A Complete Guide to Pet-Friendly Airlines in the US: Commercial, Private, and Semi-Private

For many pet owners, leaving a beloved dog or cat behind is easily one of the worst parts of travel. There’s the scramble to find a trustworthy sitter or book a spot at the kennel, followed by the inevitable, nagging worry: Will they be okay while I’m gone?Fortunately, bringing your pet along for the journey is getting easier as more and more airlines, hotels, vacation rentals, restaurants, and other travel businesses begin to accommodate four-legged guests. But even as pet-friendly vacations become more common, flying with an animal still takes some advance planning.Every airline has its own pet travel rules, including which animals they accept, whether pets can travel in the cabin or cargo hold, how large they can be, what kind of carrier they need, and how much it costs for them to fly. Depending on where you’re headed, you may also need veterinary paperwork, a health certificate, or other documentation before you go.If your veterinarian gives your jet-setting pet the green light to fly, the next step is finding an airline whose policies work for you and your furry friend. For pets traveling as companions, not service animals, those rules can look pretty different from one airline to the next. Your pet’s size, species, breed, temperament, destination, and whether you want them beside you in the cabin can all factor into your choice.Below, we break down some of the major pet-friendly airlines in the US, including which types of animals they accept, where pets can travel on board, how much it costs to fly with a pet, and what you need to know before you book.This article has been updated with new information since its original publication date.Who is the most pet-friendly airline?What airlines allow 40 lb dogs in the cabin?How much does it cost to fly a pet on an airline?Bark AirK9 JetsJSXAlaska AirlinesSouthwest AirlinesUnited AirlinesAmerican AirlinesDelta Air LinesJetBlueHawaiian AirlinesFrontier AirlinesBreeze AirwaysWho is the most pet-friendly airline?There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to choosing the most pet-friendly airline. The best option for you and your four-legged friend will depend on a variety of factors, including your itinerary, the type and size of your pet, the airline’s current pet policies and fees, and whether you want your pet to travel in the cabin with you or in the cargo hold. Some airlines allow small dogs and cats to travel in the cabin, while others have more limited options, so it’s important to compare the rules for your specific trip before booking. Your pet’s comfort, safety and ability to meet the airline’s requirements should ultimately guide your choice.Overall, though, you can rest assured knowing that flying is a relatively safe way for pets to travel. US airlines transported 117,861 animals in 2025, according to the latest figures released by the US Department of Transportation. Of that total, three animals died, seven were injured, and one was lost, for an overall annual incident rate of 0.76 per 10,000 animals. While those numbers suggest that serious incidents are uncommon, pet owners should weigh the potential risks against the benefits and decide what makes the most sense for their animal.What airlines allow 40-lb dogs in the cabin?For a 40-pound dog, the options for flying in the cabin are extremely limited. Most commercial airlines in the US require pets to remain in an approved carrier that fits under the seat in front of you, with the carrier and the pet together subject to weight or size limits.If you’re willing to pay a bit more for your flight, you’ll likely have more luck with semi-private pet-friendly airlines like Bark Air, K9 Jets, or JSX, which typically allow heftier dogs to fly in the cabin with their owners. Bark Air has no size restrictions, while K9 Jets allows each passenger to bring either one pet over 51 pounds, or two pets that weigh less than 50 pounds each. JSX permits dogs that weigh less than 80 pounds.How much does it cost to fly a pet on an airline?The cost of flying with a pet varies by airline, route, and whether your pet is traveling in the cabin with you or as cargo. Before booking, always check the airline’s current pet fees and policies, since prices and restrictions can change.For pets traveling in the cabin, US commercial airlines typically charge a pet fee each way, often ranging from about $100 to $150 for domestic flights. If you’re flying roundtrip with your furry companion, that means you could pay $200 to $300 in pet fees alone. Transporting a pet as cargo, meanwhile, typically costs around $200 each way.Flights on semi-private pet-friendly airlines like Bark Air, K9 Jets, or JSX