united airlines pet travel in cargo

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United Airlines Pet Policy (International, Cargo, Carry-on) [2023]

There are a few different United Airlines pet policies depending on how and for what purpose you’re bringing along your animals.

This article will take a detailed look at the pet policy for shipping animals on United.

I’ll cover in-cabin transport (carry-on), PetSafe (cargo), international, service animals, and show you where to go to get all of the forms and documents you’ll need to transport your animals.

Table of Contents

What is the United Airlines pet policy?

United Airlines will allow pets to fly in-cabin but they no longer offer the ability to fly pets in the cargo hold as part of the PetSafe program (except for limited exceptions for the military).

The pet policies require you to follow some very specific rules and guidelines so if you’re thinking about transporting your pets on United you need to pay very close attention to the different rules.

If you need to read more about United’s baggage policies in general you can do that here . 

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

How to avoid United pet fees

One of the easiest ways to avoid pet fees is to use the right credit card. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a good card for general travel expenses and its points can be used to offset airline pet fees since they will often code as travel.

You can also use an incidental credit attached to a travel credit card. For example, the Platinum Card has a $200 incidental credit.

Other cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve have a $300 travel credit that could be used on virtually any type of travel purchase including pet fees.

United in-cabin animals

In the past, United stated that they would allow domesticated cats, dogs, rabbits and household birds (excluding cockatoos) to travel accompanied in the aircraft cabin on most flights within the U.S.

They recently changed their website and now do not list out all of the different animals so it’s not clear to me what pets they allow beyond cats and dogs. For that reason, you may want to call and clarify what animals are allowed.

The fees for an in-cabin pet are $125 each way. Also, there is an additional $125 service charge for each stopover of more than four hours within the U.S. or more than 24 hours outside of the U.S.

Booking a ticket for your pet is very easy to do with United.

Whenever you are making a booking, just be sure to select “Travel with a pet” as a traveler. If you already made a booking, you can still go to  My Trips  and add a pet to an existing trip. You cannot add a pet using the United app.

Do everything you can to make this reservation in advance because there are limited slots available for pets on aircraft.

Whenever you arrive at the airport, be sure to check in and get your pet tag. Remember, you’ll need both your own and your pet’s confirmation numbers.

Also remember that your pet is expected to remain in the kennel while in the airport. If you need to take them to a relief area you can check the airport maps feature on the  United app  to see if you can find one.

Kennel rules

Before your bring your pet on-board, make sure that you are towing them in a kennel that complies with the United pet policy rules.

The kennel must fit completely under the seat in front of the customer and remain there at all times and the door needs to be secured as well.

Also, the animal must be able to stand up and turn and around inside the kennel. There may only be one pet per kennel.

There are also specific dimensions required for these pets:

• Hard-sided kennels : 17.5 inches long x 12 inches wide x 7.5 inches high (44 cm x 30 cm x 19 cm).
• Soft-sided kennels: 18 inches long x 11 inches wide x 11 inches high (46 cm x 28 cm x 28 cm).

United will allow you to bring along soft-sided pet carriers that slightly exceed these dimensions so long as they don’t block the aisle.

While your pet must remain under the seat, some people will purchase an extra seat because it makes it easier to deal with their pet.

For one, it gives the passenger space to put a personal item underneath the difference seat. It also allows them to more easily bend over to check on the animal.

No unaccompanied minors

Pets are not allowed to travel with unaccompanied minors .

Puppies and kittens traveling within the U.S. and Puerto Rico must be at least 2 months (8 weeks) old to be accepted for travel on United. Puppies and kittens traveling internationally must be at least 4 months (16 weeks) of age to be accepted for travel on United.

International travel

Pets are not permitted on flights to, from or through Australia, Hawaii, New Zealand and other locations. Please verify if your destination allows in-cabin pets prior to travel.

Rules for international in-cabin pets vary. To book international in-cabin travel for a pet, contact the  United Customer Contact Center or call 1-800-864-8331 to add a pet to your reservation.

Health declarations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) require all dogs entering the U.S., except those arriving from certain  rabies-free countries , to be immunized against rabies.

Vaccinations must be completed at least 30 days before arrival in the U.S.

Since puppies cannot be vaccinated against rabies before 3 months of age, puppies under 4 months old will not be admitted into the U.S. unless they are arriving from a rabies-free country.

Each dog entering the U.S. must be accompanied by a valid certificate of rabies vaccination, signed by a licensed veterinarian and including the following information:

• Name and address of the dog’s owner
• Identifying information for the dog, including breed, sex, age, color and markings
• Date of vaccination and the name of the vaccine used
• Date when the vaccination expires. If no expiration date is stated, the vaccination must have been completed within 12 months before arrival in the U.S.

Visit the  CDC website  for more information.

Cats are not required to have proof of rabies vaccination for importation into the U.S; however, some states require vaccination of cats for rabies, so it is a good idea to check with state and local health authorities at your final destination.

Restrictions based on aircraft

You should note that there are some restrictions for specific types of aircraft that you’ll be flying on.

Keep in mind that many routes are served by different types of aircraft so you’ll always need to check and see exactly what type of aircraft you’re flying on.

You can do this be utilizing Google Flights or you can simply check on the United website.

Here are the restrictions:

• In-cabin travel for pets is booked on a space-available basis.
• A customer traveling with an in-cabin pet cannot be seated in the bulkhead or an emergency exit row .
• Two pets per flight are allowed in premium cabins on select aircraft. Pets are not permitted in premium cabins on Boeing 757, 767, 777 or 787 aircraft due to limited storage space under the seat.
• A customer traveling with an in-cabin pet in United Economy on Boeing 757-200 aircraft will need to be seated in a window seat due to limited storage space under aisle and middle seats.
• The number of in-cabin pets allowed varies by United Express partner airline.

United PetSafe (cargo) [no longer available]

2023 Update: United no longer accepts PetSafe reservations.

United recently made changes to its PetSafe program so make sure that you’re up to date on all of the changes.

You can request your PetSafe booking here, but I highly advise that you read all of the details below before making a booking.

Puppies and kittens traveling within the U.S. and Puerto Rico must be at least 8 weeks of age to be accepted for travel on United.

Puppies and kittens weighing less than 2 pounds must be at least 10 weeks of age. International requirements can be complex, so please contact an International Pet and Animal Transport Association (IPATA) shipper for assistance.

Cats and dogs (breeds allowed)

Only cats and dogs are allowed

United will no longer accept reservations for the following brachycephalic (or short- or snub-nosed) dogs and cats and strong-jawed dog breeds:

• Affenpinscher
• American Bully
• American Pit Bull Terrier/Pit Bull
• American Staffordshire Terrier/”Amstaff”
• Belgian Malinois
• Boston Terrier
• Brussels Griffon
• American Bulldog
• English Bulldog
• French Bulldog
• Old English Bulldogges
• Shorty Bulldogs
• Spanish Alano/Spanish Bulldog/Alano Espanol
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
• English Toy Spaniel/Prince Charles Spaniel
• Japanese Chin/Japanese Spaniel
• American Mastiff
• Boerboel/South African Mastiff
• Bullmastiff
• Ca de Bou/Mallorquin Mastiff
• Cane Corso/Italian Mastiff
• Dogo Argentino/Argentinian Mastiff
• Dogue de Bordeaux/French Mastiff
• English Mastiff
• Fila Brasileiro/Brazilian Mastiff/Cao de Fila
• Indian Mastiff/Alangu
• Kangal/Turkish Kangal
• Neapolitan Mastiff/Mastino Napoletano
• Pakastani Mastiff/Bully Kutta
• Pyrenean Mastiff
• Presa Canario/Perro de Presa Canario/Dogo Canario/Canary Mastiff
• Spanish Mastiff / Mastin Espanol
• Tibetan Mastiff
• Tosa/Tosa Ken/Tosa Inu/Japanese Mastiff/Japanese Tosa
• Japanese Pug
• Shar-Pei/Chinese Shar-Pei
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier/”Staffys”
• Tibetan Spaniel
• Exotic Shorthair

Temperature restrictions

United’s PetSafe program uses climate-controlled vans and keeps animals in holding areas within a temperature range of 45-85° F but United may decline to transport your pet if the outside temperatures are too extreme.

United will no longer accept reservations to and from the following airports annually between May 1 and Sept. 30 , due to high summer temperatures.

• Las Vegas (LAS)
• Palm Springs (PSP)
• Phoenix (PHX)
• Tucson (TUS)

Reservations

Reservations are accepted between 30 days in advance (maximum) and five (5) days (minimum) prior to travel

United will require you to submit several documents to United PetSafe prior to travel which include:

• Scanned copy of the completed, signed and dated  Customer Acknowledgement Form
• Scanned copy of your pet’s Health Certificate from a licensed veterinarian dated within 10 days of travel (or the timeframe required by the destination country)
• Digital photo of your pet clearly showing their face to verify breed
• Digital photo of your pet’s travel crate to verify compliance with Petsafe’s crate requirements

You can find out more about these documents here .

No India or Australia

Not accept any reservations to and from India and Australia at this time

Connections

United will not accept PetSafe itineraries with more than three flight segments (or two connections).

Also, cats and dogs are required to have a comfort stop if the total length of their journey is more than 24 hours. However, you can purchase a comfort stop if you’re worries about your pet’s health on a long journey.

International routing

United requires international routing to be arranged through an International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA) pet shipper only. A list of IPATA members near you can be found at  https://www.ipata.org

Crate guidelines

United will not accept a crate taller than 30″, including the 700 series crates. Also, they do not sell or lend crates at airports. Instead, crates can be purchased at united.com/petmate.

Find out more about the crate guidelines here.

If you need help selecting a good crate watch this .

PetSafe Documents

United requests that you complete two forms.

One is a  Customer Acknowledgment Form and the other is a  Pre-Travel Checklist

I suggest that you print out both forms but for your reference here is the checklist:

Before you book (30 days prior to travel)

• Review new PetSafe acceptance policies
• Confirm your pet is acceptable for travel based upon age, breed, health and international travel restrictions
• Assess the overall health of your pet and if your pet is fit to fly
• Confirm the trip length and temperature is appropriate for your pet
• If you are shipping your pet internationally, engage an IPATA shipper for assistance with travel requirements and to make your booking

Preparing your pet for travel: Crate requirements (at least two weeks prior to travel)

• Review PetSafe Customer Pre-Travel Information Packet
• Obtain an airline-compliant crate that meets all guidelines and requirements
• Ensure crate is the appropriate size for your pet and does not exceed 30 inches in height
• Begin “crate acclimation” process as soon as possible to reduce your pet’s stress during travel

Preparing your pet for travel:

• Documentation and other requirements (5-10 days prior to travel)
• Fully complete and sign the Customer Acknowledgement Form
• Prepare digital copies of two photos to submit to PetSafe (one clearly showing your pet’s face to verify breed, one showing your pet’s travel crate to verify compliance with PetSafe’s crate requirements)
• Obtain the required Health Certificate from a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of travel (or the time frame required by the destination country)
• Required items include the Customer Acknowledgement Form, a Health Certificate from a licensed veterinarian, the photo of your pet and the photo of your pet’s crate
• Each attachment must be 2 MB or less and total email size cannot exceed 19 MB

Day-of-travel preparations

• Two copies of the signed and completed Customer Acknowledgement Form
• Print two copies of a photo of your pet, clearly showing your pet’s face (image should be no smaller than 3” x 3” and no larger than 4” x 6”)
• Health Certificate completed and signed by a licensed veterinarian
• Any additional required documents for travel / entry to the destination (for international travel, required documents should be confirmed by your IPATA shipper)
• Check unitedcargo.com for the drop-off location and time for your pet
• Prepare approved food and water containers for the inside of the crate
• Ensure that only allowable items are placed in or attached to the crate At the airport on travel day
• Confirm PetSafe drop-off location and time
• Arrive at least 30 minutes in advance of the minimum drop-off time to allow for processing
• Ensure person dropping off your pet has a current, government-issued photo ID to present at check-in

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United Service animals

United Airlines has several different types of classifications for service animals and they have different regulations depending on the type of service animal.

Trained service animals

Trained service animals are animals that receive specific training to perform life functions for individuals with disabilities, such as:

• Visual impairments
• Mobility limitations.

Trained service animals are accepted in cabin for qualified individuals with a disability.

The service animal should sit in the floor space in front of the customer’s assigned seat but cannot protrude into the aisles. Customers may use an approved in-cabin kennel for smaller animals provided its use meets stowage requirements.

Exit row seating is prohibited.

Note that documentation may be required for an animal traveling to international destinations.

Emotional support animals and psychiatric service animals

Emotional support animals and psychiatric service animals that provide emotional, psychiatric or cognitive support for individuals with disabilities, but may or may not have task-specific training with respect to a disability.

Emotional support and psychiatric service animals are also accepted in cabin for qualified individuals with a disability if  certain information and documentation  are provided in advance of travel.

With prior documentation and clearance a customer may travel with no more than one emotional support animal.

Additional documentation beyond United’s requirements may also be required for an animal traveling to an international destination, Hawaii and other locations.

Customers traveling with an emotional support animal or a psychiatric service animal must provide the  required documentation  at least 48 hours before the customer’s flight by email ( [email protected] ).

Service animals in training

Animal trainers are permitted to bring one service animal that is training to assist disabled passengers onboard free of charge. These service animals must not occupy a seat. Trainers transporting service animals in the ordinary course of business or service animals who are not in training must check these animals.

Therapy animals

Therapy animals, which are pets that have been trained and registered by a therapy organization in order to visit nursing homes, hospitals, schools and other facilities, are not considered to be service animals.

When traveling with a therapy animal, standard pet-related regulations and restrictions will apply.

You can click here to read more about United service animals. 

Customer service number

For questions, please contact the United Customer Contact Center number at 1-800-UNITED-1 (1-800-864-8331).

Is United Airlines safe for pets?

You might be wondering if it’s even safe to transfer your pet on United Airlines.

According to the DOT , United had the most animal deaths of all U.S. airlines in 2017 for the third year in a row on scheduled domestic or international passenger flights.

United had a total 18 deaths of animals in 2017, which amounts to 2.4 animal incidents per 10,000 animals transported in 2017. Delta Air Lines had 1 animal death in 2017 and American Airlines had 2 deaths of animals in 2017.

Since United has the wort track record in recent memory, I’d personally try to avoid transporting my furry friends with them in all honesty. But just in case you can’t avoid it, the odds are still very low that there will be an incident since we’re talking about 2.4 animal incidents per 10,000 transported animals.

Still, even with those odds some advise against transporting your animals in the cargo hold.

The Humane Society of the United States “strongly discourages” having your pet travel by air in the cargo hold of a plane, since the experience can be so stressful.

United Airlines Pet Policy FAQ

The fee is $125 each way for an in cabin pet.

You can use airline credits to avoid the fee with some credit cards such as the Amex Platinum Card. 

