The Humane Society of the United States recommends that you do not transport your pet by air unless absolutely necessary. If you must transport your pet by air, your first decision is whether you can take your pet in the aircraft cabin with you, which is your best option. If your pet is a cat or small dog, some airlines will allow you to take the animal on board for an additional fee.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allows each airline to decide if they will allow you to travel with your pet in the passenger cabin. If a commercial airline does allow you to bring your pet into the cabin, your pet container is considered to be carry-on baggage. Your pet container must be small enough to fit underneath the seat (generally about 10x15x20 inches and weighing less than 40 pounds). To find out about this option, call the airline well in advance of your flight, because there are limits to the number of animals allowed in the cabin area.

Another option available for pet owners not willing to brave the experience of flying commercially with an animal companion is flying on a chartered plane. Many charter services allow animals, regardless of size, to fly in the cabin as passengers close to their owners.

The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends never sedate your pet on a flight

The Humane Society of the US Tips for Safe Pet Air Travel

Air Transport Association of America: Air Travel for Your Pet

Air Travel With Pets

The Safe Air Travel for Animals Act

Airline Animal Incident Reports
The Department of Transportation (DOT) is now tracking the numbers of animals that died or were lost or injured during transport. Complete monthly reports are published in DOT's Air Travel Consumer Report.

Hawaii's Animal Quarantine Laws
Dogs and cats meeting specific pre and post arrival requirements may qualify for 5-days–or-less quarantine or direct release at Honolulu International Airport after inspection. Otherwise all cats and dogs are subject to a 120-day quarantine in Hawaii

The Humane Society of the US Summary of Airline Pet Transport Policies

US Domestic Airlines That Allow Pets
Kennel size and weight requirements, fees.

AIRLINE PET TRAVEL POLICIES:

ATA Airline
Pets are accepted in the cabin and in the baggage compartment.

Aegean Airlines
Pets are accepted in the cabin and in the cargo compartment.

Aerolíneas Argentinas
Aerolíneas Argentinas does not allow the transport of pets in the cabin. Passengers who wish to travel with their pets should dispatch them as accompanied luggage, subject to cargo compartment space being available and conditions detailed in this section. Cargo compartment reservations must be done up to 24 hours before flight departure.

Air Canada
Pets are accepted in the aircraft cabin and in the baggage and cargo compartments.

Air Europa
Pets are accepted in the aircraft cabin.

AirTran Airways
Pets are accepted in the aircraft cabin.

Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air
Pets are accepted in the aircraft cabin and in the baggage and cargo compartments.

American Airlines
Pets are accepted in the cabin and in the baggage compartment.

British Airways
Pets are not accepted in the aircraft cabin except for service animals. Pets must be booked to travel with British Airways World Cargo, and they will be carried in the aircraft hold. British Airways is part of the Pet Travel Scheme, Pet's Passport which allows cats and dogs from certain countries to enter the UK without the need to go through the usual 6 months quarantine.

Cathay Pacific
Pets are not accept in the aircraft cabin. Pets such as dogs, cats and birds will be crated and transported in the cargo compartment.

Continental Airlines
Continental does not accept pets as checked baggage, but does transport pets in cargo. The airline limits the number of pets who may be carried on in each cabin. Quarantine has been eliminated for pets flying to London on Continental Airlines. The airline has one of the industry's most extensive programs for pets. Continental also operates a kennel in its cargo area at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, the nation's only such facility. Overnight kenneling and grooming services are available. The airline also provides personal handling in climate-controlled vehicles for connections between flights when temperatures rise. Your pet can also earn frequent-flier miles.

Delta Airlines
Pets are accepted in the cabin, and in the baggage and cargo compartments.

Frontier Airlines
Pets are not accepted in the aircaft cabin, but are accepted in the baggage and cargo compartments.

Go! Airlines
Hawaii interisland airline operated by Mesa Airlines. Pets are accepted in the cabin, but are not accepted in the baggage compartment.

Hawaiian Airlines
Pets are not accepted in the cabin on flights arriving into the State of Hawaii but are accepted on inter-island flights and flights leaving the State of Hawaii.

Jet Blue: JetPaws Pet Program
JetBlue gladly accepts small cats and dogs in the aircraft cabin on both domestic and international flights. To book your pet, call 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583). Pets cannot be booked online.

Northwest Airlines
Pets are accepted in the passenger cabin on all flights within the U.S. (except to Hawaii) and between the U.S. and many international destinations. Pets are also accepted in the baggage and cargo compartments.

Quantas
Pets are not accepted in the aircraft cabin, but may travel in the baggage and cargo compartments.

Singapore Airlines
Pets are not accepted in the aircraft cabin, but may travel in the cargo hold.