usually cost considerably more. For example, flying from Los Angeles to New York on Bark Air will cost $7,075 for you and your dog, while a trip from New York to San Francisco will run you $7,450.As you budget for your trip, remember that your pet carrier may count toward your carry-on allowance. If you’re not a light packer, that means you could end up needing to check a bag—and pay a baggage fee—to make room for your pet.Bark AirPet travel in the cabin: Dogs aren’t an afterthought on Bark Air—they’re the whole reason the airline exists. The public charter operator took off for the first time in May 2024, giving dogs and their humans a dedicated way to travel in comfort.On Bark Air flights, dogs can roam freely throughout the cabin and do not need to be kept inside a carrier. There are no breed or size restrictions on the plane (though the company encourages travelers flying internationally to check breed rules in their destination). Humans must be at least 18 years old to book a flight, and only kids ages 10 and up are allowed on board.The airline can provide treats, blankets, toys, leashes, poop bags, and calming aids like pheromones, music, and lavender-scented towels. Flight attendants also offer dogs a beverage of choice—like water or bone broth—to help with any pressure-related discomfort in their ears during takeoff and landing.Bark Air flights usually have seven to nine human passengers onboard, plus their pups. Each ticket is good for one human and one dog (or two dogs if their combined weight is less than 50 pounds)—there’s no separate pet fee. Bark Air currently flies from New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, London, Paris, and Madrid.If you can’t fly with your dog for some reason, one of Bark Air’s chaperones will accompany your pup in the air—and can even care for them at your destination. The team can also help with international paperwork and customs support, dog-friendly ground transportation, and recommendations for when you land.If you crave a bit more privacy. Bark Air also offers private and shared charters. You can rent an entire plane just for you and your dog, or book a seat on someone else’s private flight.Pets in cargo: Bark Air does not have a pet cargo or shipping program.K9 JetsPet travel in the cabin: Founded in 2022, K9 Jets is a UK-based pay-per-seat private jet service for travelers and their furry companions. Both dogs and cats are allowed on board, but cats need to be inside a soft-sided carrier for the entire flight. Dogs, meanwhile, can sit next to you or on your lap, but they need to remain on-leash and under your control at all times.K9 Jets does not have any breed restrictions, though travelers should research the rules in their final destination. (This is important, as K9 Jets flies to many international locales, including Dubai, Dublin, Frankfurt, Lisbon, London, Milan, Paris, Melbourne, Geneva, and Toronto.)Each ticket includes a seat for one human, as well as either two pets that each weigh less than 50 pounds or one pet that weighs more than 51 pounds. If you have two pets and one weighs more than 51 pounds, you’ll need to book two seats—and, even if you’re only bringing one pet, you have the option to buy an extra seat for your cat or dog.Pets in cargo: K9 Jets does not have a pet cargo or shipping program.JSXPet travel in the cabin: JSX is a public charter airline founded in California in 2016 that aims to offer an experience that feels more like flying in a private jet without requiring passengers to charter an entire plane. The carrier started with a single route between Burbank and Concord and now serves more than 28 destinations across the US and Mexico.The company permits dogs and cats in the cabin, but the rules vary based on species and size. JSX allows five total pets, regardless of size, in the cabin on each flight.Small dogs and cats that weigh less than 30 pounds can fly in the cabin for $100 each way. Cats must remain in their carrier under the seat for the entire flight. Dogs can be outside their carriers for most of the flight, but they must be tucked away during takeoff and landing. Each passenger can bring one pet carrier with them onboard, and only one pet is allowed inside each carrier. The pet carrier counts as one of your carry-on items.If your pup is too large to fit inside an under-seat carrier, you can still bring him on the plane—you’ll just need to purchase an extra seat next to you. JSX allows medium and large dogs that weigh less than 80 pounds in the cabin, but they need to stay on the floor in front of the extra seat and must be leashed at all times. During taxi, takeoff, and landing, you must attach the leash to the seat frame.Pets in cargo: JSX does not allow pets to fly in cargo.Alaska