The Ultimate Guide to Traveling on a Plane with Dogs

There are many joys to having a pet in your care. Your dog is an endless source of joy and excitement; they're an excuse to get up and explore the neighborhood, make new friends, and so much more.

At the same time, they're often something of a weight around your neck. How many times are plans canceled or rescheduled because of vet trips or unexpected canine injuries? How often do you have to adjust your choice of lodging or method of travel to bring your dog along? It's a fact of life that not everywhere allows dogs (other than service animals), so they can be a limiting factor as well as a joy.

So, if you need to travel long distances, and the only sensible way to do it is to fly, can you bring your dog? If so, how do you do it, and what do you need to keep in mind? Let's talk about flying with dogs and everything you need to know about it.

If you're looking to fly with a pet but you have a cat rather than a dog, I have a guide for that as well, which you can read here.

Can and Should You Fly with Your Dog?

First, let's answer two of the more obvious questions: can you fly with your dog, and more importantly, should you?

Can you fly with your dog?

The answer to whether or not you can fly with a dog is simple: probably. Maybe.

Different airlines have different pet policies, but most of them are going to be similar. They put limits on the size and weight of an animal that can be carried on the plane with you; otherwise, they may be stuck in a kennel and put in the cargo hold.

More importantly, these cargo hold spaces are broadly not available for most pet parents. You'll usually see a disclaimer somewhere on the airline websites that says the cargo spaces are only available for the pets of U.S. Military or State Department Foreign Service personnel. We regular people can't bring our pets in the cargo hold.

So, there is functionally a size and weight limit for the dogs you can bring with you on a flight. Lap dogs, terriers and chihuahuas and other small breeds, are fine. Larger dogs aren't going to fit in a kennel under a seat.

Note that certified service dogs are allowed on planes and don't need to be restrained to a kennel. This does require actual service dog training, though; the "emotional support animal" loophole has been closed due to abuse.

So, whether or not you can fly with a dog generally depends on whether your dog is small enough for the flight. Now, for the related question: should you fly with a dog?

Should you fly with your dog?

This is a harder question to answer.

Flying is a hassle. Flights can be canceled, there are delays, there are stresses, and planes are a notorious haven for illnesses. They're stressful and unpleasant for most people. So, how do you think your dog is going to feel, being restrained in a relatively small kennel and trapped under a seat for the duration of a flight? You can't pull them out (except maybe to take them to the bathroom mid-flight), so they're in an even more cramped position than you are.

The truth is, if you can avoid flying with a dog, it's usually better to do so. Yes, driving across the country is a much, much longer (and frequently more expensive) journey, but there's beauty and adventure to be found along the way. More importantly, it's a lot safer and more flexible for you and your pooch.

How Much Does Flying with a Dog Cost?

Each airline will have its own pet policies, so make sure you double-check with your choice of airline well in advance.

Also, make 100% certain that you've purchased your pet ticket ahead of time and confirmed availability. There's pretty much zero chance that you can show up with a dog in place of your carry-on and still be let on the plane.

Most airlines have a few limitations on pets on flights. The size is the biggest one, since a carrier needs to fit under a seat, which is a very limited amount of space. They also tend to limit how many pets can be on any given flight. Age limits are also in play, and pets will generally need to be at least two months old to fly. This is primarily for the health of the animals, but also for the comfort of other passengers.

The actual cost varies, but is likely in the $125-$150 range. Southwest is $125 each way for a flight, United is $150 plus an additional $125 for any layover over four hours long, and American is $150 per carrier. This is pretty typical of the major airlines.

Finally, you're often restricted to just the continental USA. Only certain airlines will allow pets on international flights, and certain countries will have very restrictive laws about importing pets, so keep it in mind.

What Can You Do to Make Flying with a Dog Easier?

Flying is going to be stressful and irritating in the best circumstances, and trying to fly with a dog, especially long distance, is going to be even worse. I'm not saying this to scare you; I just want you to have realistic expectations. Prepare for the worst, and if everything works out, you'll have a better-than-expected experience.

One of the most important things you need to do is crate-train your pupper. Crate training should be started early, and you want your furry baby to be comfortable staying in their crate for a long period of time. If they get antsy, nervous, or risk an accident when they're stuck, you're going to have a miserable time. Just imagine having to sit on a plane for hours while your poor baby is crying at your feet, and you can't do anything to help.