No, an unaccompanied minors cannot travel with a pet.

United Airlines doesn’t allow in-cabin pets on flights to, from, or through: Australia Barbados Cuba Guam Federated States of Micronesia Hawaii Hong Kong Iceland Ireland Jamaica Marshall Islands New Zealand Norway Palau Panama Philippines Singapore South Africa Sweden Tahiti Trinidad and Tobago UK

Pets are not allowed in business class or first class on select aircraft including: Boeing 757-200, 767, 777 or 787.

As you can tell, there are a lot of restrictions and regulations for transporting pets on United flights. You should always be sure to check what the most up-to-date rules are since they can change from time to time.

Cover photo by  Lynn Friedman  via Flickr . 

Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo . He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio .

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United Airlines Pet Policy: What You Need to Know

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Table of Contents

The United Airlines pet policy

United in-cabin pet options, most pet-friendly airlines, final thoughts on the united pet policy.

Heading out on a vacation sounds good, doesn’t it? After all, there’s not much else like sipping a daiquiri on the beach. But there’s an extra step to take before traveling when you’ve got pets at home. Do you opt for a pet sitter, find a doggy hotel or bring your furry friend along with you?

Plenty of airlines allow you to travel with pets, whether that’s in the cabin or as cargo. Let’s take a look at United Airlines’ pet cargo policy, its in-cabin options and how flying pets with United compares to other airlines.

The United pet policy does not allow pets to fly in cargo, unless you qualify for an exception with the U.S. military or foreign service. These are the limited circumstances in which it’s possible to travel with a pet in cargo on United:

Active duty U.S. military traveling on permanent change of station orders can fly pet cats and dogs between Honolulu and Guam.

Foreign Service Personnel traveling on current reassignment have the same privileges.

Prior to 2018, United Airlines operated its PetSafe program, which allowed customers to bring their pets along as cargo on eligible flights.

However, the program has been completely suspended since then. To date, United has opted not to resume operations.

» Learn more: How to fly with a dog

Since United doesn’t operate its PetSafe program anymore, your options are pretty limited when it comes to traveling with your pet. It’s still possible to travel with a pet in cabin as a piece of carry-on luggage under the seat in front of you, if they meet the specific requirements:

You can only travel with cats and dogs.

Animals must be able to fit comfortably inside their kennel, which cannot exceed a certain size .

Kittens and puppies must be at least two months old (for domestic flights) or four months old (for international flights).

Pets cannot travel with unaccompanied minors.

You must travel with your pet.

Traveling with an in-cabin pet is limited to certain destinations and certain cabins.

United charges $125 each way to bring your pet along with you in the cabin, although you’ll be on the hook for an additional $125 if your layover is long. Domestic layovers of more than four hours and international layovers of more than 24 hours will charge this extra fee.

» Learn more: 3 C’s simplify complex rules for flying with pets

In our most recent analysis on flying with pets , we ranked the major U.S. airlines on various factors including fees, types of animals allowed, whether you can bring pets in cargo and number of pets allowed per passenger, among other facrtors.

Here's how they stacked up:

» Learn more: The best hotels that allow pets

United suspended the ability to fly with your pet in cargo in 2018 after a number of high-profile incidents. Since then, it has failed to revamp the PetSafe program, leaving United customers out of luck when it comes to their larger four-legged friends. But those whose pets can fit under the seat can still take advantage of flying with their animals inside the cabin.

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Flying Pets in Cargo on United Airlines

APRIL 12, 2021: United Airlines has suspended all PetSafe and military pet transportation until further notice.

In March of 2018, United undertook a voluntary review of their PetSafe travel program. United Cargo is a proud member of the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA), and the airline wants to make improvements. On June 18 th , 2018, the airline’s new PetSafe standards will go into effect. This means that, even if you have previously shipped an animal with United Cargo, you will need to review these new guidelines.   

Regardless of the airline’s changes, you should know if United is a viable cargo option for you and your furry friend. To make sure you can successfully fly with a pet in cargo, here is the information you need.  

…HAVE EVERYTHING?

PET CARRIER CALMING MEDS GPS PET IDs CHEW TOYS PET INSURANCE DOG TREATS  

How much does it cost to fly a pet with United Cargo? Rates are dependent on flight and aircraft. However, you should expect to pay between $200 and $2,000.  

How many animals/pets are allowed on each flight? Availability is limited and variable.  

What animals  can  fly United Cargo? Cats and dogs  only.  Short- and snub-nosed (brachycephalic) animals, as well as strong-jawed dog breeds, are not permitted on any flight.  

What is the required  kennel   size? The smallest available crate size is 21”L x 16”W x 15”H. The largest available crate size is 48”L x 32”W x 30”H.  

What pet travel forms are required? Animals traveling in the cargo hold must have health certificates dated within 10 days of travel. However, much of the required documentation is based on flight destination. Pet parents must also sign the  Customer Acknowledgement Form .   

Where are pets in cargo dropped off and picked up? If flying a pet in cargo, you will need to visit the air cargo facility associated with your airport and airline. You cannot use the ticketing counter to check in an animal for cargo travel. Visit our  Airport Travel Guide  to find cargo facility locations at all major U.S. airports.   

Other Types of Pet and Animal Travel with United Airlines  

• Flying with Pets in the Cabin  
• Service Animal Policies   
• United Airlines Pet Policies

How to Book a PetSafe Reservation with United Airlines

PetSafe reservations are accepted via the United Cargo website or telephone. The airline accepts “pre-reservations” between thirty days in advance and five days prior to travel. Additionally, the customer should be able to provide PetSafe with several pieces of information (documents, photos, crate information, &c) before a reservation can be confirmed. The program will provide additional details at the time of booking.   

More FAQ Information for Pets in Cargo  

Which  b reeds does United consider to be  s hort- n osed or  s trong- j awed? United considers the following dog breeds to be unsafe for travel: Affenpinscher, American Bully, American Pit Bull Terrier, Pit Bull, American Staffordshire Terrier (“Amstaff”), Belgian Malinois, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bulldog (American, English, French Old English, Shorty, and Spanish Alano), Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chow, English Toy Spaniel, Prince Charles Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (American, Boerboel, South African, Bull, Ca de Bou, Mallorquin, Cane Corso, Italian, Argentinian, French, English, Brazilian, Indian, Kangal/Turkish, Neapolitan, Pakastani, Pyrenean, Presa Canario, Spanish, Tibetan, Tosa), Pekingese, Pug (Dutch, Japanese), Shar-Pei, Shih-Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and Tibetan Spaniel.

United considers the following cat breeds to be unsafe for travel: Burmese, Himalayan, Exotic Shorthair, and Persian. All breeds, both cats and dogs, are subject to a flight ban if they are mixed with any of these prohibited breeds.  

Are there any weather restrictions to consider? United recommends monitoring the weather to assess an airport’s capability to handle animals and may prohibit travel if unsafe conditions are detected (extreme temperature or other operating conditions). Additionally, the airline may decline acceptance or alter the routing if temperatures are outside of a safe range.

Passengers should note that United no longer accepts reservation to and from Las Vegas (LAS), Palm Springs (PSP), Phoenix (PHX), and Tucson (TUS) between May 1 st  and September 30 th . This is due to high temperature restrictions which may put your animal at risk.   

Did United’s new policy affect their crate restrictions? Yes—the airline no longer accepts crates taller than 30″ (including the 700 series crates).

Are there any other crate restrictions? Pets traveling with PetSafe must use a USDA and IATA-approved crate. This container must be large enough for your pet to move freely and stand with its head erect, lie down, and sit in a normal position. The crate should be constructed of rigid plastic, wood, or metal sturdy enough to resist bending. It should have a solid roof with no doors or ventilation openings and a single door made of metal. All nuts and bolts must be made of metal. The carrier should have ventilation on three sides to travel within the U.S. and Puerto Rico (four sides if traveling elsewhere).  

United: Pet Policy

• Planes & Seat Maps

What methods of transport does United Airlines provide for my pet?

• Travel in the passenger cabin.
• Checked as baggage in pressurized and temperature controlled area of your aircraft.
• Shipped as cargo in pressurized and temperature controlled area.

Does my pet qualify for travel in the passenger cabin?

Pets that meet the following qualifications can travel in the passenger cabin:

• Only domesticated dogs, cats or household birds (canary, finch or parakeet) may be accepted as carry on baggage.
• Pets must be at least 8 weeks old.
• Dogs and cats must be fully weaned.
• You are not traveling to, from or through Hawaii or Guam.
• Your pet can comfortably remain in its kennel, under the seat for the entire flight.
• The kennel is specifically made for animal carriage and can fit under the seat.
• Your pet has all necessary health documents required by your destination (see below for more information).
• Pets are not permitted to travel in the cabin on flights to/from Australia (exceptions may be made for service dogs such as seeing-eye or guide dogs).
• Pet must be traveling on the same flight as the owner.

More restrictions may apply. Please visit the In-cabin pets page on the United website for more information.

Does my pet qualify for travel as checked baggage?

Pets that meet the following qualifications can travel as checked baggage:

• Only domesticated dogs, cats, household birds (canary, finch or parakeet), rabbits, hamsters, and guinea pigs may be accepted as checked baggage.
• Dogs and cats must be at least 8 weeks old.
• The kennel meets all requirements (see below for more information).
• Pets are not permitted to travel as checked baggage on flights to/from Australia (exceptions may be made for service dogs such as seeing-eye or guide dogs).
• Due to extreme heat, United Airlines will not accept any pets as checked baggage for travel to/from Kuwait (KWI) or Bahrain (BAH) from May 1 through September 30.

Does my pet qualify to be shipped as cargo?

If your pet does not meet the requirements for travel in the cabin or as checked baggage, or if you would like your pet to travel unaccompanied, contact United Airlines Cargo at 1-800-UA-CARGO for more information.

What are the fees associated with pet transport?

• Transported in cabin for travel within the U.S., Canada and U.S. territories: $125
• Kennel fees vary depending on the size. Click here for more information.

Contact United Airlines Reservations for rates to/from Japan and Brazil.

What are the kennel requirements?

In addition to the size and weight maximums, the USDA and United Airlines require that kennels meet the following requirements:

• Be leak-proof and escape-proof.
• Be properly ventilated, but not allow any part of the animal from protruding outside of the container.
• Provide enough room for the animal to stand and turn around.
• Be made of metal, wood, or a hard plastic/composite.
• Contain absorbent material or litter.
• Have functional handles on the kennel's exterior to prevent tilting and any direct contact with the animals.
• Be closed securely, but not locked.
• Have labels with the words "Live Animal" in letters at least 1-inch tall on the crate's top and on at least one side.
• Have upright arrow labels indicating kennel's correct position.

What health documentation is required?

Passengers are required to make sure all health and pet travel documents are current and compliant with local, state, federal and international entry requirements and regulations. The passenger assumes full responsibility for penalties assessed by agencies for non-compliance of pet health and entry requirements.

Are there any other restrictions?

United Airlines can refuse to transport an animal due to illness, aggressive behavior, poor kenneling, or extreme temperatures at origin, transfer, or destination airports. Short-nosed dog breeds are not accepted for travel as checked baggage or cargo from June 1 - September 30.

Please contact the airline directly for information about traveling with a service animal.

SeatGuru was created to help travelers choose the best seats and in-flight amenities.

Simple Flying

United airlines dog policy: 5 things you need to know.

It's getting easier to fly your dog with United.

• Reservations are a must for dogs on United Airlines flights, costing $125 with additional charges for long layovers.
• All types of dogs are allowed on United Airlines, including service dogs for those with disabilities.
• Properly sized travel crates are needed for United Airlines flights, and restrictions apply in certain countries.

After a horde of mishaps with animals placed in their cargo in 2018, United Airlines put out a decree that a pet animal such as a dog could only travel in the cabin of this Chicago-based carrier. United is not known to be the most pet-friendly carrier, nor has it lifted the restrictions it placed on its PetSafe program. But with one of its pilots taking an abandoned puppy in its care and the subsequent easing of some of the airlines’ strict rules concerning pet travel, United Airlines is becoming a lot more dog-friendly. Let’s take a look at some of its dog policies.

5 Making reservations for dogs on a United Airlines Flight

Checking the option of a dog is unavailable in united's app..

If one intends to travel on a United Airlines flight with a dog, making reservations online or by calling the airline itself is a must. This is because United only allows a limited number of pets in the cabin. So, making early reservations is the key to traveling on United Airlines with your dog. In addition, you won’t be able to travel in exit row or bulkhead seats if you’re tagging your dog along.

United doesn’t allow dogs (or any pets for that matter) to travel in cargo. Traveling with a dog on a United Airlines flight will cost $125, The fee can be paid at the time of check-in at the reservations counter. If you are on a domestic flight with a 4-hour layover or more, there will be an additional charge of $125. An international flight with a layover of more than 24 hours will also have the same additional fee.

Pet dogs are not checked in at the curbside, nor can they travel with unaccompanied minors. You’ll need your dog's confirmation number alongside yours while checking in. Due to a dearth of space under the seats in first or business class on the airline's Boeing 747, 757, 767, and 777 fleets, United doesn’t allow dogs (or other pets) onboard these aircraft.

4 Types of dogs allowed on United Airlines

All types of dogs are allowed on united airlines..

United places no ban on any type of sub-nose breed of dogs. It also transports puppies and small dogs on its flight.

Service Dogs

Only half a year or so ago, a person aboard American Airlines brought two tickets for his service dog alone - this mammoth of a dog weighed 63 kilograms and required two seats while the person accompanying him sat on the third. The person had been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and needed his service dog with him to relieve the pain associated with the disease. Instances of people bringing service dogs onboard have been increasing, and, at the same time as Delta Air Lines, United also revised its policies concerning emotional support animals.

United allows service dogs inside their cabin if the dog can be of help to someone with a disability, whether the disability be physical, sensory, psychiatric, cognitive, or of other types that necessitate assistance.

Therapy dogs

A passenger can also take a therapy dog with them on a United Airlines flight, but such dogs need to be trained and registered with a therapy organization.

The Wag Brigade: San Francisco International Airport's Adorable Team Of Therapy Animals

Emotional support dogs.

An emotional support animal can also travel via United Airlines along with its owner, if the dog can, through their companionship, help relieve a passenger’s anxiety or depression.

3 The right travel crate for United Airlines

Choosing the right travel crate is essential for your dog's well-being..

If you’re taking your dog alongside you on a United Airlines flight, finding the right travel crate is a must. As per the airline's website , the travel crate must be commodious enough for the dog to stand up, sit down, and make a swerve, but there is a restriction placed on how big it can be. Hard-sided crates can be no longer than 17.5 inches (44 cm), no wider than 12 inches (30 cm), and must have a maximum height of 7.5 inches (19 cm). A soft-sided crate, on the other hand, can have the maximum dimensions of 18 inches (46 cm) x 11 inches (28 cm) wide x 11 inches (28 cm).

