Dogs come with their owners to restaurants, stores, parties, and even on vacation. Many people don’t want to leave their dogs home when they are traveling, but luckily some airlines allow dogs to travel in the cabin. In this post, you’ll find the top 5 dog-friendly airlines in the U.S. If you’re preparing to travel with a dog, make sure you can get through the airport quickly with TSA PreCheck and be sure you have an up-to-date passport.
Is Your Dog an Emotional Support Animal or Service Dog?
It’s much easier to bring a dog with you when you are traveling if it is a certified Service Animal or an Emotional Support Animal. Service dogs, who perform tasks for their owners, can enter any flight (and anywhere else their owners go) per the Americans With Disabilities Act. Emotional Support Animals are not specially trained to perform tasks, but they do serve as necessary support for people with psychiatric disabilities. ESAs are allowed on most airlines even if they are above the dog weight restrictions of the airline, as long as they are well behaved. You may need to provide documentation that your dog is an ESA or service animal for it to be allowed to board your flight. However, there are airlines that allow dogs that are not ESAs or Service Animals to ride in the cabin, sometimes for a fee. Read on for a list of the most dog-friendly airlines in the U.S.
What Are the Most Dog-Friendly Airlines in the U.S.?
With these airlines, your dog will be welcome to travel with you in the cabin. Here are the five most dog-friendly airlines in the U.S.
1) Southwest
Southwest accepts six pets per domestic flight (one per customer), for a fee of $95. Uncertified dogs should remain in a carrier at all times. ESAs and service animals do not require a fee, and don’t need to be in a carrier. ESAs should be leashed, and service animals should be in control of the handler.
2) JetBlue
JetBlue encourages customers to bring their dogs and cats onboard for domestic and international flights. There is a pet fee of $125 each way, and dogs need to remain in a carrier. The dog and their carrier together should weigh 20 pounds or less. ESAs and Service dogs of any size can fly, as long as they remain on the floor. Documentation of the ESA or Service status should be provided 48 hours before flying. Owners earn 300 TrueBlue reward points every time they travel with a dog or cat, above the reward points they would otherwise earn on the flight.
3) Alaska
Alaska allows uncertified dogs in a carrier for a $100 fee each way. Alaska has compiled a list of the locations of animal relief areas in airports for owner convenience. ESAs can be leashed or in a carrier, and can ride in a lap as long as they are smaller than a 2-year-old child (otherwise, they should remain on the floor). Service animals need to be in control of their handler but don’t need to be leashed.
4) Frontier
Frontier allows dogs in a carrier for only a single $99 charge, which is less than many other airlines (frontier is a budget airline, so their prices in general are lower). The dog must fit in an 18-inch carrier. ESAs and service dogs of any size are welcome for no charge.
5) Delta
Delta accepts dogs on domestic and some international flights for a $125 fee each way, as long as they stay in a carrier. Unfortunately, pitbull-type dogs are not allowed in-cabin, even if they are service animals. ESAs and Service animals are welcomed for free, and must sit in the floor space in front of a passenger’s seat or on their lap.
Your Dog Doesn’t Have to Stay Home
As long as your dog is well-behaved and happy to remain in a kennel (or is an emotional support or service animal), they can fly with you. Make sure to choose a comfortable kennel where your dog will be happy for the duration of the flight. If you are preparing to take a dog with you on your next trip, make sure you have an up-to-date ID and consider getting TSA PreCheck to move through security more quickly. We can help you get both with Skip Plus. We wish you and your pet safe travels.
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