12 Pet-Friendly Airlines to Fly in 2025

Sarah Kuta
·21 min read

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Chat with any pet parent who loves to travel and they’ll likely tell you how guilty and anxious they feel dropping their beloved animals with a pet-sitter or friend on the way to the airport. But it doesn’t have to be this way: Many pet-friendly airlines will let you bring your dog, cat, bird, or other household critter along for the journey.

Traveling with pets can be a fun adventure for both of you—and hotels, vacation rentals, restaurants, airports, beaches, and tour operators are increasingly catering to guests with four-legged friends. However, even though pet-friendly vacations are becoming more common, flying with furry family members can still be complicated. That’s largely because every pet-friendly airline still has its own unique rules, fees, paperwork, and stipulations for flying with animals. Making sense of it all can be confusing, especially when you’re also trying to navigate other travel hurdles like the new Real ID requirements and the CDC's dog import rules.

Once your veterinarian has given the all-clear and you’ve purchased an airline-approved pet carrier, then you can dive into researching each airline’s pet guidelines for ​​non-emotional support, non-service animals. As a starting point, here’s a look at some of the pet-friendly airlines that invite animals onboard—and a rundown of their pet travel fees and rules. For more information, see our complete guide to flying with a dog.

This story has been updated since its original publication date.

Which airline is the most pet-friendly?

Statistically, flying is a relatively safe way for pets to travel, with just a handful of incidents occurring each year. US airlines transported 188,223 animals in 2022, according to the latest figures released by the US Department of Transportation. Of that total, seven animals died, one was injured, and one was lost, for an overall annual incident rate of 0.48 per 10,000 animals. That’s a low level of risk overall, but only you can decide whether the benefits of flying with your pet outweigh the possible consequences.

Determining which pet-friendly airline to fly with is a personal decision, based on factors like the dates of your trip, your arrival and departure destinations, the type of animal you have, your pet’s size, and your past experiences. It may also come down to whether you want your pet to fly in the cabin with you, or in the plane’s cargo hold as checked baggage.

LaDell Carter, a Baltimore-based luxury travel advisor and the founder of Royal Expression Travels, suggests flying private with pets whenever possible.

“I always advise that if the budget allows, flying private is the ultimate option for comfort and control,” she says. “It eliminates surprises upon arrival and ensures a stress-free journey for both the client and their pets.”

Some of her clients have had good experiences with semi-private pet-friendly airlines, like Bark Air and K9 Jets. However, these flights are still much more expensive than commercial flights. And, as Carter points out, these airlines fly limited routes—so they may not be an option for all trips. (Also, if you have bad allergies, remember that while you may not be allergic to your dog, you will be in an enclosed space with other people’s pets, Carter says).

For travelers who need to fly commercial, Carter recommends carefully comparing each pet-friendly airline, with an emphasis on things like fees, pet size restrictions, customer service reputation, and the number of pets allowed per flight.

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by Condé Nast Traveler editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, Condé Nast may earn an affiliate commission.

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What airlines allow pets as carry-ons?

Many pet-friendly airlines allow small household animals to fly as carry-ons on the cabin. But that usually doesn’t mean your pet can just roam freely throughout the plane. Most commercial airlines require pets to stay inside an enclosed carrier under the seat in front of you for the entire flight. They also have strict rules about which types of animals are permitted to fly as carry-ons, as well as their size and breed. Pet-friendly airlines often have destination-specific requirements, too.

Semi-private and public charter airlines generally offer more flexibility when it comes to pets flying in the cabin. In most cases, these companies don’t have size or breed restrictions, and they don’t make pets stay inside a carrier under the seat.

Can I buy a seat for my dog on an airplane?