If you are traveling with two dogs, both of them can’t be placed in a single travel crate. All crates need to be equipped with adequate ventilation, waterproof bottoms, and secure fasteners. United allows for two service dogs on your flight, or a combination of a service dog and a pet, although you need to buy an extra seat to accommodate both animals.

2 Military and State Department pet exceptions

Exceptions only on certain routes and not for officers on a holiday.

United Airlines has certain benefits for the transportation of pets of State Department Foreign Service Personnel (FSP) and their spouses or military personnel of the US who are on active duty on Permanent Change of Station (PCS). These benefits apply if the military forces are on the way to an assignment between Guam and Honolulu and don’t extend to personnel on leave or a holiday/leisure.

To qualify for this service, pets should meet all the requirements of United Airlines. If so, the pets will receive a tag during check-in. This service comes as a part of the United Military Pet Program and allows the military and state department personnel to do away with the expenses that would otherwise have come with a third-party IPATA shipping agent or customs broker.

United also allows these pets to check in at the counter, though it doesn’t facilitate any dog transfer (between airlines). However, these exceptions do not extend to flights on United Express or codeshare flights.

1 A few exceptions and things to watch out for

You need to get the right vaccines as well as check the destinations where dogs aren't allowed..

Let's gloss over a few exceptions and a few other considerations while you are with your dog on a United Airlines' flight.

• Even if you have the right crates or your dog fits other requirements, United doesn’t allow dogs in the cabin of flights to, from, or through Australia, Cuba, Guam, Hawaii, Iceland, India, Ireland, Nigeria, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, South Africa, Sweden, Tahiti, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom.
• If you are traveling with a service dog on a United Airlines flight, you must guarantee that your dog is well-trained, will be under your control, and not relieve itself at the gate or on the plane.
• Your dog's favorite toy, treats, blankets and pillows might help them keep calm on flights. Other essentials, such as a collapsible plastic bag, a water bowl, and a leash will also come in handy.
• The United app allows you to navigate to the bathrooms located in airports where you can take dogs to relieve them.
• Puppies need to be at least 4 months old if they want to be on an international flight, whereas a domestic flight lowers this bar to 2 months.

Is Your Pet Safe Flying In Cargo?

By Rachel Rabkin Peachman

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

When Janet Sinclair made the cross-country move from California to Massachusetts in July 2013, she arranged for what she thought would be the safest travel plan for her six-year-old Bengal cat, Alika, and five-year-old greyhound, Sedona. United’s PetSafe program promised a climate-controlled and pressurized cargo environment, specially trained staff, and a dedicated 24-hour call-in desk. So, after both pets got clean bills of health from a veterinarian (required for air travel) and she'd secured them in approved travel crates, Sinclair felt confident bringing her furry family members to their new home in Boston, through airports in San Diego and Houston.

Before the trip, she confirmed that “Sedona and Alika would be taken in an air-conditioned van to the plane, where they would be the last ones loaded into cargo," in keeping with United's pledge that pets will be the last to board and the first to deplane. "I made sure they would be taken for a safety stop during our layover in Houston, where they would be in an air-conditioned pet facility in which handlers would feed them, give them water, and let Sedona out to exercise before boarding the next plane,” she tells Condé Nast Traveler. (According to pet relocation specialists, a "comfort" or "safety stop" often happens on long layovers when pets change planes.)

But things didn’t go according to plan. The story that follows is her account of that day: When Sinclair boarded in San Diego she had a direct view of the cargo loading area. “First, I noticed my pets were brought to the plane in a luggage carrier, not an air-conditioned van,” she says. “Then a handler tried to lift Sedona’s crate and couldn’t do it by himself. He dropped it and Sedona fell over in the crate.”

From there, Sinclair told us, the day got progressively worse. Upon arrival in Houston, Sedona’s crate was indeed unloaded first—but then, instead of being transferred to an air-conditioned vehicle, she was left in the crate on the tarmac in 91-degree heat. (According to United's PetSafe program , animals aren’t meant to endure temperatures over 85 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 45 minutes.) A handler “kicked her [Sedona's] crate multiple times,” says Sinclair, in an attempt to push it into the shade beneath the plane's wing while handlers unloaded the remaining cargo—including, finally, Alika’s crate. Sinclair was horrified. She began recording the scene with her phone .

Sedona and Alika's crates await boarding in a luggage carrier.

“I told the attendants and the pilot that I wouldn’t get off the plane until the van picked up my pets,” she says. They asked her to disembark anyway. Inside the terminal, Sinclair says she called the PetSafe desk. A supervisor assured her that her animals would get proper attention during the three hours before their next flight.

But when Sinclair boarded the plane for Boston, her pets were already on the tarmac again beneath the wing of the plane—not, as promised, in a climate-controlled van. One video, obtained by Condé Nast Traveler, shows a luggage handler sitting idly nearby, waiting to load bags, while the crates linger on the tarmac. “I have no idea how long they'd been out there,” she says. Distraught, she asked a flight attendant to help get her pets into air-conditioning. She told the pilot there would be animals in his cargo hold, and asked him to be mindful of its temperature and pressure. Unfortunately, nearly an hour after Sedona and Alika were loaded, the crew found problems with the plane's air conditioning, and both passengers and cargo were removed.

Eventually, Sinclair and her pets were boarded for the third and final time that day. They arrived in Boston after 11 p.m. The PetSafe van retrieved the animals and brought them to the designated pickup area, where Sinclair found them at 12:30 a.m. She couldn't believe what she saw. Sedona and the interior of her crate were covered in blood, feces, and vomit. Her food pack hadn't been opened, and the zip ties Sinclair had used to secure her crate that morning were in exactly the same position, suggesting Sedona hadn’t been let out for the entire span of their journey—about 15 hours. The interior of Alika’s crate was also covered in feces and vomit; she was dehydrated, but stable. “When we let Sedona out, she couldn’t get up or walk. She was shaking and panting—it looked like she was dying right in front of me,” says Sinclair. “When we got home, she began to pee blood and I raced her to the vet.” A Boston-area animal hospital diagnosed her with heat stroke and a urinary tract infection—medical problems that were “secondary to hyperthermia that she suffered during her United Airlines flight,” they concluded. Sedona spent the next two days in the vet’s intensive care. Full recovery took months. “She trusted me. ... If I’d known how she would be treated, I would never in a million years have traveled on the plane with my dog.”

United's official response came on August 28, 2013, in the form of a letter disclaiming any wrongdoing. The airline had submitted Sedona's report to a consulting veterinarian for review; their conclusion was that the greyhound had a “pre-existing medical condition which may have been aggravated during her air transportation.” They didn't specify what condition; rather, the company offered $1,000 toward Sedona’s treatment, refunded the PetSafe fee of $684.90, and asked Sinclair to sign a non-disclosure agreement. When Sinclair declined, United upped the reimbursement to $2,700—on the condition, again, that she sign the agreement. She refused. On November 1, United sent its final note: “For the sake of clarity, we withdraw our offer and consider the matter closed.”

Sinclair set up a Facebook page called United Airlines Almost Killed My Greyhound , making it her mission to tell other travelers about the risks of flying animals in cargo. The site immediately got thousands of followers who shared similarly negative experiences with pet air travel. To this day, Sinclair says, she gets at least one message a week from someone with a similar horror story—and some, of course, that are worse.

WHAT THE NUMBERS SAY

Those stories paint a picture only hinted at in official data from the U.S. Department of Transportation . The DOT estimates that two million animals fly via cargo each year. The problem with the DOT’s numbers is that less than half of the animals traveling in cargo are considered "pets," says Jeff Pierce, legislative counsel for the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF). The agency is only required to maintain reports involving pets and commercial dogs and cats, such as those traveling between breeders and a new home. To this day, other animals shipped by cargo—laboratory animals, for instance; endangered monkeys; birds on their way to sanctuaries—don’t count. “Because the reporting requirements don’t reach other commercial animals, a large percentage of problems goes unreported,” says Pierce.

According to the DOT's newly released annual report , just over half a million pets flew in cargo in 2016. Of those animals, 26 died and 22 were injured, an incident rate of less than 1 per 10,000 pets. Nine deaths and 14 injuries occurred on United flights, a rate double that of the U.S. industry. Only Hawaiian Airlines had a higher incident rate—nearly double United's, with three pets dead of 7,518 transported. Alaska Airlines flew the most pets by cargo last year—112,281—during which two died, and one was injured.

Admittedly, United is one of the largest U.S. carriers with one of the most robust pet travel programs. It has reported the most pet deaths per year since 2014, but a spokesman says it has an excellent track record. “If there is an incident—of a lost pet, injury, or death—we report those to DOT, but we ship over 200,000 animals per year and the rate of incidents is astronomically low,” says Charlie Hobart, a United spokesperson. “The overwhelming majority of animals go through without any problems whatsoever.” In a recent email regarding Sinclair's story, he reiterates: “Our PetSafe team is committed to the safety and comfort of all the pets that travel with us. We are an industry leader. ... That said, we regret that Sedona did not have a good experience and we offered to provide compensation but Ms. Sinclair declined."

Concerns about the United PetSafe program are still real, and recent. Yesterday, an Oregon woman told a local news station that her seven-year-old golden retriever, Jacob—cleared following a mandatory physical before he flew from Detroit to Portland—died shortly after the flight. She blames United.

Much of the evidence is self-reported—be it anecdotes from pet owners or incident numbers from airlines. U.S. carriers that operate at least one aircraft with 60 or more seats have to report any death, injury, or loss on a domestic or international flight to the DOT. “When you look at the numbers, it’s pretty reassuring,” says Caitlin Moore of PetRelocation.com, a private company that helps travelers navigate the ins and outs of shipping their pets via cargo. Her company prefers to work with United domestically, she says, and KLM, Lufthansa, British Airways, and Qantas for international pet travel. Moore acknowledges that there are always risks with pet air travel; her organization advises clients to fly their pets in cargo only when they have no other option (for example, when moving overseas). But she notes that “there are lots of great success stories. We wouldn’t do this if it weren’t safe.”

In 2015, 35 deaths, 25 injuries, and three lost animals were reported. It was the highest death toll since 2011.

Pet safety—and transparency—have received attention from federal legislators in the last two years. It was only as recently as January 1, 2015 that the DOT expanded its reporting requirements to cover dog and cat breeder shipments at all —a change made in response to pressure from the ALDF and several U.S. senators. Now, U.S. airlines are required to report each January on the number of pets and commercial dogs and cats transported during the previous calendar year, as well as to report any incidents monthly . Failure to do so can result in a $27,500 civil penalty, according to a DOT representative. In the year following the expansion, 35 deaths, 25 injuries, and three lost animals were reported. It was the highest death toll since 2011.

That uptick could be evidence of the reporting mandate in action, but Pierce is skeptical. He doesn't think accountability has improved. “The reporting requirements are designed to encourage better behavior on the part of people who handle pets as cargo, but our experience has been that airlines underreport these incidents,” he says. The DOT is required to post reports on its website as well as forward them to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which enforces the Animal Welfare Act. “You can read them for yourself. Rarely does the airline believe they did anything wrong. In virtually every case, you’ll find that the probable cause of injury or death is that the animal had some underlying or pre-existing condition. Any incident that arose was due to that condition, not to the airline’s actions.”

CARGO VERSUS CARRY-ON

Amie d’Autremont had no choice but to fly with her two-year-old English bulldog, Mabel, when her husband relocated to South Korea for work. Even though bulldogs are a brachycephalic (short-nosed) breed and considered to be at higher risk for respiratory problems in the air, a USDA-certified veterinarian determined Mabel to be in good health and fit to travel from Seattle to South Korea in the fall of 2015, as long as she was kept in an ambient temperature (between 32 and 85 degrees F). “We knew there was a risk but we felt confident she would be fine,” says d’Autremont. But after boarding the chartered Omni Air International plane in Seattle, they were grounded for almost two hours because the air conditioner was broken, she says. When they arrived at her layover in Japan, she was told Mabel had not survived the flight. “When I finally got to hold Mabel, she was rock hard,” says d’Autremont. “All I can hope is that she didn’t suffer.”

In a letter to d’Autremont and her husband, an Omni Air International representative wrote: “Knowing how beloved pets are to their owners, we take our responsibilities for their carriage very seriously.” However, five other dogs were transported successfully that day, the representative notes, and it's the up to the passenger and his or her vet to “make the decision whether or not to accept the risk of travel” with a snub-nosed dog. In a follow-up letter, a representative reiterated that they were “very sorry for their loss” but that Omni “does not accept liability for pets and as such cannot offer any reimbursement.” D’Autremont filed a complaint with the DOT, which led the USDA to open an investigation. The USDA has since removed public animal welfare documents from its website.

Undeniably, cargo is the more dangerous option for pet travel. The safest way for any animal to fly is in the cabin as carry-on luggage, provided that's an option. But only animals small enough to fit beneath the seat are allowed: A cat, a rabbit, or a Maltese is fine; a full-grown Labrador isn’t. Pets must fit in an approved carrier—generally, a hard- or soft-sided kennel about 17 inches long by 11 inches wide by 9 inches high, though requirements can vary (check with the airline prior to your departure date). Pets must remain in their carriers for the duration of the flight, and so should be able to stand up and turn around comfortably inside them. On domestic flights, all pets must have recent health certificates and immunization records from a vet, and most airlines require pets to be at least eight weeks old. The fee is typically $125 one way for each in-cabin pet. For international flights, regulations and fees vary according to the laws in the country of your final destination.

Smaller pets can travel beneath your seat in a carry-on.

Service animals or emotional support animals are a different story. There are no size requirements as long as your pet doesn’t block the aisle and can sit between your legs on the floor in front of you, or, if small enough, on your lap. You’ll have to provide documentation from a physician stating that you need your animal for medical or psychological reasons— a prescription, in effect, for that potbellied pig . And, of course, all other veterinary documentation requirements and fees will still apply.

Meanwhile, in the age of premium economy and private suites on planes , some airlines have upgraded their pet-class options as well. American Airlines now offers a service for first class passengers and their dogs and cats that runs exclusively on the Airbus A321T planes between Los Angeles or San Francisco and New York’s JFK. This First Class Pet Cabin enables you to stretch your legs and relax while still keeping your pet close by in a compartment roomy enough for its carrier. There are restrictions, though. Only dogs and cats are allowed, and no short-nosed breeds.

If your pet's too big to fit beneath the seat and VIP travel isn't an option, your only choice on domestic airlines is to fly your pet in cargo. That always involves risk, no matter how good the airline's track record or what DOT numbers indicate. Still, veterinarian David Landers, DVM, owner of AirVets Pet Relocation and former director-at-large at the nonprofit International Pet and Animal Transportation Association , says that “shipping a pet [in cargo] is very safe when the proper precautions are taken.”

IN CARGO, WITH CARE?

