Which Airlines Allow You to Fly with Large Dogs? – Most airlines will accommodate your pet in one way or another. Some of the better, more cost-effective airlines include Air Canada, Air France, American, Delta, Emirates, Hawaiian, Lufthansa, Sun Country, Swiss International and WestJet.
How can I fly with a large dog?
Cabin vs. Cargo – Flying with a large dog in the cabin is currently not allowed by any airline, for obvious reasons. Dogs are only allowed to travel with you as carry-on luggage if they weigh not more than 20lbs. And still, they have to be carried inside an airline-approved carrier that fits under the seat.
Exemptions are sometimes applied in cases of emotional support animals ( ESA s). Flying with a large ESA dog is allowed by some airlines as long as the dog meets the size and weight requirements. Can you fly with a large dog? For large breed dogs, cargo is the only option. And this, of course, incurs additional fees.
Most international airlines fly large dogs in a pressurized and temperature-controlled compartment where animals can settle comfortably during the trip. However, there are some airlines that don’t carry animals, even in cargo, even if you’re flying with a large emotional support dog, so you’d have to check with yours if this is an option. 
What airline allows the biggest dog carrier?
10. Hawaiian Airlines (0.5%) – Hawaiian is one of the most restrictive airlines in terms of pet travel. Animals can only fly in the cabin on inter-island flights, and those departing the Hawaiian Islands. And pets flying from or to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) are completely prohibited. Given the fact that people can’t travel with their pet in the cabin unless they’re leaving the Aloha State, it’s not surprising to see this airline’s low survey scores. The state of Hawaii has strict laws regarding incoming pets, including a mandatory quarantine if pet owners do not take the proper steps beforehand. This may be a turn-off for traveling pet parents.9. Spirit Airlines (2.2%) Sign up for our daily newsletter Despite the ultra low-cost carrier’s notorious baggage restrictions, it actually allows one of the most spacious onboard carriers, compared to other domestic airlines (18 inches x 14 inches x 9 inches). The airline allows the heaviest pet carry-on, too: a combined 40 pounds for both the weight of the pet as well as the carrier. Though Frontier received only 2.4% of the survey vote, its not all bad news for this regional airline. The fixed fee of $75 per pet, per segment is the most affordable across all the domestic airlines. Frontier also allows for a spacious in-cabin carrier and welcomes the largest variety of pets in the cabin, including dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs and small household birds. Good news for young travelers, four-legged and otherwise. Allegiant is the only airline that allows minors (age 15 and up) traveling alone to bring a pet onboard. All other airlines, for reference, require solo passengers to be over the age of 18 to travel with a pet. In her experience, Michele C. from the TPG Lounge said “JetBlue is the easiest” airline for pet travel, as it’s the only airline with which you can “book and pay the pet travel fee with your itinerary.” With other airlines, she explained, “you have to call after you’ve booked your flight and then pay at the airport.” This makes JetBlue one of the most straightforward and convenient airlines for travelers with four-legged companions in tow.
- When booking a JetBlue flight for you and your pet, a Pet Travel designation shows on your boarding pass.
- The airline also offers a complimentary JetPaws program that includes a guide to pet travel etiquette, a designated bag tag and an additional 300 TrueBlue points per segment for flying with your pet.5.
Alaska Airlines (10.8%) Donna M. from the TPG Lounge had a great experience flying with her cats on Alaska. “We took our cats on Alaska SFO to DEN when we relocated,” she said. “We called and booked the entire row of three and then spoke to the gate agents, who had us preboard to be out of the way and have the cats settled under the seats in front. Despite snagging the No.4 spot in the reader survey, United has a notoriously bad reputation when it comes to pet travel. But this might have something to do with the fact that United is the only airline that will fly brachycephalic dog breeds in cargo.
- Brachycephalic breeds include dogs with flat faces and short noses, such as pugs, boxers and bulldogs.
- These breeds are more likely to have respiratory issues in flight, which is the reason all other major US carriers have banned brachycephalic dogs from flying in cargo.
- According to the Air Travel Consumer Reports from the DOT, six out of the 10 dog deaths reported by United in 2017 included brachycephalic breeds.
Although United has its issues, it is frankly the only airline for travelers who need to transport their brachycephalic dog. American Airlines offers one of the biggest carrier dimensions (19 inches x 13 inches x 9 inches), so your pup can enjoy a bit more space during the flight, though the total weight limit is half what Spirit allows. The airline allows pets to be transported in the cabin when traveling to and within the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, Colombia and the Caribbean. Southwest ranked in second in the pet travel survey, and it also offers the second least expensive pet fee, behind Frontier’s $75. The airline also makes it easy for pet owners to pick out an appropriate carrier by offering a branded carrier of their own that will fit under any Southwest seat.
