Airline Policies | Carry-On & Checked Dogs
When traveling with a furry friend who needs a little extra attention, you need everything to go as smooth as possible. We here at Golden Wags have compiled a collection of approved carriers and the guides below for airline travel for your convenience, helping you purchase the best airline approved dog carrier for your airplane.
Before purchasing a dog carrier, prepare for a stress-free flight with your pal by reviewing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Big Four Airlines' policies below
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Carry-On Regulations
Airlines have the discretion, as granted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), to determine whether pets are permitted in the passenger cabin. Should an airline permit in-cabin pet travel, your pet carrier is classified as carry-on baggage, subject to adherence to all applicable carry-on baggage policies.
- Ensure that your pet container is compact enough to fit beneath the seat, without obstructing anyone's access to the main aisle of the airplane.
- Stow your pet container appropriately before the closure of the last passenger entry door, as this is necessary for the aircraft to depart from the gate.
- Maintain the proper stowage of your pet container throughout the entire duration of the airplane's movement on the airport surface, as well as during takeoff and landing.
- Adhere to flight attendant instructions regarding the correct placement of your pet container to ensure a safe and compliant travel experience.
Big Four Airlines' Policies
*While Golden Wags provides a list of carriers we find compatible with American Airlines through our own thorough research, we ask customers independently verify a carrier matches their airline and flight's needs before purchasing to ensure an easy trip.
Planning to bring your dog as a carry-on aboard your American Airlines flight? Here's what you need to know about carrying your dog in the cabin:
- You can bring one kennel as your carry-on bag, provided you pay the carry-on dog fee. Your dog must remain in the kennel and under the seat in front of you for the entire flight. While you can bring your dog carrier and one personal item, please note that an additional carry-on bag is not permitted.
- Ensure your kennel meets the guidelines:
- Hard-sided Kennel: Mainline flights: 19 x 13 x 9 inches; Regional flights on American Eagle: 16 x 12 x 8 inches.
- Soft-sided Kennel (recommended): 18 x 11 x 11 inches.
- American Airlines has restrictions on the number of kennels allowed:
- Mainline flights: 7 kennels (excluding service animals).
- American Eagle flights: 5 kennels; 1 in First.
- Carry-on pets are not allowed in First or Business on the following Boeing aircrafts due to limited underseat storage space:
- 777-200
- 777-300
- 787-8
- 787-9
- Following the American Veterinary Medical Association's recommendation, American Airlines does not accept sedated or tranquilized pets, as they are at higher risk of respiratory and cardiovascular problems at high altitudes.
Checking dogs is exclusively available to active-duty U.S. military and U.S. State Department Foreign Service personnel on official orders. For more information, visit American Airlines' website.
Ready to add your pet to your travel plans? Follow these steps:
- Find your trip on aa.com or the American app.
- In the Special Services section, select 'Add carry-on pets.'
- Review and agree to the carry-on pet requirements.
- Select the flights for your pet's travel.
- Confirm your carry-on pet to complete the changes.
Sources:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/special-assistance/pets.jsp
*While Golden Wags provides a list of carriers we find compatible with Southwest Airlines through our own thorough research, we ask customers independently verify a carrier matches their airline and flight's needs before purchasing to ensure an easy trip.
Planning to bring your dog as a carry-on aboard your Southwest Airlines flight? Here's what you need to know about carrying your dog in the cabin:
- Southwest welcomes small, vaccinated domestic dogs eight weeks or older in an appropriate pet carrier in the cabin on domestic flights.
- Pets must be harmless, odorless, and require no attention during the flight. Disruptive behavior may result in denied boarding.
- Ensure your kennel meets the guidelines:
- The kennel may have maximum dimensions of 18.5” (L) x 13.5” (W) x 9.5” (H).
- Pet carriers must allow the dog to stand up and move around with ease.
- Carriers must be leak-proof, well-ventilated, and designed specifically for pets.
- Carriers must be able to be stowed under your seat. Customers with pets cannot occupy exit row seats or seats with no under-seat stowage.
- Dogs must be secured in the carrier at all times in the gate area, during boarding/deplaning, and for the entire flight.
- One pet carrier per ticketed customer is allowed.
- Southwest Airlines does not accept dogs traveling without an adult customer. Unaccompanied minors cannot travel with a pet.
- Special requirements apply for travel to Puerto Rico and pets are not allowed on flights to or from Hawaii.
- Reservations are recommended due to limited space. Pet fare is $125 each way per pet carrier for U.S. mainland flights. Payment is made at the airport ticket counter with accepted credit cards. The fare is refundable under specific circumstances.
- Through security you'll hold your dog while walking through the screening device, and the carrier will be X-rayed. All dog carriers are subject to search.