Animal advocates such as Mary Beth Melchior, founder and CEO of Where Is Jack? , believe that pet relocation services may be giving pet owners a false sense of security. She launched her website in 2011 after her friend Karen Pascoe’s cat, Jack, was lost for 61 days inside JFK International Airport. Pascoe got a phone call from an American Airlines employee when Jack escaped his crate, which had fallen and opened on its way to boarding. They discovered Jack when he fell through the ceiling of the Customs and Border Protection office. He was malnourished, and had been wounded so badly that, despite treatment in a veterinary ICU, he had to be euthanized. Like Sinclair, Melchior now works to educate people about safe air travel for animals, and advocates for better policies at airports and legislation to protect traveling animals.

“I think airlines have enjoyed a lot of immunity from liability,” says Pierce, partly because of the contractual terms passengers are forced to accept when surrendering their cargo to an airline. Unless you declare a specific value for the cargo, major airlines may only give you $.50 per pound or $50, whichever's greater, in exchange for its loss . That holds true whether the cargo is a suitcase or a live animal.

Josh Brown, co-owner of Far North Kennel with his wife, Theresa Sheldon, in Anchorage, Alaska, breeds German Shepherds, and has had dozens of positive experiences shipping and receiving dogs via Alaska Airlines and Delta. “If I thought that it put any undue risk on a dog’s life, I wouldn’t do it,” he says. He notes, though, that he only trusts those two airlines with his dogs’ safety. “It really matters which airline you choose when you’re shipping your pet.”

The safest way for any animal to fly is in the cabin, provided that's an option.

United, however, stands behind its PetSafe program: “It’s an esteemed position” to be a pet handler, says Hobart, United's spokesperson. “The folks who are transporting animals have experience with general cargo and then we discuss where their interests are, and we may move them to pets; they take extra caution when working with them. We take them for walks and throw them a lot of love and care. It’s something we take very seriously because we understand how important those animals are to our customers. They're often considered part of the family.”

The bottom line, according to both animal advocates and the airline industry: There are no guarantees when you ship an animal in cargo. You can—and should —take safety measures such as acclimating your pet to her crate in advance, making sure she's healthy, and traveling when temperatures are moderate; but cargo should be your last resort, not your first. Even under the best of circumstances, cargo travel is quite stressful for animals, says Justine A. Lee, DVM, board-certified veterinary specialist and author of It's a Dog's Life...but It's Your Carpet. “I don’t recommend flying with your pet unless you’re moving,” she says. “If you’re traveling for vacation, it’s safer to just get a pet sitter.”

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The Pet Friendly Vacation Guide

United Airlines Pet Policy: Everything You Need to Know Before Flying With Your Dog or Cat

posted on March 12, 2023 by James Brockbank | Last updated on March 13, 2023

As a pet owner, you might consider traveling with your furry companion on an airplane. However, you must be aware that there may be certain restrictions and guidelines that you need to know before making any travel arrangements.

Suppose you’re interested in understanding airlines’ policies and procedures for pets, including any size or breed restrictions, fees, and required documentation. In that case, you can learn everything by reading this article about the United Airlines pet policy.

You will also learn about the options available for pet travel, such as in-cabin or cargo hold, and any specific requirements for service animals. Overall, we have all the necessary information to ensure you have a safe and comfortable travel experience for yourself and your pet.

Size & breed restrictions

Required documentation, age requirements, making a reservation, petsafe partnership, emotional support pets, types of pets allowed, number of pets allowed, route restrictions, service animals, traveler tips, united airlines pet policy.

United Airlines allows pets to travel in the cabin on most flights within the U.S. and to select international destinations, as well as in the cargo hold on many of its flights.

United Airlines have specific size and breed restrictions for pets traveling in the cabin, and there are fees for each service. In addition, customers must provide a veterinarian health form for their pet and book in advance.

For pets traveling in the cargo hold, United Airlines has specific guidelines and regulations that must be followed to ensure the safety and comfort of the animal. 

It’s important to note that service animals have different policies and procedures, so it’s best to check with the airline directly if you plan to travel with a service animal.

When it comes to traveling in the cabin with your pet on United Airlines, there are a certain size and breed restrictions that you need to know. 

The airline only allows small cats and dogs that can fit comfortably in a carrier under the seat in front of you. The carrier must not exceed the dimensions of 9 inches high x 18 inches wide x 14 inches deep.

The airline has a list of breeds that are not allowed to travel in the cabin; these breeds include American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, Bulldog, Chinese Shar-pei, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, Pit Bull, Presa Canario, Rottweiler, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The airline also doesn’t accept the following cat breeds: Exotic Shorthair, Persian, Himalayan, and Burmese.

Additionally, United Airlines only allows one pet carrier per passenger and a maximum of two pet carriers per flight. So, ensure to book your flight in advance and check for the availability of traveling with your pet.

Larger pets or those that not meeting the size and breed restrictions for in-cabin travel can travel in the cargo hold. However, it’s important to note that it’s not as comfortable as traveling in a cabin. 

Additionally, the cargo hold option is not available on all flights or destinations, and checking with the airline directly for availability is recommended.

United Airlines charges a fee for passengers who bring their pets on board and in the cargo hold.

It’s important to note that these fees are subject to change and may vary depending on the destination and class of service. Additionally, additional fees and taxes may be imposed by certain countries for international travel.

United Airlines pet policy requires certain documentation for traveling with a pet on its flights. The following are some of the required documents:

It is important to note that these requirements are also subject to change and may vary depending on the destination and class of service. It’s best to check with the airline directly and get the most up-to-date information on the required documentation before making any travel arrangements with your pet.

United Airlines has some age restrictions for pets traveling on the flights.

Pets less than eight weeks old are not accepted for travel on the airline. Pets older than eight weeks, but less than six months old, are not accepted for travel on a case-by-case basis. Customers must provide a veterinarian’s statement certifying that the pet is healthy enough to travel.

Additionally, pets over the age of seven years old must have a veterinary certification of good health within the past 10 days before travel.

United Airlines has a partnership with PetSafe , a program that offers specialized travel options for pets that cannot travel in the cabin or cargo hold. The program is designed to provide safe and comfortable travel options for pets that are large, have certain medical conditions, or are of certain breeds.

Through the PetSafe program, United Airlines can offer various travel options for pets, including ground transportation, temperature-controlled facilities, and flights on specially equipped aircraft. The program provides additional services such as pre-flight veterinary consultation and post-flight follow-up.

To book a PetSafe flight, you need to contact United Airlines’ PetSafe Desk at 1-800-575-3335, where a specialist will help determine the most appropriate travel option for your pet. 

You can only book a PetSafe flight for a certain origin and destination; thus, checking with the airline for availability and restrictions is recommended.

United Airlines has specific restrictions for emotional support animals on their flights. Only one emotional support animal per passenger is allowed; the animal must be a dog or cat at least four months old. The animal must be well-behaved and cannot threaten other passengers’ health or safety.

Passengers must provide documentation from a mental health expert declaring that the passenger’s mental health and well-being need the animal, a veterinary health form, and a signed statement of responsibility for the animal. The animal must also be trained to behave in a public setting. 

United Airlines reserves the right to deny transportation to any animal that appears too large or too heavy to be accommodated in the cabin or poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others.

United Airlines pet policy allows various pets to travel with passengers on their flights, including cats, dogs, household birds, and small household animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters. 

However, each type of pet is subject to different guidelines and restrictions. Cats and dogs can travel as either carry-on or checked baggage but must be in a carrier that meets United Airlines’ requirements. 

Household birds must be in a cage that meets United’s guidelines and can travel as either carry-on or checked baggage. Small household animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters can also travel as carry-on or checked baggage if they meet United’s guidelines. 

It’s important to check the airline’s official website to read the most up-to-date information concerning these guidelines for traveling with pets.

United Airlines allows a limited number of pets to travel with passengers on their flights. The number depends on the type of pet and the specific flight. For example, for cats and dogs, United Airlines generally allows up to two per passenger, with one pet per carrier. 

For household birds and small household animals, the number allowed may be less, depending on the flight you’re taking. If you have multiple pets you want to travel with, checking out United Airlines’ “PetSafe” program might be the best option. 

It is more flexible and allows more pets than regular travel but may have different rules and restrictions.

United Airlines has certain route restrictions when it comes to traveling with pets. Not all destinations or flights accept pets; certain destinations may have additional restrictions or regulations. 

For example, flights to Hawaii, certain international destinations, and United’s Basic Economy fare do not accept pets. Additionally, pets are not allowed on flights operated by United Express, which are flights operated by regional partners.

These regulations may vary, so checking United Airlines’ website for the newest information is best. Also, some destinations may have specific restrictions or regulations regarding the importation of animals, and it’s the passenger’s responsibility to comply with those regulations.

It’s important to note that during hot weather months, United Airlines may restrict the acceptance of pets in the cabin or cargo for certain flights depending on the destination to ensure the animal’s safety.

United Airlines has specific regulations for passengers traveling with service animals. Animals specially trained to carry out duties or work for people with impairments are referred to as service animals. Under the Air Carrier Access Act, United Airlines must allow travelers with impairments to travel with service animals. 

Service animals are allowed in the cabin with the passenger at no additional cost. United Airlines does not require documentation for service animals but may ask for documentation to confirm that the animal is a service animal and the task it has been trained to perform. 

Passengers traveling with service animals must also ensure that the animal is well-behaved and does not directly threaten other passengers.

Here are a few recommendations to help you prepare a pet-friendly travel kit.

• Don’t forget to bring all the essentials needed to care for your pet while you’re still at the airport. This includes the leash, treats, water bowl, and plastic bags.
• Always bring your pet’s favorite toy, blanket, or anything of the sort, to keep them calm during the flight.

Overall, United Airlines pet policy is designed to provide a safe and comfortable travel experience for you and your pet. 

It’s important to gather all the necessary information and make all the required arrangements before your trip to ensure a smooth travel experience. We hope that we’ve helped you learn more about animal policies with this article, and if anything is unclear, you can find more information on the airline’s official website .

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United bans dozens of pet breeds from traveling in cargo

United Airlines will restrict dozens of dog and cat breeds from its cargo hold under a new pet travel policy that goes into effect next month.

The overhaul of its rules were prompted in part by the highly publicized death of one dog, and several mix-ups of other pets, in March.

Under the new policy that takes effect June 18 , United will prohibit short-nosed dog breeds including pugs and bulldogs, as well as “strong-jawed” breeds such as American pit bull terriers. The rules will also affect large dog breeds including a variety of mastiffs.

Passengers will still be allowed to bring small pets into the main cabin, however.

United said it is working with the animal welfare organization American Humane to improve its pet travel policies.

The full list of pets restricted by United are:

The airline halted transporting pets in March after one dog died in an overhead bin and several other dogs were loaded onto the wrong planes.

In the case of the dog that died, the family that owned a French bulldog claimed it followed the airline's policy of placing the dog in a carrier beneath the seat. But a flight attendant told them the case needed to be placed in the overhead bin.

In the other cases, one dog was accidentally sent to Japan instead of Kansas City and another a dog at bound for Akron, Ohio, was accidentally loaded onto a flight to St. Louis.

United also will limit reservations for pets during hotter months to certain locations. The airline will not accept cats and dogs in the cargo hold between May 1 to Sept. 30 to or from Las Vegas, Palm Springs, California, or Phoenix or Tucson, Arizona.

United's restrictions to its pet travel policy will put the airlines more in line with its competitors Delta and American , which also have specific restrictions on what breeds may go in its cargo hold, as well as timing of when pets can fly.

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Help! My Dog Was Rejected by the Airline Because of a Carrier Rule That Doesn’t Exist.

A gate agent suddenly objected to a canine who’d flown previously on the same route, saying the carrier wasn’t big enough. Our columnist tries to sort out what the actual rules for pets on planes are.

By Seth Kugel

Dear Tripped Up,

My husband and I had flown nine times without incident on the same route (Seattle to Houston) with the same dog (Bella, our 13-year-old Coton de Tulear ) in the same carrier (soft-sided, correct dimensions) on the same airline (United). But on trip number 10, the counter agent in Seattle told us that because Bella’s back touched the top and sides of the carrier when she turned around, she could not fly. A supervisor backed up the decision. We walked down the concourse to Delta, bought expensive one-way tickets, and flew the next day without incident. I was shocked that an airline can arbitrarily enforce a rule that appears nowhere on its website. Can you get to the bottom of this and help us get compensated for the premium we had to pay for a last-minute flight? Jacki, Seattle

Dear Jacki,

You’re not the only one to complain to me about a mysterious “no touching” rule that, though unwritten, seems to have gained traction in the oral tradition of airline check-in agents. Betsy of Paradise Valley, Ariz., wrote in with a very similar story on American Airlines, when her family’s two Havanese were initially denied boarding because they could not “stand fully erect without their head touching the top of the crate,” she wrote. Though the airline eventually gave in when shown documentation that the dogs had been allowed to fly the day before, Betsy told me her family has not dared to fly with their dogs since, and instead have been driving cross-country.

A glance through the airline reviews on BringFido , a pet travel site, found several more “no touching” incidents that resulted in a dreaded one bone review (out of a potential five).

Traveling with pets has been getting harder in recent years — emotional support animals are out, fewer airlines allow pets to travel in the cargo hold, and the very small dogs, cats and occasional birds and other pets that are allowed to fly in-cabin have to follow very strict rules that vary, almost maddeningly, by airline. The U.S. government, though very concerned about what dogs and cats enter the country, has taken a hands-off approach to domestic pet travel, leaving the individual airlines to set their own specific guidelines as long as the animals are in containers that fit fully under the seat in front of the passenger.

This means each airline has its own rules about what animals can fly in the cabin, usually for a fee of $95 to $120, and the specific dimensions of the carriers (which can even vary by aircraft). Furthermore, some prohibit certain breeds of dogs, where others allow any dog, cat, household bird or other critter that fits weight restrictions, most commonly a 20-pound-plus-carrier weight limitation that is strictly enforced and can lead to last minute treat-restriction. Spirit has a 40-pound limit and allows household birds, raising some intriguing questions about pet turkeys I don’t have time to get into here.

But the language on how to tell whether a pet fits into its carrier is generally the same, probably because it’s the one area where both the government and the International Air Transport Association, or IATA, an international trade association, have weighed in. Federal regulations state animals must have “enough space to turn about normally while standing, to stand and sit erect, and to lie in a natural position,” and IATA’s guidelines are quite similar.

I contacted both United, for your case, and American, for Betsy’s, and got two completely different answers.

United requires that pets be able to “stand up and turn around while inside.” But what that means is subject to some interpretation. “In order to be accepted,” Erin Jankowski, a United spokeswoman, wrote to me in an email, “a pet must be able to stand up and turn around without rocking or tipping over the carrier.”

I followed up, sending along your complaint in full. The answer was short on specifics, but direct. “In this particular case,” she responded, “the agent made the correct decision based on our guidelines.” She added that you received a refund within days for the original cost of your flight, but did not address why Bella had been allowed on previous flights.