SkyWest Airlines
Cabin Pets – One reserved kennel per flight. Check Baggage - Maximum kennel size accepted is limited to a reservation of one large kennel or two small or medium per flight. SkyWest does not accept extra-large or giant kennels. Reservations required.

Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines accepts small vaccinated domestic cats and dogs. All in-cabin pets must be carried in an appropriate carrier and are subject to a $75 Pet Fare each way per pet carrier. The pet carrier counts as the Customer’s carryon bag.

Swiss International Air Lines
Pets are accepted in the cabin and in the baggage compartment.

Taca Airlines
Up to 2 animals per flight—including both pets and seeing-eye dogs—may travel in the cabin; only cats and dogs are accepted on international flights. Some live animals are accepted as cargo on flights to/ from Central America and South America only.

United Airlines
Pets are accepted in the cabin, and in the baggage and cargo compartments. Certain short-nosed dog breeds are not accepted as either checked baggage or cargo during the summer months.

US Airways/America West
Pets and other animals are no longer accepted for travel as checked baggage or cargo except on non-stop US Airways Shuttle flights in the BOS/DCA/LGA markets only. The airline limits the number of pets who may be carried on in each cabin.

Virgin Atlantic
Under the Government's Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) pets can now travel on Virgin Atlantic to and from Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York-JFK, New York-Newark, Orlando, San Francisco, Washington. Pets can also travel to Johannesburg on Virgin Atlantic, however as the destination is not part of the Pet Travel scheme, different regulations apply. The PETS scheme only applies to cats, dogs and ferrets and all pets travelling on Virgin Atlantic flights must travel in the cargo hold.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Paws Club
All pets flying with Virgin automatically join the Flying Paws Club, which means they are entitled to gifts. Plus if their human companion is a Flying Club member, they can receive Flying Club miles each and every time their pet travels on Virgin Atlantic.

WestJet
Cats, dogs, rabbits, and birds only are accepted in the cabin. Pets are also accepted as checked baggage on domestic and trans-border flights. West Jet does not accept pets on flights to Hawaii or on charter flights.

Zoom Airlines
Pets may only travel as cargo.

PRIVATE JET CHARTER:

Airpets Oceanic
Pet Air Charter Service between the UK and destinations in Northern Europe. You, your family, and your pets may travel together in the passenger cabin of our private plane, from anywhere in the UK to any airfield close to your final destination.

Air Alpha
Air Alpha is a charter flight service providing service out of the MidWest to locations throughout the country. Air Alpha welcomes pets (leashed or unleashed) in the cabin. The plane can accommodate up to 8 human passengers depending on luggage and pet weight.

Celebrity Jet: Private Charter Jet
Celebrity Jet, a jet charter service, provides flights to over 10,000 airports in the US, Europe, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Pets are welcome.

EliteJets
EliteJets is a world wide private jet charter company that welcomes all cats and dogs.

IAS Premium Charters
IAS Charters is a private air charter operation out of Southern California. We charter the Pilatus PC-12 and are very pet friendly.

Linear Air
Air Taxi and Private Air Charter Flights from Boston, New York City, Washington DC and Caribbean. On most Linear Air flights, passenger must provide a kennel suitable for transport of the pet. Kennels for large pets may not fit in the aircraft and the customer should contact Linear Air directly for information regarding size constraints. Reservations are recommended, as in most cases only one pet per aircraft is permitted. If kennels are not required, dogs may travel as follows: Dogs not exceeding 35 pounds in weight may be carried on the passenger's lap; Dogs exceeding 35 pounds in weight must be properly restrained with a leash, harness or similar device; Specific seating arrangements apply to accommodate non-kenneled live animals in the aircraft cabin.

Private Jet
Worldwide Private Jet Charter Flights. Pets are allowed on board.

Revolution Air
Revolution Air allows all pets on all flights. There are no additional fees, we offer 24/7 service 365 days a year. Revolution Air also has point to point pricing. Contact: Rachael Bick, Ph. 212-755-2000, Rachael@revolutionair.com.

Scott Richardson Aviation
Scott Richard Aviation Services, Inc. offers private on-demand air charter services and is a pet friendly air carrier. Your pet is free to roam around the cabin and special catering can be ordered if requested.

Sky Limo Air Charter
Enjoy the freedom to fly wherever and whenever you want to go with Sky Limo Air Charter. From prop to super-mid jets, fly city-to-city, coast-to-coast, or internationally. At Sky Limo Air Charter pets are always welcome. Your best friend can fly in the cabin right next to you. Call 866-948-7110 for more details.

PET TRANSPORTATION:

Pet Airways: A Pet-Only Airline
Pet Airways is a pet only airline, dedicated to a pet-friendly travel experience for your pet. Pets fly in the main cabin, NOT in cargo.