No airline in our table lets a big dog fly in the cabin, but 7 of these 20 fly bigger dogs as cargo or in the hold: Alaska, American (through PetEmbark), Hawaiian, Air Canada, Air France, Aeromexico and Turkish. Nine, including United, Southwest and JetBlue, are cabin-only with no cargo option, and six international carriers, including British Airways and Emirates, take no pets in the cabin at all. Small dogs fly in the cabin on all 20, as long as dog and carrier fit under the seat, usually under 20 lbs combined; US domestic fees run $50 (Allegiant) to $150 each way (American, Delta, United). Snub-nosed breeds are often barred from cargo. Policies change, so confirm with the airline when you book. See our pet policy statistics for how airlines compare with trucking, hotels, and apartments.
Quick picks by dog size
- Big dog: cargo or hold available. Alaska (not on Airbus planes), American (through PetEmbark), Hawaiian, Air Canada, Air France (hold, dogs about 18–165 lbs), Aeromexico (cargo to about 99 lbs) and Turkish (cargo to about 110 lbs). No airline here lets a large pet dog ride in the cabin; only trained service dogs fly there free.
- Medium dog in the cabin. Spirit publishes the highest cap: 40 lbs for dog plus carrier. Alaska, Delta, United, Frontier and Allegiant set no weight cap at all, only a carrier size that has to fit under the seat.
- Cabin only, no cargo. United, Southwest, JetBlue, Spirit, Frontier, Allegiant, Breeze, Sun Country and Avelo. If your dog can’t fit under the seat, these 9 can’t fly it.
- No pets in the cabin at all. British Airways, Qantas, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and ANA. Pet dogs go in the hold or as cargo only.
Every airline name links to its policy source. Cargo space is limited and seasonal heat or cold embargoes can cancel it, so confirm your route when you book.
✓ Policies verified August 30, 2026 Every row links to its source. Policies change — confirm with the airline before you commit.
| Airline | Deposit / fee | Weight limit | Max pets | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska Airlines | $100 each way per carrier ($35 each way intra-Hawaii/interisland) | No weight cap; carrier under seat — hard-sided max ~17x11x7.5 in, soft-sided max 17x11x9.5 in | 1 carrier per passenger (2 same-species pets may share); cabin capacity roughly capped at 3 carriers in First, 8 in Main Cabin | Source ↗ |
| Deposit refundable: No Breed rules: Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds barred from cargo hold; allowed in cabin if small enough to fit Conditions: Cargo option available but not on Airbus aircraft (no temp-controlled hold); min age 8 weeks and weaned; as of June 2025 only dogs and cats accepted for new in-cabin bookings | ||||
| American Airlines | $150 each way | Pet + carrier max 20 lbs, must fit under seat | 1 carrier per passenger | Source ↗ |
| Deposit refundable: No Breed rules: Snub-nosed breeds barred from cargo (PetEmbark program) Conditions: Cargo option via PetEmbark; health certificate required within 10 days for cargo/international; extra fee applies when a connection is 4+ hours | ||||
| Delta Air Lines | $150 domestic/Canada/Puerto Rico/USVI, $200 international, each way | No weight cap; soft-sided kennel under seat, recommended max ~18x11x11 in (ventilation 3 sides domestic/4 sides intl) | Up to 4 pets in Comfort/Main per cabin class, 2 in Delta First; none allowed in Business/Premium/Delta One | Official policy ↗ |
| Deposit refundable: No Conditions: Call to book, first-come; excluded on UK, Hawaii, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Hong Kong, Iceland, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa, UAE, Barbados routes; min age 8 weeks domestic | ||||
| United Airlines | $150 each way | No weight cap; carrier under seat — hard-sided max ~17.5x12x9 in, soft-sided max 18x11x11 in | 1 (2 with purchase of a second adjacent seat) | Source ↗ |
| Deposit refundable: No Breed rules: Snub-nosed breeds barred from cargo (no public cargo program currently offered) Conditions: No public cargo option; $125 extra on long layovers; min age 2 months domestic, 6 months international | ||||
| Southwest Airlines | $125 each way mainland US ($35 each way Hawaii inter-island) | Carrier max ~18.5x13.5x8.5-9.5 in (sources vary slightly on height), must fit under seat | 1 carrier per customer (2 same-species pets may share); 6 pet carriers max per flight | Official policy ↗ |