American Airlines had a different take for Betsy and her family’s Havanese. “It’s permissible for the pet’s fur, tail or ears to touch the inside of the kennel or carrier,” wrote Andrea Koos, an American spokeswoman in an email. “They can fly with their dogs, based on the information you provided.”

I wrote to several other major American carriers, and of those that responded (Delta, JetBlue, Alaska and Frontier), only Delta cited a “no touching” rule. In other words, though airline employees do have discretion on deciding whether a container is humane and whether it will fit under the seat, a pet on most airlines should not be turned down solely because its fur touched the side or top of a carrier.

But depending on how much it touched — especially if it caused a bulge — that could be reason enough to reject a pet. Sheila Goffe, a vice president of the American Kennel Club, noted that dogs with erect ears that add a couple inches to their height and pressed up against the top of the container could, in theory, be turned away. “It’s a funny thing to have to think about, but you get into gray areas that could be a problem,” she said.

Here’s the bottom line, according to Erin Ballinger, the destinations editor for BringFido: “Travelers are always going to be at the mercy of the airlines’ discretion.” If it’s a close call as to whether your pet has enough room, you may want to rethink your travel plans.

“The very obvious solution” for borderline cases, said Dr. Nelva Bryant, founder of the site When Pets Fly , “would be to send the pet as cargo and not risk getting denied.” Of course, many dog owners dread the idea of putting their pet in the cargo hold, and many airlines (including Delta and United) have stopped flying animals as cargo, at least for now.

Another solution — though not one I’m assuming most dog owners will go for — would be to get a cat. But cats aren’t completely immune to problems, as I found out when Frederick from Los Angeles wrote to tell me about his domestic shorthair tabby named Lola, who was denied boarding on a Delta flight last December, even though she easily fit into a regulation carrier.

It turns out that pets, like humans, can be bumped.

Airlines allow a maximum number of pets per plane and even per cabin within the plane (service animals are exempt from limits) and strongly recommend reserving in advance. Delta, like several other airlines, has an explicit “first-come, first-served” policy posted for those who don’t. But Frederick made a reservation, so why were he and Lola bumped and forced to take a later flight? Could Delta have overbooked pets on the flight?

According to Morgan Durant, a spokesman for Delta, that’s not what happened. “Those who call before the departure date get served before anyone else would” as long as they were there two hours before departure, he wrote in an email.

Frederick said he did get there two hours ahead of time, but then waited in what he described as a “hideously slow line” past the two-hour mark. I presume that Delta gave away Lola’s spot to a walk-in dog or cat (or fly-in parakeet) in line ahead of them. That was clearly not his fault, and Mr. Durant told me Delta had apologized for the error and made a “good will gesture” to Frederick.

Frederick said the only thing he got was an upgrade to Comfort Plus on his flight four and a half hours later, and only when he asked. He said that wasn’t enough, and I’d tend to agree: When someone is traveling with a cat, you can’t just throw them a bone.

If you need advice about a best-laid travel plan that went awry, send an email to [email protected] .

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation.

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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 .

Watch CBS News

Flying with pets? Here's what to know.

By Anne Marie Lee

Edited By Alain Sherter

Updated on: April 6, 2024 / 10:08 AM EDT / CBS News

Thinking of taking your dog or cat with you the next time you fly? For a growing percentage of the 90.5 million pet owners in the U.S., the answer is yes. But while the notion of boarding a plane with your pet may seem simple, the rules and restrictions around traveling with an animal can be confusing. 

Eight major U.S. airlines allow pets to fly in-cabin as carry-ons. But flying with your pet takes research and planning, as pet policies vary from airline to airline, are steeped in restrictions, and are limited to specific countries and cities. You'll also have to pay an extra fee for your pet ranging from $95 to $200, depending on the airline and where you're flying. And restrictions often change.

For example, American Airlines  recently revised its policies  so passengers flying with pets may also bring one full-size carry-on or personal item. But the carrier prohibits carry-on pets on transatlantic and transpacific flights. Here's what you need to know when considering taking your fur baby with you on a plane.

Cargo, check-in or carry-on?

Most airlines offer three options for transporting animals: cargo, check-in or carry-on. But if your pet is larger than a bread box, your options are limited to the cargo or baggage check-in options, with very few exceptions. 

Given that large canine breeds such as Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers are among the most popular dogs in the country, the size restriction for in-cabin pet travel can be a major frustration for those who would rather not fly at all if that means putting their pet in cargo. 

A 2023 Forbes Adviser survey of 10,000 U.S. dog owners found that 33% of respondents fly with their pets, while 37% listed not being able to bring their dog on a plane as their biggest annoyance. (You can learn more about the differences between cargo, check-in and carry-on options  here , including warnings about the  dangers  involved when pets travel in the cargo hold.) 

Carry-on pets

Even for pet owners whose animals are small enough to fly as a carry-on, traveling is no breeze.

"When I fly with him I have to go to the desk," Margaret Rauch, 44, told CBS MoneyWatch, referring to her 15-pound poodle mix, Soda. The New York City resident has taken Soda on dozens of flights to St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where Soda, now 4, was being fostered by a friend after being found as a stray puppy in 2021. 

In addition to calling the airline in advance to register her dog for a flight, Rauch has to check in at the counter whenever she's traveling with Soda, so the airline agent can confirm her dog and pet carrier conform to the in-cabin pet requirements and that the flight hasn't already met its pet maximum. 

Rauch, who said she would never consider putting Soda in cargo, applauded American Airlines' new policy, while noting that in her experience the one carry-on rule was rarely enforced. 

"I feel the price is already high for what I get. Even with AA's rule change, I lose the underseat space," she said. "My dog creates no extra work for anyone."

Despite the added preparation, paperwork and hassle involved in flying with Soda — not to mention the unfriendly looks she occasionally detects from fellow passengers at the sight of her pet carrier — Rauch said, "It's absolutely worth it." 

Asked how the experience could be improved, she pointed to early boarding for pet owners as something that would help.

"If you can get in early, get a seat and settle down, that is an accommodation I don't expect to see anytime soon but I think it makes sense," Rauch said.

Safety and comfort

For the many Americans who see their pets practically as family members, one of the most challenging aspects of flying is ensuring their animal's comfort and safety. 

"The increasing humanization of pets, which involves treating them as part of the family rather than as mere animals, has increased the demand for pet travel services that are of high quality and can be customized to meet the specific needs of each pet," LinkedIn reported in December.

Among other tips, the U.S. Department of Transportation  and animal experts recommend that you not feed your pet four to six hours before a flight and limit their water intake. Others also suggest keeping bottled water on hand at all times. Additionally, most airlines require certain vaccination and vet certification that your pet is healthy enough to fly. Individual countries also have their own requirements for pets to enter.  

Not surprisingly, some airlines do better than others at handling pets. One of the best-rated carriers for pet travel is Alaska Airlines, which has repeatedly topped rankings, such as NerdWallet's Most pet-friendly airlines of 2024.  In recent years, the airline also has maintained one of the industry's lowest incident ratings, according to Veterinarians.org. United Airlines and Delta are among the airlines with the highest incident rates, according to the pet information website. 

On Rauch's first plane trip with Soda traveling home to New York, a layover in Miami led to the flight sitting on the tarmac for two hours. Calming treats are something that helps keeps her dog relaxed on flights. She also withholds Soda's food and limits his water intake up to five hours before a flight, which is also helpful given that he doesn't like using pet relief areas, which she said generally smell of urine and can be overwhelming for dogs. Flights between New York City and St. Croix are generally under six hours. 

"I'm not sure how I'd handle a flight to Singapore," Rauch said.

Here's a rundown of U.S. airlines' pet travel policies, along with fees and and restrictions:

Alaska Airlines

Pet fee: $100

Pets allowed: Dogs and cats are the only pets allowed in-cabin on international trips and flights to Hawaii. Domesticated rabbits and small household birds are allowed as carry-on on domestic flights.

Destinations: Domestic and international, with additional requirements and documentation required for  pets traveling to Hawaii  or  internationally .

See Alaska's full pet policy here .

American Airlines

Pet fee: $150

Pets allowed: Dogs, cats

Destinations: 

• Within the 48 contiguous U.S.
• The U.S. and Canada*
• Puerto Rico

*Additional special restrictions may apply. See American's full pet policy  here .

Pet fee: $75-$200, depending on destination

Pets allowed: Dogs, cats, household birds

Pet friendly destinations: 

• U.S., Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico
• International destinations with the exception of Australia, U.K., Republic of Ireland and others .

Pets are not permitted on flights to Hawaii. See Delta's full pet policy here .

Frontier Airlines 

Pet fee: $99

Pets allowed: Dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and household birds

Destinations: Domestic flights and international flights to and from the Dominican Republic and Mexico.

See Frontier's full pet policy here .

Pet fee: $125

Destinations: Domestic and international. See exceptions for international flights here .

See JetBlue's full pet policy here .

Southwest Airlines

Pet fee: $125 per pet carrier on the U.S. mainland; $35 per pet carrier between Hawaiian Islands

Destinations: Domestic U.S. flights only. For travel to Puerto Rico, specific requirements may  apply . For Hawaii travel, see rules and regulations here.

See Southwest's full pet policy here .

Spirit Airlines

Pets allowed: Dogs, cats, birds (with the exception of flights to or from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) or rabbits (with the exception of flights to or from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands).

Destinations: Domestic flights including Puerto Rico and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

See Spirit's full pet policy here .

United Airlines

Destinations: Domestic and international flights with a list of exceptions. United does not allow pets to fly to, from or through certain states and countries. View the list here .

See United's full pet policy here .

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United Airlines Temporarily Suspends Cargo Travel For Pets

Senior Reporter, HuffPost

United Airlines is evaluating the way it handles pets after a string of animal-related mishaps last week — including one incident in which a puppy died in an aircraft’s overhead bin.

The company announced on Tuesday that it will temporarily stop taking new reservations for PetSafe, its program in which animals travel in the plane’s cargo compartment, until May 1. It will, however, still honor reservations that have already been made for the service.

“We are deeply committed to the safety and comfort of the animals and pets in our care,” the airline wrote in a post on its site. “We are conducting a thorough and systematic review of our program for pets that travel in the cargo compartment to make improvements that will ensure the best possible experience for our customers and their pets.”

Last week was an extraordinary bad week for pets flying on United. On Tuesday, a German shepherd wound up in Japan and a Great Dane flew to Kansas City, Missouri, after the airline mixed up their destinations.

On Thursday, a St. Louis-bound flight had to take a sudden detour when the airline discovered it had loaded a dog in cargo that was meant to go to Akron, Ohio.

United told the Chicago Tribune that all three dogs were reunited with their owners and all 33 passengers aboard the diverted flight to St. Louis were compensated for the inconvenience.

These hiccups, however, pale in comparison to a heartbreaking incident that occurred on Monday, when a 10-month-old French bulldog died after its owners said a flight attendant insisted the puppy and its carrier be stored in the cabin’s overhead bin and the animal suffocated.

Though United is temporarily pausing its program for pets traveling in cargo, the suspension will not affect pets that are traveling with their owners in cabins.

United’s announcement on Tuesday mentions that the company is reviewing its service for cabin-flying pets and will “issue bright colored bag tags to help better identify pets who are traveling in-cabin.”

When HuffPost asked United for additional information about pets flying in cabins, the company directed us to its detail about colored tags. The company also said the “flight attendant did not hear or understand” the passengers who were asked to store the carrier containing their puppy in the overhead bin, which United called a “tragic accident.”

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United Airlines' pet policy: Here’s how to fly with your cat or dog on United

Traveling can be a stressful experience under the best of circumstances. Bringing along your pet can make the process much more complicated.

While service animals are widely permitted, the United Airlines pet policy for other animals has several key details that can trip you up. In this piece, we'll cover the most important details you need to know about United Airlines pet travel, including the United Airlines dog policy.

Get the latest points, miles and travel news by signing up for TPG's free daily newsletter .

United Airlines' pet policy

United Airlines will only accept cats and dogs as in-cabin pets. There is a $125 charge for each one-way itinerary where your pet accompanies you in the cabin. Additionally, United will charge another $125 for any one-way itinerary within the U.S. with more than a four-hour stopover or any one-way international itinerary with more than a 24-hour stopover.

Have an upcoming vacation in mind? See how close you are to paying for it with points with the free TPG App!

One of the most important details of the United pet policy is that your pet will need a reservation. United limits the number of animals it allows in-cabin on certain flights. So, although United will allow you to add a pet to your booking any time after you book, it's best to make sure there's availability for your pet when you book your flight. Even though United no longer has change fees , you'll be stuck rescheduling your trip if your particular flight isn't allowing more in-cabin animals.

Related: A comprehensive guide to traveling with pets

United Airlines' pet carrier requirements

The United pet policy allows for both hard-sided and soft-sided carriers. Hard-sided carriers must be no more than 17.5 inches long by 12 inches wide by 7.5 inches high. Meanwhile, United recommends that soft-sided carriers be no larger than 18 inches long by 11 inches wide by 11 inches high. However, the only firm requirement for soft-sided pet carriers is that the carrier fits under the seat in front of you (hard-sided carriers must also fit underneath the seat in front of you).

United stipulates that only one pet is allowed in each pet carrier . Additionally, the United pet policy states that the animal must be able to stand up and turn around in its carrier.

Related: 8 things to consider before flying with your pet

United Airlines' pet cargo policy

United Airlines does not currently allow any pets in cargo. Previously, the United pet policy did allow pets to travel as cargo. However, United's program for pets in cargo, PetSafe, was suspended a few years ago after some tragic pet deaths . There is no indication when (or if) this program will resume.

Related: What you need to know about traveling with dogs on a plane

How to use the United pet policy

United has multiple options for booking a pet on your flight. First, there's a link to book a new trip with your pet . But, if you already booked your trip, you can add a pet to your existing trip by searching for your flights on the United website.

Once you have the specific itinerary in front of you, scroll down for the drop-down menu labeled "Special accommodations" and look for "Add pet."

Related: How to change or cancel a United Airlines flight

Bottom line

The United Airlines pet policy can make it challenging to travel with your pet. After all, United is one of many airlines that doesn't allow animals to travel in the cargo hold on flights. Further, the United pet policy is restrictive regarding the types of pets that can travel. In particular, you'll only be able to fly with cats and dogs that can fit into a pet carrier of the appropriate size.

Finally, United will only accept a certain number of pets in the cabin per flight, so you'll need to reserve space for your pet early.

Protect Your Trip »

The 9 best airline-approved pet carriers of 2024 + tips from experts.

Find the purr-fect travel carrier for your favorite furry travel companion.

The Best Airline-Approved Pet Carriers

Courtesy of Sleepypod

Flying with your pet requires its share of homework. Regulations on bringing your pooch or feline aboard an airplane include providing updated paperwork as well as picking a pet carrier that adheres to baggage requirements and size restrictions . (For other things to consider when flying with a pet and advice from animal experts, jump to the tips section .)

