Pet travel policies Pet travel overview Pets in cabin Pets in baggage compartment Traveling to Hawaii International travel FAQ Is it safe to fly with my pet? Why are certain breeds prohibited from flying in the cargo compartment? Dogs Cats Why are these breeds allowed to fly in the cabin if they are prohibited from flying in the cargo compartment? Is a health certificate needed for travel? What will happen during my free office visit and travel consultation? Should I bring extra identification for my pet? Is it stressful for my pet to fly? Will my pet be nervous? What can I do to make flying more comfortable for my pet? Should I feed my pet before the flight? Should I give my pet a sedative or tranquilizer before the flight? Should I give my pet their regular medicine the day of the flight? Can my pet have water in his/her kennel during the flight? What should I do if my pet doesn't like his/her kennel? What should be in my pet's kennel during the flight? Will my pet get motion sick if there is turbulence?

International travel with pets

Dogs and cats are the only acceptable animals allowed between the U.S. and an international location.

When traveling internationally, we strongly advise you research what health and vaccination documents are required for the country you're visiting. You are responsible for compliance with all U.S. and international government regulations and restrictions to which the animal is traveling, such as health certificate and vaccination requirements. Alaska Airlines is not responsible for costs incurred should guests not have the required health and vaccination documentation to enter a foreign country.

Space for pets traveling in the cabin or in the baggage compartment is subject to availability. For travel on Alaska Airlines, please contact Alaska Airlines reservations at 1-800-252-7522. If your plans include travel on another airline, please contact the partner airline directly to reserve space, determine fees and obtain additional information.

Learn about booking pet travel, including our breed restrictions, standard pet fees, kennel requirements, and other animal guidelines.

Travel to the United States

Only dogs and cats will be accepted when traveling to the United States from a non-US location. It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure their dog/cat meets U.S. entry requirements. Failure to meet the import requirements upon arrival into the U.S., could result in your dog/cat being refused entry. Visit https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/bring-pet-into-the-united-states "This indicates a link to an external site that may not follow the same accessibility or privacy policies as Alaska Airlines. By selecting a partner link you agree to share your data with these sites." to determine if your destination has specific import requirements.

A valid health certificate may be required. The health certificate must show the breed, sex, age, and description of the dog and/or cat, as well as the date of examination.

A health certificate is valid for transport when issued:

• Within 10 days of originating travel
• Within 30 days of return travel on the same ticket
• Within 10 days of travel if the return is on separate travel

A proof of rabies vaccination may also be required when transporting animals from high-risk countries in both the aircraft cabin and baggage compartments. Please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov for details on the specific requirements.

Only two (2) animals are permitted to travel into the United States per family, per flight from Mexico.

Travel to Bahamas

Only cats and dogs may be accepted for travel to/from the Bahamas. Cats and dogs are accepted for travel to Bahamas only with an approved import permit issued by the Bahamas Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the accompanying Bahamas health certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian within 24 hours of departure.

The following breeds are banned by the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and will not be approved for import:

Cats:

• Savannah cat
• Bengal cat
• Chausie

Dogs:

• Pitbull
• Presna Canario
• Cane Corso
• American Bully
• Staffordshire Terrier
• Dogo Argentino

Travel to Belize

Pets are not accepted for transport to/from Belize.

Pets are not accepted for cargo service to/from Belize.

Travel to Canada

Only dogs and cats will be accepted for travel.

Dogs older than 8 months old and cats do not require a health certificate.

Proof of rabies vaccination is all that is required for dogs in the following categories:

• Any dog greater than 8 months of age.
• Assistance animals certified as guide, hearing or service dogs, if the person accompanying the dog to Canada is the user of the dog.
• Two or less pet dogs accompanied by their owner to Canada.
• Any dog exported on a temporary basis for competition in a show or trial, if at the time of importation proof of entry in a show or trial is provided.

Dogs – Rabies vaccination certificate as proof of rabies vaccination:

• Required for all dogs greater than 3 months of age (with the exception of assistance dogs certified as a guide, hearing or service dogs which accompany their user into Canada)
• Issued by licensed vet, proving vaccination within 3 years of importation into Canada.
• Proof of rabies vaccination by documenting on a health certificate, if a health certificate is required.

