MAJOR U.S AIRLINES PET POLICY GUIDE

In today’s time when people get that adrenaline rush of traveling and that mere thought of not taking their pets along really sinks all the plans. So now, the travel industry has taken notes and done some big alterations. Now all the airlines allow all sorts of pets to come abroad. But all the pet policies are not the same. from the types of animals to the size of your pet crate,  each airline has its own requirements for pets flying the very affable skies.

Here’s the good news: many top airlines are becoming increasingly pet-friendly, some airlines even welcome pet-friendly campaigns like, Alaska airlines have started with “Fur-st class” travel, in JetBlue’s its the “JetPaws” and in United Airlines it is “PetSafe” which is in partnership with American Humane. And since these pet policies have taken place, more than 2 million pets and animals have been transported through air annually, as reported by the U.S Department of Transportation.

There are certain rules that these airlines have laid down that apply across the board. As per the rule, flying is free for service animals and psychiatric or emotional support animals. Nowadays, most airlines require proper documentation from your physician and/or veterinarians demanding animal support. In some cases, they may require some evidence of vaccination and even in some cases, they might even ask for indemnification or refusal of the traveller. There are a lot of differences between each carrier’s policies regarding service animals and emotional support animals. The guidelines mentioned under The Department of Transportation have distinctly defined service animals and emotional support animals as those who are “individually trained or able to give assistance to a person who is disabled or who can be well by receiving emotional support.  These rules give leeway to carriers in the animals and they will permit, hence travelers should discuss their requirements with the providers.

If you plan to fly with your pets, make sure to book early as possible. Space is often limited and as per the prediction of the Federal Aviation Administration, many people in coming years will travel along with their pets. It's mandatory to ask about clampdown and curbs with your travel provider, as it happens many times that some airports do not allow animal traveling during certain dates and occasionally temperatures are not favourable for cargo to fly and sometimes few breeds are not allowed to fly. So, before you book and plan on flying with your furry friend, make sure to troubleshoot all the issues that may come during the journey, so that you don't face any troubles on air.

Below we have listed out top us Airline Pet Policies.

AMERICAN AIRLINES

American Airlines Travel With Service Animals & American Airlines Pet Policy.

American Airlines allows one service or support animal in a cabin per passenger. It can either be a cat or a dog or in some cases, it can be a trained miniature horse. The animal should not be bigger than 18-by-8-by-14 inches and it should fit under the seat in front. And the animal should be 4 months or older. It should fit under your feet or in your lap and it should be equal to a “2-year-old child”. The animal should not be made to sit in the exit row or it should extend outwards, take a seat or eat from the tray table.

In some cases, if the animal is not able to fit under the given guidelines, then either the passengers will have to rebook its flight with bigger spaces, or buy tickets or they’ll have to ship them under the checked pets category. In 2019, new guidelines were made and under that, a medical/mental health professional form, veterinary health form, vaccination record and a confirmation of animal behavioural form must be submitted within 48 hours prior to flight.

Carry-on Pets flying American Airlines.

For regularly flying pets, up to two small cats and dogs are allowed and per passenger are allowed to carry them at a price of $125 fee per airline-approved dog or cat carrier, which also must fit under the seat that is been given in front of you. The pet must be enclosed all the time and it should be older than 8 weeks. Although the capacity is limited to seven carriers in each American Airline flight and five on American Eagle Flight. Since it is first-come, first serves, then the passengers have to book for their pets accordingly.

DELTA AIRLINES

Delta Airlines Travel With Service Animals & Delta Airlines Pet Policy.

In pursuit of increased complaints regarding animal behaviour, Delta Airlines pet policy have redone their policies and have asked for emotional support animals. Additionally, they have asked for the documentation which will include veterinary health checkup, medical/mental health of your pet and animal training form and all this has to be submitted 48 hours before the flight. Travellers are also asked to sign a form attesting to the training of animals and accepting responsibilities for their pet behaviour.

Each traveller is limited to only one service and emotional support animal. As Delta describes, “Pitbull type dogs” cannot fly and all other animals should fit within the given footprint and during the flight, they should be seated in the passenger's seat or on the lap. Delta airlines have the right to cancel the service of the owner if the pet shows any kind of disruptive behaviour.

Carry-on pets flying Delta Airlines.