If you plan to bring your cat or dog with you on your next flight but aren't sure which pet carrier is best – or allowed – U.S. News is here to help. Start with this list of the top airline-approved pet carriers for your jet-setting four-legged friends.

Best Overall: Henkelion Pet Carrier – Medium

• Jump to features and traveler insights ↓

Best Overall, Runner-up: Sherpa Original Deluxe Pet Carrier – Medium

Best expandable: petsfit expandable pet carrier – medium, best convertible: natuvalle 6-in-1 pet carrier – small.

• Best Pet Carrier Backpack: PetAmi Backpack Pet Carrier

Best Luxury: Away The Pet Carrier

Best compressible: sleepypod air, best for dogs in cargo: sportpet rolling plastic kennel.

• Best for Cats in Cargo: Petmate 2-Door Kennel

(Note: Prices were accurate at the time of publication; they may fluctuate due to demand or other factors.)

What sets this carrier apart: Designed with airline approval in mind, the medium size of this traveler-favorite carrier accommodates cats or small dogs with its spacious interior. Mesh panels zip open on three sides of the carrier as well as the top, ensuring a well-ventilated bag. The outer material is a lightweight and durable polyester. A removable, machine-washable woolen mat makes the interior comfy for your pet; there's also a safety leash you can use to secure your pet inside.

You can use the connectable loop handles and padded shoulder strap for easy carrying, and this carrier bag folds up when you're ready to store it away. The Henkelion Pet Carrier even comes in several fun colors, such as purple or green.

Travelers appreciate: "I have used the Henkelion soft-sided carrier many times," says Robbie Parker of travel blog Expat in Paradise , who travels with his small dogs. "These are great carriers as they are hardy for travel, collapse for storage, and fit perfectly under the seat for in cabin travel. Also, I like that they have one side that is mesh and the other side is solid with a pocket. You can face solid side toward the aisle so people walking around the plane don't upset your dog." He adds, "Overall, I would recommend it for in-cabin plane travel."

Frequent traveler and luxury travel advisor Ashley Les, founder of Postcards From , also appreciates that the design puts her cats at ease when flying. "I find that with more mesh, cats are exposed to more light and sight – it gets them more anxious," she says, adding: "There are multiple ways to get my cats in the carriers, from the sides or above, as well. I love that you can take out the bottom to wash it separately."

Price: $28.99 or less for medium

Courtesy of Sherpa

What sets this carrier apart: Beyond a patented, crash-tested flexible wire frame that keeps your little buddy safe, Sherpa provides a Guaranteed on Board program that offers a refund for your flight and airline pet fee if you're denied boarding because of the small or medium sizes of this carrier. This mesh and polyester bag is an industry standard with good airflow. The front and top entries have locking zippers, and this collapsible carrier also features a removable (and machine-washable) faux-lambskin liner, a rear pocket for storage, and a seat belt safety strap that doubles as a luggage strap.

Travelers appreciate: This Sherpa carrier is renowned for its reliable functionality and amazing value. Recent travelers say the medium carrier fits well under the seat and keeps their pet comfortable in transit.

Price: $70 or less for medium

What sets this carrier apart: This Petsfit carrier's medium size adheres to most airline requirements (as does the small carrier). One of the mesh windows can be unzipped to form an extra compartment, expanding the carrier by 9.4 inches for an extended width of 20.4 inches. This product is a great option if you need a carrier for air travel but still want your pet to enjoy a bit more space to stretch out when not tucked under the airplane seat.

The sturdy solid wire construction ensures the bag won't collapse but is flexible enough to tuck into a small space, though you may need to remove the rods on either side if the carrier is too tall to fit easily underneath. There's a side pocket for storage, double zippers and a water-repellent inner cloth.

Travelers appreciate: "The Petsfit carrier was flexible enough to squeeze under most airplane seats, but still was sturdy enough to hold," says Alexandra Lauren of the travel blog The Bucket List Mermaid , who has used this carrier to fly with her cat. "My kitty could look around the airport with the built-in leash in the carrier. The expandable portion was an added bonus because it allowed for more room for my pet when on long layovers or when I had an empty seat on the airplane." Lauren also recommends Petsfit's expandable backpack-style carrier for a hands-free option.

Price:  $56.99 or less for medium

Courtesy of Natuvalle

What sets this carrier apart: For travelers seeking versatility, this Natuvalle cat or dog carrier can be used like a backpack, shoulder bag, tote with carrying handles or even – if worn on your front – a baby carrier. This convertible choice can also be used as a car seat crate with built-in seat belt loops, and you have the option of using it either in the upright or side position. Other features include zipper locks, mesh panels, reinforced stitching, two walk-through doors and a photo ID tag. The carrier is foldable and has reflective stripes for night travel. While there are medium and large size options, the extra-small and small sizes are your best bet when it comes to fitting under an airplane seat.

Travelers appreciate: Pet owners like the versatility of this bag; some travelers say the carrier fits best under the seat when on its side, as the upright position can be too tall.

Price:  $119.90 or less for small

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Best Backpack: PetAmi Backpack Pet Carrier

Courtesy of PetAmi

What sets this carrier apart: Go hands-free with this PetAmi backpack-style carrier. A sturdy frame maintains its shape while you traipse through airport terminals, with chest and waist buckles for extra support. Four-sided access makes loading easy, and a rollaway mesh top means your furry friend can stick their head out the top when you're not in the air. The safety strap and buckle are designed to thwart even great escape artists, and a sherpa-lined bed entices fur babies to relax. The backpack carrier color options include red and purple.

Travelers appreciate: Pet owners like the easy carrying this style provides, though they advise that you'll need to store this bag on its side in the plane cabin, and it won't fit on every airline.

Price: $39.99 or less

Courtesy of Away

What sets this carrier apart: It's a splurge, but this cat and dog carrier is made by Away, a popular luggage brand known for its sleek design and functionality. The same applies to this nylon and leather tote, which comes in black or a coast blue. The water-resistant lining is paired with sherpa bedding and exterior pockets that can hold a phone, keys or waste bags. If you already have an Away suitcase, this carrier will fit seamlessly over the handle with its trolley sleeve.

Travelers appreciate: Pet owners who travel with this bag like that it's roomy, saying their pets seem comfortable inside. This carrier fits pets up to 18 pounds but is a bit on the larger side of an airline-approved carry-on, so be sure to research your airline's policies before taking it aboard.

Price: $225 or less

What sets this carrier apart: The Sleepypod Air is designed to compress to fit under the seat during takeoff and landing; when the seat belt sign is off, your pet can enjoy slightly more room (but be aware that it doesn't hold its reduced size in a freestanding position, only when tucked into a small space). This unique carrier employs sturdy luggage-grade ballistic nylon for its base, with a panel of mesh running along the front, top and back. A removable privacy panel can be slid over part of the mesh. Available in multiple colors, this crash-tested model also has a seat belt strap, a trolley sleeve and a comfortable shoulder strap for carrying it.

Travelers appreciate: Users like the carrier's many features and say it's a good option especially for larger cats traveling by air, but some pet owners felt there was not enough airflow (especially with the privacy panel) for longer flights.

Price: $199.99 or less

What sets this carrier apart: Any furry friends larger than about 20 pounds will likely have to travel in the cargo hold if they're not a service animal. You'll want a very sturdy dog crate for the journey that meets every regulation, and SportPet's kennel passes the test for many travelers. This carrier meets International Air Transport Association guidelines with two snap-on water dishes and four stickers that indicate a live animal is inside; a "floor gutter" contains messes for easy cleanup. The durable plastic frame is connected with metal nuts and bolts and features airline-required tie holes for bungees.

This travel crate comes in six sizes, from small up to XXX-large, so be sure to determine the right size for your pet. A cushioned bed is not included and costs extra. For more information on pets traveling in cargo, consult the FAQ section at the bottom of this page.

Travelers appreciate: Pet owners like the sturdy construction and the compliance with airline regulations, but the traveler-favorite feature is the removable wheels, which are included with the carrier (except with size small).

Price: Ranges by size from $76 to $385

Best for Cats in Cargo: Petmate Two-Door Kennel

Courtesy of Petmate

What sets this carrier apart: This option made of hard plastic and steel wire is tough enough to protect your cargo-contained cat, according to recent travelers. (Keep in mind that airlines do not recommend hard-sided carriers for in-cabin travel, and this kennel is too large to fit under airline seats.) The two front and top doors assist with entering and exiting, and color options like hot pink or blue will make this kennel easy to spot. The carrier comes in small (24-inch) and extra-small (19-inch) sizes, so choose accordingly based on the measurements of your cat. As with most hard-sided crates, you will have to purchase a plush bed separately.

Travelers appreciate: "I haven't traveled by air with this carrier, but I've owned it for years and really appreciate how sturdy it is," says Catriona Kendall, associate editor of travel at U.S. News. "The assembly of the carrier is straightforward, and my cats feel safe enough to hang out in it at home."

Price: $66.99 or less for 24-inch

How to choose the best pet carrier

There are a few major points to consider when choosing a carrier that will serve as your pet's safe space during a flight:

Size: Selecting the right carrier size for your pet is essential not only for your pets' comfort but also for their safety, according to Sara Hogan, hospital manager at Clarendon Animal Care in Virginia. "Please ensure the measurements for your carrier meet a standard that allows for your pet to comfortably turn around AND lay down," she says. But be aware that if the carrier is too large for your furry friend, they could end up injured in transit. The best way to determine the right size is to take measurements of your pet; to be as precise as possible, use the IATA's formula .

Keep in mind that only carriers able to fit under the seat in front of you are allowed in the plane cabin – a space that will vary by airline. Consult the next section on airline policies for more information.

Airflow: Don't underestimate the importance of adequate airflow. "Carriers and crates really need to have proper ventilation for short or long-term travel," Hogan says. "There IS a difference between taking your pet down the street to a friend's house or the vet and taking your pet on a trip with any sort of additional time involved."

Stability: Check the quality of all the zippers and materials − you want this to be an escape-proof carrier, and any malfunction can put your pet at risk. "If something has previously broken or fallen off the carrier or crate look to replace the piece or the entire crate/carrier," Hogan advises.

Soft-sided vs. hard-sided: If your pet is small enough to fly in the cabin, most airlines highly recommend a soft-sided carrier, which gives the most flexibility. Airlines are often slightly more lenient with the dimensions for soft-sided carriers in the cabin as long as they are able to fit underneath the seat without blocking the aisle of the airplane. Another bonus: Soft pet carriers often come with removable fleece bedding for extra comfort.

Note: Crates and carriers destined for the cargo hold of the plane must be hard-sided. Find more details on carrier specifications for the cargo hold in the FAQ section at the bottom of this page.

Airline pet carrier dimensions

Each airline sets its own specifications and safety rules for pets in the plane cabin with you, so be sure to check with your intended airline for dimension limits, breed restrictions and other guidelines. Be aware, too, that most major airlines based in the U.S. do not offer an option to transport animals in cargo.

Use the links below to find more information on the specific pet policies for the following U.S.-based airlines. Each airline's size limit for soft-sided pet carriers in the cabin is also listed, with dimensions given in length by width by height.

• Alaska Airlines : 17 x 11 x 9.5 inches
• Allegiant Air : 19 x 16 x 9 inches
• American Airlines : 18 x 11 x 11 inches
• Delta Air Lines : 18 x 11 x 11 inches
• Frontier Airlines : 18 x 14 x 8 inches
• Hawaiian Airlines : 16 x 10 x 9.5 inches
• JetBlue : 17 x 12.5 x 8.5 inches
• Southwest Airlines : 18.5 x 13.5 x 9.5 inches
• Spirit Airlines : 18 x 14 x 9 inches
• Sun Country Airlines : 16 x 10 x 8 inches
• United Airlines : 18 x 11 x 11 inches

How to prepare to fly with a pet

Help your pet acclimate.

When preparing to travel with your furry companion, planning ahead is key, especially if your pet isn't used to being confined in a crate or carrier. "I recommend buying the carrier as far in advance of travel as possible to allow your dog to become comfortable relaxing in the carrier in a familiar home environment before traveling," says Amanda Farah, CPDT-KA, national training and behavior coordinator for Best Friends Animal Society.

Some pets are sensitive to loud noises, so one way to prepare them for the journey is by playing recordings of sounds they might encounter in transit, Farah says. "I'd say a good general rule is that because so much of what they encounter during air travel will be new and potentially stressful, you should familiarize them to many factors as possible in the weeks or even months leading up to travel."

Book your travel far in advance

Keep in mind that airlines limit the number of pets allowed on a flight, so book early and try to secure a direct flight to cut down on travel time.

Familiarize yourself with your departure airport

Before you set off on your journey, familiarize yourself with the airport you're departing from – such as where to find a pet relief area – and how to go through security with a pet in tow. For example, you must never place your pet on the security conveyor belt (only the empty carrier goes through the X-ray tunnel).

Research your destination

This is a crucial step. Some countries will not allow pets in at all, while other destinations (such as Hawaii) may have strict rules about rabies vaccines or require all animals to travel in cargo. Christine Barton, a veterinarian with The Vets , recommends checking the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service website to learn about requirements for health certificates, vaccines and more.

Other considerations will depend on what type of vacation you're planning; if it involves hiking or camping with your dog, Barton suggests checking the expected weather, making a small emergency kit for you and your pet, and considering a GPS tracker for remote areas. Wherever you're headed, locate the closest emergency animal hospital just in case and make sure to book pet-friendly accommodations .

Consult your vet

Once you've done your research, your veterinarian can help ensure your pet has everything you both need to travel, such as microchipping, required or recommended vaccines (and proof of them), testing, and health records, Barton says. A vet can also address any health concerns. "Doctors can discuss risks, precautions, and things to monitor while traveling," Barton explains, adding that you should make sure your pet is up to date on needed preventive medications, such as treatment for fleas or heartworm.

If your furry friend struggles with anxiety, your vet can prescribe them a medication to make the journey less stressful for both of you. "Talk to your veterinarian before administering any sort of medication to your pet, but definitely consider it for future travel," Hogan says.

Frequently Asked Questions

A carrier being "airline-approved" typically means it adheres to the airline's size requirements, is leakproof, provides adequate airflow and keeps your pet securely inside.

You can find a pet carrier on wheels, such as the  Snoozer 4-in-1 Roll Around Pet Carrier  or the  SportPet Rolling Plastic Kennel , but keep in mind that most wheeled pet carriers are too large to fit under the seat on most airlines, even with detachable wheels. Wheeled options can make your furry friend easier for you to transport, but they also tend to make for a bumpy ride for your pet, so consider carefully whether a carrier on wheels is right for your cat or dog, especially if they're easily frightened.

Most major airlines in the U.S. do not allow pets to travel in cargo; some, like American Airlines, only offer this service for active military or diplomatic personnel. Of the major U.S. airlines, only Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines currently accept animals in the cargo hold, so keep that in mind if you have a medium or large dog – or if your intended destination does not welcome in-cabin pets.

