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The Military Wallet

PCS Weight Allowance – Don’t Go Over Your Weight Limit!

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PCS (Permanent Change of Station) moves require a lot of military families. The last thing you need to worry about is going over on your weight allowance. As the Department of Defense continues to tighten its budget, it’s important that you understand your weight allowances so you don’t end up paying out of pocket costs.

When you choose to have the military transport your household goods (HHG), a weight allowance based on the  servicemember’s rank and dependency status  is determined. Weight allowances apply to all branches of the military. Movers are paid based on the predetermined weight that’s authorized.

When you go over on your allowed weight, you’re responsible for paying for the difference. What that cost will be for you varies depending on where you’re located and where you’re heading. Overweight charges can add up, so it’s crucial you use the PCS moving system to your advantage. This way, you avoid paying out of pocket costs unnecessarily.

Let’s take a look at your different PCS weight allowances based on your rank, the types of goods you are shipping, and whether or not you have dependents.

PCS Weight Allowances By Rank

Moving allowances are not only based on rank and dependents, but also particular circumstances. OCONUS moves, military separation (ETS), and retirement (RET) moves all have their specific guidelines.

If you’re not sure about an aspect of your PCS, it’s a good idea to reach out to the Joint Travel Regulation (JTR) in addition to checking with your branch of service for supplemental regulations. Your local personal property office (PPO) can always answer questions and offer advice.

NOTE 1: Includes a Uniformed Service regular and Reserve Component member, and an officer holding a temporary commission in the US Army/Air Force.

NOTE 2: For this table, a member “with dependents” is a member who has a dependent eligible to travel at Government expense incident to the member’s PCS. Actual dependent travel has no bearing. Incident to a member’s first PCS after:

• The death(s) of all of the member’s dependent(s), or
• A divorce that leaves the member with no dependent(s) eligible to travel at Government expense, the member has the weight allowance of a member “with dependents”

NOTE 3: A member appointed from an:

• Enlisted/warrant officer grade to a commissioned officer grade, or
• Enlisted grade to a warrant officer grade or rating is authorized the grade’s weight allowance: a. Held on the member’s PCS authorization/order effective date used for HHG transportation, or b. From which an appointment was accepted, whichever is greater.
• Upon reversion, the member is authorized the military weight allowance of the grade held: a. On the member’s PCS authorization/order effective date then being used for HHG transportation, or b. Before reversion, whichever is greater.

NOTE 4: A member selected as Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Sergeant Major of the Army, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, or Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard is authorized a weight allowance of:

• 17,000 pounds with dependents, or
• 14,000 pounds without dependents

For a PCS authorization/order issued on or after receiving notice of selection to that position and for the remainder of the military career.

As found on USTranscom.mil .

See What You Qualify For

Select an option to continue:

What’s Included in Your Weight Allowance?

Firearms can be included as part of your HHG, as long as the weapon complies with local laws (state-level and international Status of Forces Agreements ). There are specific shipment instructions that have to be followed to ensure the firearm complies with transport rules.

Alcohol is allowed as part of a complete HHG shipment, provided it doesn’t violate import laws. Check with the US Customs and Border Protection and/or the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for detailed information.

Lawn furniture needs to be clean and free of dirt and debris to be shipped. This applies to CONUS and OCONUS moves.

CONUS moves can include motorcycles and dirt bikes as part of the HHG pack out and won’t count toward your total allowance. OCONUS moves allow one motorcycle to be transported as a POV. If you choose to include it as part of your pack out, the weight is included in the total allowed.

Spare vehicle parts are allowed and don’t count toward the total. Similarly, if you choose to include a utility trailer in your move, its weight isn’t calculated either. Trailers have to be single axle with an overall length of no more than twelve feet and no more than eight feet wide.

Miscellaneous sporting vehicles and single-occupant vehicles like snowmobiles or golf carts can be shipped without altering your total weight allowance. In some instances, they can be shipped with their trailer as well.

Professional Gear

Professional gear or “Pro-Gear” and equipment doesn’t count toward your total weight allowed. This includes books, papers, uniforms, or anything else that is needed for official duties at a current installation or the gaining installation. However, in order to qualify for Pro-Gear status, a servicemember needs to declare the equipment at their transportation brief and fill out a DD Form 1299 with the estimated weight.

