Why Airlines Are Quietly Restricting Pet Travel This Summer - And What You Can Do About It

What Is a Pet Travel Embargo?

An airline pet travel embargo is a temporary restriction - usually tied to extreme temperatures - that prevents pets from being transported in cargo or checked baggage. The reason is straightforward: when ground temperatures exceed safe thresholds, the tarmac and baggage areas can become dangerously hot for animals waiting to be loaded.

Most major US airlines implement temperature-based embargoes when ground temperatures at origin, connection, or destination airports are forecast to exceed 85°F (29°C) or fall below 45°F (7°C). In summer, the high-end threshold is the relevant one - and in 2026, that threshold is being hit regularly across the US, southern Europe, and the Middle East.

What is different in 2026 is that several airlines have gone beyond temperature-based restrictions and changed their cargo pet policies permanently - not just seasonally.

Which Airlines Have Restricted Pet Travel in 2026?

Delta Air Lines

Delta has one of the most significant policy changes in 2026. Delta Cargo is no longer available to the general public for pet transport. The only civilians who can transport pets via Delta Cargo are active US Military members with Permanent Change of Station orders and US State Department personnel travelling under official Foreign Service orders.

For regular travellers, this means if your pet is too large to travel in-cabin, Delta cannot help you. In-cabin travel remains available for small pets on most domestic routes and selected international routes - but the cargo option that many larger dog owners relied on is gone for civilian use.

Additionally, Delta applies summer heat restrictions on top of this. Delta does not accept pets as cargo year-round and applies additional summer limitations to reduce risk during heatwaves.

United Airlines

United Airlines discontinued its PetSafe programme - the dedicated cargo service for pets - and has not replaced it with a civilian alternative. As of 2026, United allows only cats and dogs to fly in-cabin on qualifying routes. Cargo pet transport is limited to active US Military or US State Department travellers.

United also limits pet travel during summer months on long-haul and hot-weather routes. While in-cabin pets may still fly, the restrictions mean fewer route options and more booking complexity.

American Airlines

American Airlines allows limited pet travel options but summer heat restrictions significantly reduce availability - especially for checked and cargo pets. Carrier compliance, breed restrictions, and route temperatures all play a role. The airline enforces restrictions on certain breeds including pit bulls and may have additional requirements for specific destinations.

Lufthansa

Lufthansa applies summer pet embargoes primarily on routes to the Middle East and parts of Southern Europe. Breed restrictions and aircraft type play a major role. Lufthansa also imposes restrictions on brachycephalic breeds due to increased health risks during air travel.

The bottom line: if you have a large dog who cannot travel in-cabin - meaning any dog over approximately 8kg including carrier - your options on major US airlines this summer are extremely limited. This is not temporary. For Delta and United, the cargo restriction is now a permanent policy change, not a seasonal one.

Which Airlines Are Still Accepting Pets This Summer?

Not every airline has followed the same path. Here are the carriers with the most consistently pet-friendly summer policies in 2026.

Alaska Airlines: Consistently ranked the most pet-friendly US airline. Offers climate-controlled baggage compartment options for larger pets - one of the very few US carriers still doing so. In-cabin fee of $100 each way. Internationally, limited to cats and dogs. Phasing out household birds from April 2026.

JetBlue: Pet-friendly domestic carrier with in-cabin options. Summer updates in 2026 continue to emphasise comfort. Best for domestic US routes.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines: Allows small dogs and cats in-cabin up to approximately 8kg total. Good option for European routes.

Air France: Accepts small pets in-cabin. One of the more consistently pet-accommodating European carriers.

Turkish Airlines: Provides detailed guidance and a pet-friendly travel experience. Strong for routes connecting Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Qatar Airways: Offers premium care for small pets onboard. Strong international network.

Korean Air: Provides multilingual pet assistance and pre-travel checks. Praised for safety record and pet-friendly ground handling.