Most pet-friendly airlines do not permit travelers to buy their dogs (or other household animals) a seat on the plane. Small dogs may be able to join you in the cabin, but they typically aren’t allowed on your lap, on the seat next to you, or anywhere else outside of their carrier.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule. JetBlue, for example, allows travelers to buy an extra seat for a carry-on pet. But the pet must be placed inside a carrier and stowed under the seat in front of you for taxi, takeoff, and landing. During the flight, however, you can place the carrier on the empty seat next to you. If you are bringing two pets onboard a JetBlue flight, you’re required to pay for a second seat (and pay a second pet fee).

Similarly, Alaska Airlines allows travelers to bring up to two pets in the cabin, so long as they pay for two seats next to each other. Once onboard, pets need to stay inside their carrier for the entire flight, and the carrier needs to be placed under the seat in front of you for taxi, takeoff, and landing.

Bark Air

Bark Air markets itself as a “dog-first” airline. This new public charter airline made its inaugural flight in May 2024 and has been welcoming jet-setting pups—and their humans—ever since.

Pet travel in the cabin: On Bark Air flights, dogs can roam freely throughout the cabin and do not need to be kept inside a carrier. There are no breed or size restrictions on the plane (though the company encourages travelers flying internationally to check breed rules in their destination). Humans must be at least 18 years old to book a flight, and only kids ages 10 and up are allowed on board.

The airline can provide treats, blankets, toys, leashes, poop bags, and calming aids like pheromones, music, and lavender-scented towels. Flight attendants also offer dogs a beverage of choice—like water or bone broth—to help with any pressure-related discomfort in their ears during takeoff and landing.

Bark Air flights usually have seven to nine human passengers, plus their pups. Each ticket includes one human and one dog—there’s no separate pet fee. Bark Air prices fluctuate based on supply and demand, as well as the timing and route. Bark Air currently flies between New York and Fort Lauderdale, London, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, and Paris, but plans to add more destinations soon. The company recently began testing trial flights on larger planes, both to accommodate more pets and to help bring down prices.

Pets in cargo: Bark Air does not have a pet cargo or shipping program.

K9 Jets

Founded in 2022, K9 Jets is a pay-per-seat private jet service for travelers and furry companions.

Pet travel in the cabin: Both dogs and cats are allowed on board, but cats need to be inside a carrier for the entire flight. Dogs, meanwhile, can sit next to you or on your lap.

K9 Jets does not have any size or breed restrictions, though travelers will need to research the rules in their final destination. (This is important, as K9 Jets flies to many international locales, including Dubai, Dublin, Frankfurt, Lisbon, London, Milan, Paris, Melbourne, Geneva, and Toronto.) Flights can accommodate up to 10 human passengers and their pets.

Each ticket includes a seat for one human, as well as either two pets that each weigh less than 50 pounds or one pet that weighs more than 51 pounds. If you have two pets that both weigh more than 51 pounds, you’ll need to book two seats—and, even if you’re only bringing one pet, you have the option to buy an extra seat for your cat or dog.

Pets in cargo: K9 Jets does not have a pet cargo or shipping program.

JSX

Travelers with pets have several different options for flying with public charter airline JSX, depending on the animal’s size.

Pet travel in the cabin: Small dogs and cats can fly in the cabin for a $100 pet fee each way. These animals must remain in a carrier under the seat in front of you for the entire flight. Each passenger can bring one pet carrier with them onboard, and only one pet is allowed inside each carrier. The pet carrier counts as your personal item. JSX allows five total pets in the cabin on each flight.

In addition, medium or large dogs that weigh up to 79 pounds are also allowed to fly in the cabin, so long as you purchase an extra seat next to you and fill out a liability form. Your dog is permitted to lay on the floor in front of the extra seat and must be leashed at all times. During taxi, takeoff, and landing, you must secure the leash to the seat frame.

Pets in cargo: JSX does not allow pets to fly in cargo.

Alaska Airlines

Pet travel in the cabin: For $100 each way, Alaska Airlines allows dogs, cats, rabbits, and household birds to fly in the cabin. There are no breed restrictions for pets to travel in the cabin, however, Alaska Airlines requires carry-on dogs and cats to be at least eight weeks old and able to eat solid food. Travelers must be at least 18 years old.