| Deposit refundable: No Conditions: In-cabin only; domestic US; vaccinated pets only; fee paid at counter day of travel; fare subject to change | ||||
| JetBlue | $150 each way | Carrier max 17x12.5x8.5 in, pet must stand/move freely inside — no explicit weight limit published on current page | 2 per traveler (each in own carrier; 2nd pet requires 2nd seat + fee); ~6 per flight per prior reporting | Official policy ↗ |
| Deposit refundable: No Conditions: No cargo option; not permitted in Mint, exit row, or bulkhead seats; import documentation is traveler's responsibility | ||||
| Spirit Airlines | $125 each way per carrier | Pet + carrier max 40 lbs; soft carrier max 18x14x9 in | 1 carrier (up to 2 same-species small pets) | Source ↗ |
| Deposit refundable: No Conditions: In-cabin only; domestic US + Puerto Rico/USVI; no cargo option; brachycephalic pets not formally banned but airline advises vet consult | ||||
| Frontier Airlines | $99 each way | No weight cap; soft carrier max 18x14x11 in (hard-sided 18x14x8 in), pet must stand/turn/lie down naturally | 1 adult dog or cat per container | Official policy ↗ |
| Deposit refundable: No Conditions: In-cabin only; domestic US (international travel only for service dogs); min age 8 weeks | ||||
| Allegiant Air | $50 each way per segment, per carrier | No weight cap; soft carrier max 18x12x11 in (hard-sided 17x11x10.5 in) under seat | 1 carrier per passenger (up to 2 pets per carrier) | Official policy ↗ |
| Deposit refundable: No Conditions: In-cabin only; contiguous 48 states (international/US territories restricted); min age 8 weeks; no health certificate required; arrive 1 hr early to check pet in at counter | ||||
| Hawaiian Airlines | $35 each way interisland; $125 each way mainland | 25 lbs combined pet + carrier; carrier max 17x11x9.5 in, soft-sided | 1 animal per carrier (exception: 2 puppies/kittens from the same litter, ages 8 wks-6 mo, may share) | Source ↗ |
| Deposit refundable: No Breed rules: Snub-nosed breeds restricted Conditions: Hawaii quarantine applies to arrivals (Direct Airport Release ~$185 with prep); larger dogs must go via cargo; advance booking required by calling Reservations, ideally 48 hrs ahead, as cabin space is limited | ||||
| Breeze Airways | $75-$99 each way | 25 lbs pet + carrier; carrier max 17x8x13 in | 1 per Guest; 5 per flight | Source ↗ |
| Deposit refundable: No Conditions: In-cabin only; no health certificate; no international travel; not in Nicest (First), Bulkhead, or Exit Row seats; all Guests must check in at airport counter with a pet | ||||
| Sun Country | $125 advance; $199 walk-up | 16 lbs pet + carrier; carrier max 17x13x9 in | 1 per passenger; 4 per flight | Source ↗ ⏱ Recheck due |
| Deposit refundable: No Conditions: In-cabin only; no international or Anchorage; no long connections | ||||
| Avelo Airlines | $125 each way per carrier | Carrier max 17x13x9 in; pet can stand/turn | 1 carrier (2 small pets); 8 per flight | Official policy ↗ |
| Deposit refundable: No Conditions: In-cabin only; no health certificate needed; service animals don't count toward pet limits | ||||
| Air Canada | $50-$60 CAD domestic/US; $100-$120 CAD intl, each way | 22 lbs (10 kg) pet + soft carrier | 1 cat or small dog per passenger | Source ↗ |
| Deposit refundable: No Breed rules: Breed bans apply to cargo only Conditions: Min age 10 weeks; not in Premium Economy; cargo option available; soft-sided carrier now mandatory (policy effective June 1, 2025) | ||||
| Lufthansa | EUR 55-160 by route, each way | 17.6 lbs (8 kg) pet + carrier | 1 transport container per passenger; up to 2 animals of comparable size may share one container if combined weight ≤8 kg (or 1 adult + 1 dependent young 0-6wk) | Source ↗ |
| Deposit refundable: No Breed rules: Snub-nosed limited in cabin, banned in cargo Conditions: Min age 12 weeks (6 months on US routes); register 72h ahead | ||||
| Air France | EUR 70-200 by route, each way | 17 lbs (8 kg); soft bag max 46x28x24 cm | 1 per passenger | Source ↗ |
| Deposit refundable: No Breed rules: Category 1 attack breeds banned; snub-nosed OK in cabin Conditions: Advance permission required; hold option for dogs 8-75 kg | ||||
