Traveling with Pets

The information below is intended to answer the majority of questions about traveling with your pet. You can review all of our policies regarding transporting live animals in our Contract of Carriage.

Space for pets traveling in the cabin or in the cargo compartment is limited and subject to availability. For air travel on Alaska Airlines, Pen Air and ERA Aviation, please contact Alaska Airlines Reservations at 1-800-ALASKAAIR (1-800-252-7522) .

When traveling with your pet in the cabin, the pet is considered your carry-on item. A personal item (e.g. purse, briefcase, laptop) is the only additional item which may be brought onboard.

If your travel plans include travel on another airline, please contact the airline directly to reserve space, determine fees and obtain additional information about traveling with your pet on the other airline. Please note that Alaska Airlines does not transfer pets traveling in the baggage compartment to other carriers. Pets must be claimed and rechecked to the connecting carrier.

Reservations for pets are accepted up to 24 hours prior to departure (subject to space availability) for all animals traveling.

Health and Vaccination Requirements

All pets crossing state borders, with the exception of guide dogs, are required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to have a valid health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian within 30 days of travel. If an animal is being transported by a breeder, dealer, or research facility, then the health certificate must have been issued within 10 days. All animals crossing state borders to a cold weather destination are required to have a veterinarian's note on the health certificate that they are acclimated to temperatures below 45° F. It is the responsibility of the customer to obtain this certification.

Proof of rabies vaccination is required for animals traveling within the state of Alaska or when traveling across state lines. Proof of Parvo Virus vaccination is required before an animal can be transported to Nome or Kotzebue. Service animals traveling with a passenger are exempt from these certifications, though they are required to be in a working harness that identifies them as a service animal.

Only pets in good health are permitted. Any pet in a kennel too small or in obvious distress due to illness or injury will be refused travel. A Reservation Sales Agent or Customer Service Agent can provide further information about documentation requirements.

Note: For travel to Canada or Mexico, refer to the International Travel section below for additional health and vaccination requirement information.

Fee Summary

Note: Fees indicated are for travel on Alaska Airlines, Pen Air and ERA Aviation. If your itinerary includes travel on another airline, the other airline fee may be assessed. Please check with the other airline for more information.

Pets in the Cabin

Customers must be 18 years or older to travel with pet in the cabin. A customer traveling with a pet may not occupy an emergency exit row seat. The First Class cabin can accommodate a total of one small pet per flight, and the main cabin can accommodate a total of up to five small pets per flight. A customer may travel with a maximum of two carry-on kennels/containers in the main cabin, only when the adjacent seat is purchased by the same customer.

Pets allowed in the passenger cabin are dogs, cats, rabbits, and household birds. Dogs and cats must be at least eight weeks old and must have been fully weaned for at least five days prior to travel. The pet must stay in its container (including head and tail) at all times while onboard, and be stowed under the seat during taxi, takeoff, and landing. Animals with offensive odors or those that create a noise disturbance must travel in the climate-controlled baggage compartment.

Carriers in Cabin - Whether you purchase a carrier from Alaska Airlines or plan to use your own, the USDA and IATA have specific requirements (PDF 289k). We recommend that you obtain an approved carrier in advance of travel as we are unable to guarantee availability of a carrier to purchase from Alaska Airlines at the airport.

Pets must be small enough to fit and stay comfortably in a kennel under the seat.

The following carrier size is accepted on Alaska Airlines for travel in the cabin:

Pets in the Baggage and Cargo Compartments

Alaska Airlines accepts most small domesticated pets. Other pets may be accepted with approval. Pets that may travel in the climate-controlled baggage and cargo compartments include: cats, dogs, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, household birds, non-poisonous reptiles, pot bellied pigs, rabbits, and tropical fish.

The following regulations apply:

• Dogs and cats must be at least eight weeks of age and weaned.
• No more than one live dog or cat, 6 months of age or older, may be transported in the same kennel.
• No more than one live puppy, 8 weeks to 6 months of age, and weighing over 20 lbs, may be transported in the same kennel.
• No more than two live puppies or kittens, 8 weeks to 6 months of age, that are of comparable size, and weighing 20 lbs or less each, may be transported in the same kennel.

The health of your pet is important. Due to health risks that could potentially result in the death of the animal, brachycephalic (shortnose) dogs/cats are only accepted for travel at owner's risk and excess valuation is not available. The following is a list of the affected breeds:

Dogs: American Pit Bull, American Staffordshire, Boston Terrier, Brussels Griffin, Bull Mastiff, Bull Terrier, Chow Chow, Dutch Pug, English Bulldog, English Toy Spaniel, French Bulldog, Japanese Boxer, Japanese Spaniel, Pekinese Pug, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Terrier, Bulldog, Pug, Boxer.

