Dogs On Planes - Which Airlines Are The Most Pet-Friendly?

Planning on taking your dog on a commercial airline anytime within the foreseeable future? We've scoured the airline's service fees and safe practices records as they related to dogs and cats to give you the added facts you need before you book your next trip. With a little preparation, taking dogs on planes can be less expensive and much less of a hassle!

Carry-on or Checked?

The fundamental question you should consider is whether you'll be taking your dog on the plane with you or checking him and putting him in the hands of the airline to be carried in the plane's cargo area. This choice typically comes down to size, with there currently being simply no option but to check larger pets on aircraft.

Keeping your Dog on with You

Traveling dog owners with dogs small enough (each airline has varying rules regarding this) have the option to bring their dog on the flight with them in the cabin. The main factor we considered was simply cost. In that regard, Southwest Airlines was the major carried with the lowest charge ($75 each way) to carry-on your dog. The airline also offers the P.A.W.S. (Pets are Welcome on Southwest) guide. This is really a welcome move for an airline that didn't even make it possible for dogs (or other pets) only a short time period ago.

Also worthy mention is JetBlue. While they currently charge more than Southwest ($100 each way), their Jetpaws program is created specifically for flyers traveling with dogs on airplanes. The program features a pet bag tag, a welcome e mail with important information as well as their "Pettiquette" guidebook explaining etiquette with regard to dog travel. As an added bonus, members of JetBlue's frequent flier program, TrueBlue, collect three hundred points each way when traveling together with their pet.

Checking your Pet

As pointed out above, pet lovers whose pets are too large to fit underneath the seats in front of them must check them at the airline's check-in counter. In determining which airlines we favored, all of us considered cost in addition to statistics for fatality rate, injury and losses.

Based upon those considerations, we feel Alaska Airlines comes out number one. Not only is Alaska the most affordable for checking pets ($100 each way as compared with as much as $250 each way on other airlines), they also have had a remarkable safety track record.

Special Notice on the Weather!

When checking your dog, keep in mind that hot or cold conditions be a severe hazard to the well being of your dog. Airline's regulations vary, but generally, if the weather is forcasted to be either below 45F or over 85F, you will need a note from your personal vet stating that your doggie is acclimated to such temperatures. Additionally, for those who have a snub-nosed dog, the constraints on warm temperatures is usually 75F. Some airlines will not permit snub-nosed dogs at all in their cargo areas during warmer months. Choose early morning journeys whenever possible during hot weather. Finally, check with your airline to see if the cargo hold is air-conditioned at any airport the plane is scheduled to visit.

Safe travels for you and your dog(s)!!


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Joseph is former corporate executive living in Rockport, Massachusetts. With several decades of experience traveling with dogs on planes, cars, and even boats. He now runs to a popular website completely devoted to dog travel. For more useful travel tips, please visit his website => http://www.doggietravelinfo.com/