During the pack out, Pro-Gear needs to be separated from the rest of the HHG. In the inventory, it needs to be noted as Pro Gear to ensure the gaining installation doesn’t count it against the total weight.

Spouses Qualify for Pro-Gear Too!

That means that anything required for a spouse to continue their employment can be included in the Pro-Gear shipment at no additional weight cost. Spouses are allotted up to 500 pounds of Pro-Gear , and just like the servicemember, this “gear” needs to be declared and packed separately.

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Items Allowed at Your Own Expense

Pets aren’t included in your weight allowance because you’re responsible for paying for them to travel. Moving companies aren’t able to ship live animals as part of your PCS. Before you move, it’s imperative to check with your gaining installation to learn about vaccines and quarantine requirements. This is especially imperative for OCONUS moves, as some host countries might limit specific animal species and breeds. Some quarantine fees might be  reimbursable .

Boats, personal watercraft, and POVs can be shipped. Depending on the type of POV you own, you might be required to pay for shipment yourself. In most instances, a truck, car, or SUV can be shipped at no additional charge to you .

That said, if you’re a two-car family, paying to ship the second vehicle will be out of your pocket and can range from two to four thousand dollars. Mobile homes and tiny houses are allowed for CONUS moves only and can often be complicated because of existing local laws. Check with your local personal property office.

You have too much weight – now what?

You should have had a pre-inspection appointment with your Transportation Service Provider (TSP) to evaluate your house and determine approximate weight estimates. This is an important appointment to keep because it helps the moving company assess how many movers your house will need and how long your pack out will take.

If you’re anxious to begin a pre-PCS cleanout, it’s easy to estimate the total weight of your HHG. Just multiply each room of furniture by 1,500 pounds. So, if you have seven total rooms in your house, a rough estimate of your total HHG might be 7 x 1500 = 10,500 pounds.

OCONUS Moves

Non-temporary storage (nts).

For OCONUS moves, non-temporary storage allows you and your family a place to keep items that are oversized like large furniture or items that might be provided in government quarters, like washers and dryers. To gauge whether or not NTS will be useful for you, it’s a good idea to speak with your OCONUS sponsor , if you have one. If a sponsor isn’t available, your local installation might be able to offer additional guidance.

Unaccompanied Baggage (UAB)

Sometimes called “express shipments”, unaccompanied baggage should be used to ship anything that you might need for up to 60 days while you wait for your HHG to arrive. For most people, this will include bed and bath items, along with any seasonal clothing you might anticipate needing. UAB is shipped ahead of your HHG to ensure it’s ready to be delivered when you arrive at your next installation. UAB typically moves by plane versus HHG which is transported by boat. Before the UAB pack out, consider what you and your family might need on a daily basis that won’t be available via lending closets at your installation. TVs are allowed to be shipped in UAB, along with smaller kitchen appliances.

UAB is generally limited to 2,000 pounds, but there might be lower limits in instances of unaccompanied tours or to specific OCONUS locations. These express shipments allow you to begin setting up life at your new installation while you wait for your HHG to be delivered.

Furniture is generally not permitted in UAB shipments, but exceptions are made for small collapsible cribs and air mattresses.

If you receive correspondence from your movers that you’re overweight, there are a few things to keep in mind.

• Remember that packing materials add real weight to your totals. Most moving companies estimate that packing materials account for around 10% of your amount. This can push you over the top, so pay attention.
• Understand that every branch and every rank has different weight allowances. There are no set overage charges for going over your weight allowance. Since there’s no way to self-weigh an entire house, don’t be afraid to push back on a notification that you have exceeded your allotted weight. Make sure the TSP is removing the weight of packing materials from the gross total, and then have the shipment weighed again.
• The easiest way to avoid going over on your allowances is to clean out your house before a PCS and take advantage of both NTS and UAB when you are moving OCONUS.

The military PCS system is designed to provide you with lots of options to make it easy to avoid being overweight and having to pay.

About Post Author

Jessica Evans

Jessica Evans is a Cincinnati native who gets the chance to reinvent home every few years. Most recently, she lived in a Bavarian forest. Now, she’s on the way to establishing roots in Washington DC. Evans has an MFA from Spalding and has over a decade of professional writing experience. She mainly writes within the military and wellness communities. Evans is also a mentor for Veteran’s Writing Project, a nonprofit organization that connects veterans with writers eager to tell their stories. Evans is a previous Pushcart nominee, a fiction reader for literary magazines, and hosts a monthly writing group. When she’s not writing, she’s training for competition. Connect with her on twitter @jesssica__evans .