Cats: Burmese, Exotic, Himalayan, Persian.

Climate-Controlled Baggage Compartment

When you check your pet using this transportation method, you must travel on the same flight(s) to your pet's destination. Check in at least one hour, but no more than two hours before departure. Your pet will be available for pick-up in the baggage claim area approximately 30 minutes after the flight arrives.

If your trip includes a transfer to another flight operated by Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, SkyWest Flight Series 3450-3499, PenAir, or Era Alaska, we will allow a maximum connection time of four hours for the animal at the connection city.

If your trip includes a transfer to any other airline, you must allow time to pick up your pet in the baggage claim area and re-check your pet with the connecting airline. Alaska Airlines does not transfer pets to other airlines.

If a delay prevents your pet's flight from departing, your pet may be placed in a kennel facility until it can be transported. Costs incurred due to weather-related delays are the responsibility of the pet owner.

Alaska Airlines will accept a pet and carrier combined weight of up to 150 lbs. Should the pet and carrier weigh 151 pounds or more, please contact Air Cargo for assistance and pricing.

Carrier Sizes Accepted by Alaska Airlines

Whether you purchase a carrier from Alaska Airlines or plan to use your own, the USDA and IATA have specific requirements (PDF 289k). We recommend that you obtain an approved carrier in advance of travel as we are unable to guarantee availability of a carrier to purchase from Alaska Airlines at the airport.

Alaska Airlines only accepts non-collapsible kennels when checking a pet in the cargo compartment. In addition, the kennel must:

• Be of solid construction, escape proof with securely fastening doors, and able to withstand the rigors of normal transportation.
• Not have permanently attached wheels. Detachable wheels must be removed to prevent kennel from rolling during flight.
• Allow the animal to standup (head erect and not touching the top), lie down, turn around in a normal, comfortable position.
• Contain a food and water dish clipped inside of the door.
• Be clean and leak-proof, with absorbent bedding made of material that is safe and non-toxic to the animal.

The following carrier sizes are accepted on Alaska Airlines:

* Extra Large (Size 500) kennels are only accepted on Alaska Airlines flights 001-2999.

Note: Alaska Airlines is unable to accept a carrier larger than a 500 size kennel.

Cargo Options

Cargo is a term used to denote goods or produce being transported generally for commercial gain. It does not include passenger baggage or animals traveling with a passenger.

View information on shipping your pet via Air Cargo

Extreme Outdoor Temperatures

Extreme hot and cold temperatures can pose a health risk to pets. In summer, choose early morning or late evening flights. In winter, choose mid-day flights. Whenever possible, book nonstop or direct flights. If temperatures at the origin, destination, or connecting airports exceed certain limits, Alaska Airlines may decline acceptance for the animal's welfare.

International Travel

Travel to Canada: Animals may be accepted for travel via Baggage, Cargo, and Carry-on Baggage provided all regulations are met.

Travel to Mexico: Only dogs and cats may be accepted for travel via Baggage and Carry-on Baggage, provided the following Mexican regulations are met:

All pets traveling to Mexico are required to have a Health Certificate. Pets three months and older are also required to have a rabies vaccination.

The Health Certificate:

• Must be issued within ten days of travel
• Must be on official printed letterhead with a copy of the veterinary license.
• Must indicate the health status of the pet
• Description shall match that of the pet (e.g. age, breed, color, sex, etc.)
• Must indicate the passenger's name, address origin and destination
• Must state the pet has received a preventive parasite treatment or that they are free of internal and external parasites (This may also be indicated on a separate vaccination card.)

Your pet must have been vaccinated against rabies within 12 months prior to entry into Mexico (except for pets less than three months of age), regardless if the vaccination is valid longer in the United States or other foreign country.

No bedding or similar materials are allowed to enter when packed in the kennel with the pet. Shredded paper or absorbent pads are acceptable.

Only enough food for a days travel is acceptable.

Travelers with three or more pets are subject to additional importation fees of approximately $1,600 pesos (approximately $150 USD) as mandated by the SAGARPA (Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock Production, Rural Development, Fishery and Food). Refer to the Senasica website for more information.

The payment can be paid online or at a Mexican bank.

Upon arrival with three or more pets, Customs will direct you to the cargo area where the required commercial importation process takes place. The clearance may require a customs broker.

Alaska Airlines does not accept pets for Cargo or GoldStreak service to and from Mexico.

Tranquilizers

Sedation is not advised since the effects of tranquilizers on animals at high altitudes are unpredictable. The decision to prescribe a tranquilizer for your pet should be made by your veterinarian.

Service Animals

For information regarding service animals, please review our Service/Emotional Support Animals page.

Animal Relief Areas

View a list of Airport Animal Relief Areas