Flying with a pet can be expensive and confusing, with fees, weight limits, carrier size rules and the need to make sure there’s no loud barking (or meowing) on board.
Recently, American Airlines relaxed its pet policy to allow passengers to bring a carry-on bag in addition to a pet in a carrier, and more private flight options have emerged in recent years for those pet owners who can afford them.
However, flying with large or medium-sized dogs can be tricky, and many travelers are wary of leaving a pet in the plane’s cargo hold.
For those traveling on major carriers with their pets as carry-ons, here’s what to know about each major domestic airline’s policy.
Southwest Airlines
On Southwest, a Dallas-based carrier, two checked bags can fly free, but not pets. Southwest charges $125 every pet carrier on its flights.
Dogs or cats are allowed to travel below the seat in an approved carrier — up to 18.5 inches long by 8.5 inches high by 13.5 inches wide) — according to the airline.
Southwest has some caveats for those traveling with pets: The pet must remain in its carrier during the flight, and the carrier is considered a personal item or carry-on bag.
Up to six pets are allowed on Southwest flights. Once six pets have been booked on a flight, no more customers can add a companion pet to their booking.
United Airlines
United Airlines has no weight or race restrictions for cats and dogs as long as they are in an approved hard or soft side carrier, measuring 17.5 inches long by 9 inches high by 12 inches wide for a hard carrier, or 18 inches length 11 inches high and 11 inches wide for a soft carrier.
United charges $125 per trip for travel with pets. There is no fee for service animals on United flights, but some forms are required before the flight.
The carrier must fit under a seat, and where a passenger is allowed to sit may vary by aircraft type. For example, people traveling with pets cannot sit in emergency rows. If you are traveling with two pets (the maximum allowed), you must book two seats.
Delta Air Lines
Small dogs and cats can travel Delta Air Lines flights as long as they can fit inside a carrier stored below the seat. The size of the carrier depends on the aircraft, but generally the airline recommends a soft-sided carrier no larger than 18 inches long by 11 inches high by 11 inches wide.
Your pet must be at least eight weeks old and small enough to have some room to move around in the carrier, which should have ventilation holes on three sides.
Delta charges $95 for pets traveling as carry-on companions, and the passenger can only bring one personal item with the pet. Some seats cannot be booked for travel with an animal, such as those in the emergency exit row.
American Airlines
American Airlines allows cats and dogs to travel in a carry-on container, which must remain under the seat in front of the pet owner throughout the flight. The airline recommends a soft-sided carrier that measures 18 inches long by 11 inches high by 11 inches wide.
The fee for a carry-on pet on a domestic American Airlines flight is $150.
Flights are limited to seven carry-on pets, excluding service animals, and American Eagle flights are limited to five carry-on pets, with one in first class. There is no charge for service animals flying on American flights, but the airline requires forms to be filled out in advance.
The airline said in a statement that it recently changed its cabin pet policy to allow customers with a pet to also carry either a personal item or a carry-on bag in the overhead bin (but not both).
“We made the change to provide a more convenient and comfortable experience for customers with pets flying to America,” the airline said.
Spirit, JetBlue, Frontier and Alaska
Spirit allows dogs and cats on its flights in a carrier no larger than 18 inches long by 14 inches wide by 9 inches high for a fee of $125. The weight of the pet and the carrier cannot exceed 40 pounds, according to the airline.
Small dogs and cats are welcome fly JetBlue for a fee of $125 each way, to an approved carrier. Up to six pets are allowed on JetBlue flights.
Frontier allows pets on board for a $99 fee per trip, as long as the pet fits in a carrier. Passengers may only have a personal item or carry-on in addition to their pet carrier.
Pets can travel in a carrier at Alaska Airlines flights at a fee of $100 per trip. A passenger may travel with a pet carrier and one personal item, or one carrier and one carry-on bag.
Private or charter flights
Those who take their pets on private or charter flights, which can cost thousands of dollars, have more relief. Dogs weighing less than 150 pounds can sit in the seats.
BarkAir, a charter operator specifically tailored for those flying with dogs, charges about $6,000 for a dog and its owner to travel, with flights between New York and Los Angeles and New York and London. Carriers are not required, and dogs can sit on laps, chairs or beds.