Archive · 11 Jun 2025
Airline Pet Travel: New Rules, Rising Fees and Challenges
Traveling with your pet on airplanes is getting trickier and pricier.
Airlines have strict rules about what animals are allowed and how they must travel.
Many airlines no longer allow emotional support animals.
Fees for pets can now be more expensive than a regular plane ticket.
The rules change depending on the airline.
It's important to prepare ahead of time and have a plan B in case your pet doesn't meet the requirements at the airport.
Make sure your pet fits comfortably in its carrier before you go!
Airline pet travel rules have become more complex and expensive.
Emotional support animals are no longer allowed; only service animals and small pets in approved carriers are permitted.
Pet fees can exceed the cost of the owner's ticket.
Rules vary by airline, and can be difficult to decipher.
Passengers should have backup plans, and ensure pets fit carriers before travel.
- Who
- Pet owners and airlines like Delta, American, United, Alaska, JetBlue, and Southwest.
- What
- Changes in airline pet policies, including increased fees and stricter rules.
- When
- Since 2021, with increasing changes in 2024.
- Where
- Across U.S. airlines.
- Why
- Due to a surge in incidents involving emotional support animals and to align policies.
Passengers
Airlines
User Experience
Passengers
Find the evolving rules and fees difficult to understand and expensive.
Airlines
Airlines need to focus more on clear communication regarding the rules and offer more flexibility or support to navigate the pet travel process.
- Emotional Support Animals
- Banned from cabins.
- Permitted Animals
- Service animals and small pets in approved carriers.
- Fee Increase
- American, United, and Delta raised domestic pet fees to $150 one way.
- Alaska Airlines
- No longer allows booking of a separate seat for a pet.
- Bark Air
- Luxury charter service for dogs starting at $6,000 one way.