Your Pet’s Seat May Not Be Guaranteed
Bringing a pet along for the journey matters to many travelers, but not all airlines make it easy. Some offer in-cabin comfort for cats and dogs, while others maintain firm restrictions. If you’re planning to take your pet along with you, it’s essential to stay informed about airline pet policies. This will help you avoid travel day hassles and ensure your companion stays safe and secure. Let’s begin by looking at which airlines welcome pets more readily.
1. Delta Air Lines
Flying with small pets on Delta is simple—just make sure they fit comfortably in a ventilated carrier under the seat. Only cats, dogs, and small household birds are allowed, and reservations are highly recommended. Moreover, a $95 fee applies per direction for domestic and Canadian routes.
2. American Airlines
With American Airlines, pets can ride in the cabin on most flights. Each pet must stay in a carrier that fits beneath the seat, with a $125 fee per segment. However, emotional support animals are not accepted due to safety reasons. Therefore, all cabin pets must meet the standard requirements.
3. Alaska Airlines
Pet owners will find generous accommodations aboard Alaska Airlines, which allows small pets on board. Two pets of the same species can even share a carrier. The $100 fee is charged each way, and pets must be confined to their carriers throughout the journey.
Tomás Del Coro from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA on Wikimedia
4. Air Canada
Air Canada permits cabin pets on most routes, although restrictions apply to Business Class and select aircraft. Carriers must be leak-proof and soft-sided, and fees vary from CAD $50 to $118 per carrier. You should check in early to secure a spot.
5. United Airlines
Pet travel with United Airlines requires advance booking, as cabin space is limited. Small cats and dogs are accepted for a $150 fee and must stay inside a carrier under the seat. Like American Airlines, United no longer allows emotional support animals to travel as pets in the cabin.
RHL Images from England on Wikimedia
6. JetBlue
JetBlue’s JetPaws program makes pet travel smoother with perks like travel points and helpful tips. Small cats and dogs under 20 pounds—including the carrier—are welcome in the cabin. The $125 fee applies per flight, and carriers must fit under the seat. Advance booking is also required.
7. Southwest Airlines
If you’re flying with Southwest, you can bring along small, vaccinated cats or dogs on domestic routes. Pets must stay inside soft-sided carriers that meet strict size limits. Yet, reservations must be made in advance by phone, and the $125 fare is charged per direction.
David Aughinbaugh II on Wikimedia
8. Lufthansa
For passengers flying with pets, Lufthansa allows small felines and pups in the cabin if the combined weight with the carrier stays under 8 kg (about 17.64 pounds). The soft carrier must be leak-proof and well-ventilated. Fees vary by route, with some destinations not allowing pets in the cabin.
Julian Herzog (Website) on Wikimedia
9. French Bee
French Bee allows one cat or dog per passenger in the cabin, only if the pet and its carrier don’t weigh more than 8 kg. Pets must also remain inside throughout the flight, and a $100 pet fee must be paid in advance.
ERIC SALARD from Paris, FRANCE on Wikimedia
10. TAP Air Portugal
Passengers can bring small cats and dogs weighing less than 8kg. Their carriers must be soft and well-ventilated, and fees range from €35 to €150 ($37.80 to $162.00). However, pets are not allowed in business class or on certain long-haul flights.
Catarina Madureira on Wikimedia
Now, the next 10 carriers either ban pets in the cabin altogether or place such tight restrictions that traveling with them becomes nearly impossible.
1. Ryanair
Ryanair enforces a total ban on cabin pets across all its routes, offering no options for checked pet travel either. Only certified assistance dogs are permitted, and these must meet strict documentation requirements. For regular pet owners, no services or accommodations are available.
2. Emirates
If you’re flying with Emirates, you won’t be able to bring cats or dogs into the cabin, regardless of route. The only exception is falcons, which are allowed on certain Gulf flights. All other pets must travel via cargo, and prior approval, along with extensive paperwork.
3. AirAsia
AirAsia enforces a strict no-pet policy for both cabin and cargo hold across all routes, domestic and international. Even certified service animals are heavily restricted under current guidelines. With no accommodations for pets of any kind, the airline remains one of the least pet-friendly options available.
4. British Airways
Pets are not allowed in the cabin on any British Airways flight, including short-haul routes. Only recognized service animals are permitted with prior approval. All other pets must be shipped separately through IAG Cargo, the airline’s dedicated freight service, with no exceptions for small or domestic animals.
5. Qatar Airways
Regular pets must be transported as checked baggage or through Qatar Cargo. Only registered service dogs are allowed in the cabin on specific Qatar Airways routes. But strict breed and size restrictions make in-cabin travel nearly impossible for most pet owners. Advance approval is also necessary.
Md Shaifuzzaman Ayon on Wikimedia
6. Aer Lingus
Traveling with a pet in the cabin isn’t an option on Aer Lingus. The airline permits only guide and assistance dogs, and these must be booked in advance. All other animals must be transported as cargo through approved handlers, with no exceptions for short-haul flights.
7. Philippine Airlines
Philippine Airlines does not accommodate any pets in the cabin, even on domestic flights. Dogs, cats, and birds must be transported as checked baggage or cargo, with breed and temperature restrictions in place. The airline permits only service animals onboard and requires prior approval.
RM Bulseco from Davao City, Philippines on Wikimedia
8. EasyJet
This airline completely bans animals in the passenger cabin and does not offer cargo transport for pets either. Only trained and certified assistance dogs are allowed onboard. With no pet-friendly alternatives provided, EasyJet is one of Europe’s most restrictive airlines for animal companions.
9. China Southern Airlines
China Southern does not permit pets in the cabin on any flight, regardless of the size or type of carrier. Only guide dogs are accepted, subject to prior approval. All other animals must travel as checked baggage or cargo, with strict limitations.
10. Vietnam Airlines
Vietnam Airlines also prohibits all pets from traveling in the cabin, irrespective of distance or destination. It considers only service animals, and even they must meet strict criteria. Passengers with regular pets must fly their pets as baggage or cargo, with tight limits on size and crate type.
