Pet-friendly airlines: The best airlines for pets in the US

With pet travel so in vogue these days, there's no need to not pack your pup the next time you catch a vacation flight.

I travel regularly with my 13-pound Chihuahua mix, Poppy, who took 37 flights in 2023, and so long as your dog is on the small side, you can, too.

Most airline carriers allow dogs small enough to fit into a carrier that slides under the seat in front of you to fly in coach. Some airlines restrict pet passengers to dogs. But others, like Delta Air Lines, welcome dogs, cats and household birds on certain routes, while Alaska Airlines adds rabbits to this list.

Related: What you need to know about traveling with dogs on a plane, including where they can sit and how much it costs

Additionally, many airlines allow a more diverse list of pets to fly in their climate-controlled cargo holds. These include dogs too big to fly in the cabin, ferrets, nonpoisonous reptiles, pot-bellied pigs, hamsters, guinea pigs and even tropical fish.

But not all airline pet policies are created equally. So, it's important to book a pet-friendly airline and ensure its requirements work for you and your pet if you want to travel with your furry or feathery companion.

With pricing and rules all over the place, we've put together the following airline-specific pet travel guides for popular U.S. airlines:

• American Airlines pet policy
• Delta Air Lines pet policy
• Frontier Airlines pet policy
• Southwest Airlines pet policy
• Spirit Airlines pet policy
• United Airlines pet policy

These guides contain a lot of information. So, I recommend starting with this guide if you want a general overview of pet-friendly airlines and the best airlines for pets. Check out the chart below showing the animals that can fly on each airline, the cost and notable exclusions.

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Please note that the information below is for pet dogs. Task-trained service dogs of any size are always allowed to fly in the cabin and have different rules regarding where they can travel. Check out our guide on flying with a service dog for specific information.

Best airlines for pets

When traveling with a pet, it's important to consider several variables. While all airlines listed below allow small dogs and cats to fly in the cabin, only a select few allow other household pets. Frontier and Spirit offer the most extensive list of animals, including birds, rabbits and several other pet types.

If you're flying internationally, you'll want to consider a different subset of pet-friendly airlines. After all, not all airlines allow pets to fly on all routes outside the United States. Some even exclude certain pets from flying once you leave domestic grounds. Some international airlines may provide better pricing and a wider list of animals that can fly.

You'll also find that airlines have different rules about the type of pet carrier and the size. Some airlines even cap the number of total pets on board — making it important to know the ins and outs when determining the best airlines for pets.

If you are flying with more than one dog, or just need a little more space, United is one of the best carriers to fly. Unlike many airlines that do not allow you to book a second seat for your pet, United allows you to book the seat next to you. You will still be required to pay the $125 pet fee on top of the second seat's cost and keep your dog or cat in the carrier. If you are traveling with two pets on United, you are required to book a second seat.

Pet-friendly airlines

Of the airlines that allow dogs and other pets, the most favorable pricing is with Delta, Frontier and Southwest. Pet-in-cabin fees for domestic flights on these airlines are below $100. For international flights, on the other hand, you'll find Frontier's pricing to be the best, although destinations are more limited.

Many airlines don't allow your pet to fly with you to any international destination, such as Spirit and Southwest. And if you're flying to Hawaii, Southwest, Delta and United aren't options. So before you book your flight and assume your pet can fly with you, you'll want to look at the restrictions for each destination.

Related: The reality of international travel with your dog: How Bandido flew from Vietnam to the US

Airlines that allow dogs

Dogs are one of the most common pets people travel with, so it's no surprise that many travelers are constantly searching for airlines that allow dogs to fly. Fortunately, for any airline that allows pets to travel, dogs are always included in that list. However, most U.S. airlines only allow dogs to fly in the cabin and not underneath the plane in cargo. So you will find it easiest to travel with smaller dogs that can fly in the cabin with you.

Some airlines do allow dogs to fly as cargo in certain situations. For example, American Airlines will allow your dog to fly in cargo if you are a member of the U.S. military on active duty or a U.S. State Department Foreign Service employee traveling on official orders.

Even if you do decide to fly with a dog or dogs, however, airlines differ in price and policies. Look at the above chart to see which is best for your trip.

Related: What you need to know about traveling with dogs on a plane

Tips for keeping your dog happy on the flight

Your dog's first flight can be a nerve-wracking experience. Will he or she fear flying? Bark the whole time in the carrier? Take some of the anxiety out of the situation by making sure your dog is acclimated to the carrier before the trip.

"You'll want to spend some time doing some pre-travel training in the carrier to make sure your dog is accustomed to being in it for the anticipated length of the flight," says Dr. Julie Buzby, an integrative veterinarian and founder of ToeGrips for dogs. "The goal is to teach the dog to think of the carrier as a home base or safe haven, which will greatly decrease travel anxiety."

Buzby says all dogs benefit from this pre-travel crate training, but it is vital for the "smushed nose" dog breeds like Frenchies who are anatomically more prone to developing respiratory distress from stress and anxiety.

She also recommends feeding a smaller meal than normal to decrease the likelihood of an in-flight potty emergency. And, ideally, don't feed your dog less than four hours before flying.

"Although it's hard to resist those puppy dog eyes, your dog will be less likely to get airsick if you don't feed him or her immediately before the flight. This is so the dog's stomach is more empty than full," Buzby says.

And she says to remember the adage that a tired dog is a good dog.

"If I were flying with my dog in any capacity, I'd provide a robust play/exercise session the day before and the morning of travel," Buzby says. "Finally, I would probably carry a peanut-butter-smeared Kong in a Ziploc to use in flight in case of emergency."

Bottom line

With many pet-friendly airlines available — as long as your pet can fit in a carrier and travel in the cabin — it's easy to take your pet with you on your next vacation.

There's no one specific airline that wins the award of "best airline for pets" as it comes down to the type of animal you are bringing and your destination. Fortunately, pricing is within the same general range for all pet-friendly U.S. airlines. So, pick an airline that works for your particular situation and enjoy the flight.

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