AirlinesPet travel in the cabin: Alaska Airlines allows dogs, cats, domesticated rabbits, and small household birds to fly in the cabin for $100 each way ($35 for trips that are fully within Hawaii). There are no breed restrictions for pets to travel in the cabin; however, there are rules about which types of animals are allowed to fly to specific destinations. For example, domesticated rabbits are not allowed to travel to Maui, Lihue, or Kona from the continental US.Alaska Airlines requires carry-on dogs, cats, and rabbits to be at least eight weeks old and able to eat solid food. Travelers must be at least 18 years old. Each passenger may bring up to two pet carriers into the cabin, as long as the traveler pays for two adjacent seats on the plane. Additionally, up to two pets of the same size and species can fly together in the same kennel, so long as they fit comfortably.Pets must stay in their carrier, with all doors and flaps secured at all times, while onboard the plane, as well as in the boarding area and the Alaska Lounge. Travelers must stow the kennel under the seat in front of them during taxi, takeoff, and landing. The pet carrier counts toward the passenger’s carry-on baggage allotment, and travelers flying with pets cannot sit in the emergency exit or bulkhead rows. Alaska also limits the number of carriers onboard per flight, though the rules vary by aircraft type and fare class.Pets in cargo: Alaska Airlines allows a more diverse selection of domesticated pets to fly in its climate-controlled cargo hold on many flights: dogs, cats, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, household birds, non-poisonous reptiles, pot-bellied pigs, rabbits, and tropical fish. Regardless of the type of animal, the carrier with the pet inside must weigh less than 150 pounds and travelers must provide a valid health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian.The one-way fee is $200 per kennel for most flights and travelers. However, for trips that are fully within Alaska or passengers who are active-duty US military or dependents on travel orders, the fee is $100. For trips that are fully within Hawaii, the fee is $60.On flights to Hawaii or international destinations, Alaska Airlines only permits dogs and cats to fly in the cargo hold. Brachycephalic, or “short-nosed,” dogs and cats are only permitted to fly cargo on flights to, from, or within Hawaii and they must be in a sized-up kennel to ensure fresh air can circulate around their bodies.Alaska Airlines only allows one dog or cat of any size that’s eight weeks or older to travel in a kennel. However, two puppies or kittens may travel together in the same kennel if they each weigh less than 20 pounds, are between eight weeks and six months old, and are similar in size. Alaska Airlines may not permit pets to fly in the cargo hold if staffers determine temperatures are too hot or too cold.Alaska Airlines also has a separate program, called Pet Connect, for shipping pets without an accompanying passenger.Southwest AirlinesPet travel in the cabin: Southwest Airlines permits small, vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least eight weeks old to fly in the cabin on most domestic flights. Furry friends cannot travel in the cabin on international flights, nor on flights to and from Hawaii (though they can fly between Hawaiian islands.) The pet travel fee is $125 each way for US mainland flights and $35 for flights between Hawaiian islands.Passengers can only bring one pet carrier into the cabin, but each carrier may contain up to two animals of the same species. Pets that travel in the cabin must remain inside their carrier for the whole flight (and the kennel must be stored underneath the seat in front of you), as well as in the gate area and during boarding and deplaning. A pet carrier counts toward your carry-on allotment. The airline sells pet carriers for $58, but you can also bring your own.Travelers with pets may not sit in the emergency exit row or bulkhead seats. Unaccompanied minors cannot bring pets with them into the plane, and pets do not earn Rapid Rewards points.If your four-legged friend passed away recently and you want to bring her cremated remains on the flight, you’ll need to bring them as a carry-on item—Southwest Airlines does not allow cremated pet remains in checked luggage. The airline recommends a temporary plastic or cardboard container so that the remains can easily pass through X-ray screening at security.Pets in cargo: Southwest Airlines does not have a pet cargo or shipping program.United AirlinesPet travel in the cabin: United Airlines allows dogs and cats to travel in the cabin for $150 each way.United Airlines doesn’t have any breed or weight limitations for