Cats – Rabies vaccination certificate. Issued by a licensed veterinary, proving vaccination within 3 years of importation into Canada.

• Kittens under 3 months of age exempt from rabies vaccination
• Date of vaccination and the type of vaccine must be on the vaccination certificate

Learn more about traveling with your dog from the U.S. to Canada. "This indicates a link to an external site that may not follow the same accessibility or privacy policies as Alaska Airlines. By selecting a partner link you agree to share your data with these sites."

Dogs younger than 8 months old may require a health certificate from a licensed veterinarian in the United States.

• Shipments of 1-2 dogs less than 8 months of age traveling with their owner are only required to travel with proof of current rabies vaccination*.
• *Dogs younger than three months old are not required to be vaccinated for rabies but proof of the dog’s age must be available to Canadian Officials. All dogs greater than 3 months of age, with the exception of assistance dogs certified as a guide, hearing or service dogs which accompany their user into Canada, must have proof of current rabies vaccination to travel to Canada.

Learn more about traveling with your dog from the U.S. to Canada. "This indicates a link to an external site that may not follow the same accessibility or privacy policies as Alaska Airlines. By selecting a partner link you agree to share your data with these sites."

Travel to Costa Rica

Due to CDC classification of Costa Rica as a high-risk country for screwworm, pet travel is not recommended to/from Costa Rica.

Dogs traveling from Costa Rica are required to present a certificate signed and dated within 5 days of travel by a full-time salaried and licensed veterinary official in Costa Rica stating the dog is free from screwworm.

All animals departing Costa Rica also require certificate of good health and a stamped export authorization issued by Costa Rica's National Animal Health Service (SENASA).

All animals traveling to Costa Rica require a valid USDA Veterinary Health Certificate for the Export of Dogs and Cats from the United States of America to Costa Rica or APHIS Form 7001. To be valid, either form must be certified and signed by a USDA veterinarian.

Travel to Guatemala

Pets are not accepted for transport to/from Guatemala.

Pets are not accepted for cargo service to/from Guatemala.

Travel to Mexico

Only dogs and cats will be accepted for travel.

Alaska Airlines does not accept pets for Cargo service to/from Mexico.

Upon arrival to Mexico with your dog and/or cat, travelers must visit the Mexican Animal and Plant Health Inspection Office (OISA), to contact the official personnel working with SENASICA. The official personnel will verify the following:

• The dog and/or cat does not present signs of infectious and contagious diseases.
• The dog and/or cat is/are free of ectoparasites.
• The dog and/or cat does not present fresh wounds or wounds in a healing process.

Other requirements/information about inspection at the OISA, upon presentation of the shipment in Mexico:

• If your dog/cat is/are under treatment due to lesions and/or infections on the skin due to mites, dermatomycosis, dermatophylosis, hairless or similar lesions, you should present to the official personnel of SADER/SENASICA the diagnostic and treatment instructed by the Veterinarian. Such information should be presented in a letterhead, including the professional registration number (or equivalent). Enclosed to the letterhead, it can be accepted a copy of the professional registration number (or equivalent).
• Compliance of what is indicated in this document, does not exempt the importer of presenting documents, complying with applications and/or procedures requested by other authorities.
• When the cage/carrier is dirty and/or contains bed disposable (newspaper wood – other materials) toys or edible products, a disinfection will be applied, removing all that is inside of the carrier/cage, for a proper destruction.
• Only the portion of food used to feed the animal during the day of arrival, will be allowed.

A proof of rabies vaccination may also be required.

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 day's travel is acceptable.

Passengers with 3 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). Upon arrival with 3 or more pets, customs officers will direct you to the cargo area where the required commercial importation process takes place. The clearance may require a customs broker. Refer to the Senasica website for more information.

NOTE: When traveling into Mexico with more than 2 animals, only 2 animals are permitted to travel into the United States per family, per flight from Mexico.

NOTE: If you travel regularly between the U.S. and Mexico with your dog, you can request to register in the “Pet Program - Frequent Traveler”. For further information please contact the following phone numbers: 59051000 ext. 53611, 54326 and 51020, (0155) 43130154; 43130155 and 43130152.