Airline requirements for your dog

Do you need to take your pup with you on a flight? If your answer is yes, you would be glad to know that several airlines around the world provide this facility. However, it’s extremely important to figure out the exact airline requirements for dogs before making a booking. This will help you to prepare well for the journey and provide your pooch with a comfortable experience. Read on to know about the airline requirements for your dog of some of the best dog-friendly airlines.      

North America

American Airlines

This is the biggest airline in the world and is also one of the best for flying with your dog.

In-Cabin:

Minimum age	8 weeks
Maximum weight	20 pounds (including the carrier)
Carrier size	Varies for different flights
Carriers allowed in a flight	7 (domestic) and 5 (American Eagle)
Cost	$125
Pets on international flights	Yes

NOTE: American Airlines doesn’t allow carry-on pets in the first (or business) class of some Boeing planes.

Cargo:

Pets allowed (per passenger)	Up to 2
Minimum age	8 weeks
Maximum weight	100 pounds (including the carrier)
Cost	Depends on the trip details and size of the pet

NOTE: Due to space issues, dogs can’t fly as cargo on some Airbus planes.

You can visit the official website of American Airlines for getting more details.

JetBlue

This airline provides its passengers with a carrier bag and 300 TrueBlue points for traveling with a pet.

In-cabin:

Minimum age	8 weeks
Maximum weight	20 pounds (including the carrier)
Carrier size	17” x 12.5” x 8.5”
Carriers allowed in a flight	4
Cost	$125
Pets on international flights	Yes

NOTE: The advance booking is done for only the first 3 pets as the 4^th one is catered on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Cargo:

JetBlue doesn’t allow pets as cargo due to lack of oxygen and pressurized air on the plane.

You can visit the official website of JetBlue for getting more details.

Air Canada

This airline travels to all parts of the world and offers a comfortable journey to all the passengers (including pets).

In-cabin:

Minimum age	12 weeks (and fully weaned)
Maximum weight	22 pounds (including the carrier)
Carrier size	21.5” x 15.5” x 9” (hard-sided); 21.5” x 15.5” x 10.5” (soft-sided)
Carriers allowed in a flight	2-4
Cost	$50-60 (Canada and USA) and $100-118 (International)
Pets on international flights	Yes

NOTE: You will need to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure to get your pet on the flight.

Cargo:

Pets allowed (per passenger)	Up to 2
Minimum age	12 weeks
Maximum weight	100 pounds (including carrier)
Cost	Varies according to flight details and size of the carrier

NOTE: Air Canada has dedicated transport vehicles to keep your dogs safe during transportation.

You can visit the official website of Air Canada for getting more details.

Delta

In-cabin:

Minimum age	10-16 weeks (domestic) and 15 weeks (Europe)
Maximum weight	40 pounds (excluding the carrier)
Carrier size	Varies for different flights
Carriers allowed in a flight	8
Cost	$125 (Canada, USA, and Puerto Rico), $200 (international)
Pets on international flights	Yes

NOTE: The cost of flying a dog to Brazil is $75.

Cargo:

Pets allowed (per passenger)	Up to 2
Minimum age	10-16 weeks (domestic) and 15 weeks (Europe)
Maximum weight	20 pounds (each for both pets)
Cost	Varies according to flight details and size of the pet

NOTE: You must drop your dog (at the cargo station) at least 3 hours before the departure.

You can visit the official website of Delta for getting more information.

Frontier Airlines

In-cabin:

Minimum age	4 months
Maximum weight	20 pounds (including the carrier)
Carrier size	18” x 14” x 8”
Carriers allowed in a flight	1 carrier (per passenger)
Cost	$99
Pets on international flights	Only for Mexico and the Dominican Republic

NOTE: If you are traveling with a dog, you can’t sit in the first or exit row.

Cargo:

Frontier Airlines doesn’t transport dogs as cargo.

You can visit the official website of Frontier Airlines for knowing more details.

Alaska Airlines

In-cabin:

Minimum age	8 weeks
Maximum weight	20 pounds (including the carrier)
Carrier size	17” x 11” x 7.5” (hard-sided); 17” x 11” x 9.5” (soft-sided)
Carriers allowed in a flight	6
Cost	$100
Pets on international flights	Yes

NOTE: If you have to travel with 2 dogs, you can buy 2 adjacent seats.

Cargo:

Pets allowed (per passenger)	Up to 2
Minimum age	8 weeks
Maximum weight	40 pounds
Cost	Varies according to flight details and size of the pet

NOTE: The dog should be healthy and mustn’t require any attention during transit.

