Airline Pet Policies and Fees
Major U.S. airlines reported a 12% increase in pet travel bookings in 2024, according to the Airlines for America industry group. Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines charge $125 to $200 each way for pets in cabin, while Southwest Airlines allows pets for a $95 fee per pet per segment. Alaska Airlines expanded its in-cabin pet policy in 2024, accepting dogs and cats up to 20 pounds with a $100 fee. JetBlue Airways introduced a new pet booking portal in early 2025, allowing owners to reserve pet space at the same time as their own ticket. For pets that must travel in cargo, FedEx and UPS operate dedicated pet shipping services with live tracking and climate-controlled containers, and the U.S. Department of Transportation tracks incident reports under the Air Carrier Access Act. Forbes published a 2024 analysis of airline pet fee trends showing an average $150 round-trip cost for in-cabin pets.
In-Cabin vs. Cargo: What to Choose
In-cabin travel is limited to small dogs and cats in soft carriers that fit under the seat, with a maximum of one pet per passenger on most carriers. Cargo travel is required for larger dogs, and airlines such as Lufthansa and KLM operate dedicated cargo pet programs with temperature-controlled holds and real-time monitoring. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) updated its Live Animals Regulations in 2024, tightening kennel dimensions and ventilation requirements for cargo pets. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) enforces the Animal Welfare Act, which sets minimum standards for pet transport by air. SEC filings from major airlines show pet revenue as a growing ancillary income stream, with Delta reporting over $100 million in pet fees in its latest annual report.
Pet-Friendly Hotels and Accommodation Platforms
Booking.com reported that searches for pet-friendly hotels grew 18% year-over-year in 2024, with the highest demand in the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. Marriott International expanded its pet-friendly policy across all brands in 2024, allowing dogs up to 40 pounds at no extra fee at select properties. Airbnb introduced a dedicated pet filter in its app, and hosts can now set pet fees and house rules directly in the listing. Kimpton Hotels, a Hilton brand, maintains a no-fee, no-size-limit pet policy at all its properties, with over 70 pet-friendly locations in the U.S. and Europe. Forbes noted that pet-friendly hotel bookings now account for 23% of all hotel searches on major platforms.
Pet Fees and Deposit Structures
Pet fees at hotels range from $25 to $150 per night, with luxury chains such as Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton offering pet concierge services and in-room pet amenities. Airbnb charges a pet cleaning fee set by the host, typically between $50 and $200 per stay, and the platform requires hosts to disclose pet policies upfront. The American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) reported in 2024 that 65% of independent hotels now accept pets, up from 48% in 2019. Vrbo, a subsidiary of Expedia Group, added a pet-friendly badge to listings in 2024, helping travelers filter properties by pet policy. SEC filings from Booking Holdings show that pet-friendly properties generate higher repeat booking rates and longer average stays.