puppies is found in the “Kennels” section of United’s policy, but a United rep confirmed that it applies to pets carried on as well.
- Virgin America’s policy has a misleading typo (“animals”) which suggests that more than one pet per container might be allowed. Upon inquiry, a VA rep stated that the airline only allows one container, containing one pet, per purchased seat.