Each passenger can bring up to two pet carriers into the cabin, as long as the traveler pays for two adjacent seats on the plane. Additionally, up to two pets of the same size and species can fly together in the same kennel, so long as they fit comfortably.

Pets must stay in their carrier, with all doors and flaps secured at all times, while onboard the plane, as well as in the boarding area and the Alaska Lounge. Travelers must stow the kennel under the seat in front of them during taxi, takeoff, and landing. The pet carrier counts toward the passenger’s carry-on baggage allotment, and travelers flying with pets cannot sit in the emergency exit or bulkhead rows. Alaska also limits the number of carriers onboard per flight: three in first class and eight in the main cabin.

Pets in cargo: Alaska Airlines allows a more diverse selection of pets to fly in its climate-controlled cargo hold on many flights: dogs, cats, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, household birds, non-poisonous reptiles, pot-bellied pigs, rabbits, and tropical fish. Regardless of the type of animal, the carrier with the pet inside must weigh less than 150 pounds and travelers must provide a valid health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian.

On flights to Hawaii or international destinations, Alaska Airlines only permits dogs and cats to fly in the cargo hold. Brachycephalic, or “short-nosed,” dogs and cats are never allowed to fly in the cargo hold.

The cost is $100 each way for flights within the state of Alaska, as well as for travelers who are active-duty US military or US military dependents on travel orders. For all other flights and travelers, the fee is $150 each way.

Alaska Airlines only allows one dog or cat of any size that’s six months or older to travel in a kennel; the same rule applies for pets that weigh more than 20 pounds and are between the ages of eight weeks and six months old. However, two puppies or kittens may travel together in the same kennel if they weigh less than 20 pounds, are between eight weeks and six months old, and are similar in size.

Alaska Airlines may not permit pets to fly in the cargo hold if staffers determine temperatures are too hot or too cold. The company also has rules around when pets can fly to Hawaii, which experiences strong headwinds during some months.

Alaska Airlines also has a separate program, called Pet Connect, for shipping pets without an accompanying passenger.

Southwest Airlines

Pet travel in the cabin: Southwest Airlines permits small, vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least eight weeks old to fly in the cabin on most domestic flights. Furry friends cannot travel in the cabin on international flights, nor on flights to and from Hawaii (though they can fly in the cabin on flights between Hawaiian islands.) Southwest charges a $125 pet fee each way for flights in the mainland US, and $35 for flights between Hawaiian islands.

Passengers can only bring one pet carrier with them into the cabin, but each carrier may contain up to two animals of the same species. Pets that travel in the cabin must remain inside their carrier for the whole flight (and the kennel must be stored underneath the seat in front of you), as well as in the gate area and during boarding and deplaning. A pet carrier counts as either your personal item or a carry-on bag. The airline sells pet carriers for $58, but you can also bring their own.

Even though Southwest Airlines has an open seating policy for passengers, travelers with pets may not sit in the emergency exit seats or in rows without under-seat storage in front of them, such as the first row. Unaccompanied minors cannot bring pets with them into the plane.

If your four-legged friend passed away recently and you want to bring her cremated remains on the flight, you’ll need to bring them as a carry-on item—Southwest Airlines does not allow cremated pet remains in checked luggage. The airline recommends a temporary plastic or cardboard container so that the remains can pass through X-ray screening at security with ease.

Pets in cargo: Southwest Airlines does not have a pet cargo or shipping program.

United Airlines

Pet travel in the cabin: United Airlines only allows dogs and cats to travel in the cabin. The United carry-on pet fee is $125 each way for tickets purchased before April 26, 2024. For tickets purchased after that date, the carry-on pet fee is $150 each way.

