Flying with a pet can be a great way to keep your furry companion close, but it often comes with extra planning.
Every airline has different pet policies, which can leave a lot of unknowns.
To help, we've put together a guide which covers what you need to know about flying with pets, service animals, and emotional support animals - including entry requirements, travel tips, and how to prepare for a smoother journey.
If you’re bringing a pet to the United Kingdom, you’ll usually need to make sure your animal is:
Passengers travelling with pets to the UK can check the official pet travel requirements on the UK Government website.
If you’re travelling to the United States with a pet, requirements can vary depending on the animal, your route, and where you’re travelling from. You may need:
Always check the latest entry rules and airline pet policies before you travel.
Passengers travelling with pets (especially dogs) to the US should check the latest entry requirements on the CDC website.
Airlines have different policies for travelling with service animals and emotional support animals, and the rules can vary depending on where you're flying and which airline you're travelling with.
In many cases, trained service animals are accepted onboard, as long as the airline’s requirements are met. Emotional support animals may not be treated the same way and are often subject to standard pet travel rules, including carrier requirements and additional fees.
To make sure you have the latest guidance before you fly, we recommend checking:
If you’re unsure what applies to your trip, contact Alternative Airlines and our team can help guide you through your options.
Take a look at the table below for the best airlines for flying with pets. There are many restrictions that airlines place on flying with pets, including breeds, destinations and carriers/storage. Policies can also be subject to change at any time.
| Airline | Pet travel options | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | Pet travel may be available on selected routes, including in-cabin options for small pets (subject to airline rules). | Policies vary by route and aircraft. Always check the latest pet requirements before flying. |
| JetBlue | Pet travel may be available on selected routes, with options for small pets travelling in the cabin in an approved carrier. | Availability and requirements can vary depending on the flight and destination. |
| Air Canada | Small pets may be permitted in the cabin on some flights. Larger pets may need to travel in the hold depending on route and aircraft. | Pet rules and restrictions can vary by destination and aircraft type. |
| Delta Air Lines | Pet travel may be available on eligible routes, including in-cabin travel for small pets where permitted. | Restrictions can apply, including seasonal temperature limitations for pets travelling in the hold. |
| Air France | Pet travel options may be available on domestic and international routes, including cabin or hold travel depending on pet size. | Requirements can vary based on destination rules and aircraft type. |
| Lufthansa | Pet travel may be available on many routes, with cabin options for small pets and hold transport for larger animals. | Always check restrictions, fees, and documentation requirements before flying. |
| KLM | Pet travel may be available on selected routes, including cabin options for small pets and hold travel depending on size. | Pet policies vary by route, so it’s best to check the latest guidance before booking. |
| Turkish Airlines | Pet travel may be available on selected routes, with cabin or hold options depending on the animal and route. | Documentation and restrictions vary depending on destination entry requirements. |
| SWISS | Pet travel may be available on eligible routes, including cabin travel for small pets in approved carriers. | Availability and restrictions can vary depending on the aircraft and destination. |
| TAP Air Portugal | Pet travel may be available on selected routes, with cabin or hold travel depending on pet size and route. | Passengers may need to arrange pet travel in advance depending on the booking type. |
| Iberia | Pet travel may be available on selected routes, with cabin options for small pets and hold travel for larger animals. | Carrier and documentation requirements can vary depending on destination. |
| Emirates | Pets are generally not permitted in the cabin, but may be accepted as checked baggage or cargo on selected routes. | Rules can vary depending on destination and animal type. Service animals may have different requirements. |
| Qatar Airways | Pet travel may be available through cargo services, with limited exceptions depending on the route and destination. | Requirements can vary widely, so passengers should check the airline’s current policy before booking. |
| Qantas | Pets are not permitted in the cabin on most flights, but may be transported via approved cargo services on eligible routes. | Pet travel availability depends on route type and aircraft. International pet travel rules may differ. |
| United Airlines | Small pets may be allowed in the cabin on many routes if they travel in an approved carrier. | Restrictions and fees can vary by destination and aircraft, and some routes may not allow pets. |
| Singapore Airlines | Pet travel is typically available via cargo services rather than in the cabin. | Policies vary based on destination and animal type. Always check documentation and entry requirements. |
| Etihad Airways | Pet travel may be available on selected routes, with options depending on the animal type and flight conditions. | Availability may be limited and requirements can differ by route, so it’s best to confirm details in advance. |
| British Airways | Pets are generally not accepted in the cabin, but may be transported in the hold via approved arrangements. | Rules depend on route and destination. Pet travel often requires advance planning and documentation checks. |
| Virgin Atlantic | Pets are typically transported in the hold through approved cargo or specialist services. | Policies vary by destination and may require specific paperwork and booking in advance. |
If you can fly direct, it’s probably best for your pet to not have to many disturbances. If there are no direct flights between your point of departure and destination, keep layovers quite short and avoid going through the UK or Japan to cut costs. If you change airlines when travelling with a pet you will have to claim and re-check your pet.