You can visit the official website of Alaska Airlines for getting more information.

Southwest Airlines

In-cabin:

Minimum age	8 weeks
Maximum weight	No weight limit (carrier must fit under the seat)
Carrier size	18.5” x 13.5” x 8.5”
Carriers allowed in a flight	6
Cost	$95
Pets on international flights	No

NOTE: The cat carrier will replace the passenger’s carry-on bag.

Cargo:

Southwest Airlines doesn’t accept pets as cargo.

You can visit the official website of Southwest Airlines for knowing more details.

United Airlines

In-cabin:

Minimum age	8 weeks (domestic) and 16 weeks (international)
Maximum weight	No weight limit (carrier must fit under the seat)
Carrier size	17.5” x 12” x 7.5” (hard-sided); 18” x 11” x 11” (soft-sided)
Carriers allowed in a flight	2
Cost	$125 (plus $125 for each stopover)
Pets on international flights	Only on some routes

NOTE: Dogs can’t travel from or to Australia, Micronesia, and Hawaii.

Cargo:

Pets allowed (per passenger)	Up to 2
Minimum age	10 weeks (domestic) and 16 weeks (international)
Maximum weight	40 pounds
Cost	Varies according to flight details and size of the pet

NOTE: In the case of large dog breeds, American Humane is used for transporting them.

You can visit the official website of United Airlines for knowing more details.

Hawaiian Airlines

In-cabin:

Minimum age	8 weeks
Maximum weight	25 pounds (including the carrier)
Carrier size	16” x 10” x 9.5”
Carriers allowed in a flight	Varies according to the flight
Cost	$35-$175
Pets on international flights	No

NOTE: Each passenger can carry two dogs of the same litter or breed.

Cargo:

Pets allowed (per passenger)	Up to 2
Minimum age	8 weeks
Maximum weight	70 pounds
Cost	$60 (inter-island flights) and $225 (other flights)

You can visit the official website of Hawaiian Airlines for knowing more details.

SkyWest Airlines

In-cabin:

Minimum age	8 weeks
Maximum weight	11 pounds (including the carrier)
Carrier size	Must fit under the seat
Carriers allowed in a flight	Varies according to the flight
Cost	Varies according to the route
Pets on international flights	Yes

NOTE: SkyWest Airlines has partnered with different companies (Delta, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and American Airlines) and the airline requirements for your dog will depend on the company you are traveling with.

Cargo:

Pets allowed (per passenger)	Up to 2
Minimum age	8 weeks
Maximum weight	100 pounds
Cost	Varies according to flight details

NOTE: This information can change a little due to different partners of SkyWest Airlines.

You can visit the official website of SkyWest Airlines for getting more information.

Asia

Air China

In-cabin:

Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed to fly in the cabin.

Cargo:

Pets allowed (per flight)	Up to 2
Minimum age	8 weeks
Maximum weight	99 pounds (domestic) and 70 pounds (international)
Cost	Varies according to flight details

NOTE: You can travel with 2 dogs (counted as one) if they can fit in a carrier and each one of them weighs less than 30.8 pounds.

You can visit the official website of Air China for knowing more details.

Air India

In-cabin:

Minimum age	3 months
Maximum weight	11 pounds (including the carrier)
Carrier size	18” x 18” x 12”
Carriers allowed in a flight	2
Cost	$100-200
Pets on international flights	Yes

NOTE: You will be slotted in the last row if you are traveling with your dog.

Cargo:

Pets allowed (per flight)	Up to 2
Minimum age	3 months
Maximum weight	Contact the airline
Cost	Varies according to the size of your dog

NOTE: You can’t take your dog with you on non-stop flights from India to the USA.

You can visit the official website of Air India for knowing more details.

Japan Airlines

In-cabin:

Dogs are not allowed in the cabin on Japan Airlines flights.

Cargo:

Pets allowed (per flight)	Varies according to the flight
Minimum age	8 weeks
Maximum weight	Contact the airline
Cost	Varies according to flight details

NOTE: The service is provided only for those countries that allow dogs as freight.

You can visit the official website of Japan Airlines for knowing more.

Korean Air

In-cabin:

Minimum age	8 weeks
Maximum weight	11 pounds (including the carrier)
Carrier size	Sum of linear dimensions < 45” (height < 8”)
Carriers allowed in a flight	Varies according to the flight
Cost	$100-200
Pets on international flights	Yes

NOTE: Pets are not allowed on Boeing 737 international flights.