pets flying in the cabin. However, the animal must be able to fit comfortably inside a carrier, with the door closed, and be kept underneath the seat in front of you for the entire flight. On domestic flights, puppies and kittens must be at least two months old. On international flights, dogs must be at least six months old, and kittens must be at least four months old.On most flights, United allows each passenger to bring up to two pets into the cabin. However, if you’re planning to bring two pets, you’ll need to buy an extra seat next to yours. On some types of aircraft, United only allows one pet per passenger because of limited space under the middle seat. The company also caps the total number of pets that can fly in each cabin (premium or economy) based on the type of plane. Pets are not allowed on United flights to, from, or through certain international destinations.Passengers traveling with a pet cannot sit in an emergency exit row, a United Premium Plus seat, or the front row of each cabin.Pets in cargo: United does not allow pets to fly in the cargo hold, unless they are traveling with certain active-duty military or State Department employees.American AirlinesPet travel in the cabin: American Airlines allows dogs and cats in the cabin for $150 each way. Animals can travel on most flights that are up to 12 hours or to and from certain destinations: within the contiguous US, plus Alaska, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and St. Thomas.Pets flying in the cabin must remain in a carrier under the seat in front of you for the whole flight. Because of a lack of under-seat storage, American does not allow carry-on pets to fly in first or business class on some planes. The carrier counts as either your carry-on bag or personal item.The total number of carry-on pets is capped based on the aircraft type and cabin, with some planes able to accommodate up to 20 animals. American Airlines will not accept carry-on pets that have been tranquilized or sedated.Pets in cargo: American Airlines only allows active-duty US military service members and US State Department Foreign Service personnel traveling on official orders to check their furry friends. The company also offers a separate pet shipping program called American PetEmbark.Delta Air LinesPet travel in the cabin: Delta Air Lines allows dogs, cats, and household birds in the cabin to and from certain destinations. Regardless of the type of animal, it must be able to fit in a carrier that remains under the seat in front of you for the whole flight.All pets must also be at least eight weeks old for domestic flights. For flights to the US from another country, dogs must be at least six months old and cats must be at least 16 weeks old. Pets must be at least 15 weeks old when flying to destinations in the European Union.Delta’s carry-on pet fee is $150 each way for flights to and from the US, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. The carry-on pet fee for international flights is $200 each way.Delta Air Lines only allows one pet per carrier, with a few exceptions. The airline allows two pets of the same size and breed between eight weeks and six months old to fly together in the same kennel (and charges them as one pet), so long as they get along and can fit into a single kennel. Additionally, travelers can bring one female dog or cat with her unweaned litter, as long as the animals in the litter are eight weeks to six months old.Your pet’s carrier counts toward your carry-on allotment. Travelers with carry-on pets cannot sit in certain areas, such as the emergency exit rows and bulkhead seats, as well as in specific rows on certain planes.Pets in cargo: Delta only allows pets in cargo for active US military service members or US State Department Foreign Service Office employees traveling on official orders.JetBluePet travel in the cabin: For $150 each way, passengers can bring small dogs and cats, safely secured inside a carrier that fits under the seat in front of them, on JetBlue flights.JetBlue only allows six total pets per flight. However, each passenger can bring up to two animals—each in its own carrier—with them in the cabin. If you are bringing two animals, you’ll need to pay for a second seat and a second pet fee.Pets must remain inside the carrier for the entire flight. You can purchase an extra seat for your pet and set the carrier on your lap or in the extra seat for most of the flight. However, during taxi, takeoff, and landing, the carrier needs to be tucked under the seat in front of you. Your pet is never allowed to sit on the seat.Pets are not allowed in Mint, which is JetBlue’s premium cabin. The airline does not allow travelers with pets to sit in exit rows, bulkhead seats, or