Can Pets Fly Below the Seat? Navigating Airline Policies for Your Furry Friend

Thinking of bringing your beloved pet along on your next flight? Many airlines recognize that pets are family and offer options for them to travel with you. However, understanding the specifics of how and where your pet can fly is crucial for a smooth and stress-free journey for both of you. A common question for pet owners is: can pets fly below the seat? The answer is yes, often small pets can, but with specific conditions and depending heavily on the airline. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about flying with your pet, focusing on in-cabin travel and ensuring you’re well-prepared for your trip.

Should Your Dog Fly? Consider Before You Book

Before you finalize your travel plans with your pet, it’s essential to consider if flying is truly the best option for them. While convenient for owners, air travel can be a significant stressor for animals. Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer for the American Kennel Club, points out that airports and air travel introduce a barrage of unfamiliar and potentially overwhelming stimuli for dogs, including strange noises, sights, and smells.

Furthermore, the journey itself can disrupt your dog’s routine. Changes in diet and water, common during travel, can lead to gastrointestinal upset. Time zone changes and the general upheaval of travel can also cause dehydration or complicate medication schedules, particularly for dogs with conditions like diabetes requiring timed insulin injections. It’s always recommended to consult with your veterinarian to discuss whether air travel is safe and suitable for your individual dog, considering their health and temperament.

A Papillon calmly waits inside its travel crate, highlighting the importance of crate familiarization before flying.

Preparing for Pet Air Travel: Essential Steps

If you’ve decided that flying is the right choice for you and your pet, thorough preparation is key. Start your research well in advance to ensure a seamless experience.

Destination Regulations: First, confirm that your destination allows petEntry and understand any specific regulations. Are there quarantine periods? What vaccinations are mandatory? Are there breed-specific restrictions? The AKC provides state-by-state travel requirements for the US, but for international travel, and even when returning to the U.S. from abroad, additional rules apply.

Airline Policies: Most airlines permit small dogs to travel in the cabin, provided they are in an airline-approved carrier that fits comfortably under the seat in front of you. However, policies vary significantly between airlines. For larger dogs, cargo travel is often the only option, although some airlines have restrictions on cargo travel, especially during periods of extreme temperatures. Always contact the airline directly, ideally when booking your tickets, to understand their specific pet policies and to confirm space for your pet on your chosen flight, as cabin space for pets is usually limited.

Flight Selection: Opt for direct flights whenever possible to minimize travel time and stress for your dog. If you are traveling during summer, aim for early morning or late evening flights to avoid the heat. In winter, midday flights are preferable to avoid the coldest temperatures. Be aware that airlines often restrict pet cargo travel during extreme temperature conditions for the safety of the animals.

International Travel to the U.S.: For those entering the U.S. with a dog, new guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), effective August 2024, must be considered. Anyone importing a dog into the U.S. for the first time, or returning with a dog from another country, must submit a CDC-approved Dog Import Form online in advance. All dogs must be vaccinated against rabies, be at least 6 months old, and have a compliant microchip. Dogs from high-risk rabies countries have additional requirements, including specific rabies vaccination certifications and possibly quarantine upon arrival.

Health Checklist Before Flying with Your Dog

Your dog’s health is paramount when considering air travel. Ensure they are fit to fly by following these health preparations:

Veterinary Check-up: While a health certificate might not be mandatory for domestic flights within the US, a vet visit is highly recommended. Your veterinarian can assess your dog’s fitness for travel, confirm vaccinations are up-to-date, and provide an updated rabies certificate.
Medications: Pack an ample supply of any prescription medications your dog takes, enough for the entire trip and a bit extra. Don’t forget preventative medications like flea and tick treatments.
Special Diets: If your dog requires a prescription or specialized diet, bring enough food for the entire trip. Finding specific diets while traveling can be challenging.

