Alaska Airlines Pet Policy 2026: The Most Pet-Friendly US Airline Explained

One of the most surprising and progressive aspects of Alaska Airlines' pet policy is that they officially welcomed companion household birds back into the passenger cabin on domestic flights, reversing a previous industry trend and setting them apart as one of the few major US carriers to accommodate feathered travelers alongside cats, dogs, and domesticated rabbits.

Alaska Airlines Pet Policy Overview

Alaska Airlines is widely recognized as the gold standard for pet travel in the United States, earning top scores from travel analysts for its relatively low fees, generous species allowances, and a rare climate-controlled baggage compartment option for larger animals.

• In-Cabin Pet Fee: $100 USD/CAD each way ($35 for flights wholly within the State of Hawaii).

• Checked Baggage Pet Fee: $200 USD/CAD each way ($100 for flights wholly within the State of Alaska, or for active-duty US Military/dependents on orders; $60 within Hawaii).

• Allowed Cabin Species: Dogs, cats, domesticated rabbits, and small household birds (domestic flights only).

• In-Cabin Weight Limit: No official weight maximum for the pet itself, but the animal must fit comfortably inside a compliant under-seat carrier.

• Checked Baggage Weight Limit: Combined weight of pet and kennel must not exceed 150 lbs (68 kg).

• Reservations Required: Yes, space is limited per flight and must be reserved in advance.

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In-Cabin Pet Rules

For pets small enough to travel under the seat in front of you, Alaska Airlines offers a seamless and highly accommodating in-cabin program.

Allowed Species

Alaska Airlines allows small dogs, house cats, domesticated rabbits, and small household birds to travel in the passenger cabin on domestic flights. Poultry, wild birds, and agricultural birds (like chickens, ducks, or geese) are strictly prohibited. For international flights and routes to or from Hawaii, only dogs and cats are permitted to travel in the cabin.

Age Requirements

Dogs, cats, and rabbits must be at least eight weeks old and fully weaned. They must be accustomed to taking solid food without nursing for at least five days prior to travel.

Carrier Dimensions & Specifications

Only soft-sided carriers are permitted in the cabin. Hard-sided kennels are not allowed for under-seat travel.

• Maximum Carrier Dimensions: 17" L x 11" W x 9.5" H (43 cm x 28 cm x 24 cm).

• Construction: The carrier must be clean, leak-proof, and escape-proof, featuring adequate ventilation. It must be lined with absorbent, non-shredded bedding made of non-toxic materials.

• Fit: Your pet must be able to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably inside the carrier with the door fully closed. Their head and tail must remain entirely inside at all times.

Multi-Pet Carrier Policy

Up to two pets of the same species and similar size may travel in a single carrier, provided they are not in distress and can both fit comfortably.

Cabin Limits & Seating Restrictions

To ensure comfort and safety, Alaska Airlines caps the number of pet carriers allowed on each flight.

• Main Cabin: A maximum of 8 pet carriers are allowed per flight.

• First Class: A maximum of 3 pet carriers are allowed per flight.

• Banned Seats: Passengers traveling with a pet cannot occupy an emergency exit row or a bulkhead row. Additionally, First Class or Business Class cabins on Airbus A330 or Boeing 787 aircraft cannot accommodate under-seat pet carriers due to seat design.

You may travel with up to two pet carriers yourself, but you must purchase a second, adjacent seat to accommodate the second carrier. Your pet carrier counts as your carry-on bag allotment; you are permitted to bring either one pet carrier and one personal item, or one pet carrier and one standard carry-on bag.

Cargo & Checked Baggage Pet Rules

When your pet is too large to fit under the seat, they can travel in Alaska Airlines' climate-controlled and pressurized baggage compartment. Alaska is one of the few remaining major US legacy carriers that continues to offer this vital checked baggage option for family pets, rather than forcing them into expensive standalone cargo shipments.

Checked Baggage vs. Pet Connect™ Cargo

• Checked Baggage (Pets as Baggage): Your pet travels on your exact flight, checked in at the passenger ticket counter. You must be on the same flight.

• Pet Connect™ Cargo: If your pet is traveling unaccompanied, or if the combined weight of the pet and kennel exceeds 150 lbs, they must be shipped via Alaska Air Cargo’s specialized Pet Connect™ program.

Checked Baggage Fees

• Standard Fee: $200 USD/CAD each way, per kennel.

• Intra-Alaska: $100 USD/CAD each way for travel wholly within the State of Alaska.