Featured on: Jessica’s writing has been featured in the following publications: We Are the Mighty , Reserve + National Guard Magazine , Military Families Magazine , Lincoln Military Housing, Hire GI, and many other publications.

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PCS Weight Allowance and Limits [by Grade and Dependents]

Understanding Your PCS Weight Allowance and Limits 

When a service member is being relocated for a timespan of longer than 20 weeks, this is considered a permanent change of station or PCS. These moves happen all the time and military service members are called upon to relocate to new assignments as frequently as once every couple of years. 

If you or a member of your staff are going through a PCS, it’s important to understand your PCS weight allowance to make sure you stay compliant so you don’t have to pay any extra money out of pocket. 

Moving is never an easy thing and the costs can quickly add up so it’s essential that you have a plan and you’re aware of everything involved. This guide will help you understand your military move weight limit.  

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What is Your PCS Weight Allowance? 

A PCS weight allowance is the amount of pounds you can move when going through a permanent change of station. You’ll be provided with a predetermined allowance based on factors such as: 

• Marital status
• Number of dependents 
• Years of service
• Military grade

Everyone who is issued a PCS is eligible for the allowance and as soon as you receive the order you’ll want to go to your local transportation office to determine how much the allowance will add up to. 

Knowing this as early as possible will give you time to plan and coordinate the move. If you’ve been living in the same place for a number of years, you may have accumulated a lot of stuff you won’t want to bring with you. 

A DITY move calculator can help you determine how much the total cost of relocation will add up to. When handling the move yourself, you’re free to keep whatever portion of your allowance you don’t spend on the move so cutting costs and lowering your expenses is a great policy. 

Military Weight Limits 

The weight limit generally runs between 350 to 1800 pounds depending on various factors. For most, the military move weight limit can run up to 2,000 pounds for UAB. 

Unaccompanied baggage includes household personal items you may need at your new station while you await the arrival of the rest of your things. These items include things like clothes, toiletries, and personal care items. 

Military Move Weight Allowances by Grade 

The chart below will help you understand your military moving weight allowance : 

(additional info here)

Closing Tips 

Keep in mind that these numbers may seem like a lot but your belongings will quickly add up to a lot of weight. These few final tips will help ensure you stay below your allowable weight. 

• Figure out the total weight of each room
• Make sure to declutter as much as possible, get rid of anything you don’t need
• If you’re not active or reserve duty military and are moving as part of a relocation package, don’t be afraid to negotiate
• Understand that your PCS weight allowance can be split into multiple shipments
• Get a better overall handle on your move, by carefully working through a PCS move checklist to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything.

Lastly, USAA used to provide services to military members and their families offering a rebate and assistance in hiring a realtor and finding a home in your new location. ARC offers the same program to help you with the entire relocation process from A to Z. 

Note: ARC Relocation is a privately-run, 3rd-party business, and is not a military or government entity. The above article is for reference only. 

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Military PCS Allowances

PCS Travel Allowances

You can travel from your old duty station to the new one via common carrier (air, rail, etc.) or privately owned vehicle (POV). The rules and reimbursements are different for each, so we will discuss them separately:

Common carrier (air, rail, etc.): You must normally use a government-provided ticket when you travel by common carrier. You are authorized transportation from the airport/train station to and from your old and new permanent stations. If this is not provided, you will be reimbursed -- as always, save your receipts. You and your dependents receive per diem for the actual travel time and authorized delays.

Privately owned vehicle: You will be paid mileage between your old and new duty station. The reimbursement rate changes every year. The official distance is determined by the Defense Table of Official Distances. If you travel with your dependents and use more than one vehicle, you may be authorized mileage reimbursement for each vehicle. You will also be reimbursed for any tolls incurred during the trip -- save your receipts, just in case. You will be authorized one day of per diem for each 350 miles of official distance. For more information about mileage reimbursement, see our PCS: How to Calculate Mileage Rates page.