Cargo:

Pets allowed (per flight)	Varies according to the flight
Minimum age	16 weeks
Maximum weight	99 pounds (70 pounds for some countries)
Cost	$100-$150 (less than 70 pounds) and $200-$400 (70-99 pounds)

NOTE: The sum of linear dimensions of the carrier should be less than 114 inches (height < 33”).

You can visit the official website of Korean Air for getting more information.

Emirates

In-cabin:

This airline doesn’t allow dogs in the cabin (except for some flights between Dubai and Pakistan).

Cargo:

Pets allowed (per flight)	No limit
Minimum age	16 weeks
Maximum weight	80 pounds
Cost	$500-$800

You can visit the official website of Emirates for knowing more details.

Singapore Airlines

In-cabin:

 You can’t take dogs in the cabin of Singapore Airlines planes.

Cargo:

Pets allowed (per flight)	Contact the airline
Minimum age	3 months
Maximum weight	70 pounds
Cost	$120-$280 (USA); varies according to the weight of the carrier (other flights)

NOTE: 2 puppies of the same litter can travel (as one) in a carrier.

You can visit the official website of Singapore Airlines for knowing more details.

Cathay Pacific

In-cabin:

None of the Cathay Pacific flights allow dogs in the cabin.

Cargo:

Pets allowed (per flight)	Contact the airline
Minimum age	Contact the airline
Maximum weight	70 pounds
Cost	Varies according to the zone of the flight

You can visit the official website of Cathay Pacific for getting more information.

Qatar Airways

In-cabin:

Pets can’t fly in the cabin of Qatar Airways planes.

Cargo:

Pets allowed (per flight)No LimitMinimum age12 weeksMaximum weight165 poundsCost$200-$350 (small dogs) and $300-$450 (large dogs)

You can visit the official website of Qatar Airways to know more details.

Turkish Airlines

In-cabin:

Minimum age	10 weeks
Maximum weight	17 pounds (including the carrier)
Carrier size	15” x 11” x 9”
Carriers allowed in a flight	Varies according to the plane
Cost	70 TRY-170 TRY (domestic) and $35-150 (international)
Pets on international flights	Yes

NOTE: Although 2 carriers are allowed per person, you can only take one pet in the cabin.

Cargo:

Pets allowed (per flight)	Varies according to the flight
Minimum age	10 weeks
Maximum weight	61.6 pounds (2 pets)
Cost	$70-$300

NOTE: Dogs with respiratory problems are transported as cargo.

You can visit the official website of Turkish Airlines for getting more information.

Aeroflot

In-cabin:

Minimum age	8 weeks
Maximum weight	17 pounds (including the carrier)
Carrier size	21.5” x 18” x 8”
Carriers allowed in a flight	Varies according to the flight
Cost	$72 (domestic) and $90 (international)
Pets on international flights	Yes

NOTE: Inform the airline (about the dog) at least 36 hours before departure.

Cargo:

Pets allowed (per flight)	Varies according to the flight
Minimum age	8 weeks
Maximum weight	110 pounds
Cost	Varies according to the flight

You can visit the official website of Aeroflot for knowing more details.

Europe

Air France

In-cabin:

Minimum age	10 weeks
Maximum weight	17 pounds (including the carrier)
Carrier size	18” x 11” x 9”
Carriers allowed in a flight	Varies according to the flight
Cost	$35-$150
Pets on international flights	Yes (except intercontinental business class flights)

Cargo:

Pets allowed (per flight)	Varies according to the flight
Minimum age	10 weeks
Maximum weight	165 pounds
Cost	$90-$240

You can visit the official website of Air France for getting more information.

Air Europa

In-cabin:

Minimum age	10 weeks
Maximum weight	17 pounds (including the carrier); 13 pounds for ATR planes
Carrier size	21” x 14” x 10”
Carriers allowed in a flight	5
Cost	$10-$30 (domestic), $60 (Europe), and $180 (international)
Pets on international flights	Yes

NOTE: Additional prices can be charged for traveling to certain countries.

Cargo:

Air Europa doesn’t transport dogs as cargo.

You can visit the official website of Air Europa for knowing more details.

Lufthansa Airlines

In-cabin:

Minimum age	12 weeks (16 weeks for the USA)
Maximum weight	17 pounds (including the carrier)
Carrier size	22” x 16” x 9”
Carriers allowed in a flight	Contact the airline
Cost	$60 (domestic) and $70-$130 (international)
Pets on international flights	Yes

Cargo:

Pets allowed (per passenger)	Varies according to the flight
Minimum age	12 weeks (16 weeks for the USA)
Maximum weight	Contact the airline
Cost	$95-$190 (domestic); $120-$450 (international)

NOTE: The carrier should be compliant with IATA regulations.

