The World's Most Pet-Friendly Airlines in 2026 — Ranked and Reviewed

How We Ranked These Airlines

Five criteria:

In-cabin availability: Does the airline allow pets in the cabin? What is the weight limit? What species are accepted?

Cargo and checked baggage options: For large pets, what options exist? Is the cargo hold climate-controlled and pressurised?

International route coverage: How many international destinations does the airline serve with pet-friendly options?

Fee structure: Are the fees reasonable and transparent? Are there hidden charges?

Breed restrictions: How does the airline handle brachycephalic breeds and restricted breeds?

🏆 US Airlines — Ranked

#1 — Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines is the consensus winner for US domestic pet travel in 2026. The reasons are consistent: low fees ($100 each way), a climate-controlled cargo option for larger pets — one of the very few US carriers still offering this to civilian passengers — and transparent, stable policies.

Alaska allows dogs, cats, and rabbits in-cabin on domestic routes. Internationally, cats and dogs only. The airline is phasing out household birds from April 2026 for tickets purchased after June 5, 2025. Alaska is also among the few US carriers that allows pets in their airport lounges — a practical benefit for long connections.

In-cabin fee: $100 each way

Weight limit: Pet plus carrier must fit under the seat. No specific weight limit stated — size is the determining factor.

Cargo option: Yes — climate-controlled. One of the only US carriers still offering this to non-military civilians.

Best for: Domestic US travel. Pacific routes.

#2 — JetBlue

JetBlue is consistently pet-friendly on domestic routes with in-cabin options and affordable fees. Their 2026 updates continue to emphasise comfort for pet owners. Best for domestic US routes and some Caribbean destinations.

In-cabin fee: Approximately $125 each way

Best for: Domestic US and Caribbean routes

#3 — United Airlines

United allows cats and dogs in-cabin on qualifying routes. The PetSafe cargo programme has been discontinued for civilian use in 2026 — cargo is now limited to military and State Department travellers. United has made improvements to its in-cabin booking process and allows two pets with an adjacent seat purchase.

In-cabin fee: Approximately $125 each way

Cargo: Not available to civilian passengers in 2026

Best for: In-cabin travel on domestic and selected international routes

#4 — American Airlines

American accepts cats, dogs, and rabbits in-cabin on domestic routes. Cats and dogs only internationally. Summer restrictions apply to cargo pets. Breed restrictions are in place for certain destinations.

In-cabin fee: Approximately $125 each way

Best for: Domestic and Latin American routes

#5 — Frontier Airlines

One of the most affordable options for small pets. Frontier accepts dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters domestically. In-cabin fee of approximately $99 each way — among the lowest of any US carrier. Pets must remain in the carrier throughout.

In-cabin fee: $99 each way

Best for: Budget domestic US travel with small pets, including exotic species

🌍 International Airlines — Ranked

#1 — Lufthansa

Lufthansa is widely considered the gold standard for international pet transport. The airline offers both cabin travel and cargo transport, operates a specialised animal transport system with trained staff, and applies rigorous safety standards that give owners genuine confidence in cargo travel.

Lufthansa applies temperature-based summer embargoes on routes to the Middle East and parts of Southern Europe. Brachycephalic breeds face additional restrictions. But for standard breeds on European and transatlantic routes, Lufthansa remains the most trusted international carrier for pet travel.

In-cabin: Small pets up to 8kg including carrier. Domestic German and European routes.

Cargo: Available. Climate-controlled and professionally managed.

Best for: European routes and transatlantic travel. Highest safety record for cargo.

#2 — KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

KLM allows small dogs and cats in-cabin up to approximately 8kg total. Their Netherlands base makes them particularly relevant given the Netherlands' #1 ranking in Pet Holiday Club's Global Pet Travel Preparedness Index 2026. Clear guidelines, consistent enforcement, and strong safety record.