Per diem: You and your dependents are authorized per diem for the allowed travel time. If you are traveling with your dependents, they are also authorized per diem but at a reduced rate: Dependents 12 and older receive 75% of the authorized per diem; dependents under the age of 12 receive 50% of the authorized per diem. Additional per diem also covers your hotel expense along the way -- receipts are needed for reimbursement.

Special Cases:

Dependents authorized to travel separately: Sometimes dependents are authorized to travel separately. For example, if you receive orders to a deployed ship or unit, your family may be authorized to delay their travel until you return from deployment. In these cases, the dependents will receive full travel allowances including per diem at the 100% rate for your spouse and applicable rates for children.

Retirement: A member who retires is authorized travel for themselves and their dependents to anywhere in the U.S., their home of record outside the U.S., or anywhere in the world if the cost does not exceed transportation to a continental U.S. location.

Separation from active duty: A member who separates from active duty is authorized travel for themselves and their dependents to their home of record or any other location, not to exceed the cost of travel from their old permanent station to their home of record.

Overseas dependents: In some cases, overseas dependents may be authorized to travel back to the U.S. alone and receive full travel allowances. This may happen in the case of divorce, custody proceedings, legal situations, or dangerous conditions.

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Carry-on Luggage and Personal Item Size Limits (2024)

Text Callout : Key Takeaways - Carry-on Luggage Sizes

If you're traveling with carry-on luggage and/or a personal item, you'll need to adhere to size restrictions in the same way you do with checked bags . These rules include the dimensions of your carry-on bag and, in some scenarios, even the weight.

What size luggage is a carry-on?

While carry-on luggage sizes can vary by airline, several major carriers go by these dimensions.

Airlines calculate carry-on luggage size measurements using two methods:

• Height by width by depth:  Most – but not all – airlines measure bags by inches or centimeters using this formula: height by width by depth, such as 22 x 14 x 9 inches. (Note: The dimensions listed below, which are given according to that formula, may differ slightly from the way each individual airline formats its size requirements.)
• Linear inches:  A few airlines have linear inch restrictions for carry-on baggage, meaning the airline gives one number for the total of all three dimensions. As long as the combined height, width and depth don't exceed that number, you're in the clear.

Can a 24-inch bag be a carry-on?

Yes, a 24-inch bag can be used as a carry-on suitcase when flying with the following airlines: Frontier, Southwest and Sun Country . However, if you're shopping for new carry-on luggage, it's best to opt for something that meets the requirements for most major airlines (22 x 14 x 9 inches or smaller).

Is there a weight limit for carry-on bags?

Most major domestic airlines do not impose a weight limit on carry-on bags; however, several international airlines have weight restrictions for carry-on luggage and, in some cases, personal items.

Carry-on vs. personal item: What's the difference?

A carry-on bag is typically stored in a plane's overhead bin, while a personal item should fit under the seat in front of you. Most airlines allow economy passengers to bring one carry-on and one personal item – such as an underseat bag – at no extra cost.

Carry-on luggage sizes by airline

Click on the major domestic and international airlines below to see their carry-on luggage size restrictions in inches for economy passengers – and note that any handles and wheels on your bags count toward size limits as well.

Category Navigation Box Enhancement : Table of Contents - Travel - Carry-on Luggage Sizes

Alaska Airlines

See all Alaska Airlines carry-on policies.

Allegiant Air

The fee is often around $20 if you pay for your carry-on baggage at the time of booking; it costs a hefty $45 if you add a carry-on bag later – and up to $75 at the gate.

See all Allegiant Air carry-on policies.

American Airlines

The above rules also apply to basic economy tickets.

See all American Airlines carry-on policies.

Delta Air Lines

Note that if you're flying to or from Beijing or Shanghai, there is a 22-pound weight limit for a carry-on; for Singapore, there is a 15-pound limit.

See all Delta Airlines carry-on policies.

Frontier Airlines

There are two instances where the carry-on bag fee is waived:

• You're an elite member of the  FRONTIER Miles rewards program .
• You bought a specialty ticket like the WORKS bundle.

Also note that carry-on bag fees, which typically start at around $30, depend on your destination, and that prices are cheapest if you add baggage when you make your booking. You'll pay more to add it later, especially if you do so at the airport. Sometimes it's actually cheaper to purchase a checked bag instead of a carry-on.

See all Frontier Airlines carry-on policies.