| KLM | EUR 70-500 by route/class, each way | 17.6 lbs (8 kg); carrier max 46x28x24 cm | 1 per passenger | Source ↗ |
| Deposit refundable: No Breed rules: Snub-nosed barred from hold Conditions: Min age 6 months; reserve 48h+ ahead; 1 pet in Economy Class, or in Business Class only on intra-Europe flights | ||||
| LATAM | $150 US; $200-$250 intl each way | Soft carrier max 40x28x25 cm | 1 per passenger | Reported ↗ ⏱ Recheck due |
| Deposit refundable: No Breed rules: Aggressive + snub-nosed breeds barred from cargo Conditions: Min age 16 weeks (6 months US routes); book via contact center; health certificate required (valid 10 days); reserve 48h+ ahead | ||||
| Aeromexico | ~$70-$90 domestic (1,350-1,700 MXN); ~$162-$168 USD intl each way | ~20 lbs (9 kg) pet + carrier; max 40x30x20 cm | 1; 6 per aircraft | Source ↗ |
| Deposit refundable: No Breed rules: Several breeds banned airline-wide (Akita, Rottweiler, others) Conditions: Cabin only on flights under 6 hrs; min age 8 weeks (6 months for US routes); call to add pet; cargo to ~45 kg | ||||
| Turkish Airlines | ~$75-$150 by route, each way | 17.6 lbs (8 kg) pet + carrier; max 23x30x40 cm | 2 same-species per carrier (8 kg combined); max 2 carriers per passenger but only 1 permitted in cabin | Reported ↗ ⏱ Recheck due |
| Deposit refundable: No Breed rules: Fighting breeds cargo-only; snub-nosed OK in cabin under 8 kg Conditions: Min age 10 weeks; book 6+ hrs ahead; cargo option to ~50 kg | ||||
— means the company doesn’t publish that detail. Tap a column header to sort, or a airline’s arrow for breed rules and conditions.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to fly with a dog in the cabin?
About $150 each way on American, Delta, United and JetBlue for US domestic flights; Southwest, Spirit, Hawaiian and Avelo charge $125, Frontier $99, and Allegiant just $50 per segment. Fees are per direction and non-refundable, and connections can multiply the cost. Source
What are the carrier size and weight rules?
The carrier must fit fully under the seat in front of you — usually around 18x11x11 inches soft-sided — and your dog must be able to stand and turn inside it. Most airlines cap pet plus carrier near 20 lbs; Delta and United size-gate instead of weight-gate. The pet stays in the carrier for the whole flight. Source
Why do airlines restrict snub-nosed breeds?
Flat-faced breeds like Bulldogs, Pugs and Shih Tzus have narrow airways that raise the risk of respiratory distress and heatstroke in flight. American, Alaska and United bar them from the cargo hold, and ANA bans them seasonally — but most can still fly in-cabin if they fit the carrier rules. Source
Are emotional support animals still recognized?
No. Since the DOT’s January 2021 rule, only trained service dogs (including psychiatric service dogs) fly free in the cabin. Emotional support animals are treated as ordinary pets — standard fees and carrier rules apply. Source
What about dogs too big for the cabin?
Cargo is the only option, and only some airlines offer it: Alaska, American (through PetEmbark), Hawaiian, Air Canada, Air France, Aeromexico and Turkish list a cargo or hold option; United, Southwest, JetBlue, Spirit and Frontier have no public cargo pet service. Cargo holds are pressurized and temperature-controlled, but seasonal heat/cold embargoes can block travel and snub-nosed breeds are usually barred. Source
How do I book a spot for my dog?
In-cabin pet spots are capped per flight (usually 4–6, up to 8 on Avelo) and go first-come, first-served — reserve when you buy your ticket, often by phone. Bring vaccination records and, where required, a recent health certificate. Source
Are there special rules for flying a dog to Hawaii?
Yes. Hawaii is rabies-free, so every arriving dog must clear the state quarantine program. With a microchip, two rabies shots and a passing FAVN blood test filed in advance, your dog qualifies for Direct Airport Release (~$185); otherwise it’s the 5-Day-Or-Less program (~$244) or up to 120 days ($1,080). Several carriers also bar pets on mainland–Hawaii cabin routes. Source
Which airlines do NOT allow dogs in the cabin?
British Airways, Qantas, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and ANA allow no pets in the cabin at all — only certified service dogs. On these carriers pet dogs travel as cargo or checked baggage in a temperature-controlled hold. Source