When transporting a pet by a commercial airline, it is extremely important to understand their pet policy. These policies vary between airlines. Some allow small pets to fly in the cabin and others don’t. It is important to know the answers to all your questions before making your decision to fly your pet on any commercial airline. Does jetBlue allow pets? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on jetBlue? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for jetBlue? All your answers related to jetBlue pet policy are answered below.
Note: It is important to mention that the pet policy of the airline that operates your pet’s route will preside over the policy of the airline that owns the route. This is important to note because if the operating airline changes during your trip, then you will likely need to claim and recheck your pet on the next airline. This will cause you to clear customs and enter the layover country. You will need time and extra documentation to accommodate this process during the layover unless flying domestically.
Classes of service offered to pets by commercial airlines
- In-Cabin: Pets traveling in the cabin must fly with an adult passenger and travel in an airline-compliant
carrier stowed under the seat. - Checked Baggage: Pets traveling with a passenger that are not permitted in the cabin due to size or breed can be transported as checked baggage in the cargo hold.
- Air Cargo: Unaccompanied, very large pets or pets flying to countries that require that pets enter under air cargo will travel as manifest cargo in the hold.
Can my pet fly with me in the cabin? Yes (Certain Flights)
Can my pet fly with me as checked baggage? No
Can my pet fly as manifest cargo? No
Where is jetBlue based?
jetBlue is based out of John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City. Most layovers within jetBlue’s network will likely occur in this airport.
What countries does jetBlue fly to?
jetBlue offers service to pets to the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas. Belize, Bermuda, Canada, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Mexico, the Netherlands, Saint Lucia, Sint Maarten, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos, United Kingdom (service dogs only), and the United States.
jetBlue Pet Policy – In Cabin
If your dog or cat meets the requirements listed in jetBlue Airline’s pet policy to travel in-cabin, it will need an airline-compliant pet carrier unless you are flying with a service dog who is trained to assist you in a task required to address a physical or medical disability.
Pets allowed on jetBlue in the cabin
Small cats and dogs only. No large dogs are allowed. Pets must be clean, healthy, harmless and mannerly.
Reservations
Only 6 pets per flight are permitted, so reservations for your pet should be made early. Reservations can be made online, on the jetBlue app or by calling their customer service number.
Age requirements
Pets must be at least 8 weeks of age to fly on domestic routes. For international routes, your pet must be old enough to conform to the import requirements of the destination country.
Pet carrier requirements
All pet carriers must have a waterproof bottom, secure fasteners, adequate ventilation, enough room for your pet to stand up and turn around comfortably and fit under the seat in front of you. Pets are not permitted outside of their carrier for the duration of the flight.
One pet per carrier is permitted. A maximum of two pets per passenger are allowed; however, an extra seat must be purchased to accommodate the second carrier. Pet owners are encouraged to book a window or aisle seat as storage under the middle seat may be limited.
No pets are allowed to fly in the First Class (Mint) section of the aircraft unless they are service dogs. Exit row or bulkhead seats cannot be reserved when flying with a pet.
Pet carriers will be counted as a personal item for flights departing prior to September 6, 2024. After that date, pet owners are permitted a carry-on bag and a pet carrier. (There will still be a charge for the carrier.) Both must fit under the seat, or the carry-on must go in the overhead bin.
Maximum pet carrier dimensions are 17″L x 12.5″W x 8.5″H (43.18 cm x 31.75 cm x 21.59 cm)
Related: Selecting a pet carrier that is airline compliant
Forms required
A health certificate is encouraged for domestic flights and required for international flights.
Route restrictions
All dogs returning from countries classified as high risk of rabies must arrive at JFK Airport.
Check in
Pet owners can check in 24 hours in advance online, on the jetBlue app or at the kiosk; however, pet owners must visit the ticket counter for an agent to inspect the carrier and issue a special baggage tag.
Related: How to clear airport security with a pet
Cost
The cost to fly a pet in the cabin is $125 USD each direction.
Service dog pet policy
A service animal is defined as a dog that is trained to perform a specific task for a disabled passenger. Notice must be provided to jetBlue a minimum of 48 hours prior to departure. Department of Transportation forms must be completed and submitted through the Service Animal Forms Portal.
All service dogs must fly at their handler’s feet and not interfere with another passenger’s footprint. If the dog is small enough, it can fly in the owner’s lap.
Service dogs cannot fly to or from Colombia, Ecuador (ULO), or Peru. All service dogs entering the United States from the following countries must enter at JFK: Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras or Haiti. Preapproval must be obtained for service dogs flying to London.
jetBlue Pet Policy – Checked Baggage
jetBlue does not offer checked baggage services for pets.
jetBlue Pet Policy – Air Cargo
jetBlue does not offer air cargo services for pets.
Private Jet Charter
Another option for pet owners who do not want their pet to fly in the cargo hold is a pet-friendly private jet charter. Your pet can fly in your lap, at your feet or beside you comfortably without being confined. We can arrange flights from anywhere in the world to anywhere you need to go on your time schedule, without the crowds or commotion of a commercial airport.
Other Information
jetBlue will check pet strollers at the ticket counter at no cost to pet owners.
The information published here is a guideline for jetBlue airline pet policy. For more airline pet policies, click the banner below.
Further Reading
Tips for airline pet travel
Requirements for a pet transiting a country by air
When do you need a pet transporter?
Routing your pet’s flight
Flying with a snub-nosed breed
More information on airline pet travel
Have a comment or question about flying with jetBlue? Post it below and we will respond. You can also reach out by posting to our Blog, X (Twitter), Facebook, or Email or follow our activities on Instagram and TikTok.
To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given airline may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to deny your pet boarding privileges at the time of check in. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following jetBlue pet policy.
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