• Military Discount: $100 USD/CAD each way for active-duty US Military personnel and their dependents traveling on official active military orders.

• Intra-Hawaii: $60 USD/CAD each way for travel wholly within the State of Hawaii.

Checked Baggage Species Allowance

Unlike the strict cat-and-dog limits of many competitors, the checked baggage compartment on Alaska Airlines accepts a diverse array of domesticated animals, including:

• Cats and dogs

• Ferrets

• Guinea pigs and hamsters

• Domesticated rabbits

• Household birds

• Non-poisonous reptiles

• Pot-bellied pigs

• Tropical fish

Note: For international flights and routes to or from Hawaii, only dogs and cats are permitted in the baggage compartment.

Hard-Sided Kennel Requirements for the Hold

Your kennel must be a heavy-duty, hard-sided container that complies with USDA and IATA regulations.

• Sizes Accepted: Extra Small (100) up to Extra Large (500), with maximum exterior dimensions of 40" L x 27" W x 30" H (101 cm x 68 cm x 76 cm).

• Fasteners: The top and bottom halves of the kennel must be secured using metal nuts and bolts. Kennels held together by plastic clips, snaps, twist-locks, or zip ties will be flatly refused at the counter.

• Wheels: Any wheels on the kennel must be removed or taped securely to prevent the kennel from rolling during the flight.

• Food & Water: A food dish and water dish must be securely attached to the inside of the kennel door, and they must be accessible from the outside so airline staff can replenish them without opening the kennel.

• Bedding: Must be lined with absorbent, non-shredded bedding.

Multi-Pet Guidelines for Baggage

• Adults: No more than one adult dog or cat (6 months of age or older) may be transported in a single kennel.

• Puppies/Kittens: Up to two puppies or kittens (aged 8 weeks to 6 months) of comparable size, weighing 20 lbs or less each, may travel in the same kennel.

Breed & Temperature Restrictions

Passenger safety extends directly to animal welfare. Alaska Airlines enforces strict breed bans and weather-related restrictions to protect pets from respiratory distress and extreme temperatures.

Flat-Faced (Brachycephalic) Breed Ban

Because of their compromised respiratory tracts, flat-faced or short-nosed dogs and cats are exceptionally vulnerable to airway collapse under stress or in poor ventilation. Alaska Airlines completely bans brachycephalic breeds from traveling in the checked baggage compartment or as Pet Connect™ cargo.

These breeds may still travel in the passenger cabin with you, provided they are small enough to meet all standard under-seat carrier requirements.

Banned Dog Breeds (Baggage/Cargo Hold):

• Bulldogs (all types: English, French, American)

• Pugs (all types)

• Boxers

• Boston Terriers

• Shih Tzus

• Mastiffs (all types)

• Pit Bulls and Staffordshire Terriers

• Lhasa Apsos, Pekinese, and King Charles Spaniels

Banned Cat Breeds (Baggage/Cargo Hold):

• Burmese

• Persian

• Himalayan

• Exotic Shorthair

Temperature Limits & Weather Embargoes

To ensure animals checked in the hold are never exposed to extreme, life-threatening weather on the tarmac:

• Temperature Window: Pets are accepted for checked baggage and cargo travel only when the forecasted temperatures at the origin, connection, and destination cities are between 45°F and 85°F.

• Cold Weather Exception (Acclimation Certificate): If forecasted temperatures drop below 45°F, your pet may still travel if you provide a written Certificate of Acclimation signed by a licensed veterinarian. This certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel and must specify the exact lower temperature limit your specific pet is safely acclimated to withstand.

• No Exception for Heat: Under no circumstances will a pet be accepted in the hold if the temperature at any point in the itinerary exceeds 85°F. There are no acclimation certificates allowed for extreme heat.

International Route Requirements

Taking your pet across borders involves strict, non-negotiable veterinary protocols. Alaska Airlines flies to international destinations in Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Belize, alongside domestic routes to the isolated state of Hawaii.

General Requirements

• Only Cats and Dogs: No rabbits, household birds, or other exotic species are permitted on international routes or to/from Hawaii.

• USDA Health Certificate: For all checked pets, and for most international cabin pets, a health certificate issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian within 10 days of travel is mandatory.

• Rabies Vaccination: Proof of a valid, active rabies vaccination is required for all interstate and international travel.

Route-Specific Rules

How to Book a Pet on Alaska Airlines

Because passenger cabins and baggage holds have strict capacity ceilings, you cannot add a pet to your booking online. You must coordinate directly with an airline representative.

