How Much Will It Cost You to Fly With a Pet on Each Major Airline?
Whether you’re taking your cat with you on vacation or bringing home a new puppy from out of state, there may be times when you’ll need to fly with your (small) pet. You’ll have to pay a fee for this no matter which airline you choose, but some will cost you more than others, especially if you’re traveling with an extra carry-on or checked bag.
Airlines have additional restrictions on the number of pets that can travel in the cabin on any flight, so you should make sure they have space when you book your ticket and add your pet to your booking in advance. You should also be clear about breed and age restrictions, as most airlines restrict travel with very small puppies .
Delta Airlines
Strictly speaking, Delta is the cheapest airline to fly with a pet, with a carry-on fee of $95 each way. Delta allows dogs, cats and poultry in the cabin as long as they are at least eight weeks old (16 weeks if flying to the US from another country) and can travel in a padded kennel that fits under the aircraft seats. . Generally, you are only allowed one pet per carry-on bag, excluding unweaned litters or two compatible pets between eight weeks and six months of age.
While Delta has the lowest pet fee among the major airlines, you’re only allowed to bring personal items (no wheeled carry-on luggage) in addition to the pet kennel, meaning you’ll pay at least another $35 to check in bags. If you do not have free baggage benefits, the total cost will be $130.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska charges $100 each way for dogs, cats, rabbits and poultry traveling in the cabin (dogs and cats only on flights to Hawaii and international destinations). Dogs and cats must be at least eight weeks old and completely weaned off solid food. Alaska allows two pets of the same type and size in one carrier, which can be hard or soft and measures no more than 17 by 11 by 7.5 inches.
Pet carriers count towards your carry-on baggage allowance, but you can choose whether to bring carry-on baggage or personal items. Since Alaska doesn’t charge a carry-on baggage fee, you could end up paying as little as $100 to bring your pet with you. Even if you do need to check luggage, the standard fee is $30, bringing the total to $130.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest allows dogs and cats at least eight weeks old to fly in the cabin on domestic routes for $125 one way. Two dogs or two cats can travel in one carrier, which must measure less than 18.5 by 13.5 by 8.5 inches.
While your pet carrier counts toward your checked baggage, you can additionally choose either a personal item or carry-on baggage. Southwest doesn’t charge for carry-ons or the first two checked bags, so the total is just $125.
Border Airlines
Frontier is the only airline other than Delta that has a pet fee under $100. Frontier allows dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters and poultry in the cabin for $99 one way. Only dogs and cats are allowed on international flights. Dogs and cats must be at least eight weeks old, and all pets must be placed in a travel container no larger than 18 by 14 by 8 inches.
Passengers traveling with pets may also bring personal items or carry-on luggage, for which Frontier charges in all cases (fees range from $50 to $100 depending on when you “reserve” your bag). Since you’ll pay a similar fee to review or continue working with Frontier, your total cost will be at least $150.
JetBlue Airways
JetBlue allows dogs and cats on all domestic flights for $125 one way. Pets can travel on international flights with significant restrictions (restrictions also apply to bringing puppies into the US). Only one pet is allowed per carrier and must not exceed 17 by 12.5 by 8.5 inches.
Pet carriers are considered a personal item, so travelers purchasing all fare levels above Basic Blue can also bring a free carry-on bag. Basic Blue ticket holders can bring one additional personal item, but not carry-on luggage. Checked bags cost $35-$40 on Blue, Blue Basic and Blue Extra fares, so in total you could pay $160 or more.
american airlines
If you’re flying within America, you can bring a dog or cat that will fit in an 18-by-11-by-11-inch or 19-by-13-by-9-inch (rigid) kennel for a one-way fee of $150. Pets are allowed on domestic flights, with additional restrictions for international travel.
American recently changed its policy to allow passengers to bring carry-on luggage in addition to a pet carrier (not just a personal item), meaning you could pay as little as $150 to fly with your pet. The fee for one checked bag is $35-$40.
United Airlines
United charges $125 per cat or dog one way and accepts pets over eight weeks of age that fit in carriers measuring 18 by 11 by 11 inches (soft) or 17.5 by 9 by 12 inches (hard). one-sided). You’ll also have to pay an additional $125 if your layover lasts more than four hours. Pet carriers count as carry-on luggage, so if you need to check luggage, you’ll pay an extra $35 unless you’re flying premium economy or higher.