U.S. airline pet policies for in-cabin travel

The following information (including whether dogs are allowed to fly in-cabin, maximum carrier sizes, and fees charged) has been collected from the airlines’ published pet policies, supplemented (in some cases) by telephone inquiries. It was last updated on April 15, 2013.

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)
AirTran61nonenone8.5Hx17Lx12W$75
Alaska1 in First
5 in Coach
1 (note A)none8 weeks7.5Hx17Lx12W hardsided
9.5Hx17Lx12W softsided
$100
Allegiantno limit1 carrier, maximum of 2 petsnonenone9Hx19Lx16W$100
American2 in First
5 in Coach
1 carrier (note B)20 lbs. total8 weeks9Hx19Lx13W (slightly larger if soft-sided)$125
American Eagle
American Connection
21 carrier (note B)20 lbs. total8 weeks9Hx19Lx13W$125
Continentalsame as United
Delta2 in First
4 in Coach
1 carrier (note C)none10 weeksvaries, call Reservations
(800-221-1212)
$125 (North America); $200 (international except $75 to/from Brazil)
Frontier10 carriers1 carrier (note D)nonenoneto fit under-seat space measurements$75 or $125 (depending on fare option)
Hawaiian5 total (B-717);
2 in First, 5 in Coach
(B-767 and A330)
1 (note E)25 lbs. total8 weeks9.5Hx16Lx10W$35 inter-island;
$175 leaving HI;
not allowed to arrive HI with in-cabin pet
JetBlue"limited number"120 lbs. totalnone8.5Hx17Lx12.5W$100
Southwest5 carriers1 carrier (note F)none8 weeksto fit under-seat space measurements$75
Spirit4 carriers1 carrier (note G)none8 weeks9Hx18Lx14W$100
Sun Country4 (no more than 2 in First)116 lb. pet none8Hx16Lx11W
softsided only
$125 (advance "conditional" reservation); $199 (walk-up)
United1 in First/Business, if plane type has adequate under-seat space;
4 in Economy
1 (note H)none8 weeks7.5Hx17.5Lx12W hardsided
11Hx18Lx11H softsided
$125 (North America; prices vary abroad)
U.S. Airnot stated1nonenone8Hx17Lx16W hardsided
10Hx17Lx16W softsided
U.S. Air Express varies by plane
$125
Virgin Americanot stated120 lbs. total8 weeks8Hx18Lx15W$100

Notes:

  1. “A customer may travel with a maximum of two (2) pet carriers in the main cabin, only when the adjacent seat is purchased by the same customer.” (Alaska)
  2. “Only one pet kennel per ticketed passenger may be accepted for travel in the cabin….If two animals are traveling in the same carrier, they must be the same species (two cats or two dogs, not one of each) and the pet and container can weigh no more than 20 lbs. combined.” (American)
  3. “Two pets of the same species and size may be allowed to travel in one kennel, provide they are small enough to fit into one kennel and are compatible. They will be charged as one pet.” (Delta)
  4. “Up to two (2) small animals may be transported in one travel container as follows: puppies or kittens (8-10 weeks old), hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, and small household birds.” (Frontier)
  5. 1 container per customer; 1 adult pet per container. “Up to two (2) puppies, or two (2) kittens at least 8 weeks, but no more than 6 months, may be carried in one (1) kennel, provided they do not exceed a total weight of 25 pounds.” (Hawaiian)
  6. “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.”
  7. “A maximum of 2 pets per container is permitted, but only one container per customer is allowed.” (Spirit)
  8. One “fully weaned dog or cat (minimum 6 months old, 1 per carrier)” or “fully weaned puppies or kittens (minimum 8 weeks old, maximum 2 per carrier).” (United)