Pet-Friendly Skies: Why These Airlines Are the Best for Traveling with Pets?

Have you ever traveled with your pet? If the answer is yes, then you know how stressful and expensive it can be. And some airlines do it on purpose, they don’t want to deal with our furry friends. Having your pet shipped in cargo for free is no longer possible. So, it’s essential to find airlines that can understand the bond between you and your pet, making traveling easier. But how do you know if an airline is pet-friendly, and which are the best? In this article, we’ll dive into the importance of pet-friendly airlines and provide a list of 9 options available today.

We analyzed 9 U.S. airlines. We combed through the fine print, fees, and policies of all the major airlines to find which ones are the safest and charge the lowest fees when traveling with pets.

Pet-Friendly Airlines Official Ratings

The identical 9 U.S. airlines were examined for NerdWallet’s larger Best Of Airlines rankings and were the subject of our analysis. So, to find the most pet-friendly airline, NerdWallet ranked several aspects such as average pet fees, and safety histories of the company. It’s important to mention that there are many other smaller airline companies but they didn’t meet all the criteria, which is why they weren’t included in the official rankings.

Why Are Pet-Friendly Airlines Important?

Traveling with a pet is not easy, most of the time it’s a stressful experience both for the owner and the animal. So, these airlines’ purpose is to reduce this stress by providing services and accommodations that cater specifically to pets. One of the reasons why pet-friendly airlines are important is, for sure, the peace of mind they provide us. Knowing that an airline will take good care of you and your pet, allows you to just relax and enjoy your travel. Another reason is the less stress experienced by your pet. Traveling can be really awful for pets, so a trained staff who knows how to handle animals can significantly reduce the anxiety the pet may feel.

How Much Does It Cost To Travel With Your Pet?

Usually, airlines charge around $120 per pet. But we did our research and, across the major airlines, keep in mind that you can find the best fees at Delta ($95 each way), Frontier ($99 each way), and Alaska ($100 each way). Also, there might be differences in fees, depending on your pet’s size. For example, for small pets that can fit under the seat, the price is way better compared with the price for bigger dogs that can’t travel in the cabin because of their size.

Also, traveling internationally with a pet is more expensive, with fees often starting from $300 because they include mandatory health certifications, quarantine requirements, and special accommodations.

So, here are the 9 best airlines if you plan on traveling with your dog, cat, or other pets. We offered details about the first 3 of them, which are considered the most affordable ones. This way, we made your work easier. You’ll just have to plan your travel and never worry about finding the best conditions and fees! You’re welcome!

Top 9 Most Pet-Friendly Airlines:

1. Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines is by far, the best company you could choose if you want to travel with your pet. It has among the lowest fees and the most flexible pet policy in terms of what kinds of pets you can bring. They allow pets in both the cabin and the cargo hold. The company is also known for its friendly and accommodating staff, who are trained to handle pets with care.

For the main cabin, Alaska offers the best fees, charging $100 each way per kennel or carrier. The good news is that if you have two pets of the same species and similar size, they can travel in the same carrier and you will be charged with just an extra $50 fee.

2. American Airlines

Another top choice is American Airlines. They offer both cabin and cargo options for pets and have a specially designed program, called PetEmbark that provides detailed information and support for traveling with pets. Here’s a detailed look at what they offer and how you can prepare for traveling with them.

So, small dogs and cats are allowed to travel in the cabin with their owners. The pet must be able to fit comfortably in a carrier that can slide under the seat in front of you. The fee for in-cabin pets is $125 per carrier for a one-way trip and it must have the following dimensions: 19 inches by 13 inches by 9 inches.

Also, it’s important to note that only one pet is allowed per passenger!

3. Frontier Airlines

Frontier is not known as a company that won a lot of awards but is, certainly, one of the most pet-friendly airlines you can fly with. Why? Well, Frontier Airlines not only accepts flying with cats and dogs but also with rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and small household birds. Isn’t that amazing? Keep in mind that for international flights they have to still limit pets to dogs and cats only though. The fees are $99 per direction.

The only problem with Frontier’s pet policy is that your pet should be small and calm enough to stay underneath your seat. They won’t let your dog pet fly in the baggage compartment or cargo! The accepted container dimensions are 18 inches by 14 inches by 8 inches.

4. Delta Air Lines

Delta is popular for its extensive pet travel services. They allow small dogs, cats, and household birds to travel in the cabin on most domestic flights. Larger pets can be transported in the cargo hold.

5. Hawaiian Airlines

The company is a very good choice for those traveling to or from Hawaii. They allow pets in the cabin and the cargo hold. They also have specific guidelines to ensure the safe travel of pets to the islands.

6. JetBlue Airways

The company’s program is specifically designed for pet travel. They even provide a welcome kit for your pet which is really cute!

7. Southwest Airlines

Southwest is known for its pet-friendly policy. A lot of Americans choose this company because of its straightforward and affordable pet travel policies. They allow small pets in the cabin, making it easier for owners to travel with their four-legged friends.

8. Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines is known for its budget-friendly fears. The company doesn’t offer extensive pet services like other airlines do, but still small pets to travel in the cabin on many of their flights.

9. United Airlines

The company offers a PetSafe program, which is designed for the transportation of pets that are too large to fit under the seat in the cabin.

On Amazon, you can find the best carrier for small and medium cats or puppies. It’s an overall pick in pet-related products on the website and it’s also a bestseller. Oh, and it’s an airline-approved carrier! With its airline-approved design, you can take your pet anywhere. The carrier provides two connecting loop handles for balanced carrying as a dual seat belt or luggage strap to secure transport. The adjustable shoulder strap is very useful, especially when you need your hands to be free. It comes in 6 different colors and trust us, you’ll never regret purchasing it!

Have you ever traveled with your pet? Tell us about your experience in the comment section, found below.

Before leaving, make sure to check another related article: The Ultimate New Puppy Checklist: 6 Must-Have Items!