Alaska Airlines and Lufthansa are the two carriers that consistently score highest for international pet travel - balancing safety, clear policies, and reasonable pricing. If you are planning an international trip this summer, these should be your first calls.

What About In-Cabin Travel?

In-cabin travel is still available on most airlines - but it comes with strict size limits. Your pet and their carrier combined must typically weigh no more than 8-10kg and must fit under the seat in front of you.

This works for small cats and small dogs. It does not work for most medium or large dogs. And here is the critical thing most owners miss: even if your dog fits the size requirement, not all routes allow in-cabin pets. Always call the airline directly to confirm availability on your specific flight - do not rely on the website alone.

The Temperature Problem: When Your Booking Can Be Cancelled at the Last Minute

Even if your airline accepts your pet and your booking is confirmed, a temperature embargo can cancel your pet's travel on the day of the flight. This is one of the most stressful experiences in pet travel - you are at the airport, your pet is in their carrier, and the ground crew tells you the temperature threshold has been exceeded.

To minimise this risk: book early morning or late evening flights in summer, when ground temperatures are lower. Avoid connecting flights through airports known for extreme heat. Check the weather forecast for every airport on your route in the 72 hours before travel. Have a contingency plan - know in advance who can look after your pet if travel is cancelled on the day.

What Are Your Alternatives?

Private pet aviation: Companies like K9 Jets, BARK Air, and RetrievAir operate crate-free cabins specifically for pet owners. More expensive but significantly more reliable in summer. No cargo holds. No temperature embargoes. Your pet travels in the cabin with you regardless of size.

Professional pet relocation: Companies like Starwood Pet Travel, Airpets International, and WorldCare Pet arrange door-to-door relocation using approved carriers and carefully selected flight times. They manage temperature windows and documentation on your behalf.

Ground transport: For domestic travel within the US or within Europe, ground pet transport is increasingly popular. No temperature restrictions. No cargo holds. Often significantly less stressful for the animal.

Documentation Still Matters - Even When Flights Are Restricted

Whatever route you choose, documentation requirements do not change. Health certificates, vaccination records, microchip compliance, and destination-country import permits are required regardless of how your pet travels.

For international travel, use Pet Holiday Club's free tool at petholidayclub.com to get a personalised, government-sourced checklist for your specific route - updated daily, verified by veterinarians. Because the last thing you need, after navigating airline restrictions, is a border refusal.

Frequently Asked Questions

My dog is 12kg. Which airlines can fly them internationally this summer?

For a dog over the in-cabin weight limit, your options in summer 2026 are limited. Alaska Airlines is the most accessible option with climate-controlled cargo for US routes. For international travel, specialist pet relocation companies using approved cargo carriers are the most reliable route. Private pet aviation is also an option if budget allows.

Can I book a pet flight and rely on it not being cancelled?

No booking is fully guaranteed until your pet is on the plane. Temperature embargoes can cancel cargo pet travel on the day. The best protection is to book morning or evening flights, use airlines with strong pet safety records, and have a contingency plan.

Does the summer embargo apply to in-cabin pets too?

Generally no. Temperature embargoes primarily affect cargo and checked baggage pets. In-cabin travel is less affected by ground temperature restrictions - but individual flights may still refuse in-cabin pets in extreme heat scenarios, particularly if the aircraft type limits cabin space.

What documents does my pet need regardless of airline?

At minimum: a health certificate issued within 10 days of departure by an authorised vet, proof of current rabies vaccination, an ISO-compliant microchip, and any destination-specific requirements. Use petholidayclub.com for a complete personalised checklist.

Is it safe for my pet to fly in summer at all?

In-cabin travel in a temperature-controlled aircraft cabin is generally safe. The primary risk is ground handling time in extreme heat before boarding and after landing. Early morning and late evening flights minimise this exposure. Cargo travel in summer carries higher risk and is not recommended for brachycephalic breeds at any time of year.