other seats with restricted underseat storage. Unaccompanied minors cannot travel with pets on JetBlue.Pets in cargo: JetBlue does not accept pets in cargo.Hawaiian AirlinesPet travel in the cabin: Dogs, cats, domesticated rabbits, and small birds can travel in the cabin on many Hawaiian Airlines flights.The carry-on pet fee is $35 each way for flights within Hawaii, and $100 each way for all other trips. Pets are not permitted on flights to certain international destinations. Your pet counts toward your carry-on allowance on most flights, except for those that are fully within Hawaii.Hawaiian Airlines allows passengers to travel with up to two pet carriers, so long as you purchase an extra seat next to you. Dogs, cats, and rabbits must be at least eight weeks old and accustomed to eating solid food.Your pet must fit inside a carrier that can fit underneath the seat in front of you, and you’ll need to keep the carrier stored during taxi, takeoff, and landing. The animal must remain fully inside its carrier during the flight, as well as in the boarding areas, walkways, and lounges. Two pets that are the same species and similar sizes may fly in the same carrier.Travelers with pets are not allowed to sit in emergency exit or bulkhead rows. Passengers must be at least 18 years old to travel with a pet in the cabin.Pets in cargo: Hawaiian Airlines accepts pets including cats, dogs, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, household birds, non-poisonous reptiles, pot-bellied pigs, rabbits, and tropical fish as [checked baggage](https://www.hawaiianairlines.com/content/travel-info/policies/pets-traveling-with-pets/pets-in-baggage-compartment). However, only dogs and cats are permitted on flights to and from Hawaii and most international locations. Household birds can travel within Hawaii. Checked pets are not allowed on flights to or from certain international destinations.The one-way fee is $200 per kennel for most flights and travelers. However, for trips that are fully within Alaska or passengers who are active-duty US military or dependents on travel orders, the fee is $100. For trips that are fully within Hawaii, the fee is $60.Dogs and cats must be at least eight weeks old, and travelers must provide a valid health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian.Hawaiian typically only allows one dog or cat per kennel. However, up to two puppies or kittens that are between eight weeks and six months old and weigh 20 pounds or less each can share the same carrier. With your pet inside, the kennel cannot weigh more than 150 pounds.Brachycephalic dogs and cats are only permitted to fly in the baggage compartment on flights to, from, or within Hawaii, and they must be in a sized-up kennel to ensure proper air circulation. Otherwise, Hawaii does not allow these animals to fly cargo.Hawaiian Airlines also has a separate program, called Pet Connect, for shipping pets without an accompanying passenger.Frontier AirlinesPet travel in the cabin: For $149 each way, pets may travel in the cabin on Frontier Airlines flights. Dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and household birds can accompany passengers in the cabin on flights within the US. Dogs and cats must be at least eight weeks old.Passengers traveling with a pet cannot sit in the emergency exit rows or the first row of the plane. Pets must remain inside a carrier for the entire flight. Frontier Airlines also asks travelers not to provide water or food to their pet within four hours of departure, nor during the flight.Pet kennels count toward your carry-on allotment, and they must be able to fit under the seat in front of you. Pets must be able to stand up, turn around, and lie down in a natural position. Only one dog or cat is allowed per carrier.Pets in cargo: Frontier Airlines does not transport pets as checked baggage.Breeze AirwaysPet travel in the cabin: Breeze Airways charges $75 each way for dogs and cats to travel in the cabin with their humans. Pets are only allowed on domestic flights.The airline permits up to five pets per flight, and each passenger may only bring one pet into the cabin.Breeze only allows soft-sided pet carriers, and the pet and carrier together must weigh no more than 25 pounds. Pets must stay in their carriers under the seat in front of you for the whole flight. Your animal must be at least eight weeks old to travel.The pet carrier counts as your personal item. Passengers traveling with pets are required to book standard or extra legroom seats, and pets are not allowed in Ascent, the airline’s first-class experience, nor in bulkhead or exit rows.Pets in cargo: Breeze Airways does not allow pets as checked baggage.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​