Hawaiian Airlines

See all Hawaiian Airlines carry-on policies.

If you booked a Blue Basic ticket, you're only permitted to bring a personal item that fits under the seat in front of you. If you bring a carry-on bag, you will have to pay $65 to check it at the gate (or up to $180 if you've already checked two other bags). However, select customers with Blue Basic fares can bring carry-on bags for free. These include:

• Active U.S. military personnel
• Unaccompanied minors
• Customers flying to London

If you purchase a higher-class seat or if you reach Mosaic status on JetBlue's TrueBlue rewards program , you can also bring a carry-on bag for free on a Blue Basic ticket.

See all JetBlue carry-on policies.

Southwest Airlines

See all Southwest Airlines carry-on policies.

Spirit Airlines

Spirit's carry-on bag fees vary between flights, but they tend to start at around $25 to $30 for U.S. domestic flights. If you need to bring carry-on luggage, it's always cheapest to pay for it when you first book your flight. It will cost you more to add a bag afterward – and at least double the initial fee if you do it at the airport.

See all Spirit Airlines carry-on policies.

Sun Country Airlines

The Sun Country Airlines fee for a carry-on bag is around $30 if you pay for it when booking, or more if you add it later.

See all Sun Country carry-on policies.

United Airlines

There's one notable exception for carry-on baggage with United: Passengers with a basic economy ticket can only take one personal item on board – no carry-on bag. This policy applies to travelers flying basic economy domestically or between the U.S. and Canada. If you have a basic economy ticket and are going to Central or South America (including Mexico) or taking trans-Atlantic or trans-Pacific flights, you can bring a full-size carry-on bag.

See all United Airlines carry-on policies.

Aer Lingus' carry-on policy depends on where you're flying. For trans-Atlantic flights, you can bring one carry-on bag within the dimensions above, plus a small personal item for free. If you're flying within Europe on Aer Lingus, the rules are a bit different: You'll have to pay a fee to bring a carry-on with you on board, starting at 5.99 euros. However, you can check that same bag for free.

If you're flying Aer Lingus Regional (a service with smaller planes, flying mostly around Ireland and the U.K.), a smaller carry-on limit applies: 18.5 x 13 x 8 inches, with a weight limit of 15 pounds.

See all Aer Lingus carry-on policies.

All Aeroméxico customers can bring a standard carry-on bag and a personal item on board. Be careful with the weight limit, though: For international flights or basic fare flights within Mexico, these two items combined cannot weigh more than 22 pounds. So, if your carry-on bag weighs 15 pounds, for example, your personal item cannot be more than 7 pounds.

See all Aeroméxico carry-on policies.

While there's no weight limit for carry-on luggage, Air Canada says your carry-on bag should be light enough that it can easily be lifted into the overhead bin. Also note that airport purchases (for example, larger duty-free items) count toward your baggage limit.

See all Air Canada carry-on policies.

Note that both your personal item and carry-on bag (referred to as "hand baggage") combined must not weigh more than 26 pounds if you're traveling economy. The weight limit is 40 pounds for premium economy and other higher-class cabins.

See all Air France carry-on policies.

All Nippon Airways

A variety of personal items (think a handbag and umbrella) are permitted as long as they fit under the seat in front of you; this includes any items purchased at the airport.

See all All Nippon Airways carry-on policies.

British Airways

If airline staff put a yellow tag on your bag, it should be stored under the seat in front of you.

See all British Airways carry-on policies.

Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific has shifted from a weight allowance to a piece allowance, and this policy varies by itinerary. Passengers are generally permitted to bring one carry-on bag plus a small personal item (and assistive devices like a walking stick), but it's best to check your booking carefully to confirm the exact allowance. You're asked to check in any baggage that's too heavy to lift into the overhead compartment.

See all Cathay Pacific carry-on policies.

Since easyJet is a budget airline, standard fares only allow customers to bring one personal item (called a "small cabin bag") aboard for free. Fees for standard carry-on bags are between 5.99 and 32.99 British pounds, depending on your destination and when you add an extra bag to your reservation.

See all easyJet carry-on policies.

The above rules apply to all economy passengers except those traveling from Brazil, whose carry-on luggage can weigh up to 22 pounds. Emirates only allows economy passengers to bring one item on board; whether you bring a carry-on bag for the overhead bin or a personal item to tuck under the seat, this bag must comply with the size limits.