United Airlines doesn’t have any breed or weight limitations for pets flying in the cabin. However, the animal must be able to fit comfortably inside a carrier, with the door closed, and kept underneath the seat in front of you for the entire flight. On domestic flights, puppies and kittens must be at least two months old. On international flights, dogs must be at least six months old and kittens must be at least four months old.

On most flights, United allows each passenger to bring up two pets into the cabin. However, if you’re planning to bring two pets, you’ll need to buy an extra seat next to yours. On some types of aircraft, United only allows one pet per passenger because of limited space under the middle seat. The company also caps the total number of pets that can ride in each cabin (premium or economy) based on the type of plane.

Passengers traveling with a pet cannot sit in an emergency exit row, a United Premium Plus seat, or the front row of each cabin.

Pets in cargo: United does not allow pets to fly in the cargo hold, unless they are traveling with certain active-duty military or State Department employees.

American Airlines

Pet travel in the cabin: American Airlines only allows dogs and cats to travel in the cabin. Animals can travel on most flights that are up to 12 hours or to and from certain destinations: within the contiguous US, plus Alaska, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and St. Thomas.

For tickets booked before February 19, 2024, the pet fee is $125 each way. For flights booked after that date, the fee is $150 each way.

Pets flying in the cabin must remain in a carrier under the seat in front of you for the whole flight. Because of a lack of under-seat storage, American does not allow carry-on pets to fly in first or business class on some planes.

On American Airlines flights, the company allows seven total carry-on pet carriers. On American Eagle flights, the airline only allows five total carry-on kennels, including one in first class. The carrier counts as either your carry-on bag or personal item.

American Airlines will not accept carry-on pets that have been tranquilized or sedated.

Pets in cargo: American Airlines only allows active-duty US military service members and US State Department Foreign Service personnel traveling on official orders to check their furry friends. The company also offers a separate pet shipping program called American PetEmbark.

Delta Air Lines

Pet travel in the cabin: Delta Air Lines allows dogs, cats, and household birds in the cabin to and from certain destinations. Regardless of the type of animal, it must be able to fit in a carrier that remains under the seat in front of you for the whole flight.

All pets must also be at least eight weeks old for domestic flights. Dogs must be at least six months old and cats must be at least 16 weeks old for flights to the US from another country. Pets must be at least 15 weeks old when flying to destinations in the European Union.

Delta’s carry-on pet fee is $95 each way for flights to and from the US, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. The carry-on pet fee for flights to and from Brazil is $75 each way; all other international flights are $200 each way.

Delta Air Lines only allows one pet per carrier, with a few exceptions. The airline allows two pets of the same size and breed between eight weeks and six months old to fly together in the same kennel (and charges them as one pet), so long as they get along and can fit into a single kennel. Additionally, travelers can bring one female dog or cat with her un-weaned litter, as long as the animals in the litter are eight weeks to six months old.

Your pet’s carrier counts as your carry-on, meaning you can only bring an additional small personal item. Travelers with carry-on pets cannot sit in certain areas, such as the emergency exit rows and bulkhead seats, as well as in specific rows on certain planes.

Pets in cargo: Delta only allows pets in cargo for active US military service members or US State Department Foreign Service Offices employees traveling on official orders.

JetBlue

Pet travel in the cabin: For $125 each way, passengers can bring small dogs and cats, safely secured inside a carrier that fits under the seat in front of them, on all domestic JetBlue flights.

JetBlue only allows six total pets per flight. However, each passenger can bring up to two animals—each in its own carrier—with them in the cabin. If you are bringing two animals, you’ll need to pay for a second seat and a second pet fee.

Pets must remain inside the carrier for the entire flight. You can purchase an extra seat for your pet and set the carrier on your lap or the extra seat for most of the flight. However, during taxi, takeoff, and landing, the carrier needs to be tucked under the seat in front of you.

Pets are not allowed in Mint, which is JetBlue’s premium cabin. The airline does not allow travelers with pets to sit in exit rows, bulkhead seats, or other seats with restricted underseat storage.

