Planning on traveling with your four-legged friend? Air travel with your furry friend. Common questions I get asked are, “How do you travel with your dog? How much does it cost to travel with your dog? How can my dog travel with me?” This is an essential guide on how to travel with a dog by plane.

I have a lot of travel experience and expert advice. I have traveled with my Pomeranian Honey through South Korea, America, and Mexico.

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When To Leave Your Dog At Home

If your pet is anxious, nervous, or has aggressive behavior in stressful situations leave your dog at home. Responsible pet owners will find it a good idea to leave their beloved pet at home.

For a pet sitter, I recommend using Petbacker. This platform offers pet sitting, pet boarding, pet walking, and even veterinarian services. If you use my Petbacker referral code, you’ll get $12 toward your first booking.

What To Pack For Your Dog

How to travel with a dog? Make sure you have everything your dog needs to be comfortable. Here are some things to take into consideration:

  • Does your dog need essential medication?
  • Are you able to pack enough dog food?
  • Do you have an airline approved pet carrier? 
  • Does the airline require vaccination records?
  • Does the airline require a health certificate? 

Essential Packing List For Your Dog

How To Travel With Your Dog By Plane

One of the first things you should do is check the pet policies of your airline before your pet flies. Each one has specific regulations for restricted dog breeds, snub-nosed breeds, and larger dogs.

Many airlines will have a cold/heat embargo if your dog is traveling in the cargo compartment. Whenever there are extreme temperature changes such as extreme heat or extreme cold, an airline will not transport your dog. Some of the hottest months to travel in the States are June through September with the coldest being December through February. 

Before you book your flight make sure you’re going on a pet-friendly airline. You wouldn’t want to show up on your travel date and be denied boarding. 

  1. Make a reservation for your pet after you book. 
  2. Your pet dog should be in good health.
  3. Arrive to the airport with plenty of time (2 hours).
  4. Bring plenty of treats and water for the flight. 

First Time Travel Tips

​If you’re a pet parent and think your dog can handle commercial airline travel, then I recommend training them beforehand. Your dog will need to have a positive association with the airport. A passenger terminal has a lot of loud noises, distractions, and smells. 

Bring your dog to the airport and prepare lots of treats. This is also great for obedience training. Wheel them around in their travel crate to get them used to it. 

How I Prepare Honey

Was Honey always good at flying? Absolutely not. The first time Honey traveled by plane was on an international flight from South Korea to the United States and she cried the first two hours. After taking Honey on many flights she is now very calm and quiet.

Before Your Long Trip

  1. Call the airline – Different airlines have an in-cabin pet limit. After booking your flight, call to add your pet to your flight reservations. 
  2. Prepare Honey’s carrier – I make sure Honey’s carrier is neat and clean. Then, I attach her foldable water bowl.
  3. All essentials in my carry on – I never EVER check Honey’s essentials. Your bag could get delayed, and then that leaves you without your dog’s necessary [insert dog essential here]. TSA allows you to bring essential medication even for your dog. 
  4. Groom Honey – Honey is a Pomeranian. She gets a bath five days before and is brushed the night before a flight. Airlines have strict animal cleanliness regulations. 
  5. Make sure Honey’s ID is up to date – Honey is microchipped and registered with Home Again. 
  6. Have all necessary documentation – This depends on if you’re flying domestically or internationally as all airlines have different rules and regulations. If you fly internationally, you’re going to need a Health Certificate and any other documentation the host country requires. Some airlines require you to present vaccination records domestically. Plan accordingly.

Day Of The Flight

  1. Walk Honey – Before domestic flights Honey gets a long walk. If I have a 6am flight, I’m out by 4am making sure she’s getting exercise. Even if its a long journey she needs to get her energy out. 
  2. Doggy CBD – To help Honey feel comfortable, I give her Doggy CBD. If it’s not legal in your state, I recommend this Max Potency Hemp Oil For Dogs. 
  3. Carrots – I prepare carrots for Honey’s ears. They are a great way restore the pressure to her ears after the flight. 