What to Pack for Your Canine Cabin Mate

Packing efficiently for your dog is as important as packing for yourself. Here’s a checklist of essential items for flying with your dog in the cabin:

Vaccination and Health Documentation: Even if not strictly required, carrying your dog’s vaccination records and rabies certificate is wise. If your destination has specific entry requirements, ensure you have all necessary health documents, including potential quarantine information.
Airline-Approved Carrier: This is non-negotiable for in-cabin pet travel. Verify the airline’s specific size and type requirements for carriers to ensure yours complies. Carriers should be waterproof, well-ventilated, and large enough for your dog to stand, sit, lie down, and turn around comfortably.
Portable Food and Water Bowls: Collapsible bowls are ideal for travel.
Food for Carry-on: Pack a small amount of your dog’s food in a baggie in your carry-on luggage. Flight delays can happen, and having food on hand is essential.
Treats: Bring your dog’s favorite treats for positive reinforcement and comfort during the journey.
Poop Bags: Essential for airport pet relief areas and during your travels.
Pet Wipes: For quick and easy clean-ups in case of accidents or travel sickness.
Chew Toy: A familiar chew toy can help alleviate stress and discomfort during takeoff and landing due to pressure changes.

Preparing Your Dog Behaviorally for Flight

Behavioral preparation is just as critical as physical preparation. A well-adjusted dog will handle air travel much better.

Crate Training: Acclimate your dog to their travel crate well in advance of your flight. Make the crate a positive space at home by associating it with treats, praise, and comfortable bedding. Encourage your dog to spend increasing amounts of time in the crate to build familiarity and reduce anxiety.

Exposure to Airport-like Environments: Familiarize your dog with busy, noisy environments. Take them to dog-friendly public places that mimic the hustle and bustle of an airport, such as busy parks or outdoor shopping areas. This will help them become more accustomed to crowds and noises.

Basic Obedience and CGC Training: Airlines require pets to be well-behaved. Excessive barking, growling, or aggressive behavior can lead to denial of boarding. Consider Canine Good Citizen (CGC) training. The skills learned, like walking politely through crowds and remaining calm around other dogs, are invaluable for airport travel. Some trainers even offer airplane simulation training, using rows of seats to mimic an aircraft cabin and train dogs to settle quietly under a seat in a carrier.

Navigating the Airport with Your Dog

Airport procedures differ depending on whether your dog is traveling in the cabin with you or as cargo.

Cargo Travel Check-in: If your dog is flying as cargo, check them in with the airline as soon as you arrive at the airport’s designated cargo or pet check-in area. Airline staff will then handle getting your dog onto the plane and to your destination.

In-Cabin Travel and TSA Security: For in-cabin travel, you will proceed through TSA security. You will need to remove your dog from their carrier for screening. You will walk through the full-body scanner, while the carrier will be screened separately, often through an X-ray machine. TSA agents may also inspect your dog’s leash, collar, or harness.

Pet Relief Areas: Once through security, locate the pet relief areas within the airport. Allow your dog to relieve themselves before your flight.

Pre-Boarding: While waiting to board, you might be able to take your dog out of their carrier to stretch their legs in designated areas, always keeping them on a leash.

A Sealyham Terrier relaxes in a travel crate, demonstrating the comfort that crate training can provide for dogs during travel.

During the Flight: Keeping Your Dog Comfortable

Once onboard, your dog must remain in their carrier for the duration of the flight. They are not permitted to sit on your lap or roam freely in the cabin (unless they are a trained service dog).

Comfort During Flight: Offer your dog a chew toy during takeoff and landing. Chewing can help to naturally relax them and alleviate discomfort from pressure changes. Minimize disturbances and keep the carrier as stable as possible during the flight.