Pets in cargo: JetBlue does not accept pets in cargo.

Hawaiian Airlines

Pet travel in the cabin: Dogs and cats can travel in the cabin on Hawaiian Airlines flights that go from Hawaiian island to island, as well as between the Aloha State and most destinations in North America. Pets are not permitted on international flights, nor flights to or from Pago Pago International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Boston Logan International Airport, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, and Salt Lake City International Airport.

The carry-on pet fee is $35 one-way for flights within Hawaii, and $125 one-way for trips between Hawaii and North America. Bringing a pet in the cabin does not count toward your carry-on allowance with Hawaiian, meaning you can bring a bag and a personal item, in addition to your pet.

Hawaiian Airlines only allows one adult dog or cat per carrier, but up to two puppies or kittens of the same breed or litter that are between eight weeks and six months old. Each guest can bring one carrier onto the plane.

If you’re traveling between Hawaii and North America, you need to obtain an animal health certificate from your veterinarian within 14 days of travel. Some routes also require a permit from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture.

Pets in cargo: Hawaiian Airlines accepts dogs, cats, and household birds as checked baggage for $60 one-way on flights within the state of Hawaii and $225 one-way on flights between Hawaii and North America.

Pets are not allowed as checked baggage to or from Pago Pago International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Boston Logan International Airport, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, and Salt Lake City International Airport. Beyond that, pets are not permitted to fly as checked baggage from April 15 to October 15 on flights to or from San Jose International Airport, Sacramento International Airport, Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, and Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.

The airline does not ban any specific breeds, however, it strongly discourages travelers from checking pets that are short-nosed, or brachycephalic.

Hawaiian allows one adult dog or cat per kennel, or up to two puppies or kittens of the same breed or litter that are between eight weeks and six months old. Two adult household birds can travel together in the same kennel, as long as they are at least two weeks old. With your pet inside, the kennel cannot weigh more than 70 pounds.

Pets can only travel as checked baggage if the temperature anywhere along the route is between 85 and 20 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, if temperatures are between 45 and 20 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll need to supply an acclimation certificate from a veterinarian within 10 days of travel.

Spirit Airlines

Pet travel in the cabin: For a $125 one-way pet fee, travelers can bring dogs, cats, household birds, and small domestic rabbits that are at least eight weeks old in the cabin on most Spirit Airlines flights.

Pets are not allowed on international flights, and birds and rabbits are not permitted to fly to or from Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands. Dogs and cats traveling to the US Virgin Islands need a health certificate from a veterinarian; pets going to Puerto Rico must have a rabies vaccination certificate.

Each passenger may only bring one carrier onto the plane, but up to two pets are allowed in each carrier. The pets must be able to stand up and move around comfortably inside the carrier.

Travelers flying with pets can sit anywhere onboard the aircraft except for the first row and the emergency exit rows. Pets need to stay inside the carrier for the entire flight, and the kennel counts toward your carry-on allowance.

Spirit Airlines only allows six total pet carriers per flight, so it’s best to add a pet to your reservation as early as possible.

Pets in cargo: Spirit does not transport pets in cargo.

Frontier Airlines

Pet travel in the cabin: For $99 each way, pets may travel in the cabin on Frontier Airlines flights. Dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and household birds can accompany passengers in the cabin on flights within the US Dogs and cats must be at least eight weeks old.

Passengers traveling with a pet cannot sit in the emergency exit rows or the first row of the plane. Pets must remain inside a carrier for the entire flight. Frontier Airlines also asks travelers not to provide water or food to their pet within four hours of departure, nor during the flight.

Pet kennels count toward your carry-on allotment, and they must be able to fit under the seat in front of you. Pets must be able to stand up, turn around, and lie down in a natural position.

Pets in cargo: Frontier Airlines does not transport pets as checked baggage.

Originally Appeared on Condé Nast Traveler

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