Alaska Airlines Pet Policy

Alaska Airlines Pet Policies

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. Can my pet fly in the cabin on Alaska Airlines? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on Alaska Airlines? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for Alaska Airlines? All your answers related to Alaska Airlines 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? Yes
Can my pet fly as manifest cargo? Yes

Where is Alaska Airlines based?

Alaska Airlines [IATA:AS] is based out of Sea Tac Airport in Seattle, Washington. Most layovers within Alaska Airlines’ network will occur in this airport.

What countries does Alaska Airlines fly to?

Alaska Airlines offers service to pets to the following countries: Alaska. Bahamas, Canada, Costa Rica, Japan, Mexico and the United States.

*Regulations for dogs flying to the United States have changed. Find new regulations to import a dog to the United States here.

Alaska Airlines Pet Policies – In Cabin

If your dog or cat meets the requirements listed in Alaska Airlines’ 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 flown by Alaska Airlines in the cabin

Dogs and cats are permitted in the passenger cabin. Rabbits are permitted on domestic flights (not to Hawaii). Household birds are permitted until April 4, 2026 for tickets purchased before June 5, 2025.

Pets can fly in the cabin with an adult passenger over 18 years of age. Pets must be healthy, clean, parasite free, harmless and mannerly. Dogs and cats are the only pets permitted in the cabin on flights to Hawaii, Canada or international destinations.

Effective June 4, 2025, Alaska Airlines is discontinuing the option to purchase a cabin seat for pets (CBBG). This change means that pets that cannot conform to in-cabin regulations will no longer be allowed to be booked as cabin baggage and must travel in the cargo hold.

Reservations

Reservations for your pet to fly with you in the cabin should be made at least 48 hours prior to departure by contacting Alaska Airlines’ reservation team.

Age requirements

Pets must be at least 8 weeks old, fully weaned and eating solid food for a minimum of five days prior to departure.

Pet carrier requirements

Your pet’s carrier must:

• Have adequate ventilation on at least three sides (domestic) or four sides (international)
• Be large enough for your pet to stand up and turn around comfortably
• Be able to accommodate your entire pet. No part of your pet can extend out of the carrier
• Be able to fit under the seat in front of you
• Have a waterproof bottom and absorbent pet pad
• Have secure fasteners (heavy duty zippers are recommended)
• Be marked with your name, address and mobile number.

The maximum measurements of a hard sided carrier are 17″L x 11″W x 7.5″H. The maximum measurement of a soft sided carrier is 17″L x 11″W x 9.5″H. Two pets of the same breed can travel in the carrier if there is room for them both and they are known to each other.

Exit row or bulkhead seats cannot be reserved when flying with a pet. Pets must remain in carriers for the duration of the flight.

Related: Selecting a pet carrier that is airline compliant

Forms required

A health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian is not required for pets flying in the cabin with an adult passenger for flights within Alaska. A Neighborhood Inspection Permit is required on all pets arriving in Hawaii out islands.

Route restrictions

Pets are not accepted on flights to or from Belize, Guatemala or Mexico. Dogs and cats are the only acceptable animals allowed between the U.S. and an international location.

All dogs and cats, including service dogs, must arrive in Honolulu prior to 10:00 pm.

Check in

Related: How to clear airport security with a pet

Cost

The cost to fly a pet in the cabin on Alaska Airlines is $100 per carrier in each direction. Pet carriers will be priced as excess baggage and cannot be allocated towards a personal item.

Service dog pet policies

All service dogs may fly in the cabin at no charge. They must be trained by a person or organization that specializes in service dog training to provide specific tasks for a person with a disability.

Service dogs must be suitably marked, harnessed and leashed. They must fit in the space provided at their passenger’s feet without intruding on cabin operations or other passengers. They must be clean, mannerly and not show any signs of aggression toward other passengers or the flight crew.

If flights involve the United States, Department of Transportation forms must be completed and submitted at least 48 hours prior to departure. All required documentation required for the destination country must be provided at check in.

