Sun Country Pet Policy

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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 Sun Country? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on Sun Country? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for Sun Country? All your answers related to Sun Country 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 (domestic flights – Alaska/Hawaii excluded)
Can my pet fly with me as checked baggage? No
Can my pet fly as manifest cargo? No

Where is Sun Country based?

Sun Country [IATA:SY] is based out of Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport in Minneapolis, US. Sun Country offers service to pets within the United States (Alaska/Hawaii excluded). Sun Country has recently be bought by Allegiant. Pet policies are equivalent for both airlines.

Sun Country Pet Policy – In Cabin

If your dog or cat meets the requirements listed in Sun Country’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 Sun Country in the cabin

Small dogs and cats are permitted to fly in the cabin with Sun Country. Pets must be clean, healthy, harmless and mannerly.

Reservations

Pet owners must contact Sun Country reservations in advance to make reservations for their pet. There is a limit of six pets per aircraft.

Age 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)

The maximum dimensions for pet carriers flown in the cabin are 17″L x 13″W x 9″H. Exit row or bulkhead seats cannot be reserved when flying with a pet. Pets must remain in carriers for the duration of the flight.

Forms required

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.

Route restrictions

With the exception of service dogs, pets are not permitted on flights to or from Alaska or Hawaii.

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

When paid in advance, the cost to fly a pet in the cabin with Sun Country is $75. When paid at check-in, the cost is $100.

Service dog pet policy

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 including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Notice must be provided to the airline at least 48 hours prior to departure.

Service dogs are eligible to fly to or from all destinations, including international destinations served by Sun Country including Aruba, Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Hawaii, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, St. Kitts and Nevis, Sint Maarten, and Turks and Caicos. All pet import requirements of the destination country must be satisfied.

Service dogs must be at least 4 months in age, suitably marked, harnessed and leashed. They must fit in the space provided at their passenger’s lap or 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.

Service dogs in training are not recognized under these regulations.

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. Forms can also be completed at check in. It is advised to arrive at the ticket counter at least 3 hours prior to departure in this case. To complete the form, you will need:

Your veterinarian’s name and contact number
Rabies vaccination date and expiration
Trainer’s name/organization and contact number

All required documentation required for the destination country must be provided at check in. Regulations for dogs flying to the United States have changed. Find new regulations to import a dog to the United States here.

All service dogs are subject to the same requirements as regular dogs when traveling internationally.

Sun Country Pet Policy – Checked Baggage

Sun Country does not offer checked baggage for any live animal.

Sun Country Pet Policy – Air Cargo

Sun Country does not offer air cargo services for any live animal.

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 Sun Country pet policy. For more pet friendly airline pet policies, click the banner below.