Every passenger needs to follow a number of rules while traveling through air whether it is related to baggage, check-in or documents. And when it comes to flying with your four-legged friends, every airline has its own rule for the same. The restrictions can vary depending upon the route of the airline.
Talking about the top North American Airlines, some of these welcome the animals on board free of charge and the others strong pet policies to be followed.
To make sure that you don’t have to face any unwanted situation and your furry friend encounters no trouble in the friendly skies, we are discussing the pet travel policies of North America largest airlines. Whether it is the service animal or an emotional support animal or your beloved pets, we have taken all together in this article.
American Airlines
PETS ALLOWED: Cats and Dogs
Starting with the American Airlines, there is no charge attached to the carrying of service animals on all the flights. It is necessary that these should fit on your lap or under the seat. In simple words, it should not block the aisle. Plus, the service animals, as well as emotional support animals, are not allowed in exit rows.
Passengers traveling with the emotional support animals and psychiatric service animals are required to carry a letter from the doctor (which must not be older than a year) to present to the airline 48 hours before the flight.
FEE APPLIED:
Passengers traveling with pets need to know that only cats and dogs are allowed in the cabin. A fee of $125 is attached to the same. Other requirements include that these must stay in their carriers and fits under the seat I front of you. If the passengers are keeping their pets in the plane’s cargo, then a fee of $175 is attached to the same.
Delta Airlines
PETS ALLOWED: Small cats, dogs, and household birds
There can be seen a few alterations in the Delta Airline pet policy on service and emotional support animals recently. Passengers traveling with their pets need to submit the required documentation48 hours prior to the flight. After that only, they can board to plane with their service or emotional support animal.
Other general requirements include that the pet must fit on the passenger’s lap or in the space under the seat in front of the passenger.
Only small cats, dogs, and household birds are allowed to travel in the cabin for a fee. The rules attached to their travel vary depending upon the route of the travelers. Delta can also ship animals via Delta cargo, prices vary. This service is only open to warm-blooded pets.
FEE APPLIED:
Passengers flying through any of the flight of Delta with their small pets have to pay a fee of $125 each way. This fee will be collected at check-in. It includes flights within the United States, Canada, U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. On flights to Hawaii, pets are not permitted.
Southwest Airlines
PETS ALLOWED: Cats and small dogs
Coming to the Southwest Airlines, passengers are allowed to travel with service and emotional support animals on flights. But there are certain rules attached to the same. The pet must not be bigger than a child of 2 years and must fit on the passenger’s lap or on the floor in front of their seat.
For passengers flying with the emotional support, animals need to carry a medical health professional that meets the requirements of Southwest.
FEE APPLIED:
Passengers who are traveling with the cats and small dogs have to pay a fee of $95. The pets are required to remain in their carriers all the time under the seat in front of their owner. The airline allows a total of 6 pets only and does not support cargo holds for the same.
United Airlines
PETS ALLOWED: Cats, Dogs, Rabbits and Household Birds (excluding cockatoos)
Passengers with a disability are allowed to travel with the trained service animals on United Airlines’ flights. A service animal should sit in the floor space in front of the customer’s assigned seat. In case of the emotional support animals, the same rules apply but it will need certain information and documentation to United before traveling.
FEE APPLIED:
You are allowed to fly with dogs, cats, rabbits and household birds in the aircraft cabin. On most of the flights to the US, passengers traveling with the pets are required to pay $125 service charge.
Other general rules include that the pets must stay in their carrier and must fit completely under the seat in front of their owner.
Alaska Airlines
PETS ALLOWED: Dogs, Cats, Rabbits, Household Birds, & Tropical Fish
There is no charge attached to the carrying of service animals. It just that these animals occupy the travelers own space without obstructing aisles.
Documentation is required while traveling with the emotional support animals, prior to boarding. The documents must not be older than 1 year and it must be on letterhead from a mental health professional or medical doctor.
FEE APPLIED:
The dogs and cats must be at least 8 weeks old and fully weaned for at least five days prior to travel. Along with that, the passenger needs to pay a fee of $100 for small pets. These must remain in their carrier and be able to fit under the seat in front of the traveler. Try to reserve the bookings in advance as there is a limit attached to the number of pets flying in the flight. Most pets are also allowed to travel in the cargo hold as well for a $100 fee.
JetBlue Airways
PETS ALLOWED: Small Cats and Dogs
The services are free of any charge on JetBlue Airways. Either these must fit the owner’s lap comfortable or must remain on the floor. You need to do the reservation before flying for the service animal. The rules remain the same in case of the emotional service animals. These need to have their proper documentation and should also be well behaved.
FEE APPLIED:
In the domestic as well as international flights of JetBlue Airlines, small cats and dogs are totally accepted. Coming to the fee, a sum of $100 is charged each way. The combined weight of the pet and carrier may not exceed 20 pounds. The pet must remain inside its carrier for the entire flight. Only four pets are allowed per flight.
Spirit Airlines
PETS ALLOWED: Small Domestic Dogs, Domestic Cats, and Small Household Birds
Passengers are allowed to carry small dogs, cats and household birds on the aircraft. It includes the emotional support animals. Verbal assurance is required in case of service animals on Spirit flights. Emotional support animals are allowed on Spirit flights as long as they board with the correct documentation that is under a year old.
FEE APPLIED:
You can carry only 4 pets per cabin on the Spirit Airlines. A sum of $100 is attached as the fee per pet carrier. Guests are only allowed to fly with 1 or 2 pets. Spirit does not fly animals in their cargo hold.
So the next time, you are preparing to travel with your loyal companion, make sure that you are following each and every rule regarding the same.