In-cabin: Up to 8kg including carrier

Best for: European and intercontinental routes via Amsterdam

#3 — Air France

One of the more consistently pet-accommodating European carriers. Air France accepts small pets in-cabin and offers cargo options for larger animals. Well-documented procedures and multilingual support.

Best for: European and international routes via Paris

#4 — Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines provides detailed guidance and a pet-friendly travel experience. The airline's Istanbul hub connects Europe, the Middle East, and Asia — making it a strong option for pet owners travelling between these regions. Strong for routes where other European carriers have limited service.

Best for: Europe-Middle East-Asia connections

#5 — Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways offers premium care and safety for small pets onboard. Stronger for cabin travel than cargo. The Doha hub provides connections to a wide range of international destinations. Premium service standards translate to careful pet handling.

Best for: Premium international travel for small pets

#6 — Korean Air

Korean Air provides multilingual pet assistance and pre-travel checks to ensure documents and crate standards comply with international regulations. Praised for safety record and pet-friendly ground handling. Strong option for Asia-Pacific routes.

Best for: Asia-Pacific routes. Strong documentation support.

#7 — Air Canada

Supports international travel with comfortable in-cabin pet options. Strong for transatlantic and North American routes. Summer rules can vary significantly by aircraft and destination — route-specific planning is required.

Best for: Canada-US-Europe routes

Airlines That Do NOT Accept Pets in Cabin (Key Ones to Know)

British Airways: Does not allow pets in-cabin except trained assistance dogs. All pets travel via cargo through IAG Cargo (inbound) or PetAir UK (outbound). Climate-controlled hold. Pets are last to load and first to offload.

Emirates: Does not allow pets in the passenger cabin except falcons on certain routes and certified service animals. Cargo options available through Emirates SkyCargo.

Ryanair: Does not accept pets of any kind.

EasyJet: Does not accept pets except trained assistance dogs.

The Most Important Thing No Airline Ranking Can Tell You

Every airline on this list has one thing in common: none of them can help you if your pet's documentation is wrong when you arrive at the destination country.

The best airline in the world will deliver your pet safely to the airport. What happens next depends entirely on whether you have the right health certificate, the correctly sequenced vaccination records, the right microchip, and the specific import documentation for your destination country.

Use Pet Holiday Club's free tool at petholidayclub.com to get a personalised checklist for your specific route before you book anything. We cover 190+ countries. Government-sourced. Vet-verified. Updated every single day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the single best airline for flying with a dog internationally?

For most international routes, Lufthansa consistently scores highest — safety record, cargo standards, clear breed policies, and strong documentation support. For US domestic travel, Alaska Airlines is the top choice. For routes where Lufthansa does not operate, KLM and Air France are strong alternatives.

Can I fly with a large dog internationally?

Yes, but your options are limited. Large dogs must travel in cargo on commercial flights. Alaska Airlines (US domestic), Lufthansa (international), and Korean Air offer the most reliable cargo options. Delta and United have discontinued civilian cargo pet transport in 2026. Private pet aviation (K9 Jets, BARK Air) is the most comfortable option for large dogs internationally.

Which airlines allow brachycephalic breeds?

Most airlines accept brachycephalic breeds in-cabin with extra caution. For cargo, most carriers restrict or prohibit them entirely due to respiratory risk. For brachycephalic breeds travelling internationally, private aviation is the safest and most practical option. Always consult your vet before any air travel with a flat-faced dog.

How far in advance should I book pet travel?

Book as early as possible. Most airlines limit the number of pets per flight. For international travel with documentation requirements, the preparation timeline may extend to 8-12 weeks or longer (180 days for Japan). Start with documentation requirements first, then book the flight around them.

What is the cheapest airline to fly with a pet?

Frontier Airlines ($99 each way) and Allegiant ($50 each way) have the lowest in-cabin pet fees among US carriers. Internationally, fees vary significantly — but the airline fee is often the smallest component of the total cost, which includes health certificates, microchipping, and any required tests or permits. Focus on the right airline for your route rather than the cheapest fee.