At The Airport

  1. Take Honey out – After checking in, Honey gets another walk outside the airport.
  2. Pay for Honey’s ticket – Most airlines require you present yourself at the airline counter so they can check your documents, document your dog on the airline, and you can pay for your dog’s passage. 
  3. Attach a special tag – Most airlines will give you a special tag for your dog’s carrier. 
  4. Let Honey walk around – Dogs are curious and an airport has a myriad of sounds, smells, and activities going on. If the airport permits it, I take Honey out of her bag and let her walk to our gate. 
  5. Give Honey water – In the waiting area, I take out Honey’s collapsable dog water bowl and give her water to hydrate before the plane ride. 

During The Flight

  1. Know your seat – Sometimes I will buy a plane ticket and upgrade my seating to get on early at Southwest. Other times I will make sure I grab a seat in back of the emergency exit row for extra room. If you’re traveling with a pet, you also have restrictions where you can sit.
  2. Stow all belongings – First, I put everything necessary in the overhead bin. Then I make sure to place Honey gently and carefully under the seat.
  3. Check on Honey – I check in on Honey to make sure she’s doing okay. Since she’s used to flying now, she usually goes to sleep.

After The Flight

  1. Take Honey out – Since Honey has been stuck in one position and wants to sit up, I usually open the top flap of her carrier and wheel her around on top of my carryon.
  2. Let Honey use the bathroom – My best advice? Look up. There are usually signs that show you were your animal can use the toilet in the airport.
  3. Feed Honey carrots and more water – Usually at these stations, there’s a place for the dog and human to rest. This is when I’ll take out carrots to help pop Honey’s ears, and give her water.
  4. Take Honey on another walk – Flying can be stressful at times so I let Honey walk around and get used to her new surroundings.

Flying With Service Animals

I have flown with Honey as a pet and as a trained service animal. The older I am, the more my anxiety cripples me and she has helped me get through a lot.

Required paperwork for your service dog is you must present your Department of Transportation (DOT) form to the airline representative at the check-in desk.

When you board the plane, let a flight attendant know so the airline staff can help if need be. 

*Note: Many countries do not have the same laws protecting service animals. It’s important to check the laws in your destination country.

​How is a service dog defined? 

Service dogs aren’t only just guide dogs. A service animal is a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. This means your working animal can be a small dog or a large dog. The Air Carrier Access Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in air travel.

Pet Relief Area

In my experience, most airports in the United States have dog relief areas. Some of them are really nice and have areas where you can sit down with your dog and let them run around with no leash. 

Which Approved Airline Dog Carrier Should I Bring? 

Make sure you check airline policies for the proper crate, weight limit, and specific requirements. Your dog’s travel carrier should have enough room fit your fur baby comfortably and should have mesh on three sides for your pet’s comfort. These are the pet carriers I recommend: 

Major Airlines Do NOT Accept ESA

The majority of airlines do not accept animals as Emotional Support Animals. The law changed on March 1, 2021. Emotional Support Animals are no longer considered medically necessary and will be charged a pet fee. You can read more about the ruling here.

Before You Bring Your Dog on a Plane

  • Get your dog used to their pet carrier.
  • Walk your dog. A tired dog is a good dog.
  • Bring a crunchy treat to help your dog’s ears.
  • Make sure you have all necessary paperwork.
  • Pack all essentials like food, treats, and medicines in your carryon.
  • Have an airline approved dog carrier.
  • Have a clip on foldable dog water/food bowl.
  • Give your dog some CBD or hemp oil to calm them down.

What To Do At The Airport

  • Present yourself, your pooch, and your paperwork at the airline counter. 
  • The desk clerk will usually inspect all of the above to make sure regulations are followed.
  • Pay the pet fee and be on your merry way. 