The airline allows cats and dogs to travel within the US, but does not offer this service on international flights. Only small cats and dogs will be able to fly on Southwest, as they do not allow pets in cargo. And according to a TPG reader eyewitness report, you may have a lot of freedom on a Southwest flight with your pet.
“I don’t think enforces keeping dogs in the carriers or under the seat,” Connie C. observed, “My last few flights had dogs on laps the entire flight.” 1. Delta Air Lines (23.4%) TPG lounge member Brittani S. said she was “very pleased” with Delta’s pet cargo. “It’s climate controlled and well-regulated. We flew from Texas to Hawaii the summer and they were able to accommodate us despite the heat because of air conditioned transport between the terminal and plane.” Likewise, Lindsey B.
Can a 50 lb dog fly in cabin?
BLADE – ©Blade BLADE allows passengers to book by-the-seat on scheduled flights throughout the Northeast and West Coast, or charter or crowdsource a flight anywhere in the world. Besides semi-private flight services, they provide other means of transportation like helicopters, seaplanes, and turboprops.
They fly to locations like NYC, Hamptons, Nantucket, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Aspen, the Jersey Coast, and area airports. Pets on BLADE Helicopters, Seaplanes and Turboprops On by-the-seat flights, pets under 25 pounds can sit in a carrier on their owner’s lap for a pet fee of $95. For dogs heavier than 25 pounds, the owner must purchase an additional seat.
There is a maximum of two pets per passenger. For a single passenger with more than one pet, an additional seat must be purchased for the second pet, regardless of the pet’s weight. If there are two, unrelated larger dogs boarding a flight, the pilot will request that the two dogs stand leashed on the tarmac prior to boarding to familiarize themselves with each other, as to not cause any in-flight issues.
- On chartered flights, pets can fly at no additional cost.
- Pets on BLADE Jets On by-the-seat jet flights like BLADEone, each passenger is entitled to bring one dog under 35 pounds for an additional fee of $300.
- For a single passenger with more than one dog under 35 pounds, an additional seat must be purchased (maximum of two dogs under 35 pounds per additional seat purchased).
An additional seat must be purchased for each dog over 35 pounds. Dogs do not require a carrier, but must be on a leash. On chartered land plane flights, pets can fly at no additional cost.
Can a 40 pound dog fly in cabin?
“Can My Large Dog Fly In-Cabin?” – Hi PetRelocation, I’m desperately trying to find a way my dog can ride in the cabin of a plane to relocate to Japan. She is 40 pounds, so “too large” by all standards I can find, but I’m hoping someone can give me an alternative (service dog, therapy dog, specific airline?).
We are too scared for her to fly under the plane in cargo. Thanks, Jennifer Hi Jennifer, Thanks for contacting us! Unfortunately the short answer to your question is “probably not.” Please see more about your dog shipping options or read on for more details. The cabin vs. cargo dilemma is a common question about pet shipping, as many pet owners are not aware of the conditions within airplane cargo holds and are afraid of transporting their pets that way.
A 40-pound dog is indeed too large to travel in-cabin on most (if not all) airlines and will have to ride as cargo. Apart from very small pets, only trained and certified service or support dogs with legitimate documentation are sometimes allowed to accompany their owners in-cabin.
- If your dog is not a certified assistance dog and you are simply trying to find a way around following pet air travel regulations, you will not be allowed to fly your pet in-cabin.
- It sounds like you have concerns about cargo travel, but deeper research shows that flying a pet as cargo is very safe and may in fact be more comfortable for your dog.
Check out this post where we address questions about flying pets as cargo and another where we disprove myths about shipping pets as cargo, You’ll see that cargo holds are pressurized and climate-controlled and aren’t that different from the conditions in which human passengers fly in the cabin.
- Assuming you book with a pet-friendly airline (such as United) and that your dog’s crate is a irline-approved and appropriately-sized, your pet should ride safely and comfortably as cargo on his trip to Japan.
- If you have any more questions about pet transport to Japan and are interested in hiring some assistance, be sure to contact us for a consultation.
We’ve helped many pets travel safely via cargo and would be happy to discuss your questions and concerns. Thanks for your question and good luck with your move! Pet Travel Question Details: Name: Jennifer Number of Pets: 1 Pet Type: Dog Pet Breed: Soft coated Wheaton/Golden retriever mix From: United States To: Tokyo, Japan Want to talk to a pet transport expert about your dog shipping options? Contact us below to get started.
Where do big dogs sit on a plane?
Unfortunately, larger dogs (with exceptions for trained service animals) have to travel in the cargo hold, along with all the luggage and freight. Most airlines describe this as ‘shipping’ your pet.
How do you fly a large dog in 2022?
Where do Pets go on a Plane? – If you’re new to pet travel, you might be trying to figure out where pets travel on an aircraft. Small pets, in general under around 8kg, can travel in the cabin with you when allowed by an airline. But, there’s a few airlines that allow cats and dogs of up to 10kg while in their pet carrier.