Step 1: Book Your Passenger Flight

Purchase your own ticket first via the Alaska Airlines website or mobile app. Note down your 6-character confirmation code (PNR).

Step 2: Contact Reservations Immediately

As soon as your flight is booked, call Alaska Airlines Reservations at 1-800-252-7522 or use the live chat feature in the Alaska Airlines mobile app. Inform the agent that you want to add a pet to your itinerary.

Step 3: Provide Pet and Carrier Details

Be prepared to give the agent:

• The species of your pet.

• The exact dimensions of your carrier (L x W x H).

• The combined weight of your pet and the carrier.

Step 4: Secure Confirmation

The agent will check the flight's real-time pet inventory. If space is available, they will add the "PETC" (pet in cabin) or "AVIH" (animal in hold) code to your reservation.

Step 5: Pay the Pet Fee at Check-In

Your pet travel fee is not paid in advance. You will pay the $100 (cabin) or $200 (baggage) fee at the airport passenger ticket counter on the day of departure.

Tips for Flying with Your Pet on Alaska Airlines

To make your journey as low-stress as possible, keep these Alaska-specific tips in mind:

• Use the Alaska Lounge Policy: If you have access to the Alaska Lounge, your cabin pet is welcome to join you. However, local health ordinances dictate that the pet must remain fully enclosed inside their carrier (with the door zipped shut) at all times while in the lounge, and they are never permitted on the furniture or allowed to eat/drink from lounge serviceware.

• Arrive Early (Especially for Checked Pets): If your pet is traveling in the baggage compartment, you must check in at the ticket counter at least 90 minutes prior to departure. If you are departing from Hawaii, give yourself 3 to 4 hours to complete the agricultural and veterinary paperwork.

• Certify Food and Water: On the day of travel, you will be required to sign a Pet Check Record at the counter, certifying that you offered your checked pet food and water within 4 hours prior to check-in.

• Avoid Sedatives: Alaska Airlines strongly advises against sedating or tranquilizing pets for travel. High altitudes can cause unpredictable cardiovascular and respiratory reactions in sedated animals.

• Leverage the "Dog on Board" Card: For checked pets, Alaska Airlines ramp agents will hand you a physical card at the gate confirming your pet has been safely loaded into the climate-controlled cargo hold. This provides immense peace of mind before taxiing.

Competitor Comparison

How does Alaska Airlines compare to other major US legacy airlines when it comes to flying with a pet?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I take my pet out of the carrier inside the airport or on the plane?
No. Your pet must remain fully inside their carrier, with the door or flap securely zipped, at all times. This rule applies while you are in the airport boarding area, during boarding and deplaning, in the Alaska Lounges, and for the entire duration of your flight.

Q: What happens if my pet carrier is slightly larger than the maximum dimensions?
If your carrier exceeds 17" L x 11" W x 9.5" H, or if your pet cannot stand and turn around comfortably, they will be refused cabin boarding. You will have the option to buy a hard-sided kennel and check them as baggage, provided space is available.

Q: Does Alaska Airlines require a health certificate for in-cabin pets?
For domestic flights within the continental US, Alaska Airlines does not require a veterinary health certificate for pets traveling in the cabin. However, a health certificate issued within 10 days of travel is strictly mandatory for all pets traveling in the checked baggage compartment or as cargo.

Q: Can my large dog fly in the cabin if I buy an extra seat?
No, Alaska Airlines does not allow pets to occupy passenger seats, even if you purchase an adjacent seat. Cabin pets must remain in an approved carrier on the floor beneath the seat in front of you. Purchasing an adjacent seat only allows you to bring a second under-seat pet carrier.

Q: Are there any temperature limits for pets flying in the baggage compartment?
Yes, pets are only accepted in the hold when forecasted temperatures along the entire route are between 45°F and 85°F. Travel down to lower temperatures is allowed only with a veterinary Certificate of Acclimation, but no exemptions are made if temperatures exceed 85°F.

Q: Does Alaska Airlines fly pets to international destinations?
Yes, Alaska Airlines allows dogs and cats to fly internationally to Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Belize. Other species like rabbits and birds are restricted to domestic US routes. International routes require strict compliance with the destination country's specific veterinary and entry paperwork.

Before flying with your pet on Alaska Airlines, make sure you have the right documentation for your destination. Pet Holiday Club covers 190+ countries with government-sourced, vet-verified pet travel checklists at petholidayclub.com — so you arrive prepared, not refused.