Similarly, you want to make sure they're potty trained. If your fur baby is going to be stuck on this plane for an extended period, you want to avoid any accidents that can make the flight unpleasant for everyone. Make sure you have puppy pads (and backup pads), as well as wipes and other items to clean up if an accident does happen, as well.

It can often be a good idea to limit food (but not water) in the morning before a flight. That way, your fur baby doesn't have anything in their system that will need to come out. You don't want to starve them, of course, and they still need to be hydrated, but solid food should be limited.

Make sure they go before you put them in the carrier for the flight, as well. Some airports will have a dedicated space for dogs to do their business; others will just require you to make do with the usual human facilities. This is extremely regional and depends on the airport, so just do the best you can.

It's also a good idea to bring your dog to the vet for a thorough check-up before you plan to fly. You may need to discuss possible health conditions and how a flight might affect them, or you might need an updated list of vaccinations and medications. If you're flying to certain destinations or internationally, you may also need an updated health certificate based on the destination's regulations.

What About Dog Airlines?

There's another option we haven't mentioned yet, which is dog-focused airlines like Bark Air and K9 Jets. These are dedicated charter airlines made for pet parents who want to fly with a dog that otherwise won't be able to fly in the cabin because of their size and who might have anxiety flying in a cargo hold. They're also for people who want to fly to destinations that they normally can't, like across the ocean (Bark Air, for example, offers flights to London and Paris, and K9 offers a variety of international destinations).

These are luxury travel options that allow your dog to roam the cabin, have a wide range of services to keep your dogs happy and healthy while flying, and have vets on every flight to make sure nothing can go wrong. So, what's the problem?

The biggest issue with these services is the price. As private, charter flights, these start in the $6,000 per seat range. They're also quite limited in capacity and destinations. If you want to fly across the sea, or from New York to California, you can probably do it; otherwise, it's going to take more expense and effort to find an option that works for you.

Flying with a Dog FAQ

Let's run down some of the fast-answer questions you may have about flying with a dog.

Should you sedate your dog for the flight?

Generally, no. If your dog is a nervous pooch who has trouble with new experiences and will be frightened, risk an accident, or constantly make noise for the whole flight, you might want to reconsider flying. Most airlines have policies that reflect the American Veterinary Medical Association's advice, which is not to sedate pets for a flight.

Because of things like changing air pressure, the stress of a flight, and the lack of available veterinary care, sedation poses very serious risks to health, and if an emergency happens mid-flight, there's very little you can do about it. Leave the sedation at home!

Are there breed restrictions for flying with a dog?

Yes.

The two main restrictions are based on size and facial structure. Size is simple; if your dog can't fit comfortably in a carrier under a seat, they can't fly with you. Facial structure is a little different. Many airlines prohibit even small dogs if they're a snub-nosed breed like a Boston terrier, a pug, or a bulldog. This is because the changes in air pressure and air quality on a plane can make it more difficult for these pets to breathe, and again, there are no emergency pet facilities on a plane to address a problem if one arises mid-flight.

Do any airlines offer cargo shipping for a dog?

Yes. Several airlines, like Alaska and American, offer services such as PetEmbark. These services are essentially like putting your dog in the mail; they'll be loaded onto a plane that is specially-designed to fly animals, has a trained vet along for the ride, and allows larger dogs.

The drawback here is that only certain routes, certain destinations, and certain flights allow this, and the chances are you won't be on the same flight. You will likely either need a friend at home to check them in after you've already flown to your destination, or a friend at your destination to receive them while you fly in yourself. It's difficult to coordinate, but sometimes, it's the only viable option.

Are there other non-flight options available?

If you don't want to drive and you don't want to fly, there may be some additional options. For example, some people will take a cruise that allows dogs to travel from one place to the next. This obviously only works if you're traveling between destinations where a cruise will stop, but if so, it can be a surprisingly viable option and fun to boot.

Alternatively, there are pet taxi services that will drive your dog, possibly with hand-offs for different legs of the journey. These can be effective but difficult to organize, so your mileage may vary. Still, they can work better than having to do a lengthy cross-country drive yourself!

Have you ever had to fly with a pooch? Did you have a surprisingly good – or distressingly bad – experience? Whichever one it was, let me know your story in the comments! You can help others avoid the worst options or point out something we didn't think of along the way. I look forward to hearing your story!