Jill Jaracz ·
Updated May 8, 2026
The five largest U.S. airlines — Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines — all allow small dogs and cats in the cabin for fees ranging from $100 to $200 each way. Only Alaska Airlines and American Airlines (through its PetEmbark cargo program) currently accept pets in the cargo hold; United suspended its cargo program in 2018, and Delta has embargoed its cargo pet service except for military personnel. No major U.S. airline allows large dogs in the passenger cabin — large dogs must fly cargo or travel by ground. Below is a detailed breakdown of each airline’s pet policy, including fees, carrier size requirements, and which pets are allowed.
Flying can be stressful for pets, so their comfort is important. The International Air Transport Association has guidelines for how large pet carriers must be to ensure your pet’s comfort, yet fit underneath the seat or in the cargo hold. Many airlines consider pets to be a passenger’s carry-on item, so you’ll only be able to bring a personal item on board in addition to your furry companion.
Some dogs need a little more TLC before they fly. The American Veterinary Medical Association notes that short-nosed dogs like pugs, boxers, and bulldogs can have more problems with breathing or overheating, particularly when they’re stressed or experience temperature fluctuations, which can happen in a cargo hold. Some airlines, like Delta, restrict the breeds it will fly. If you own these types of dogs, know the risks and allow time for training your pet to weather the flight.
Service animals have fewer restrictions and no fees, but don’t expect to bring just any animal on board with that classification. In 2021, the Federal Aviation Administration put an end to flying with emotional support animals that could range from ducks to pigs by ruling that only dogs trained specifically to assist with their human’s disability can be called service animals. If you’re flying with a service dog, you may need to show the airline a special form for them to fly.
In August 2024, the CDC released new international entry requirements for dogs, so if you’re bringing a canine into the U.S., make sure you fill out the correct paperwork ahead of time.
To help travelers and their furry family members prepare for their flight, CitizenShipper explored the pet policies of the five largest U.S. airlines. Pet owners should always double-check with airlines well before flying to ensure the airline’s pet policies haven’t changed.
Standret // Shutterstock
Alaska Airlines Pet Policy: Fees, Carrier Rules & Allowed Animals
On Alaska Airlines, trained service animals fly free, but the airline currently charges $100-$150 per pet depending on whether they fly in the cabin or in the baggage compartment. Alaska Airlines allows dogs, cats, rabbits, and household birds to travel in its main cabin, but they must fit in a carrier that you can stow under the seat.
Owners must reserve a spot for their pet before the day of travel, and space is limited—first class has space for three pet carriers per flight, while the main cabin has room for eight carriers.
Pets weighing up to 150 lbs. (including its carrier) can travel in the baggage compartment. This includes cats, dogs, rabbits, household birds, nonpoisonous reptiles, hamsters, ferrets, guinea pigs, potbellied pigs, and tropical fish.
Monika Wisniewska // Shutterstock
United Airlines Pet Policy: In-Cabin Only (No Cargo)
United no longer transports pets in cargo holds—the airline suspended that program, called PetSafe, in 2018 after several mishaps that included the death of a dog and dogs going to the wrong cities.
The airline now only allows passengers to carry on a cat or a dog. While the airline doesn’t have restrictions on breeds or weights, the pet must be able to stand up and turn around in a carrier that can fit under the seat in front of you, which does limit the size of pet you can bring on (unless it’s a service dog).
United’s fees for pets are currently $150 each way, with additional fees for domestic layovers that are more than four hours and international layovers that are more than 24 hours. United also does not allow pets to travel to Hawaii and a number of other countries, including Australia, the Philippines, and United Arab Emirates.
If bringing two pets, you must buy an additional ticket so you can place the carriers in the seat next to you.
“For dogs too large to fly in United’s cabin, pet owners can arrange ground transport through services like CitizenShipper.”
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Southwest Airlines Pet Policy: Cats & Dogs in Cabin Only
Owners of small domestic cats and dogs can bring their pets on Southwest flights, provided they aren’t going to Hawaii or any international destination. Hawaii requires a quarantine period for incoming pets, other than service dogs, to maintain its rabies-free environment.
Pets require reservations, and owners must pay $125 each way per pet carrier. Flights have a limited number of spaces available for pets, and they’re offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Cats and dogs must remain in their carriers from the time they arrive at the gate until they deplane at their destination. Each passenger can bring one pet carrier, but up to two pets of the same species can be in a carrier, provided they can stand and move around in that space.
