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 SkyWest? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on SkyWest? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for SkyWest? All your answers related to SkyWest 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? No
Where is SkyEurope based?
SkyEurope [IATA:OO] is a regional airline based in the United States that contracts with Alaska Airlines (as Alaska SkyWest), American Airlines (as American Eagle), Delta Air Lines (as Delta Connection), and United Airlines (as United Express). This airline serves connecting flights between smaller airports and hubs of its partner airlines.
What countries does SkyWest fly to?
SkyWest offers service to pets to the following countries: Canada, 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.
SkyWest Pet Policy – In Cabin
If your dog or cat meets the requirements listed in SkyWest’s pet policy to fly in the 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 flown by SkyWest in the cabin
Small dogs or cats are permitted to fly in the cabin on SkyWest. Pets must be clean, healthy, harmless and mannerly.
Reservations
Reservations for pets flying with SkyWest are made through their partner airlines, Delta, Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, or American Airlines.
Age requirements
Pets should be at least eight to ten weeks of age depending on the partner airline requirements.
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)
Passengers flying with pets in the cabin on SkyWest should contact reservations to see how much room is under the seat in front of them on the aircraft that serves their route. Exit row or bulkhead seats cannot be reserved when flying with a pet. Extra seats cannot be purchased to accommodate additional pet carriers. Pets must remain in carriers for the duration of the flight.
Related: Selecting a pet carrier that is airline compliant
Forms required
All pet owners should have a current health certificate available for their pet. Proof of rabies vaccination is strongly recommended (and United requires one) for pets older than three months of age. All other documentation for the destination country is required when flying internationally.
The passenger assumes full responsibility and expense for complying with applicable laws, customs and/or other governmental regulations, requirements, or restrictions of the country, state or territory to and from which your pet is being transported. Upon arrival, health certificates, import permits, and other papers may be required by local authorities depending upon the route on which your pet is traveling.
Related: Regulations and forms required to import a pet to over 220 countries
Check in
Your pet should be presented at the departure airport ticket counter in its carrier at least 30 minutes before normal check in times.
Related: How to clear airport security with a pet
Pet fee
The pet fee will be based on the cost imposed by the partner airline.
Service dog pet policy
All service dogs may fly in the cabin at no charge. They must be trained by an organization that specializes in service dog training to provide specific tasks for a person with a disability. Notice must be provided to the airline at least 48 hours prior to departure.
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 will not be seated in exit rows. 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 form and a Relief Attestation Form 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.
All service dogs are subject to the same requirements as regular dogs when traveling internationally.
SkyWest Pet Policy – 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 SkyWest 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 SkyWest as checked baggage
Reservations
Reservations for pets flying with SkyWest are made through their partner airlines, Delta, Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, or American Airlines.
Age requirements
Pets should be at least 8-10 weeks of age depending on the partner airline requirements.
Pet crate requirements
SkyWest cannot accept extra-large (series 500) or giant (series 799) pet crates. Pet owners of larger dogs should contact SkyWest to confirm that their crate will fit in the cargo hold. A limit of one large or two small or medium crates will be accepted per flight.
All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For more information, see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS below.
Forms Required
All pet owners should have a current health certificate available for their pet. Proof of rabies vaccination is strongly recommended (and United requires one) for pets older than three months of age. All other documentation for the destination country is required when flying internationally.
The passenger assumes full responsibility and expense for complying with applicable laws, customs and/or other governmental regulations, requirements, or restrictions of the country, state or territory to and from which your pet is being transported. Upon arrival, health certificates, import permits, and other papers may be required by local authorities depending upon the route on which your pet is traveling.
Related: Regulations and forms required to import a pet to over 220 countries
Check in
Your pet should be presented at the departure airport ticket counter in its carrier at least 30 minutes before normal check in times.
Pet fee
The pet fee will be based on the cost imposed by the partner airline.
SkyWest Pet Policy – Air Cargo
SkyWest does not offer cargo services except through its partner airlines.
SkyWest 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. SkyWest requires either metal or plastic nuts and bolts threaded with metal inserts to secure both halves of the crate.
All crates must be labeled with LIVE ANIMAL stickers and a Shipping Declaration that includes feeding and watering instructions.
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 your 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.
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 may 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 SkyWest
Brachycephalic breeds with restricted breathing are not permitted transport in the cargo hold on any SkyWest 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.
Related: Risks for snub-nosed pets flying in the cargo hold
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
The information published here is a guideline for SkyWest pet policy. For more pet friendly 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
More information on airline pet travel
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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 SkyWest pet policy.