Alaska Airlines Pet Policies – Checked Baggage

If the size of your pet is too large to fit in an airline-compliant pet carrier, or it is a pet other than a cat or dog, it will be transported as checked baggage on Alaska Airlines if it is flying with an adult passenger. This section of the cargo department has the same temperature and pressure as the passenger cabin.

Live animals are checked in by reservation employees and are checked in at the airport terminal. The airline will move your pet between aircraft in their fleet during layovers if the layover is not over about 3 hours in length.

Pets flown by Alaska Airlines as checked baggage

Alaska Air will fly the following pets as checked baggage with an adult passenger: cats, dogs, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, household birds, non-poisonous reptiles, pot-bellied pigs, rabbits, and tropical fish. Note: Dogs and cats are the only pets permitted in the cabin on flights to Hawaii, Canada or international destinations.

Reservations

Reservations for your pet to fly with you as checked baggage should be made as soon as possible after you book your flight by contacting Alaska Airlines’ reservation team.

Age requirements

Pets must be at least 8 weeks of age and fully weaned to fly as checked baggage on Alaska Airlines.

Pet crate requirements

Maximum weight of your pet and its crate is 150 lbs. Maximum crate size is 40″L x 27″W x 30″H. Two pets of the same species less than 6 months of age weighing 20 lbs. or less can fly in the same crate. All pets over 6 months of age must fly in their own crate.

All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Food should be offered to your pet 4 hours prior to transport. For more information, see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS.

Route or aircraft restrictions

No pets are flown to Hawaii in the cargo hold in the month of February. Between November 1 and January 1, only one pet per flight to Hawaii will be accepted. All pets flying to Hawaii should arrive prior to 10:00 PM.

Pets are not accepted on flights to or from Belize or Guatemala. Dogs and cats are the only acceptable animals allowed between the U.S. and an international location.

All dogs and cats, including service dogs, must arrive in Honolulu prior to 10:00 pm.

Forms Required

A health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of initial travel and within 30 days of return travel on the same itinerary is required for all pets flying in the cabin. All required documentation for the layover and destination country is required on international flights. A Neighborhood Inspection Permit is required on all pets arriving in Hawaii out islands.

Check in

Check in at the ticket counter should be no more than 2 hours ahead of departure.

Cost

• Domestic flights within Alaska/Military: $100 USD
• Flights to United States/Canada: $150 USD

Alaska Airlines Pet Policies – Air Cargo

All live animals flying as air cargo travel under an airline manifest or air waybill and are tracked throughout the entire flight. The airlines are responsible for caring for your pet during layovers as well. Unlike checked baggage, pets are generally checked in and claimed at the airline’s cargo facility. This facility is located on airport grounds; however, not the terminal. Many airlines require that an agent books the transport. If you need a licensed agent to arrange your pet’s transport, send us an email at info@pettraveltransport.com.

Pets flown by Alaska Airlines as air cargo through their Pet-Connect program

Reservations

Reservations must be made at least 24 hours prior to the departure date. Contact the Cargo Call Center between 5:00 am – 9:00 pm PST. If the itinerary involves a transfer to another airline, then reservations should be made 3 days prior to the departure date.

Age requirements

Minimum age is eight weeks and fully weaned.

Pet crate requirements

Maximum weight of your pet and its crate is 150 lbs. Food should be offered to your pet 4 hours prior to transport. All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For further details, see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS.

Route or aircraft restrictions

Pets are not accepted as air cargo on flights to or from Mexico, Costa Rica, Belize or Guatemala. Dogs and cats are the only acceptable animals allowed between the U.S. and an international location or Hawaii. Pets are not accepted on Airbus aircraft.

Due to strong headwinds during these months, the following restrictions apply for flights to Hawaii:

February: No dogs and/or cats are accepted as checked baggage on flights to or from Hawaii.

November 1 – January 31 and March 1 – April 1: Only 1 dog and/or cat is accepted per aircraft as checked baggage on flights to or from Hawaii. 

All dogs and cats, including service dogs, must arrive in Honolulu prior to 10:00 pm.