Some airlines offer frequent flyer miles for travelling pets! At Alternative Airlines you can filter your flight search for certain airline alliances to make the most of your frequent flyer scheme. If you’re interested in finding out more about frequent flyer programs, read out article on the best rewards schemes 2018.
Airports are required to have a space for service dogs to use the bathroom. Usually it is only a small patch of fake grass, but it’ll have to do. If your layover allows you enough time, make sure that your pup has the chance to go pee before hopping on the next plane.
Despite what we just said, please be aware that not all airports have the same level of facilities, especially in terms of pet travel. Just like you may need a special airline, check the airport you are stopping/ arriving into is able to cater to any needs you may have. Call Alternative Airlines for any further information.
Most airlines will only allow a certain number of pets in the cabin. Additionally, there will be a cost to bring your pet in the cabin with you. Your pet’s ticket cannot be purchased online for any airline that we are aware of, but we can organise it for you at the same time as your plane ticket if you wish! Take a look at our guide on adding pets to your booking for more information.
Organising air travel with pets or Emotional Support Animals can be a long, stressful process, so let Alternative Airlines do the hard work for you. Buy your flights with us and we will sort out the appropriate service for animals on planes. Please contact Alternative Airlines as soon as possible if you know you will be travelling with a pet.
We’re super proud of our Trustpilot rating, but don’t just take it from us. See why millions of others love booking their flights through Alternative Airlines
Sometimes when airlines use terms such as “checked baggage” or “air cargo”, it makes it seem like your doing something inhumane to your precious pet. In actuality, both describe humane ways of transporting animals. Animals travelling in the cargo hold are transported in the same pressurised holds as those in the checked baggage system. This doesn’t mean they are treated like baggage! The areas in which your pet may be held are regulated to the same standards as the cabin you will be sat in.
Pet safe airlines are dedicated to making sure pets have a safe experience. In fact, the rate of negative incidences of pets on flights is astronomically low. Some airlines are more pet friendly than others, as airline requirements vary. See all approved flight routes for pet travel or contact Alternative Airlines. We can help you find the best airline for your pet needs.
Yes! And it is safe too. As long as the animal in question has gone through the necessary checklist and guidance provided by the airline that the pet and owner are flying with then you can. Make sure you read above on the rules of travelling with a pet and emotional service support animals on flights.
As a general rule, if you are travelling with a smaller dog or cat, generally under 13 pounds and 12″ from floor to front shoulder, you should be able to bring the pet into the cabin with you. Always check with the airlines to find out the dimensions under the seat in front of you. An airline compliant carrier is a must.
What is important to know is that you may only transport your pet as checked baggage if you are a passenger travelling on the same flight as your pet and the combined weight of your pet and its crate is under about 70 pounds. Of course, this varies airline to airline. Read some of our example airline requirements below or contact Alternative Airlines for further information.
Good question. Many airlines have different rules and regulations where emotional animals and service animals are allocated on the plane. See below of some of the airline's rules that allow for pets.
