The Complete Guide to Traveling with Pets on Airlines

1. Which airline is the most pet friendly?
2. What are the rules for flying with pets?
3. Which airlines let pets fly free?
4. What documents do I need to travel with a pet?
5. Can my dog sit on my lap during a flight?
6. How stressful is flying for dogs?
7. Do dogs ears hurt when flying?
8. What if my dog barks on the plane?
9. How do dogs go to the bathroom on a plane?
10. Which airline has cheapest pet fee?
11. Which airlines still allow emotional support animals?
12. How can I take my dog on a plane for free?

Which airline is the most pet friendly?

Most pet-friendly U.S. airlines

• Southwest Airlines: Best for cheap pet fees.
• JetBlue: Best for pet amenities.
• Allegiant Air: Best for pet check-in process.
• Frontier Airlines: Not really the best for anything.
• Alaska Airlines: Best for unique pets in checked baggage.
• Hawaiian Airlines: Best for inter-island flights in Hawaii.

What are the rules for flying with pets?

The USDA requires that your pet must be at least eight weeks old and fully weaned before traveling. Only pets in good health are permitted to fly. Airlines will not transport animals that are violent, ill, or in physical distress.

Which airlines let pets fly free?

The following airlines allow flying with dogs in-cabin:

• Alaska Air.
• Air Canada.
• American Airlines.
• Delta.
• JetBlue.
• Southwest.
• United Airlines.
• Aegean Airlines.

What documents do I need to travel with a pet?

Most airlines also require a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (health certificate) issued within 10 days of travel. Federal regulations require pets to be at least 8 weeks old and they should be weaned at least 5 days before flying. Talk to your veterinarian about feeding schedules.

Can my dog sit on my lap during a flight?

Can my cat or dog sit on my lap? No. Pets are required to stay in their carrier throughout your domestic flight, stored under the seat in front of you.

How stressful is flying for dogs?

Kirsten Theisen, director of pet care issues for the Humane Society of the United States, believes air travel is simply too stressful for most animals, especially when they are placed in an aircraft's cargo hold. “Flying is frightening for animals,” says Theisen.

Do dogs ears hurt when flying?

And if your dog has ever traveled along with you, you may have wondered whether his ears are also prone to popping when experiencing a change in altitude. Well, the simple answer to this question is: yes, dogs (and other animals) DO experience ear popping with a change in altitude.

What if my dog barks on the plane?

A more natural way would be to tire them out completely so that they hopefully sleep on the flight and don't have the energy to bark. Do as much exercise as you can to make sure your pup is exhausted before take-off. That means lots or runs and walks, plus mental stimulation too where possible.

How do dogs go to the bathroom on a plane?

Where do Dogs go to the Bathroom on Planes? To ensure she doesn't get uncomfortable if she has pee during the flight, we line the kennel with her favorite dog bed and top it with with puppy pads.

Which airline has cheapest pet fee?

For domestic air travel, Frontier and Southwest are among the cheapest for pet fees, at $75 and $95, respectively, for carry-on pets.

Which airlines still allow emotional support animals?

According to ESA Doctors, an organization that serves people with emotional support animals, LATAM Airlines, Volaris and WestJet are the only carriers in the Americas that still allow ESAs in the cabin, although WestJet only allows dogs, and each airline has specific guidelines that must be followed.

How can I take my dog on a plane for free?

Federal regulations allow a legitimate emotional support animal, whether it be a dog, a cat, a pot-bellied pig or even a miniature horse in one case, to travel on airplanes in the cabin with the owner, outside of a carrier, and for free if the owner has proper documentation, which means a letter from a doctor or other ...