You can visit the official website of Lufthansa Airlines for knowing more details.

British Airways

In-cabin:

Minimum age	8 weeks
Maximum weight	17 pounds (including the carrier)
Carrier size	16” x 10” x 9”
Carriers allowed in a flight	Varies according to the flight
Cost	$60 (domestic), $80 (Europe), and $105 (others)
Pets on international flights	Yes

NOTE: Dogs can’t travel on charter planes of British Airways.

Cargo:

Pets allowed	Varies according to the flight
Minimum age	8 weeks
Maximum weight	61.6 pounds (2 pets)
Cost	$100 (domestic), $195 (Europe), and $310 (others)

NOTE: The dog must be transported to the IAG Cargo facility at least 2 hours before the departure time of domestic flights. In case of international traveling, you should bring your pup there 4 hours before flying.

you can visit the official website of British Airways for getting more information.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

In-cabin:

Minimum age	10 weeks
Maximum weight	18 pounds (including the carrier)
Carrier size	18” x 11” by 9”
Carriers allowed in a flight	Varies according to the flight
Cost	$35-$240
Pets on international flights	Yes

NOTE: Dogs can’t fly Business class cabins on intercontinental flights.

Cargo:

Pets allowed	Varies according to the flight
Minimum age	8 weeks
Maximum weight	Contact the airline
Cost	Varies according to the flight

NOTE: Cargo services transport the pets as freight.

You can visit the official website of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines for knowing more details.

Vueling

In-cabin:

Minimum age	12 weeks
Maximum weight	17-22 pounds (including the carrier)
Carrier size	17” x 15” by 8”
Carriers allowed in a flight	2-3
Cost	$48 (domestic); $60 (international)
Pets on international flights	Yes

NOTE: Your dog should have been administered a rabies shot between the last 30 days and 12 months.

Cargo:

The cargo service is not available on Vueling flights.

You can visit the official website of Vueling for getting more information.

Aegean Airlines

In-cabin:

Minimum age	12 weeks
Maximum weight	17 pounds (including the carrier)
Carrier size	21” x 15” by 8”
Carriers allowed in a flight	Varies according to the flight
Cost	$23-$35 (domestic);$60-$72 (international)
Pets on international flights	Yes

NOTE: If you are traveling with an infant, you can’t bring a dog in the cabin.

Cargo:

Pets allowed (per flight)	5
Minimum age	12 weeks
Maximum weight	48 pounds
Cost	$60-$106 (domestic); $130-$215 (international)

NOTE: Aegean Airlines may refuse to carry your dog as cargo if the connecting time of the route is more than 3 hours.

You can visit the official website of Aegean Airlines to know more details.

TUI Airways

In-cabin:

Minimum age	12 weeks
Maximum weight	17 pounds (including the carrier)
Carrier size	21” x 16” by 8”
Carriers allowed in a flight	Varies according to the flight
Cost	$56 (domestic) and $50 (international)
Pets on international flights	Yes

NOTE: You must have a blue EU animal passport for your pooch.

Cargo:

Pets allowed (per flight)	Varies according to the flight
Minimum age	12 weeks
Maximum weight	Contact the airline
Cost	$85 (domestic); $72 (international)

You can visit the official website of TUI Airways for getting more information.

Australia

Qantas Airways

In-cabin:

Dogs can’t fly in the cabin of Qantas Airways planes.

Cargo:

Pets allowed (per flight)	Varies according to the flight
Minimum age	12 weeks
Maximum weight	286 pounds (domestic); no limits (international)
Cost	Varies according to the flight and size of the carrier

NOTE: If you are traveling on a Rex (ZL) aircraft, the maximum weight (including the carrier) can be 70 pounds.

You can visit the official website of Qantas Airways for knowing more details.

Air New Zealand

In-cabin:

Unfortunately, Air New Zealand doesn’t allow dogs to travel in the cabin.

Cargo:

Pets allowed (per flight)	Varies according to the flight
Minimum age	16 weeks
Maximum weight	Contact the airline
Cost	$75-$100 (NZD)

NOTE: 2 dogs of the same breed can travel in the same carrier, provided each one of them weighs less than 30 pounds.

You can visit the official website of Air New Zealand for knowing more details.