Most animals who fly in the cargo hold are fine, but there's still a risk of your pet being killed, injured or lost, according to the Humane Society of the United States. The most common dangers are excessively hot or cold temperatures, poorly ventilated crates, and rough handling. Be sure to follow all IATA guidelines for cargo crates to ensure your pet's safety. Before you book a flight, you may also want to research the airline's history with companion animals in the cargo hold.

The kennel you choose for cargo travel must allow your pet enough room to stand, sit upright, turn around while standing and lie in a natural position, according to the IATA. Carriers must made of rigid materials and include a solid roof, a leakproof base, a door with well-maintained hardware, working handles and ventilation on all four sides. Labels that say "Live Animal" and "This Way Up" are also required by the IATA.

A water dish must be securely affixed to the inside of the carrier, with open access for your pet to drink and for someone to refill it from the outside without opening the crate. A food container can either be inside the carrier if it's sealed or attached to the outside.

A pet carrier usually counts as either a personal item or a carry-on. Depending on the airline policy, you may be able to bring either a personal item or a carry-on bag (not both) in addition to your carrier. Check your airline's carry-on luggage allowance and pet policy to see what you can bring.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture requires puppies and kittens to be at least 8 weeks old to travel, but airlines may impose their own age restrictions on top of that. On Delta, for example, companion animals must be at least 10 weeks old for domestic flights. United Airlines says your pet should be at least 4 months old for international travel to comply with rabies vaccine requirements.

Your furry friend will incur certain fees for flying, but the cost will vary by airline. American Airlines, as an example, charges a $125 service fee for a carry-on pet, while Allegiant's fee is $50. Cargo fees may depend on trip details: Hawaiian Airlines charges $60 in fees for domestic flights and $225 for flights between Hawaii and North America, while the cargo fee on Alaska Airlines is $100. Service animals typically fly at no charge as long as they meet the airline's requirements.

It depends on your pet, according to Hogan. "If they're quite anxious you may want to offer food with a bit more advanced time prior to the flight to avoid vomiting in the carrier or on themselves, however, not too much time where they'll be hungry throughout the travel day," she advises. "Water is important to offer as often as possible in any setting. Access to using the bathroom more than once prior to travel is also advised so as not to miss an opportunity for output!"

Conveniently, some airports may have pet relief areas your dog can use either before or after you go through security, but that's something you'll have to research beforehand.

No. Unless your pet is a service animal of a certain size, airlines typically require pets in the cabin to be secured in their carrier and stowed under the seat in front of you.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Catriona Kendall is a frequent traveler and longtime cat owner who knows the importance of a sturdy and secure pet carrier. Her cats haven't managed to damage or escape from the Henkelion and Petmate carriers she's owned for years (despite their best efforts). She also recommends this pop-up Pet Fit for Life carrier for road trips. Kendall compiled this list of airline-compliant carriers using her experience as a pet owner, advice from animal experts and extensive research.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Carry-on Luggage Pieces
• The Top Luggage Trackers
• What Is Allowed in a Carry-on Bag?
• Can I Use My Own Airplane Seat Belt Extender?

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15 Airlines That Allow Flying Dogs in Cargo in 2023 [Pet Policy]

Whether you’re relocating with your pet, or fancy a vacation with your furry companion and can’t take your pet into the cabin with you, don’t worry! There’s a range of airlines that allow dogs flying in cargo. Pet cargo isn’t as scary as it sounds, and some dogs will fly more comfortably in cargo than in the cabin. You’ll want to make sure your pet is allowed to be transported via cargo (based on breed and vaccinations), is as comfortable as possible in their pet carrier and is cared for by the airline you’re flying with.

In this article we will share a list of airlines that allow dogs in the cargo and their pet policies. We will also share some tips on how to prepare for flying dogs in the cargo hold. 

The following airlines allow flying with dogs in cargo hold:

• American Airlines
• British Airways
• Singapore Airlines
• TAP Air Portugal
• United / PetSafe Programme

Related post: 21 Airlines That Allow Flying With Dogs In Cabin [Pet Policies] Flying Dogs in Cargo: Will my dog be safe? Airlines that Allow Flying with a Large Dog in Cabin [Pet Policies]

Which airlines allow flying with dogs in cargo hold?

Aegean air pet cargo..

• Cost : €50 to €190+ (depending on route and weight)
• Max. carrier size : 105 x 75 x 79 cm 
• International permitted : yes
• Routes permitted : All flights
• Multiple dogs permitted: the maximum number of dogs which may accompany the owner during a single flight shall not exceed 5.

Additional Information:

• Dogs must be at least 12 weeks old, be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies.
• Dogs may not be accepted to be transported for a connecting time exceeding 3 hours.
• Affenspinscher, American Bully, Boston Terrier, Boxer (All breeds), Brussels Griffon, Bulldog (All breeds), Cane Corso, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chow Chow, Dogue De Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel (King Charles Spaniel), Japanese Spaniel (Chin), Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (All breeds), Pekingese, Pit Bull, Presa Canario, Pug (All breeds), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel.

For more information, check Aegean Air’s website.

Air Canada Pet Cargo.

• Cost : $120 to $320+ (depending on route and weight)
• Max. weight : 45 kg / 100 pounds
• Max. carrier size : 292 cm / 115 inches in linear dimensions
• Routes permitted : All Air Canada and Air Canada Express flights
• Multiple dogs permitted: 2 dogs under 6 months allowed, otherwise just 1 dog over 6 months per kennel
• Dogs must be in good health and a valid health certificate from a veterinarian is required.
• Dogs must be over 10 weeks of age.
• Dogs must travel in the proper kennel or container and is in a condition for carriage that is in conformity with IATA regulations.
• Volume and weight of dog and travel crate must match the booking at time of acceptance.

Affenpinscher, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bulldog, Chihuahua (apple-headed), Chow Chow, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso, Pekingese, Pug, Shih Tzu, Shar-Pei, Teddy Bear Dog, Tibetan Spaniel, Wolf Dog.

For more info check Air Canada’s website.

Air Europa Pet Cargo.

• Cost : €90 to €350+ (depending on route and weight)
• Max. weight : 50 kg / 110 pounds
• Multiple dogs permitted:  2 dogs of similar size can travel together. 3 dogs from the same litter under the age of 6 months can travel together
• Affenpinscher, American Bully, Boston Terrier, Boxer (all breeds), Bulldog (all breeds), Cane Corsican, Pug (all breeds), Chow Chow, Dogo (all breeds), Griffon Bruxellois, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (all breeds), Pekingese, Pitbull, Shar-Pei, Shih-Tzu, Cocker / Spaniel (all breeds), Staffordshire bull terrier.

For more information, check Air Europa’s  website.

Air France Pet Cargo.

• Cost : €100 to €400 + (depends on route and weight)  
• Max. carrier size : 
• Max. weight : 165 pounds / 75 kg
• Multiple dogs permitted: 3 dogs per passenger (this may differ depending on aircraft type)
• Dogs must be at least 15 weeks of age.
• Dogs traveling within the EU must be identified by an electronic chip. It should also possess a European passport. Provided and completed by an authorized veterinarian, the passport identifies your pet and certifies that it is properly vaccinated.
• You must print and present the form “Conditions for transporting a dog or cat in the hold” at the airport.
• Affenpinscher, Boston Terrier, Boxers (all breeds), Bulldogs (all breeds), Bull Mastiff, Cane Corso, Pugs (all breeds), Chow-Chow, Great Danes (all breeds), some Spaniels (Tibetan, Japanese, English, King Charles), Brussels Griffon, Lhasa Apso, Mastiffs (all breeds), Neapolitan Mastiff, Pekingese, Small Brabant, Shih Tzu, Shar Pei, Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Alaska Air Pet Cargo.

• Cost : $250 to $350+ (depends on route and weight)  
• Max. carrier size : 53 x 48 x 34 inches
• Max. weight : 150 pounds / 68 kg
• Routes permitted : dogs are not accepted to or from Mexico and Costa Rica
• Dogs must be at least eight weeks of age and weaned.
• All dogs must have a health certificate that certifies they were inspected no more than 10 days prior to travel.
• Boston Terrier, Boxer (all breeds), Bulldog (all breeds), Bull Terrier, Brussels Griffon, Chow Chow, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Spaniel/Japanese Chin, Mastiff (all breeds), Pekingese, Pit Bull (all breeds), Pug (all breeds), Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Terrier.
• During the summer season, certain weather restrictions apply in hot climate locations. On the day of travel, if weather is warmer than 85F in the departing or arrival city, your pet may not be accepted for travel.
• Kennels must be properly labelled .
• Reservations are accepted a minimum of 24 hours and a maximum 20 days prior to travel.

For more information, check Alaska Cargo’s website.

American Airlines (PetEmbark) Pet Cargo.

• Cost : $125 to $440+ (depending on route and weight)
• Max. weight : 23 kg / 51 pounds
• Routes permitted : All flights to the US, Honolulu, Puerto Rico, Canada and international locations where the flight duration is less than 12 hours
• Multiple dogs permitted: 2 dogs under 6 months allowed, otherwise just 1 dog over 6 months

Additional information:

• Dogs must be at least 8 weeks old and have an animal health certificate.
• Affenpinscher, American Bully, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer (All breeds), Brussels Griffon, Bulldog (All breeds), Cane Corso, Chow Chow, Dogue De Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (All breeds), Pekingese, Pit Bull, Presa Canario, Pug (All breeds), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel.
• Each animal must have enough space to stand, turn about normally while standing, sit erect, and to lie in a natural position
• No part of your pet should be taller or longer than the kennel when standing outside the kennel.
• You must put absorbent material at the bottom of the kennel.

For more information check American Airlines / PetEmbark’s website. 

British Airways Pet Cargo.

BA have partnered with PetAir and IAG Cargo . Arrangements must be made prior to booking with BA. 

• Cost : £800 to £3,500 (depending on route and weight)
• Max. carrier size :  53 x 40 x 38 cm / 21 x 16 x 15 inches
• Routes permitted : Available on the majority of British Airways flights. British Airways won’t transport live animals from Kuwait. During summer, dogs won’t be accepted on flights out of Dallas/Forth Worth. Due to high temperatures, dogs won’t be allowed on flights in/out of Beijing or Shanghai.
• Multiple dogs permitted: dogs under 14kg of similar size can travel together 

For more information get in contact with PetAir and IAG Cargo . 

Delta Air Pet Cargo.

• Cost : $75+ (depending on route and weight)
• Max. carrier size : 48 L x 32 W x 35 H inches
• Routes permitted : All Delta flights to the United States, South America, Latin America, Caribbean, Europe, Middle East, Canada, Australia, Asia and Africa.
• Dogs must be at lest 8 weeks of age, and fully weaned.
• Dogs that require medication are not accepted. 
• American Bully (all breeds), American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer (all breeds), Bulldog (all breeds), Bull Terrier (all breeds), Chow Chow, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin (Japanese Spaniel), King Charles Spaniel (Cavalier King), Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (all breeds), Pekingese, Pug (all breeds), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel
• You will be asked to complete a live animal checklist to confirm that your pet has been offered food and water within 4 hours of check-in. On the checklist, you must also provide feeding and watering instructions for a 24-hour period. If in-transit feeding is necessary, you must provide food.
• Crates must be compliant to IATA’s crate requirements.

For more information, check Delta’s website.

KLM Pet Cargo.

• Cost : €75 to €400 (depending on route and weight)
• Max. carrier size : 122 x 81 x 89 cm on KLM flights, or 102 x 69 x 76 cm on KLM Cityhopper flights
• Max. weight: 75 kg / 165 pounds (dog and carrier).
• Routes permitted : Europe, Indonesia, the Caribbean, North America, Central America, South America, Africa, Japan and the Middle East. 
• Multiple dogs permitted: 3 dogs less than 6 months from the same litter, or 2 dogs weighing less than 14kg each
• Dogs are not permitted if your flight has a transfer time of over 3 hours. 
• You must travel on the same flight as your dog.
• Affenpinscher, Boston Terrier, Boxer (all breeds), Brussels Griffon, Bulldog (all breeds), Cane Corso, Chow Chow, Great Dane, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (all breeds), Pekingese, Petit Brabancon (Small Brabant), Pug (all breeds), Shar-Pei, Shih Tzu, Spaniel (Tibetan, Japanese, English, and King Charles breeds), and Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

For more information, check KLM’s website. 

Lufthansa Pet Cargo.

• Cost : €80 to €400+ (depending on route and weight)
• Max. carrier size : N/A
• Routes permitted : Dogs won’t be able to travel as pet cargo to locations that require entering as manifest cargo such as the UK or Hong Kong. Lufthansa also won’t transport dogs from Kuwait and cannot transit dogs through Munich.
• Multiple dogs permitted: 2 dogs 
• Dogs must be at lest 12 weeks of age, and fully weaned.
• Affenpinscher, American Bully, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bull Mastiff, Bull Terrier (Miniature Bull Terriers are not classified as snub-nosed or as fighting dogs), Bulldog (all breeds with the exception of the American Bulldog), Chow Chow, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Japanese Spaniel, Lhaso Apso, Pekinese, Pit Bull, Pugs (all breeds), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel.
• Travel containers must be compliant with current IATA regulations.

For more information check Lufthansa’s website .

Singapore Airlines Pet Cargo.

• Cost : varies depending on route and weight 
• Max. container height : 70cm on A350 aircraft, 60cm on A380 aircraft, 101cm on B777 aircraft and 111cm on B787 aircraft
• Routes permitted : dogs won’t be able to travel to Australia, Brunei, Denpasar, New Zealand, South Africa, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and UK. 
• Dogs must be at least 12 weeks of age.
• Export/import/transshipment permits or licenses from your departure/destination/transit country’s relevant authorities
• Valid health and rabies vaccination certificates
• Any additional documents that may be required by your departure/destination/transit country’s authorities
• Akita, Boerboel, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brachycephalic Spaniel (including Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, English Toy Spaniel – King Charles Spaniel, and Tibetan Spaniels), Brussels Griffon (Petit Brabancon), Bull Dogs (including American Bulldog, French Bulldog, and English Bulldog), Chow Chow, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Chin (Chin, Japanese Spaniels, Japanese Pug), Lhasa Apso, Mastiffs (including Neapolitan Mastiff and Dogue de Bordeaux), Perro De Presa Canario, Pit Bull (American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bulldog, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier), Pugs (including Carlino, Chinese Pug, Mopshond, Mops Hund, and Pekingese), Shar-Pei, Shih Tzu, Tosa

For more information check Singapore Air’s website.

TAP Air Pet Cargo.