When flying with a small pet in the cabin, your cat or dog will travel inside their travel bag which is placed under the seat in front of you. So, your little travel companion is at your feet for the duration of the flight. Larger cats and dogs aren’t allowed to travel in the cabin, with the exception of Assistance and Service Dogs.
In this case, your pet can usually fly in the hold of the plane as checked baggage. But, in some cases your pet may be required to travel as cargo instead. In any case, if your pet flies as checked baggage, or cargo, they’ll be transported in a safe, temperature controlled environment.
- When travelling as cargo, the airline either has their own cargo arm to manage the logistics, or they use a specialist pet travel courier,
- Of course, whether your cat, dog, ferret or other animal can fly in the cabin with you very much depends on the dimensions and weight of your pet inside their carrier, as well as your chosen route.
Some airlines don’t permit:
- Any pet animals to fly in the cabin, except professionally trained Service or Assistance Dogs
- Any pets to travel in the hold of the plane
- Snub-nosed cat or dogs to travel in the hold of the plane (eg. French Bulldog, Pug, Persian Cat)
- Particular dog breeds to travel in the either the cabin or cargo hold (eg. Mastiff, Pit bull)
- Any pets to travel at all!
Are airlines strict with pet carrier size?
What Size Pet Carrier Will Fit Under an Airline Seat? – Source Your pet carrier needs to be able to fit entirely under the seat in front of you and remain there at all times throughout your flight. Hard-sided kennels should have maximum dimensions of 17.5 inches long, 12 inches wide, and 7.5 inches high. This translates to 44 cm x 30 cm x 19 cm.
Can my 100 lb dog fly with me?
Air Canada – Air Canada is one of the more accommodating airlines when it comes to flying with large dogs. You can check your dog at baggage so long as it weighs 100 pounds or less. Any more, and it will need to go into cargo. The fees range from under $130 for domestic flights and under $320 for international.
How big of a dog can fly carry on?
Choosing the Right Pet Carrier Allowed in Cabin – In general, if your pet carrier (with your pet inside) can fit under the seat in front of you, your dog can ride in the cabin on flights that permit it. Typically, this would be a dog weighing up to about 20 pounds. Check with your airline to confirm specific requirements. Follow these common guidelines when selecting a pet carrier :
Pets should be able to stand and sit, turn around normally and lie down in a natural position in their carrier without touching the sides or top of the carrier. Hard-sided, non-collapsible kennels can’t exceed the under-seat dimensions of any aircraft on your journey. The reservations desk can verify your maximum dimensions based on your airplane. Soft-sided, collapsible kennels can be slightly larger but still need to fit under the seat without having to excessively collapse the carrier. These carriers should be secure, padded, water-resistent, and have ventilation on at least two sides.
We recommend the Sherpa Original Deluxe Airline-Approved Dog & Cat Carrier Bag, Check out other options we’ve researched,
How can I fly with my 50 pound dog?
Flying with Large Dogs – Several airlines do accept large dogs by stowing them in the plane’s cargo. The hold is temperature-controlled and pressurized, so it is a humane way to transport them. For most airlines, pets weighing 17 pounds or more qualify as large and must travel in the hold.
Air Canada American Airlines Southwest Airlines United Airlines
A domestic flight in the US for a medium-sized dog in the cargo costs between $500 to $1,000 depending on the chosen airline’s assessment. Larger dogs like Great Danes can run their owners an average cost of $1000. With COVID-19 travel restrictions in place, some airlines have also become more restrictive in the pets they allow on their flights.
What happens if my dog is too big to fly in the cabin?
Which dog breeds can fly? – Some dogs (and cats) are prohibited from flying altogether, including snub-nosed breeds, brachycephalic breeds of dogs that include the French bulldog and Boston terrier and are prone to heavy breathing. These dogs are banned on certain airlines, including United and Delta, and restricted on others, including Lufthansa, Swiss Airlines and KLM,
To ensure your dog is eligible to fly with a commercial airline, double-check an airline’s pet-in-cabin policy, says pet transport service Pets2Fly, which also notes that “flying in-cabin is most likely the safest way to travel” for some breeds. American Airlines, for example, allows cats and dogs to be carried on if they meet specific size, age and destination requirements, on most flights not exceeding 12 hours to and from select locations.
The airline also charges $125 as an extra carry-on pet fee, and the animal must stay in the kennel underneath the seat in front of you throughout the flight. “If your pet is too large to fly in the cabin, it must travel with American Airlines Cargo,” says AA, for which fees vary. Migo Jameson Walker. (Photo by Vikkie Walker/The Points Guy) “Migo can’t fly on some airlines, so we take Amtrak. He’s a nervous traveler so I have to drug him, feed him peanut butter and have him in my sight on the train,” Walker told me. “When we took Amtrak on Thanksgiving, he tried to make a run for it on the train.