Forms Required

A health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of initial travel and within 30 days of return travel on the same itinerary is required for all pets flying in the cabin. All required documentation for the layover and destination country is required on international flights. Neighborhood Inspection Permit required on all pets arriving in Hawaii out islands.

Related: Regulations and forms required to import a pet to over 220 countries

Check in

Your pet will be checked in at the Alaska Airlines cargo facility which is located on airport grounds; however, with few exceptions, not at the airport terminal.

Cost

The cost to fly your pet as air cargo will depend on the crate size, the weight of your pet and its crate and the route.

Alaska Airlines Pet Crate Requirements

All pet crates must conform to regulations set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The container must be large enough for your pet(s) to stand, turn around, and lie down. The crate must be made of fiberglass, metal, rigid plastics, weld metal mesh, solid wood or plywood.

The crate door must have a secure, spring-loaded, all-around locking system with the pins extending beyond the horizontal extrusions above and below the door. The floor must be waterproof. The crate must not have wheels attached when checking your pet. Metal hardware should be used to fasten the top and bottom halves of your pet crate together. Alaska Airlines requires either metal or plastic threaded nuts and bolts to secure both halves of the crate.

Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant?

All pets should be acclimated to their crates prior to travel. This may take weeks or even months to accomplish; however it is the best thing you can do for pet before flying.

Related: Acclimating your pet to its crate or carrier

Temperature Restrictions – Checked Baggage and Air Cargo

When temperatures rise above or drop under certain levels, commercial airlines will prohibit the transport of live animals in the cargo hold. These restrictions are implemented for the safety of your pet. It is important to note that the risk from high or low temperatures is not when your pet is airborne. The risks come during preflight holding, loading on the tarmac and taxiing to the take-off runway.

Passengers traveling on Alaska Airlines flights 2000-2999 or flights 3300-3499 may not check pets in the baggage or cargo compartments between November 15 and January 10 due to holiday baggage demands on the cargo hold.

 Pets in the cabin will still be accepted during these time periods.

February:

No pets are accepted as checked baggage on flights to or from Hawaii during these periods.

November 1 – January 31 and March 1 – April 1:

Only 1 pet is accepted per aircraft as checked baggage on flights to or from Hawaii. Please contact reservations for availability on your desired flights.

Pets will not be accepted as checked baggage or air cargo when actual or forecasted temperatures are above 85°F (29.4°C) or below 45°F (7.2°C) at any airport on the itinerary. Pets will be accepted at temperatures below 45°F with an acclimation certificate, however, no pet will be transported at temperatures lower than 20°F (-6.6°C).

Note that the temperature restrictions for summer travel are lower for brachycephalic (snub-nosed) pets.

Cold-blooded animals are exempt from these restrictions.

Related: Why temperatures matter for pets flying in the cargo hold

Breeds Banned by Alaska Airlines

Brachycephalic breeds with restricted breathing are not permitted transport in the cargo hold on any Alaska Airlines flight.

Dogs: American Pit Bull, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Mastiff (All Breeds), Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Chow Chow, Dutch Pug, English Bulldog, English Toy Spaniel, French Bulldog, Japanese Boxer, Japanese Pug, Japanese Spaniel, Pekingese, Pug, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Cats: Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan and Persian.

All dog and cat breeds that are banned by international destinations will not be accepted for carriage.

The following breeds will not be imported to the Bahamas:

Cats:

• Savannah cat
• Bengal cat
• Chausie

Dogs:

• Pitbull
• Presna Canario
• Cane Corso
• American Bully
• Staffordshire Terrier
• Dogo Argentino

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

Sedation is not recommended unless prescribed by a licensed veterinarian. Pet owners should always carry a photo of their pet and another with them and their pet. Pets should be microchipped or otherwise identified prior to travel. The information published here is a guideline for Alaska Airlines airline pet policies. For more airline pet policies, click the banner below.

Further Reading

How to keep your pet safe when flying in the cargo hold
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 Alaska Airlines? Post it below and we will respond. You can also reach out by posting to our Blog, Forum, 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 Alaska Airlines pet policies.