Passengers are unable to check dogs on Southwest Airlines.
Ready to add your pet to your travel plans? Call 1-800-I-FLY-SWA reservations and further details.
Sources:
https://www.southwest.com/help/booking/pet-policy;
https://www.southwest.com/pets/
*While Golden Wags provides a list of carriers we find compatible with Delta Airlines through our own thorough research, we ask customers independently verify a carrier matches their airline and flight's needs before purchasing to ensure an easy trip.
Planning to bring your dog as a carry-on aboard your Delta Airlines flight? Here's what you need to know about carrying your dog in the cabin:
- Small dogs eight weeks or older can travel in the cabin for a one-way fee collected at check-in.
- Dogs in kennels count as your carry-on item, and you're allowed one additional personal item.
- Your dog must remain inside the kennel with the door secured during boarding, deplaning, in a Delta boarding area, and while in a Delta Sky Club®.
- Ensure your kennel meets the guidelines:
- Delta recommends a soft-sided kennel with maximum dimensions of 18” x 11” x 11”.
- Your dog must fit comfortably in a soft-sided ventilated kennel that can be stowed underneath the seat directly in front of you.
- One dog is permitted per kennel, with exceptions for a female dog traveling with her un-weaned litter or two dogs of the same breed and size between 8 weeks and 6 months.
- Customers with carry-on dogs cannot select seats in specific areas, including:
- Bulkhead seats
- An emergency exit row
- Seats designated as “no stowage”
- Flat-bed or Delta One seats
- Rows 46-51 on the A330-200 aircraft
- Rows 54-59 on the A330 -300 aircraft
- Center seats on the B757-200 aircraft
- Delta operates on a first-come, first-serve basis for pets in the cabin, with varying limits based on cabin class:
- Domestic First Class, Business Class, Delta One allow 2 pets.
- Delta Premium Select allows 0 pets.
- Domestic Main Cabin allows 4 pets.
- Upon arrival, head to the Special Service Counter to check in with your pet. A Delta agent will confirm that your pet and kennel meet the necessary requirements and collect the required pet fee.
- The carry-on pet fee is $95 for domestic tickets issued on/after Feb 28th, 2022, and $125 for those issued before this date.
- Unfortunately, pet travel is not allowed on Delta flights to Hawaii.
Checking dogs is only available for active U.S Military or Active U.S. State Department Foreign Service Officers (FSO) and their spouses with active transfer orders. For more information, visit Delta Airlines' website.
Ready to add your pet to your travel plans? Contact Delta Reservations at 1-800-221-1212 to secure a spot. Have your dog's kennel dimensions available when calling.
*While Golden Wags provides a list of carriers we find compatible with United Airlines through our own thorough research, we ask customers independently verify a carrier matches their airline and flight's needs before purchasing to ensure an easy trip.
Planning to bring your dog as a carry-on aboard your United Airlines flight? Here's what you need to know about carrying your dog in the cabin:
- In-cabin travel for pets is available for dogs two months or older when space allows on domestic flights.
- Once on the flight, your pet must stay in their carrier with the door closed and under your seat at all times. They should be able to stand up and turn around in their carrier.
- Each customer can travel with up to two pets, but if you have two, you must purchase two seats, with the second one next to your assigned seat.
- Ensure your kennel meets the guidelines:
- Hard-sided Carrier: 17.5in (44cm) x 12in (30cm) x 7.5in (19cm)
- Soft-sided Carrier: 18in (45cm) x 11in (27cm) x 11in (27cm)
- Dogs, regardless of weight or breed, must travel in either a hard-sided or soft-sided carrier that fits under the seat. There can only be one dog per carrier, and they must be able to stand up and turn around.
- The only animals allowed on planes without a pet carrier are service animals.
- Each cabin has a limit on the amount of pets they can accommodate:
- Premium Cabins can carry up to 2 pets on Airbus 319, Airbus 320, Boeing 7371, Boeing 757-300ER, Bombardier CRJ, EMB 175 and EMB 145 planes.
- Economy can carry up to 4 pets on Airbus 319, Airbus 320, Boeing 7371, Boeing 757-300ER, Bombardier CRJ, EMB 175 and EMB 145 planes.
- Economy can carry up to 6 pets on Boeing 767, Boeing 777, and Boeing 787 planes.
- Traveling with a pet incurs a fee of $125 each way.
- Visit the ticket counter with your and your pet's confirmation numbers. You'll receive a special bag tag for your pet’s carrier.
Ready to add your pet to your travel plans? To add a dog to your trop, select “Travel with a pet” during booking online or go to "My Trips" to edit existing trips.
Sources:
https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/travel/traveling-with-pets.html