Airline-by-Airline Guide: Key Pet Policies

Airline policies for pet travel vary significantly. Always confirm the most up-to-date policies directly with the airline before booking. Here’s a summary of policies for some major airlines:

Alaska Airlines

Cabin Pets: Yes, small dogs in carriers under the seat. Carrier counts as carry-on. Two similar-sized pets can share a carrier if comfortable. Limited to 3 carriers in First Class, 8 in Main Cabin. International and Hawaii flights: cabin only. Second seat purchase allows for a second carrier in the main cabin.
Cargo Pets: Yes, for dogs at least 8 weeks old.
Fees: $100 per pet, each way, for cabin or cargo.
Health Requirements: Cargo: Health certificate within 10 days of departure, 30 days for return. Cabin: Good health required, sick/distressed dogs may be denied.

American Airlines

Cabin Pets: Yes, on most flights under 11.5 hours. Approved carrier under seat. Limited to 5-7 pets per cabin, depending on aircraft.
Cargo Pets: Limited to active-duty US Military and US State Department Foreign Service personnel on official orders.
Fees: $150 per carrier for cabin travel. Cargo fees vary.
Health Requirements: Cargo: Original signed health certificate within 20 days of flight (and return). Cabin: Not required.

Delta Air Lines

Cabin Pets: Yes, in carrier under seat. Carrier must have ventilation on 3 sides (domestic) or 4 (international).
Cargo Pets: Yes, carrier must meet IATA regulations, be large enough for the dog to stand, turn, and lie down.
Fees: $95 domestic each way, $200 international each way.
Health Requirements: Cargo: Health certificate within 10 days of travel. Cabin: Not required.
Age Restrictions: Cabin: Minimum 8 weeks (domestic), 16 weeks to US, 15 weeks to Europe (international).

Frontier Airlines

Cabin Pets: Yes, for dogs at least 8 weeks old on domestic, Dominican Republic, and Mexico flights. Soft carrier under seat required.
Cargo Pets: No.
Fees: $99 each way.
Health Requirements: None specified, but destinations may require certificates.

Hawaiian Airlines

Cabin Pets: Yes, on inter-island and mainland US-Hawaii flights. Pet+carrier under 25 lbs.
Cargo Pets: Yes, pet+carrier under 70 lbs. Limited cargo flights April 15 – October 15 and during extreme temperatures. No international cargo.
Fees: $35 inter-island, $125 mainland-Hawaii.
Health Requirements: Health certificate within 14 days for mainland-Hawaii flights. Contact Hawaii Department of Agriculture for quarantine/vaccine rules.

JetBlue

Cabin Pets: Yes, dogs under 20 lbs (pet+carrier combined). Carrier under seat.
Cargo Pets: No.
Fees: $125 per flight.
Health Requirements: Destination-specific vaccines and documentation, ID tags and licenses.

Southwest Airlines

Cabin Pets: Yes, domestic flights only. First-come, first-served basis, limited to 6 pets per flight.
Cargo Pets: No.
Fees: $125 per carrier (mainland US), $35 (Hawaiian Islands).
Health Requirements: Comply with destination requirements.

Spirit Airlines

Cabin Pets: Yes, dogs at least 8 weeks old, domestic flights only. No international pet flights. One carrier per passenger, max 2 pets per carrier if size allows, combined weight under 40 lbs.
Cargo Pets: No.
Fees: $125 per flight.
Health Requirements: US Virgin Islands flights require health certificates. Puerto Rico requires rabies vaccination proof.

United Airlines

Cabin Pets: Yes, dogs at least 2 months old (domestic), 4 months (international). Carrier under seat. Pet limits per aircraft vary.
Cargo Pets: No.
Fees: $125 per flight. Additional $125 for layovers over 4 hours (domestic) or 24 hours (international).
Health Requirements: International flights require rabies vaccination and health certificates. Domestic: health certificate encouraged but not required.

A well-behaved Shetland Sheepdog service dog demonstrates calm behavior at the airport, highlighting the importance of training for airport environments.

Flying with your pet requires careful planning and adherence to airline regulations. By understanding the policies and preparing thoroughly, you can increase the chances of a safe and comfortable journey for your furry companion. Always prioritize your pet’s well-being and consult with your vet to ensure air travel is the right choice for them.