• Cost : €80 to €300+ (depends on route and weight)  
• Max. weight : 32 kg / 70 pounds or 45 kg / 99 pounds (depending on destination)
• Dogs must be at least 12 weeks old (10 weeks for the Azores, Madeira and Spain).
• Transportation must be provided on the route described in the passenger’s ticket.
• Dogs must be delivered for transport 4 hours before departure. 
• You must provide all necessary documents and is responsible for any additional fees charged at origin and destination.
• TAP reserves the right to decide on which flight dogs are carried.
• Affenpinscher, American Bully, American Staffordshire Terrier / “Amstaff”, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bulldog (all types), Cavalier King Charles, Chihuahua, Chow Chow, English Toy Spaniel / Prince Charles Spaniel, Japanese Chin / Japanese Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (all types), Pekingese, Pug (all types), Shar-Pei / Chinese Shar-Pei, Shih-Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier / “Staffies”, Tibetan Spaniel.

Contact TAP Air Cargo for further details.

TUI Fly Pet Cargo.

• Cost : €80+ (depends on route and weight)  
• Max. carrier size : 121 x 81 x 88 cm
• Multiple dogs permitted: 1 dog per passenger
• Dogs travelling with their owners are legally required to have a European passport (can be obtained from the vet).
• Dogs must have a chip or tattoo for identification purposes. 
• Dogs with flat snouts will not be accepted.
• When in the cage, the animal must be able to turn around its axis and stand completely upright.
• On all non-European destinations in combination with Antwerp, dogs are not allowed.
• Dogs from outside the EU are not admitted to Antwerp airport, even if all travel formalities have been fulfilled and the animal has been vaccinated. This measure applies to assistance dogs.

For more information, check TUI Fly’s website.

WestJet Pet Cargo.

• Cost : €100 to €236+ (depends on route and weight)  
• Max. carrier size : 101 x 68 x 81 cm / 40 x 27 x 32 inches
• Max. weight : 100 pounds / 45 kg
• Multiple dogs permitted: A maximum of 2 dogs similar in size and up to 14 kg each may be shipped in one kennel.
• Dogs must be at least 8 weeks of age.
• WestJet assumes no responsibility for the care or feeding of pets while in transit.
• Pit Bull Terrier
• American Pit Bull Terrier
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier

For more information, check WestJet’s website. 

Airlines that do not allow dogs in cargo:

The following airlines do not allow dogs flying in cargo:

• United / PetSafe (only functioning as part of military and State Department pet exemptions )

Which airlines allow flying with large dogs in cabin ?

Many commercial airlines will only allow flying with small dogs in cabin. However, there are some semi-private airlines that will allow flying with large dogs in cabin. These are mostly US based and will of course be a lot more expensive than a public airline. 

The following airlines allow flying with large dogs in cabin:

• Aero : medium and large dogs up to 65Ibs are permitted on their flights. You will need to purchase an additional seat at full price.
• BLADE : dogs over 25Ibs are allowed to fly in cabin as long as the owner must purchase an additional seat.
• JSX : You can purchase an extra seat for a large dog.
• Surf Air : you can fly with a dog over 20Ibs in cabin as long as you notify Surf and purchase a separate single-use flight pass. Your dog can sit on the seat as long as he or she is harnessed and you put a request in at the time of booking.
• Tradewind Aviation : large-breed dogs are welcome to fly in the spacious cabins of Tradewind Aviation’s Citation CJ3s and Pilatus PC-12s. There’s a limit of one party with pets per flight, and an additional seat must be purchased for dogs over 100Ibs.

For more information check  Airlines that Allow Flying with a Large Dog in Cabin [Pet Policies] .

How safe is flying dogs in cargo?

The safety of dogs flying in cargo depends on a variety of factors. These include the regulations and standards set by organizations like IATA on pet travel containers. Furthermore, airlines also have strict policies in place to protect dogs when flying with dogs in cargo.

Although the large majority of pets traveling via cargo arrive safely at their destination, it is important to understand the potential hazards with cargo travel:

• Dehydration
• Heart failure

While there are risks associated with pet cargo travel, many dogs are able to fly safely with proper preparation and care . It’s up to each individual pet owner to ensure their dog is fit and well prepared for travel.

For more detailed information, check  Flying Dogs in Cargo: How Safe is it?

How to prepare dogs for flying in cargo.

1. ensure your dog is a good candidate for traveling in cargo. .

To minimize the risk of harm to dogs during air travel, it’s important for pet owners to take certain precautions. You should be confident that your dog is healthy enough for travel. This is why most airlines will require a health certificate when flying dogs in cargo. 

It’s also important to really ask yourself how well you think your dog will handle traveling in cargo. Is your dog suffer from severe separation anxiety? I would suggest spending a lot of time crate training, and monitoring your dog’s progress. More information on this to follow. 

2. Select an appropriate, airline-approved travel carrier.

All airlines will only permit dogs flying in cargo in an International Air Transport Association (IATA) approved travel container. These guidelines ensure dogs have enough space to turn about normally while standing, to stand and sit erect, and to lie in a natural position.

As mentioned above, different airlines and aircrafts have different regulations for carriers. Be sure to check the restrictions for your specific airline, and aircraft.

American Airlines states the following:

3. Crate train your dog.

A flight is a highly stressful situation for any animal, and this will be far worse if your dog already associates their crate as a scary place. It’s a good idea to start crate training well in advance. The aim is to spend time to make your dog feel like the crate is a safe and comfortable space. This will help keep them calm during this stressful situation. 

Start off by letting your dog explore the crate on its own, without forcing it in. Use plenty of treats. It’s important not to immediately close the door as soon as your dog walks in, as this will cause it stress. Instead, take your time and allow your dog to spend time in there with the door opening, before closing it. This may take some time!

4. Trim your dog’s nails.

As mentioned earlier, some pets injure themselves during plane travel while attempting to get out of their carrier. This is another reason to properly train your dog and to make sure your dog’s nails are trim. Freshly trimmed nails will be less likely to get caught on the crate if your pet tries to scratch their way out.

5. Exhaust your dog before the flight.

Try to exhaust your dog a little by increasing the level of activity before your trip. A sleepy dog will be less prone to getting stressed out on the flight, and will likely be more sleep through the flight. 

6. Familiarise yourself with the airport that you are departing from and arriving to.

Most airports will have a dedicated area for pets and service animals to rest. It is actually a legal requirement that all U.S. airports have pet-relief areas available for working animals and pets to rest. Take some photos of the airport maps, so you don’t have to wander around on the day trying to find a resting place.

7. Pack your dog’s favourite comforts.

To maximise comfort and minimise stress, pop your dog’s favourite blanket or toy in the travel container with them. If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, you could even pop one of your t-shirts in the carrier.

Should I use dog sedatives for flying?

At the recommendation of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) , many airlines will not accept dogs that have been sedated or tranquilized. This is because dogs that have been given sedatives or tranquilizers are at a higher risk of respiratory and cardiovascular problems at high altitudes.

Some veterinarians recommend herbal stress relievers, like lavender and chamomile, to ease your dog’s anxiety. Please make sure to ask your veterinarian if using these natural alternatives is safe for your pet.

Related post : Dog Sedatives for Flying: Should I use them?

Conclusion.

Traveling with your dog is a wonderful opportunity to create lasting memories. Thankfully, several airlines have recognized the importance of having the option of dogs flying in cargo. These airlines, along with the IATA, have established comprehensive pet policies to ensure dogs travel safely in cargo. Whether you choose Delta, Lufthansa, American Airlines, or TUI Fly, you can rest assured that your dog will be treated with care and enjoy a safe and comfortable journey by your side.

• 21 Airlines That Allow Flying With Dogs In Cabin [Pet Policies]
• Airlines that Allow Flying with a Large Dog in Cabin [Pet Policies]
• 21 Dog Breeds That Can Fly in Cabin 
• Flying Dogs in Cargo: Will my dog be safe?
• Flying with an Anxious Dog? [15 Top Tips!]
• Dog Sedatives for Flying: Should I use them?

Related Articles

How to Safely Secure Dogs When Camping? [5 Methods]

Do All Dogs Have Webbed Feet? [Breed Info & Paw Care]

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American Airlines Pet Policy: Flying With Dogs, Cats, and More [2024]

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Service Animals on American Airlines

Checked pets on american airlines, petembark through american airlines cargo, final thoughts.

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When flying with a furry friend, you’ll encounter various rules and restrictions, so it’s important to understand the requirements that apply to you. American Airlines’ animal transportation program has numerous fees and rules to keep in mind, with many intricacies that can impact whether or how you’re allowed to travel with your pet. We’ve broken down these policies into a simple, user-friendly guide.

Carry-On Pets on American Airlines

You can travel with your pet in the cabin when traveling to these destinations:

• Between the U.S. and Canada
• Puerto Rico
• Within the 48 contiguous United States

There is a $150 charge per kennel , which is waived for service animals.

If you’re traveling with a pet in the cabin, you’re required to pay a pet transport fee and also have a kennel for the animal, which must be able to slide under the seat in front of you. This kennel will not count as your carry-on item, so you can bring additional baggage on board, such as your suitcase.

Any pet that’s too large to fly in the cabin won’t be able to fly . You can only check oversized pets if you’re part of the military or foreign service on orders.

If you’re traveling with a hard-sided kennel, it must meet these dimensions (length + width + height):

• Mainline Flights on American : 19 x 13 x 9 inches (48 x 33 x 22 centimeters)
• Regional Flights on American Eagle : 16 x 12 x 8 inches (40 x 30 x 20 centimeters)

If you’re traveling with a soft-sided kennel, it must be smaller than 18 x 11 x 11 inches (46 x 28 x 28 centimeters).

American recommends traveling with a soft-sided kennel rather than a hard one. You’ll need to shimmy it under the seat in front of you, which can be more difficult with a rigid object. Seat dimensions vary by aircraft, so American’s reservations line can help answer any questions and ensure the carrier fits.

Sherpa, a brand of pet carriers, also sells an airline-approved American Airlines Pet Carrier :

Pets must fit comfortably inside the kennel, which must be secure, padded, and made of water-repellant material with ventilation on at least 3 sides. The pet carrier — and your pet — must stay under the seat in front of you for the entire flight.

If you’re flying on American’s Airbus A321T plane, the premium A321 flying cross-country (mainly from JFK and BOS to LAX, SFO, and SNA), there is a specific compartment in the forward cabin for pets during take-off, landing, and turbulence. You must store your pet in the compartment during those designated times, but you can take the carrier back to your seat during other phases of the flight.

If you’re flying in business or first class, you won’t be able to take your pet as a carry-on on the Boeing 777-200, 777-300, 787-8, or 787-9. If you must fly on one of these aircraft, plan on sitting in the Main Cabin, where you can slide your pet under the seat in front of you.

No matter the type of pet or aircraft, American won’t accept any sedated pet. While sedation may calm your animal and make the travel experience easier, there are potential health complications that American doesn’t want to be responsible for.

If transporting your pet is important to you, always have a backup plan in case of foul weather, cancellations, or other disruptions en route.

Service animals are allowed on American Airlines, but only for these circumstances:

• Mobility impairments
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Visual impairments

You’ll need to complete a Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation form , which signals to American Airlines that your animal is trained to perform the functions it needs to.

American Airlines does not allow any animals in training, emotional support animals, or comfort animals. These may travel as pets, not service animals.

Your animal must be clean, well-behaved, and ready to travel at your feet or in your lap. The airport ticketing staff will make the final decision about whether your animal is accepted. No animal can be placed in the exit row, protrude into the aisle, occupy a seat, or eat from any tray table.

American Airlines doesn’t accept checked animals for most passengers. To check a pet, you must be a member of the U.S. military or the U.S. State Department Foreign Service, both on active orders. There is a $200 kennel fee (or $150 if flying to or from Brazil).

If you meet these qualifications, American has several requirements:

• You must contact American Airlines’ reservations department at least 48 hours before travel to let them know you intend to bring the animal onboard.
• When arriving at the airport, you must physically check in at a ticket counter and present your U.S. military or foreign service orders.
• American won’t accept animals more than 4 hours before the flight , but you’ll still want to leave plenty of time to check your animal and get through security. You’ll need to have your pet checked in a minimum of 2 hours prior to departure.
• The ticketing agent will have you complete a checklist with them, and you’ll need to provide a certificate of health.

This certificate of health must be issued by a veterinarian and needs to be:

• Within 10 days of your travel
• Within 60 days of your return (when traveling on the same ticket)
• Within 10 days of your return (when traveling on a separate ticket)

It’s worth noting that American has several temperature-related restrictions:

• From May 1 through September 30 , you cannot check a pet through Las Vegas (LAS), Palm Springs (PSP), Phoenix (PHX), or Tucson (TUS).
• For cold weather, no destination along the route can be below 45 degrees.

Check out American Airlines’ rules and regulations for traveling with a cat or dog .

Pets that don’t qualify as carry-on or checked pets can travel in the cargo hold with PetEmbark through American Airlines Cargo.

First, you must determine if you have an eligible breed or type of pet, ensure the pet is healthy enough to fly, and meet certain requirements. Then, ensure you have the right kennel for your animal as American Airlines doesn’t provide kennels.

You must file a request to transport you r animal at most 10 days before departure (and at least 24 hours before departure).

Your animal must be dropped off at specific American Airlines Cargo drop-off locations within 4 hours of departure. These are usually located away from the terminal buildings. You’ll need to attach a bag of food to the kennel and ensure the animal has been fed and provided water within 4 hours prior to the flight. This will also be an opportunity to recheck temperatures along the flight route. Once this is done, you’ll leave your animal with the staff, and you’ll be able to track its progress along the way.

You can pick up the animal at the destination American Airlines Cargo facility as long as you have 2 forms of ID and the waybill. American Airlines Cargo facilities are only open during certain hours, so be sure to call before you go.

Rates are significantly higher for cargo and start at $415 for domestic flights. To calculate the specific rate for your flight, visit the Rates & Fees page, and select your routing under Pets & Animals Rates .

American Airlines has several rules and regulations to keep your pet happy and safe as you travel. When traveling with a pet, it’s always a good idea to purchase your tickets well in advance of your anticipated travel date, have all appropriate documentation ready, and be ready to follow agent instructions once you get to the airport.

Frequently Asked Questions

How strict is american airlines with carry-on pets.

For safety reasons, all airlines are very strict about carry-on pets. Certain aircraft cannot accommodate pets, and on other aircraft, only a certain number of pets will be allowed onboard.

Do you have to pay for pets on American Airlines?

Yes, there is a $150 fee to carry on a pet.

How much does it cost to board a dog on American Airlines?

American Airlines doesn’t board dogs overnight, but there is a fee of $150 (carry-on) to $200 (checked) for the pet to be transported on the plane. A pet in the airplane’s hold incurs a higher cost through American Airlines Cargo; the rate varies and is determined by the routing.

How can I get my pet to fly for free?

American Airlines permits credentialed service animals to fly for free.

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About James Larounis

James (Jamie) started The Forward Cabin blog to educate readers about points, miles, and loyalty programs. He’s spoken at Princeton University and The New York Times Travel Show and has been quoted in dozens of travel publications.

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