Airline Approved Pet Policies and Cabin Rules
Most U.S. airlines classify pets as either carry-on animals or checked pets, with approval based on species, size, and carrier dimensions. For 2025, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines remain the primary U.S. carriers that allow small dogs and cats in the cabin, subject to a hard-sided or soft-sided carrier that fits under the seat ahead of the passenger. Each airline sets a maximum number of pets per flight, and advance reservations are required, with fees typically ranging from $95 to $125 each way for domestic routes. The Department of Transportation's updated guidance emphasizes that airlines must publish their pet policies clearly, and travelers should verify current rules directly on the airline website before booking pet travel details.
Checked pet programs allow larger dogs and some cats to travel in pressurized, temperature-controlled cargo holds, but not all aircraft types are approved for this service. Airlines such as Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines highlight specific breed and weather restrictions, and they require health certificates issued within a defined window before departure. United Cargo and Delta Cargo publish kennel specifications, weight limits, and booking procedures that differ from cabin-in-carry-on rules. In 2025, United Airlines suspended its pet cargo program for certain international routes while continuing domestic checked pet services under strict guidelines United pet travel policy.
Fees, Documentation, and Health Requirements
Airline approved pet travel almost always involves a non-refundable fee per segment, and some carriers charge additional international pet surcharges. For example, Delta charges $125 each way for cabin pets on U.S. flights, while international routes may require a reservation through a specialized desk and higher fees. Airlines require a current veterinary health certificate dated within ten days of travel for most domestic flights and often within a shorter window for international itineraries. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service publishes country-specific import rules, and some destinations mandate microchip identification and proof of rabies vaccination USDA pet travel requirements.
Documentation standards vary by destination, and airlines may reject pets if paperwork does not match the flight date or species. Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines explicitly list required forms on their websites, including vaccination records and signed statements confirming the animal's behavior and health. For flights to the European Union, the U.S. Department of Agriculture-endorsed process includes a microchip, rabies titer test, and an endorsed health certificate from a USDA-accredited veterinarian. Airlines such as American Airlines and Delta advise passengers to submit documentation at least 48 hours before departure and to arrive early for pet check-in American Airlines pet policy.
Top Airlines for Pet Travel and Recent Changes
In 2025, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines rank among the most frequently cited options for pet-friendly travel in the United States, based on published policies and customer service guides. Alaska Airlines allows cats and small dogs in the cabin on most flights and offers a dedicated pet desk at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, while Delta operates a similar program with seasonal restrictions on certain routes. United Airlines maintains both cabin and checked pet options but has adjusted its cargo pet program after previous incidents, and it continues to update kennel requirements and in-cabin carrier size limits. American Airlines allows pets in the cabin on most domestic and many international flights, with specific breed and carrier rules that travelers must review before booking Forbes airline pet rankings