What is the typical fee to bring a pet in the cabin?

US airlines charge $95–$150 each way for in-cabin pets. Delta and United charge $150 per flight, American charges $150, JetBlue charges $125, and Southwest charges $95 each way.

What size carrier fits under the airplane seat?

Most airlines require the carrier to fit in the underseat space, typically 18x11x11 inches (45x28x28 cm). Carrier dimensions vary by aircraft type, and airlines specify different maximums — always check the exact dimensions for your airline.

Can I bring a dog on an international flight in the cabin?

It depends on the destination country. The UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and many others have strict quarantine or import requirements. The EU allows pets in cabin on some airlines. Always check the destination country's pet import rules at least 3 months before travel.

Bringing Pets in the Cabin: Carry-On Rules for Pets

Traveling with a pet in the cabin counts as an alternative carry-on: the carrier takes the place of your underseat personal item, the pet must remain in the carrier for the entire flight, and every aspect of the experience — from the carrier dimensions to the fee to the documents you need — is governed by airline policy and destination country regulations.

Here is the complete picture for 2026.

Which Airlines Allow Pets in the Cabin

Not every airline allows pets in the cabin. Here are the major US and international carriers and their policies:

American Airlines: Cats and dogs only. Pet must be at least 8 weeks old. Carrier must fit under the seat. Fee: $150 each way. No pets in cabin on transatlantic or transpacific flights.

Delta Air Lines: Cats and dogs only. Pet must be at least 10 weeks old (15 weeks for international). Fee: $150 each way domestic, higher international. Limited number of pets per flight (typically 4 in main cabin, 1 in first class). Book early — spots fill up.

United Airlines: Cats, dogs, and rabbits. Fee: $150 each way. United no longer accepts pets in-cabin on international flights. Limit of 2 pets per compartment.

Southwest Airlines: Cats and dogs only. Fee: $95 each way (among the lowest of major US carriers). First-come, first-served basis — limited to 6 pets per flight. No pets on international Southwest flights.

JetBlue: Cats and dogs only. Fee: $125 each way. JetBlue is one of the few carriers that allows in-cabin pets on some international routes to select Caribbean and Latin American destinations.

Alaska Airlines: Cats, dogs, rabbits, and household birds (excluding cockatoos). Fee: $100 each way. Allowed on most domestic flights, some international routes.

Frontier Airlines: Cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and small household birds. Fee: $99 each way. One of the wider animal type allowances among US carriers.

Spirit Airlines: Cats and dogs only. Fee: $110 each way. Limited pet spots per flight.

Air Canada: Cats, dogs, and rabbits. Fee: CAD $50–$100 each way depending on route. Allowed on most domestic and some transborder flights.

Lufthansa: Cats and small dogs under 8 kg (including carrier) in cabin. Fee: €50–€60 each way. Allowed on European flights and some long-haul routes — confirm at booking.

Air France: Cats, dogs, and ferrets under 8 kg (including carrier). Fee: €35–€120 depending on route. In-cabin on European flights only.

KLM: Similar to Air France. Pets must be registered at booking. Fee varies by route.

Ryanair and easyJet: No pets in the cabin. Guide dogs and assistance dogs only.

Wizz Air: No pets in cabin under any circumstance. Assistance dogs only.

Carrier Size Requirements

The carrier must fit entirely under the seat in front of you for the full duration of the flight. Airlines specify maximum carrier dimensions:

Airline	Maximum carrier dimensions
American	19x13x9 in (48x33x23 cm)
Delta	18x11x11 in (45x28x28 cm)
United	18x11x11 in (45x28x28 cm)
Southwest	18.5x13.5x9.5 in (47x34x24 cm)
JetBlue	17x12.5x8.5 in (43x32x22 cm)
Alaska	17x11x9.5 in (43x28x24 cm)

Important: Underseat dimensions vary by aircraft type. A Boeing 737 seat has a different underseat space than an Airbus A320, which is different from a regional jet. The carrier dimensions airlines publish are meant to fit their most restrictive aircraft type, but regional jets (Embraer 170, CRJ-900) often have significantly less underseat space. If you're on a regional jet connecting to a longer flight, call the airline in advance.

The carrier must be soft-sided enough to compress slightly when placed under the seat. Hard-sided carriers that meet the dimensions on paper sometimes don't fit because they can't yield at all.

Weight Limits

Most US airlines don't specify a weight limit for the carrier and pet combined — they focus on dimensions and the requirement that the pet must fit comfortably. However, carriers outside the US typically enforce a combined weight limit (carrier + pet):

European carriers: Typically 8 kg (17.6 lb) combined
Air Canada: 10 kg (22 lb) combined on most routes
Most Asian carriers that allow in-cabin pets: 7 kg (15.4 lb) combined

For US carriers, the practical limit is what you can lift comfortably and what the pet can handle — the carrier needs to fit under the seat, and the pet must be able to stand up and turn around inside.

Breed Restrictions

Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds face the most restrictions. Airlines became stricter about these breeds after a period of higher in-flight pet deaths, particularly in cargo. Even for in-cabin travel, some airlines limit or ban snub-nosed dogs and cats:

Restricted or banned dog breeds for cabin travel: English Bulldog, French Bulldog, Pug, Boston Terrier, Shih Tzu, Pekingese, Lhasa Apso, Boxer (as adult), Bull Mastiff. Airlines vary — check your specific carrier.

Restricted or banned cat breeds for cabin travel: Persian, Himalayan, Burmese, Exotic Shorthair.

American, Delta, and United all have published breed restriction lists. JetBlue has fewer restrictions for in-cabin travel than cargo. Always confirm your specific breed is allowed when booking — don't assume.

Documents Required

Requirements depend on whether you're flying domestic or international.

Domestic US flights: Airlines typically require no health certificate for in-cabin domestic travel, though they recommend having your pet's rabies vaccination records handy. Some airlines (United) do require a health certificate for domestic flights — check your airline's policy at booking.

International flights: Requirements vary by destination and are set by the destination country, not the airline.

European Union: Pets entering from the US need a microchip (ISO 15-digit), rabies vaccination, and an EU health certificate (USDA-endorsed). Allow 3–4 weeks minimum for paperwork.
UK: Pets must be microchipped and rabies-vaccinated. Requires a USDA-endorsed Animal Health Certificate. Must travel via approved routes.
Australia and New Zealand: Strict quarantine requirements make it impractical to bring pets unless you're relocating. Not suitable for vacation travel.
Japan: Requires rabies vaccination, a titer test (blood test proving immunity), a waiting period of 180 days after the titer test, and advance notification to Japanese quarantine authorities.

Start the documentation process at least 60–90 days before international travel with a pet. USDA accreditation and endorsement of health certificates takes time.

Booking Tips

Pet spots on planes are limited — usually 4–6 total, split between cabin sections. Book your flight with the pet at the same time you book your ticket, and add the pet to your reservation immediately. Do not wait.

If the airline's website doesn't allow you to add a pet during booking, call the airline directly. Some carriers require phone booking for pets.

Bring the carrier to the airport already assembled with your pet inside (with a liner in case of accidents). You'll need to remove the pet from the carrier when going through TSA security, hold the pet, and send the empty carrier through the X-ray machine. Have a leash or a firm grip ready.