See all Emirates carry-on policies.

Be aware that the 22-pound weight limit applies to both your personal item and carry-on combined. If your flight was booked through Iberia but is operated by Vueling, similar rules apply, but the size limits for your carry-on bags are slightly smaller.

See all Iberia carry-on policies.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

If you're traveling on the cheaper Light ticket, you may be asked to check your carry-on bag for no extra cost, if space is limited.

See all KLM Royal Dutch Airlines carry-on policies.

See all Lufthansa carry-on policies.

The above rules apply to LowFare+ customers. Passengers who fly LowFare (comparable to Basic Economy fare) can only bring a personal item (underseat bag) measuring 15 x 11.5 x 7.5 inches.

See all Norwegian carry-on policies.

Qantas 

Economy passengers can opt to bring a nonrigid garment bag measuring 45 x 24 x 4 inches (or 73 linear inches) instead of a standard 22 x 14 x 9-inch carry-on bag. The above rules apply to all economy tickets and vary for higher classes on international and domestic flights with Qantas.

See all Qantas carry-on luggage policies.

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways allows passengers to bring multiple personal items provided they fit under the seat in front of you. Unlike with other airlines, laptops and laptop bags do not count as personal items and must fit within your main hand baggage allowance. For tickets issued in Brazil, the carry-on weight limit is 22 pounds.

Be careful: Qatar doesn't accept carry-ons longer than 20 inches, which is shorter than many other airlines.

See all Qatar Airways carry-on policies.

Ryanair is a low-cost carrier, so unless you pay extra, you can only bring one small bag that fits under the seat in front of you, per the personal item guidelines above. To bring a larger carry-on bag, travelers need to purchase Ryanair's Priority & 2 Cabin Bags option, which typically costs between 6 and 32 euros depending on your destination.

See all Ryanair carry-on policies.

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Scandinavian Airlines

Most (but not all) Scandinavian Airlines fares allow you to bring one traditional carry-on bag, plus a personal item, which SAS calls an "underseat bag." There's one exception: Passengers traveling within Europe on the Go Light fare must pay for a larger carry-on bag. If you booked a Go Light ticket for intercontinental flights, a carry-on bag is included.

See all Scandinavian Airlines carry-on policies.

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines has an unusual method for measuring carry-on bags – the dimensions of the bag must not add up to more than 45 linear inches total. For example, a bag measuring 15 x 15 x 15 inches would be suitable. All passengers can bring one bag of this size, plus a smaller personal item. The personal item, whose dimensions are specified above, does not count toward the 15-pound carry-on limit.

See all Singapore Airlines carry-on policies.

Turkish Airlines

See all Turkish Airlines carry-on policies.

Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic lets every passenger bring a carry-on bag, including children younger than age 2. You can bring a bag weighing no more than 13 pounds for your child, in addition to a collapsible stroller and/or car seat. Each passenger is also allowed to bring a handbag or small backpack, an umbrella, a walking stick and airport purchases. Take note: Laptops do not count as personal items on Virgin Atlantic and should fit into your main carry-on bag. There's no specific size limit on the other personal items, but bags or airport purchases should fit under the seat in front of you.

See all Virgin Atlantic carry-on policies.

Note that the above rules apply to passengers who book a TimeFlex or Premium Fare, as well as anyone traveling with a child under age 2 and/or requiring special assistance at the airport.

See all Vueling carry-on policies.

See all WestJet carry-on policies.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Amanda Norcross is a seasoned traveler who packs just one carry-on bag and a personal item – even when adventuring with her toddler . She used her personal experience and research skills to put together this guide, and notes that even if your carry-on bag meets size restrictions, you may still need to check it at the gate because of limited space in the overhead bin. Luckily, it's still free.

You might also be interested in:

• The Best Carry-on Backpacks
• What Is Allowed in a Carry-on?
• What to Pack in a Carry-on Bag
• The Best Travel Insurance Companies

Copyright 2024 U.S. News & World Report

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Flying With Dogs or Cats? These Are Airlines’ Pet Policies

American recently relaxed its rules for pets traveling inside the cabin with their owners. Here’s what the major U.S. airlines require to travel with a pet.

By Jesus Jiménez

Flying with a pet can be expensive and confusing, with fees, weight limits, carrier size rules and the need to make sure there’s no loud barking (or meowing) on board.