During the flight, pets stay under the seat in front of their owner, which eliminates the opportunity to sit in the exit row or bulkhead. If you’re worried about the size of your carrier, Southwest does sell an approved version.
nadisja // Shutterstock
Delta Air Lines Pet Policy: Cabin Pets & Cargo Embargo
Delta allows pet owners to take small dogs, cats, and household birds as carry-on luggage, provided they stay in a ventilated pet carrier that will fit under a seat. Because Delta flies so many different types of planes, it’s helpful to check the aircraft’s dimensions to make sure your carrier will fit before you fly.
Fees range from $125 to $200 each way, depending on your destination. If you’re traveling internationally, it’s important to find out whether your destination will allow incoming pets.
Your destination country may also have age restrictions that can range from 8 weeks old to 16 weeks depending on the type of pet.
Although Delta has a program to fly larger dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and amphibians through Delta Cargo, the company has temporarily embargoed this service, unless you’re an active military or foreign service officer with orders to permanently change stations.
Masarik // Shutterstock
American Airlines Pet Policy: Cabin & Cargo (PetEmbark)
American Airlines only allows small cats and dogs that can fit in under-seat carriers in the aircraft cabin. The airline recommends using a soft-sided carrier because a hard-sided one may have issues fitting under the seat on American Eagle’s regional airplanes.
The airline only allows seven carriers on American flights and five on American Eagle, one of which is in first class, and spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. You’ll have to have your flight reservation first, then you can add a carry-on pet to it. The fee for carry-on pets is $150 each way.
Larger breeds must fly via American Airlines Cargo’s PetEmbark service, and the cost can be estimated using their rate calculator. More planning may be necessary to ship larger animals—American Airlines won’t allow pets to travel in cargo in extreme heat or cold.
Can’t fly your pet? If your dog is too large for an airline cabin, or you’d rather skip the stress of cargo, ground transport is a safer option. CitizenShipper connects you with background-checked pet transporters for door-to-door service — listing is free, and you only pay when you book.
Which Airlines Allow Large Dogs?
No major U.S. airline allows large dogs in the passenger cabin. Large dogs must fly in cargo on airlines that still offer cargo pet programs, or travel by ground transport.
Most airlines limit in-cabin pets to animals small enough to fit comfortably inside a carrier under the seat in front of you. In practice, this usually means dogs under approximately 20 pounds, including the carrier.
For larger dogs, options are increasingly limited:
- Alaska Airlines still allows some pets to travel in the baggage compartment, subject to breed, weather, and route restrictions.
- American Airlines offers cargo pet transport through its PetEmbark program on select routes and for certain customers.
- Hawaiian Airlines also accepts larger pets in cargo on eligible flights.
However, several major airlines no longer provide practical cargo options for most pet owners:
- United Airlines suspended its PetSafe cargo program.
- Southwest Airlines does not offer cargo pet shipping.
- Delta Air Lines severely limited cargo pet transport following pandemic-era policy changes.
Large dogs also face additional restrictions related to breed and weather. Brachycephalic breeds like Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boxers are often prohibited from cargo travel because of breathing risks.
Because of these limitations, many pet owners now choose professional ground transport instead. Door-to-door pet transportation allows large dogs to travel in climate-controlled vehicles with regular stops, direct supervision, and far less stress than cargo air travel.
What to Do If Your Pet Is Too Large to Fly
Most U.S. airlines restrict in-cabin pets to animals that fit comfortably inside a carrier under the seat — typically dogs under 20 pounds. If your pet is too large to fly, or if you’re uncomfortable with cargo hold travel, ground pet transportation is often the safest alternative.
Unlike airline cargo programs, ground transport allows pets to travel in climate-controlled vehicles with a dedicated driver supervising them throughout the trip. Pets receive regular stops for food, water, bathroom breaks, and exercise, making the experience significantly less stressful than air cargo travel.
This option is especially popular for:
- Large dog breeds
- Senior pets
- Brachycephalic breeds restricted by airlines
- Puppies and kittens
- Pets with medical or anxiety concerns
CitizenShipper connects pet owners with background-checked, independent pet transporters who provide door-to-door service across the United States. Pet owners can compare quotes, review driver profiles, and communicate directly with transporters before booking.
Listing a shipment is free, and you only pay once you choose a transporter. For many families, ground transport provides a safer, more humane, and more flexible alternative to airline pet travel.
Story editing by Carren Jao. Copy editing by Tim Bruns.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Patrick MacFarland has been a teacher, a candidate for public office, and a local tour guide. But now he dedicates his time writing full-time, currently at CitizenShipper and VeraContent.
