There are many different reasons you may be traveling with your pet – maybe you’re moving across the country. Or maybe you simply want to take your furry friend on vacation. Either way, there are guidelines, restrictions, and fees when traveling with a pet. Here, our EWR Airport parking company breaks them down by airline:
Alaska Airlines
Price:
Pets in cargo: $100 one-way
Pets in cabin: $100 one-way
Carrier Dimensions:
In cabin: Up to 17 x 11 x 7.5 (soft-sided)/17 x 11 x 9.5 (hard-sided)
In cargo: 15 x 16 x 21 (x-small)/19 x 20 x 27 (small)/23 x 22 x 32 (medium)/26 x 24 x 36 (large)/30 x 27 x 40 (x-large)
Health Requirements:
Pets must be at least 8 weeks old and weaned to travel. In addition, “only pets in good health are permitted. We may refuse travel to a pet in obvious distress due to injury or illness or is in a kennel that is too small.”
Breed Restrictions:
Brachycephalic or “short-nosed” dogs and cats are not accepted for travel in the cargo compartment (these animals commonly have breathing abnormalities). They can, however, travel in the cabin provided their carrier fits under the seat.
American Airlines
Price:
In cabin: $125 one-way
In cargo: $150-$200 one-way, depending on destination
Carrier Dimensions:
In cabin: Up to 19 x 13 x 9
In cargo: Up to 40 x 27 x 30
Health Requirements:
Pets must be at least 8 weeks old to travel. You must provide a health certificate for checked pets and “to ensure the health and safety of your pet, the health certificate you provide must be issued by a vet within 10 days of your travel.”
Breed Restrictions:
Brachycephalic or snub-nosed dogs or cats of any “mix” are not accepted for travel.
Delta Air Lines
Price:
In cabin: Domestic travel: $100 one-way/International travel: $200 one-way
In cargo: $75 (small)/$90 or $125 (medium)/$145 (large)/$160 (x-large)/$250 (giant)
Carrier Dimensions:
In cabin: Determined by flight
In cargo: 21 x 15 x 16 (small)/27 x 20 x 19 or 32 x 22 x 23 (medium)/36 x 24 x 26 (large)/40 x 27 x 30 (x-large)/48 x 32 x 35 (giant)
Health Requirements:
“A health certificate is required when shipping your pet as cargo and for all pets checked as baggage. Some destination states may require a health certificate for your pet. If a health certificate is required, it must be issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of transport.”
Breed Restrictions:
Snub-nosed or pug-nosed dogs and cats are not accepted as checked baggage. Certain breeds may be acceptable for transport as cargo via Delta Cargo.
JetBlue Airways
JetBlue only allows pets to fly as carry-on items; there is no cargo service for pets.
Price:
$100 one-way
Carrier Dimensions:
Up to 17 x 12.5 x 8.5
Health Requirements:
Pet vaccinations, documentations, identification tags, and vet certificate for each destination of your trip are required for international travel.
Breed Restrictions:
The combined weight of your pet and its carrier cannot exceed 20 pounds, which limits the transportation of some dog breeds.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest only allows pets to fly as carry-on items; there is no cargo service for pets.
Price:
$95 one-way
Carrier Dimensions:
17 x 10.5 x 10 (Southwest’s carrier)/Up to 18.5 x 8.5 x 13.5 (other carriers)
Health Requirements:
Pets must be at least 8 weeks old.
Breed Restrictions:
Because your pet must fit into the appropriate carrier dimensions, some breeds may be limited from travel.
United Airlines
Price:
In cabin: $125 one-way + additional $125 for stop-overs longer than four hours in the U.S.
In cargo: Determined by weight of pet and destination
Carrier Dimensions:
In cabin: Up to 17.5 x 12 x 7.5 (hard-sided)/18 x 11 x 11 (soft-sided)
In cargo: 21 x 16 x 15 (x-small)/27 x 20 x 19 (small)/32 x 22 x 23 (medium)/36 x 24 x 26 (large)/40 x 27 x 30 (x-large)/48 x 32 x 35 (giant)
Health Requirements:
Pets must be at least 8 weeks old to travel. All dogs entering the U.S., except those arriving from certain rabies-free countries, should be immunized against rabies.
Breed Restrictions:
“Extra care is required when [short-nosed] breeds travel because they often have hereditary respiratory problems. These animals are susceptible to increased risk of heat stroke and breathing problems when exposed to stress or extreme heat.”
*Stay tuned for Part 2 of our blog!
