If you have a dog, you're probably well aware of the difficulties of traveling by plane with your pup - unless your pup is one of the dog breeds banned by most airlines. The reality is that the rules and regulations regarding dogs and travel are confusing, contradictory, and inconsistent at best, especially when it comes to which dogs can fly in the main cabin of an airplane, which dogs can fly safely in luggage, and which dogs can fly hour. Can't board the plane at all. While there are no universal guidelines for which dogs can and cannot fly, each airline has its own rules based on different safety regulations – so if your pup is banned by one airline but not by another Airlines allow breeds, so you'll need to check with your dog's veterinarian before taking your puppy on a plane.
There's no universal rule of thumb when it comes to airline rules, it really depends on what kind of dog you want to fly with - and the rules are always changing. The only common exception is small, healthy dogs weighing less than 20 pounds that can be placed in a crate with a maximum size of 17" x 12.5" x 8.5". Otherwise, if your dog has a short nose (like a pit bull: this may hinder (especially on flights) or is too big to fit into the carrier, the airline may not welcome it at all. IMPORTANT: If your dog is a service dog and can be carried on your lap or in front of you. space. If your dog does not extend into the main aisle, these rules do not apply: your dog does not need to be in a crate, and you do not need to pay a fee.
Here, I break down the dog breed rules of the major airlines. Of course, you should call before booking and make sure the rules are the same and your dog's breed and size are welcome.
JetBlue
One puppy per person is allowed for $125 one way if space is available. Your pet must remain in a carrier that can fit under the seat in front of you, with a maximum cage size of 17" x 12.5" x 8.5". Pet and carrier must weigh 20 pounds or less, and no dogs may ride Aircraft cargo.
Unity
Due to hot weather, United will not transport pets to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, McCarran International Airport, Palm Springs International Airport and Tucson International Airport from May 1 to September 30. For the remainder of the year, the following dog breeds are prohibited from shipment:
- Affenpinscher
- american bully
- American Pit Bull Terrier/Bull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier/"Amstaff"
- Belgian Malinois
- boston terrier
- boxer
- brussels griffon
- Bulldog - American Bulldog - English Bulldog - French Bulldog - Old English Bulldog - Short Bulldog - Spanish Alano/Spanish Bulldog/Spanish Alano
- cavalier king charles spaniel
- Chow Chow
- English Toy Spaniel/Prince Charles Spaniel
- Japanese Chin/Japanese Hound
- Lhasa Apso
- Mastiff - American Mastiff - Mastiff/South African Mastiff - Bullmastiff - Ca de Bou/Mallorquin Mastiff - Cane Corso/Italian Mastiff - Dogo Argentino/Argentine Mastiff - Bordeaux Mastiff/French Mastiff - English Mastiff-Brazilian Mastiff/Brazilian Mastiff/Caudillo Fila-Indian Mastiff/Arangu-Kangal/Turkish Kangal-Neapolitan Mastiff/Mastino Napoletano-Pakistani Mastiff/Bully Kutta-Pyrenean Mastiff-Presa Canario/Perro de Presa Canario/Dogo Canario/Canary Mastiff- Spanish Mastiff/Mastin Espanol- Tibetan Mastiff-Tosa/Tosa Ken/Tosa Inu/Japanese Mastiff/Japanese Tosa
- Pekingese
- Pug-Dutch Pug-Japanese Pug
- Shar-Pei/Chinese Shar-Pei
- Shih Tzu
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier/"Staffys"
- tibetan hound
If your dog is small enough to fit in a carrier and you pay the $125 pet fee per trip, your pet will be allowed to fly in the cabin with you, regardless of breed.
American
For safety reasons, Delta does not accept any "mixed" brachycephalic or short-nosed dogs as checked pets in its cargo. This is because these dogs may have difficulty breathing during air travel and pose a risk to their health. These varieties include:
- Affenpinscher
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- boston terrier
- Boxer Dog (all breeds)
- brussels griffon
- Bulldog (all breeds)
- Castro
- Chow Chow
- Dogue de Bordeaux
- English Toy Spaniel
- Japanese chin
- Lhasa Apso
- Mastiff (all breeds)
- Pekingese
- Bulldog
- Presa Canario
- Pug (all breeds)
- Shar Pei
- Shih Tzu
- staffordshire bull terrier
- tibetan hound
If your dog is flying with you in the cabin, it can be any breed as long as it's small enough to fit in a carrier under the seat in front of you, and you must pay an additional $125 one-way for your dog. Finally, dogs must be 8 weeks of age or older when traveling within the United States and Puerto Rico, and 16 weeks of age or older when entering the United States. If your dog is a service dog, none of these rules or fees apply.
delta
If you've made a reservation and there's space on your flight, you can bring a small dog in a carry-on-size carrier on board for just $125. If you are flying to any of the following destinations, your dog is not allowed in the cabin and must be transported in cargo:
- Australia
- Barbados
- dakar
- Dubai
- Hongkong
- Iceland
- jamaica
- New Zealand
- republic of ireland
- hawaii
- South Africa
- U.K.
- United Arab Emirates
Finally, your dog must be at least 10 weeks old if traveling within the United States, or 16 weeks old if traveling from other countries. If traveling to the EU, your dog must be 15 weeks or older. If your dog is a service dog, these rules and fees do not apply.
Service Dog Note: According to Delta Air Lines, an update to its service dog policy prohibits pit bulls as service companions in the cabin and in cargo.