Going Through Security (TSA)

Going through TSA can be tricky. First, you must take your fur baby out of its carrier. I recommend removing the collar or harness as the metal tags set off the security gate. After you pass, your hands will be tested for bombs. If you have the TSA Global Pre Check or TSA Pre Check, this step will be skipped. 

How To Travel With a Dog On Alaska Airlines

  • Pets allowed in the passenger cabin are dogs, cats, rabbits, and household birds.
  • The carryon fee for the animal is $100 each way.
  • A customer may travel with a maximum of 2 pet carriers in the main cabin, only when the adjacent seat is purchased by the same customer.
  • Hard-sided carry on kennel dimensions: 17 x 11 x 7.5 inches / 43 x 28 x 19 centimeters
  • Soft-sided carry on kennel dimensions: 17 x 11 x 9.5 inches / 43 x 28 x 24 centimeters
  • Your pet must remain in the kennel throughout the entire flight.
  • Size of dogs in the cargo hold should be 150 pounds. 

You can read more about Alaska Airlines pet policy here. 

How To Travel With a Dog On American Airlines

  • Pets can travel in the cabin or in cargo depending on the animal’s breed and size.
  • To go as cargo the dog’s weight and carrier must not exceed 100 pounds. 
  • Carryon pets are limited to cats and dogs. 
  • The carryon fee for cats and dogs is $125 each way. 
  • Hard-sided carry on kennel dimensions: 19 x 13 x 9 inches / 48 x 33 x 22 centimeters
  • Soft-sided carry on kennel dimensions: 8 x 11 x 11 inches / 46 x 28 x 28 centimeters 
  • Combined weight of the carrier and your pet can’t exceed 20 lbs. / 9.07 kgs., weighed at check-in
  • Your pet must remain in the kennel throughout the entire flight. 

You can read more about the American Airlines pet policy here. 

How To Travel With A Dog Delta

  • Small dogs, cats and household birds can travel in the airplane cabin.
  • The carryon fee for small dogs, cats, and household birds is $125 each way.
  • Soft-sided carryon kennel dimensions: 18 x 11 x 11 inches / 46 x 28 x 28 centimeters
  • Your pet must remain in the kennel throughout the entire flight. 
  • Only dogs flying with active duty military personnel will be flown as cargo. 
  • Click here to learn about the live animals Delta policy. 

You can read more about the Delta Airlines pet policy here.

How To Travel With A Dog Southwest

  • Small dogs and cats are allowed in cabin.
  • The carryon fee is $125 per flight leg. 
  • Southwest does not allow larger pets as cargo.
  • Soft-sided carryon kennel dimensions: 18.5 x 13.5 x 9.5 inches / 47 x 34 x 24 centimeters
  • The pet counts as your personal item or carryon. 
  • Your pet must remain in the kennel throughout the entire flight.

You can find more information about the pet policy on Southwest here. 

How To Travel With a Dog On United Airlines

  • The carryon pet fee is $125 each way.
  • United only transports large dogs in the baggage compartment (cargo) for active duty military personnel.  
  • Hard-sided carry on kennel dimensions: 17.5 x 12 x 7.5 inches / 44 x 30 x 19 centimeters
  • Soft-sided carry on kennel dimensions: 18 x 11 x 11 inches / 45 x 28 x 28 centimeters

You can read more about United Airlines pet policy here.

International Pet Travel 

If traveling to an international destination, it’s important to check your airline’s requirements as well as the laws in your final destination. Depending where you go, most countries will require health checks, a valid dog rabies vaccine, and an import permit.

Dog owners can check the Department of State Pets and International Travel page here. Also, you can check the Centers For Disease Control on traveling with pets internationally. 

Check out my guides on bringing your dog to and from South Korea here. 

Hopefully this post gave you tons of information on how can you travel with your dog. I honestly enjoy traveling with Honey and it is a very special experience for the both of us. Traveling with you dog doesn’t need to be stressful or overwhelming. If I can do it, you can do it too!

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