How much does pet Airways cost?

The average cost was about $500 per flight, though an individual flight could cost over $1,200 for a large animal. Flights could be booked online. The pets (pawsengers, in their terminology) were checked into a pet lounge at each airport at which the airline operated.



In 2026, specialized pet flight services have evolved significantly. While the original "Pet Airways" brand has seen various iterations, similar premium "pets-in-cabin" or pet-only charter services (like Skye Pets or K9 JETS) carry high price tags. A domestic flight within the US for a small-to-medium pet can start around $1,200 to $2,500 per seat. For international routes, such as London to New York, prices in 2026 typically start at $8,990, while ultra-long-haul routes like Los Angeles to Melbourne can exceed $26,000. For more budget-conscious travelers, standard commercial airlines like Virgin Australia have expanded "Pets in Cabin" services for an introductory price of approximately $149 per animal on domestic legs. These costs cover the specialized handling, climate-controlled environments, and "pet lounge" access. When booking, it is essential to factor in the additional costs of vet certifications, microchipping, and IATA-approved crates, which can add another $300 to $1,000 to the total travel budget.

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Flying a dog in the cabin usually costs between $125 and $200, while the cargo hold is typically over $1000. There are also licensed companies that offer international pet shipping companies — they usually charge between $1000 and $6000.

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Usually dogs are only allowed to fly in the cabin—known as carry-on pets—if they can comfortably fit in a carrier that you can stow under the seat in front of you. A small number of airlines, including JetBlue, Alaska Airlines, and Etihad Airways, allow passengers flying with dogs to buy an extra seat for their pet.

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Airlines typically charge by dimensional weight (length x width x height). The cost is determined essentially by the size of the crate. The bigger you're pet, the bigger its travel crate, the more it costs for your pet to travel.

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You probably have a plan for your own passport, but your animal companion needs one too. All pets traveling to and from the United States need a passport. Keep in mind, a “pet passport” in the U.S. refers to the extra documents you need to travel to other countries with your pet.

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Pets are treated as a priority and should be put on last and taken off first. In the case of the long-haul flights with transfers the pets are checked at any refuel/transfer points and their water bowls are replenished.

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Yes. Pet carriers are considered either a personal item or a carryon item. You may board the aircraft with either a pet carrier and a personal item or a pet carrier and a regular size carryon bag.

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The whole process of flying can be stressful for a dog, but those levels of stress can be greatly reduced with a few simple home comforts and reassurances. Ensuring your flight is a non-stop flight rather than one with changeovers can be a huge benefit to your dog, as can looking to travel at a suitable time.

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In general, if your pet carrier (with your pet inside) can fit under the seat in front of you, your dog can ride in the cabin on flights that permit it. Typically, this would be a dog weighing up to about 20 pounds.

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According to estimates released by the Department of Transportation, less than 1 in 10,000 animals were injured, lost, or killed from flying. That said, the general safety of flying your pet as cargo doesn't discount the gravity of the fact that animals are sometimes harmed by flying in the cargo hold.

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Airline pet travel for smaller dogs and cats Most of the major airlines are still accepting one pet per passenger at an average cost of $125.00 each way on domestic flights. 1. You must make a reservation well in advance as only one or two pets per flight are allowed. The reservation should be done over the telephone.

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