How strict are airlines with carry-on pets?

These rules are enforced: Pets must be small enough to fit comfortably inside the closed / zipped carrier. Non-collapsible kennels can't exceed the under-seat dimensions of any aircraft included in your journey. Please contact reservations to verify maximum dimensions.



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They know EVERYTHING about carriers and what works and what doesn't. Call and ask for the Pet Center at your departing airport. Yes, they are strict about the dimensions, and yes, they do weigh the carrier with the pet in it.

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TSA will screen pets via the security checkpoint. Below is what pet owners can expect: All pets should be brought to the security checkpoint in a hand-held travel carrier.

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You will need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection to travel and some airlines require an acclimation certificate. Both of these certificates can only be completed and signed by a federally accredited veterinarian.

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Your pet container must be small enough to fit underneath the seat without blocking any person's path to the main aisle of the airplane. Your pet container must be stowed properly before the last passenger entry door to the airplane is closed in order for the airplane to leave the gate.

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Never place a pet in the x-ray tunnel. The x-ray at the security checkpoint is used to screen passengers' personal property and carry-on luggage only. If possible, carry the pet during the screening process. Alternately, a pet can walk through the screening process if the owner has the pet on a leash.

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Place the empty travel carrier on the checkpoint conveyor belt so it can be X-rayed. Never place a pet in the X-ray tunnel. The X-ray at the security checkpoint is used to screen passengers' personal property and carry-on luggage only.

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TSA canines are single purpose dogs trained to detect explosives. “What our dogs do is some of the hardest training, some of the hardest testing,” said Smith. “We test every year, and then we're also tested at our own airport.

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Carrier Requirements a waterproof bottom - be sure and also get some good pet pads. adequate ventilation - at least 2 sides of your carrier should have mesh ventilation. security (zippers, not snaps) - we carry zipper locks to accessorize your bag.

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There is a $125 fee each way for traveling with your pet. There is also a $125 fee for each layover of more than four hours for flights within the U.S. and more than 24 hours internationally. You cannot use travel credits to pay this fee.

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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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They can. But basically, they take a look at the pet when you get to the counter and determine if the pet and it's carrier will fit under the seat. A pet who is not a service animal can only travel in the cabin if he weighs 20 pounds or less and is inside an approved carrier.

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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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The maximum weight has to be between 9kg and 20 pounds, including the pet's carrier. The carrier size would depend on the flight. American Airlines allows international travel for dogs but not for longer than 12 hours or for transatlantic flights.

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When it comes to flying with pets, one common question that pet owners often ask is whether they should sedate their pets during air travel. At PetRelocation, our straightforward answer is NO. Sedation carries various risks and is not recommended for pets during air travel.

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When checking a pet, you need to:
  1. Contact Reservations at least 48 hours prior to travel.
  2. Check in at the ticket counter with your official orders.
  3. Allow extra check-in time (at least 2 hours and no more than 4 hours before your flight)
  4. Complete a checklist with an agent.
  5. Provide a health certificate.


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“No living creature, human or animal, needs to be exposed to X-rays they don't need.” The TSA says agents work hard to prevent animal scans before they happen, but some pets do make it into the X-ray machine. “If you think you're saving time, you're not,” Farbstein said.

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Detection dogs are used at airports for a number scenarios. They sniff passengers and hand luggage at security checkpoints and if someone reports a suspicious package or incident on a plane, bomb dogs sniff the aircraft, its passengers and its cargo hatch.

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Do airport security dogs sniff for drugs? Dogs can find all sorts of narcotics, like marijuana, opium, cocaine, and heroin. These drug dogs always work in conjunction with a handler. They walk through security checkpoints sniffing the air around passengers and their luggage.

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However, some airlines just don't allow pets in the cabin and to ensure that no passengers suffer from an allergic reaction while on board. Airlines must choose to put the needs of their human passengers first.

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Consult your veterinarian to create the best travel plan for your dog if he doesn't travel well. Strategies to reduce the stress of canine flights include: A Thundershirt® which swaddles the dog much like swaddling an infant and can reduce anxiety. A pheromone calming collar to help lower anxiety.

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Thanks for your questions/concerns about the safest method of travel for your dog! Many other pet owners have pondered the same question, and we're happy to provide some guidance. Having your pet travel via cargo instead of checked baggage would be best.

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