For passengers with carry-on pets, dogs, cats, even household birds are allowed. The pet must be at least 10 weeks old and will remain in an aeroplane ratified carrier and the carrier must be kept in front of or under the passenger’s seat. As stated by Delta Airlines, these pet carriers are also considered as one carry-on item. The fee for each way is $125 and two same breed animals are allowed per kennel if they fit comfortably. They can be either 10 weeks or 6 months old; a mother with an unweaned litter( 10 weeks or 6 months old)is also permitted. In a total of six pet carriers are allowed; two in first-class and four can be placed in the main cabin.

UNITED AIRLINES

United Airlines Travel With Service Animals & United Airlines Pet Policy.

A year ago, United Airline suspended pet travel operations to conduct a review and fine-tune policies. And as per the new guidelines,  trained service animals and emotional support animals (with proper documentation) are allowed.

A service animal is limited to cats, dogs or a miniature horse. They should be able to sit in front of the space given in front of the passengers, or in the lap and they are not allowed to protrude into the aisle or from the exit row. The same rules apply for the emotional support animals, which must also be trained well to behave in public seating, no more than one emotional pet are allowed.

Carry-on pets flying United Airlines.

United Airlines pet policy allows domesticated cats, dogs, rabbits and even household birds (especially cockatoos) to travel accompanied in the aircraft cabin by paying only $125 each way, with an added $125 fee if the stopovers are more than four hours. The pet must stay in its carrier and it should fit under the seat completely and should remain there at all times. For each flight, four pets in the main cabin and two in the premium are allowed.

ALASKA AIRLINES

Alaska Airlines Travel With Service Animals & Alaska Airlines Pet Policy.

Service cats, dogs and miniature horses must occupy traveller’s personal areas, without blocking the aisle, or they cannot be placed in emergency exit rows. Those flying with emotional support, cat-or-dog, must present all the documents including animal health, behaviour and mental health forms 48 hours before flying and fit in within the size requirement of the service animals. They must be behaved or leashed or in a soft-sided cat or dog travel kennel measuring 17-by9.5-by-11- inches or a hard-sided cat or dog travel kennel measuring 17-by-11-by-7.5-inches and the kennel must fit under the seat of the owner.

Carry-on pets flying Alaska Airlines

Carry-on pets include cats, dogs, rabbits and household birds. Dogs and cats must be at least 8 weeks old and fully weaned. The pets must be inside the carrier throughout the journey and should fit under the seat of the owner. First-class can take one pet with them and the main cabin can take up to five pets. Alaska Airlines charges $100 each way per pet. 

Other than that, Alaska Airlines provides Fur-st Class care for your pet. This is a travel program that offers options for transporting your pet safely with first-class care.

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES

Sothwest Airlines Travel With Service Animals & Sothwest Airlines Pet Policy.

Southwest Airlines pet policy allows service and emotional support animals for customers with disabilities. For service animals, credible verbal assurance that the animal is a trained service animal is required. A service animal vest, harness, ID card or registration will not be considered. Dogs, cats and miniature horses are considered service animals.

For emotional support animals, the pet policy of this airline demands passengers to provide medical documentation of the need. Only dogs and cats are considered as emotional support animals and they should be in a carrier that can be placed under the seat all the time .

Each passenger may bring one service or emotional support animal on the flight, the animal can be placed on the floor in front of the passenger or on the lap, provided that the animal is not bigger than a 2-year old child. It cannot be placed in an exit row, protrude into or block aisle or be placed in an airplane seat.

Carry-on pet flying Southwest Airlines.

Carry-on dogs and cats of at least 8 weeks old are allowed to travel with their owners for just $95 each way. Approved pets must remain in their cabin at all times and be able to fit under the seat of their owner. This airline approved a cat and dog carrier of 17-by-9.5-by-10 inches for purchase. Upto two same species of animals are allowed in the same carrier with enough room to stand and move.

Only six pet carriers are allowed and that too on a first come- first serve basis.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Although many airlines have variations in their pet policy, it's best to troubleshoot all the issues before flying and that's exactly what we do here at FirstFlyTravel to help you out with all the doubts that you have before flying so that you and your four-legged friend fly safely on air. For more questions on your issues and concerns, reach out to www.firstflytravel.com.