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?

Traveling with pets in cabin

Small pets are accepted for travel in the passenger cabin for a fee of $100 USD/CAD¹ each way, subject to space availability onboard.

Animals approved to travel in the passenger cabin:

• Small dogs
• House cats
• Domesticated rabbits
• Household birds

Dogs and Cats are the only permitted animals to travel in the cabin to Hawaii and International locations.

If you are traveling with a service animal, please review our service animal policy page for more information.

Call Alaska Air reservations at 1-800-252-7522 or chat with our reservations team to request a spot for your pet as soon as your travel plans have been finalized. Reservations must be placed prior to the day of travel. There are a limited number of pets allowed in the cabin and reservations are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

Rules for pets in the cabin

• You must be 18 years or older to travel with a pet in the cabin.
• When traveling with a pet, you may not occupy an emergency exit row or bulkhead row.
• Your pet counts towards your carry-on allotment. You can bring a pet carrier and a personal item or a pet carrier and a standard size carry-on bag.
• The First Class cabin can accommodate a total of three pet carriers per flight, and the Main Cabin can accommodate a total of eight pet carriers per flight.
• You may travel with a maximum of two pet carriers in the main cabin, only when you purchase a second ticket with an adjacent seat.
• Only dogs, cats, rabbits, and household birds are permitted in the Main Cabin.
• Dogs and cats must be at least eight weeks old and must have been fully weaned and accustomed to take solid food and have done so, without nursing, for a period of at least five days.
• The pet must stay in its carrier (including head and tail) with the door/flap secured at all times in the boarding area (during boarding and deplaning), Alaska Lounge, and while onboard the aircraft.
• The pet must be stowed under the seat, in its carrier during taxi, takeoff and landing.
• Up to two pets of the same species and similar size may travel in the same carrier, provided no body parts protrude from the carrier and the animals are not in distress.
• Animals with offensive odors or those that create a noise disturbance must travel in our climate-controlled baggage compartment.
• Additional requirements and documentation are needed for pets traveling to Hawaii or internationally.

Pet carriers in the cabin

The USDA and IATA have specific requirements. Pets must be small enough to fit and stay comfortably in the carrier under the seat. The following carrier sizes are acceptable for travel in the cabin:

Kennel size chart for travel in cabin

Type	Carrier size	Dimensions (length x width x height)
Hard-sided	50	17" x 11" x 7.5"
Soft-sided	50	17" x 11" x 9.5"

To be accepted for travel, your pet carrier must:

Be within the listed dimensions above

Be clean and leak-proof with absorbent bedding made of material that is safe and non-toxic to the animal

Fully enclose the animal and be escape-proof

Have adequate air ventilation

Be free of tears, cracks, or breaks

Preparing for travel with a pet in the cabin

• Reserve your pet’s travel early. There is limited capacity and pets are accepted on a first-come first-served basis.
• Ensure your pet is acclimated to its carrier before the day of travel.
• Pet must be small enough to fit and stay comfortably in a kennel under the seat.
• The pet carrier should be lined with an absorbent material to avoid leaks during travel.
• 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.

¹ Fees indicated are per kennel/carrier and for travel on Alaska Airlines only. If your itinerary includes travel on another airline, the other airline fee may be assessed. Please check with the other airline for more information. Trained service animals travel for free.