Recently, American Airlines relaxed its pet policy to allow passengers to bring a carry-on bag in addition to a pet in a carrier, and more private flight options have been emerging in recent years for pet owners who can afford them.

Still, flying with large or medium-size dogs can be tricky, and many travelers are wary of leaving a pet in the plane’s cargo hold.

For those traveling on the major carriers with their pets as carry-ons, here’s what to know about each major domestic airline’s policy.

Southwest Airlines

On Southwest, a Dallas-based carrier, two checked bags can fly at no cost, but not pets. Southwest charges $125 per pet carrier on its flights.

Dogs or cats are allowed to travel below a seat in an approved carrier — up to 18.5 inches long by 8.5 inches high and 13.5 inches wide — according to the airline .

Southwest has a few caveats for those traveling with pets: The pet must stay in its carrier during the flight, and the carrier is considered a personal item or carry-on bag.

Up to six pets are allowed on Southwest flights. Once six pets are booked onto a flight, no further customers may add a pet companion to their booking.

United Airlines

United Airlines has no weight or breed restrictions for cats and dogs as long as they are in an approved hard or soft-sided carrier, measuring 17.5 inches long by 9 inches tall and 12 inches wide for a hard carrier, or 18 inches long by 11 inches tall and 11 inches wide for a soft carrier.

United charges $125 each way for travel with pets. There is no fee for service animals on United flights, but some forms are required before the flight.

The carrier must fit under a seat, and where a passenger is allowed to sit can vary according to the type of aircraft. For example, people traveling with pets cannot sit in emergency rows. If you’re traveling with two pets (the maximum allotted), you are required to book two seats.

Delta Air Lines

Small dogs and cats can travel on Delta Air Lines flights as long as they can fit inside a carrier stored below the seat. The size of the carrier depends on the aircraft, but in general the airline recommends a soft-sided carrier no larger than 18 inches long by 11 inches tall and 11 inches wide.

Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old and small enough to have some room to move around in the carrier, which must have ventilation openings on three sides.

Delta charges $95 for pets traveling as carry-on companions, and the passenger can bring only one personal item along with the pet. Certain seats cannot be booked for travel with an animal, such as those in an emergency exit row.

American Airlines

American Airlines allows cats and dogs to travel in a carry-on container, which must remain under the seat in front of the pet owner throughout the flight. The airline recommends a soft-sided carrier that measures 18 inches long by 11 inches tall and 11 inches wide.

The fee for a carry-on pet on a domestic American Airlines flight is $150.

Flights are limited to seven carry-on pets, not including service animals, and American Eagle flights are limited to five carry-on pets, with one in first class. There is no charge for service animals flying on American flight, but the airline requires forms to be filled out in advance.

The airline said in a statement that it had recently changed its cabin pet policy to allow customers with a pet to also bring either a personal item or carry-on bag stowed in the overhead bin (but not both).

“We made the change to provide a more convenient and comfortable experience to customers whose pets fly American,” the airline said.

Spirit, JetBlue, Frontier and Alaska

Spirit allows dogs and cats on its flights in a carrier no larger than 18 inches long by 14 inches wide and 9 inches tall for a fee of $125. The weight of the pet and the carrier cannot exceed 40 pounds, according to the airline .

Small dogs and cats can fly on JetBlue for fee of $125 each way , in an approved carrier. Up to six pets are allowed on JetBlue flights.

Frontier allows pets on board for a $99 fee each way, as long the pet fits in a carrier. Passengers can have only a personal item or carry-on in addition to their pet carrier.

Pets can travel in a carrier on Alaska Airlines flights for a fee of $100 each way. A passenger can travel with a pet carrier and a personal item, or a carrier and a carry-on bag.

Private or charter flights

Those who take their pets on private or charter flights, which can cost many thousands of dollars, have much more leeway. Dogs that weigh less than 150 pounds can sit on seats.

BarkAir, a charter operator tailored specifically for those flying with dogs, charges about $6,000 for a dog and its owner to travel, with flights between New York and Los Angeles and New York and London. Carriers are not required, and dogs can sit on laps, seats or beds.

Jesus Jiménez covers breaking news, online trends and other subjects. He is based in New York City. More about Jesus Jiménez

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .