Alaska Airlines - Pet Information

Space for pets traveling in the cabin or in the cargo compartment is subject to availability.

For travel on Alaska Airlines, please contact Alaska Airlines reservations at 1-800-252-7522. If your plans include travel on another airline, please contact the airline directly to reserve space, determine fees and obtain additional information.

Note: Alaska Airlines does not transfer pets traveling in the baggage compartment to other carriers. Pets must be claimed and rechecked to the connecting carrier.

Passengers must be 18 years or older to travel with a pet in the cabin. A passenger traveling with a pet may not occupy an emergency exit row seat, bulkhead, or any seat with an airbag safety belt (row 6 on flight numbers 001-999). The First Class cabin can accommodate a total of one pet carrier per flight, and the main cabin can accommodate a total of up to five pet carriers per flight.

Important notes for travel with your pet in the cabin:

• The pet carrier counts toward your carry-on bag allotment. You may bring either a pet carrier and a personal item, or a pet carrier and a standard size carry-on bag. You may not board the aircraft with a pet carrier, a standard size carry-on, and a personal item.
• A customer may travel with a maximum of 2 pet carriers in the main cabin, only when the adjacent seat is purchased by the same customer.
• At no point can an animal occupy a seat by itself.
• Pets allowed in the passenger cabin are dogs, cats, rabbits, and household birds. Dogs and cats must be at least 8 weeks old and must have been fully weaned.
• Up to 2 pets of the same species and similar size may travel in the same carrier, provided no body parts protrude from the carrier and the animals are not in distress.
• The pet must stay in its container (including head and tail) with the door/flap secured at all times in the boarding area (during boarding and deplaning), Alaska Lounge, and while onboard the aircraft. They must be stowed under the seat during taxi, takeoff, and landing.
• Animals with offensive odors or those that create a noise disturbance must travel in the climate-controlled baggage compartment.

Carriers in cabin The USDA and IATA have specific requirements.

Pets must be small enough to fit and stay comfortably in a kennel under the seat.

The following carrier sizes are accepted for travel in the cabin:

Kennel size chart for travel in cabin

To be accepted for travel, your pet carrier must:

• Be within the listed dimensions above
• Be clean and leak-proof with absorbent bedding made of material that is safe and non-toxic to the animal
• Fully enclose the animal and be escape-proof
• Have adequate air ventilation
• Be free of tears, cracks, or breaks

Alaska Airlines accepts most small domesticated pets. Pets that may travel in the climate-controlled baggage and cargo compartments include cats, dogs, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, household birds, non-poisonous reptiles, pot-bellied pigs, rabbits, and tropical fish.

The following regulations apply:

• Dogs and cats must be at least 8 weeks of age and weaned.
• No more than 1 live dog or cat, 6 months of age or older, may be transported in the same kennel.
• No more than 1 live puppy, 8 weeks to 6 months of age, and weighing over 20 lbs, may be transported in the same kennel.
• No more than 2 live puppies or kittens, 8 weeks to 6 months of age, that are of comparable size, and weighing 20 lbs or less each, may be transported in the same kennel.

Animals must be harmless, inoffensive (not destructive to itself or the kennel), and require no attention during transit.

Cargo options

Learn more about transporting your pet using Pet Connect™ air cargo.

Food and water for checked animals

• Regulations require animals traveling as checked baggage to be offered food and water within 4 hours of check-in
• Animals must be offered sufficient food and water to last the entire journey
• Customers with a connection of four or more hours must request access to their animal in the connection city to offer additional food and water
• The customer is responsible to re-check the animal in the connection city and provide the paid receipt when rechecking the animal
• During check-in, you will be asked to complete a Pet Check record to certify your pet has been offered food and water prior to acceptance

Climate-controlled baggage compartment

When you check your pet using this transportation method, you must travel on the same flight(s) to your pet's destination. Check in at least 1 hour, but no more than 2 hours before departure. Please note there may be specific check-in requirements at your departure airport. Your pet will be available for pick-up in the baggage claim area approximately 30 minutes after the flight arrives.

If your trip includes a transfer to another flight operated by Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, or SkyWest Flight Series 3300-3499, we allow a maximum connection time of 4 hours for the animal at the connection city.

Alaska Airlines does not transfer pets to other airlines. If your trip includes a transfer to any other airline, you must allow time to pick up your pet in the baggage claim area and re-check your pet with the connecting airline.

If a delay prevents your pet's flight from departing, your pet may be placed in a kennel facility until it can be transported. Costs incurred due to weather-related delays are the responsibility of the pet owner. Alaska Airlines will accept a pet and kennel combined weight of up to 150 lbs. Should the pet and kennel weigh 151 pounds or more, please contact Air Cargo for assistance and pricing.

Alaska Airlines accepts most small domesticated pets. Pets that may travel in the climate-controlled baggage and cargo compartments include cats, dogs, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, household birds, non-poisonous reptiles, pot-bellied pigs, rabbits, and tropical fish.

The following regulations apply:

• Dogs and cats must be at least 8 weeks of age and weaned.
• No more than 1 live dog or cat, 6 months of age or older, may be transported in the same kennel.
• No more than 1 live puppy, 8 weeks to 6 months of age, and weighing over 20 lbs, may be transported in the same kennel.
• No more than 2 live puppies or kittens, 8 weeks to 6 months of age, that are of comparable size, and weighing 20 lbs or less each, may be transported in the same kennel.

Animals must be harmless, inoffensive (not destructive to itself or the kennel), and require no attention during transit.

Cargo options

Learn more about transporting your pet using Pet Connect™ air cargo.

Food and water for checked animals

• Regulations require animals traveling as checked baggage to be offered food and water within 4 hours of check-in
• Animals must be offered sufficient food and water to last the entire journey
• Customers with a connection of four or more hours must request access to their animal in the connection city to offer additional food and water
• The customer is responsible to re-check the animal in the connection city and provide the paid receipt when rechecking the animal
• During check-in, you will be asked to complete a Pet Check record to certify your pet has been offered food and water prior to acceptance

Climate-controlled baggage compartment

When you check your pet using this transportation method, you must travel on the same flight(s) to your pet's destination. Check in at least 1 hour, but no more than 2 hours before departure. Please note there may be specific check-in requirements at your departure airport. Your pet will be available for pick-up in the baggage claim area approximately 30 minutes after the flight arrives.

If your trip includes a transfer to another flight operated by Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, or SkyWest Flight Series 3300-3499, we allow a maximum connection time of 4 hours for the animal at the connection city.

Alaska Airlines does not transfer pets to other airlines. If your trip includes a transfer to any other airline, you must allow time to pick up your pet in the baggage claim area and re-check your pet with the connecting airline.

If a delay prevents your pet's flight from departing, your pet may be placed in a kennel facility until it can be transported. Costs incurred due to weather-related delays are the responsibility of the pet owner. Alaska Airlines will accept a pet and kennel combined weight of up to 150 lbs. Should the pet and kennel weigh 151 pounds or more, please contact Air Cargo for assistance and pricing.

Holiday travel

Customers traveling on Alaska Airlines flights 2000-2999 or flights 3300-3499 may not check pets in the baggage or cargo compartments during the following dates:

November 15 - January 10 Pets in the cabin will still be accepted during these time periods.

Hawaii Alaska Airlines accepts only cats or dogs for travel to Hawai'i. Because of Hawaii's unique status as the only rabies-free state, and because of strong headwinds at certain times of year, there are additional requirements for travel. Please visit our Pets traveling to Hawaii page for further details.

Alaska Airlines accepts only kennels secured with nuts and bolts for transport in the cargo compartment.

Alaska Airlines recommends that you obtain an approved carrier in advance of travel.

Please see Alaska Airlines Kennel Requirements here.

Health and vaccination requirements

Only pets in good health are permitted. We may refuse travel to a pet in obvious distress due to injury or illness or is in a kennel that is too small.

All pets traveling in the cargo compartment on Alaska Airlines (including flights operated by Horizon and SkyWest, must have a health certificate dated within 10 days of initial travel and 30 days of return travel, when the return flight is booked in the same record. Pets traveling on a return flight booked in a separate record are required to have a health certificate dated within 10 days of that flight. A health certificate is not required for pets traveling in the cabin with their passenger; however, many states have specific importation health and vaccination requirements. Contact the state veterinarian at your destination prior to travel to determine necessary documentation (such as health and cold-weather acclimation certificates) and vaccination requirements. Alaska Airlines is not responsible for any costs incurred should customers not have the required health documentation to enter the state or country.

Discounted pet preparation We're proud to partner with Banfield® Pet Hospital to provide pets and their owners with a special discount offer to prepare pets for take-off.

Passengers traveling to Kotzebue with a dog must have proof of their pet's parvovirus and rabies vaccination. Passengers checking in without required documentation will be denied boarding. Contact the Kotzebue city clerk (1-907-442-3401) for assistance or questions.

Passengers traveling to Nome with a dog must have proof of their pet's parvovirus vaccination. Passengers checking in without required documentation will be denied boarding. Contact the Nome city clerk (1-907-443-6663) for assistance or questions.

Passengers traveling to Hawai'i are subject to strict guidelines and specific programs that must be completed before your cat or dog will be accepted into the State of Hawai'i. Learn more about traveling with pets to Hawaii.

Airbus Fleet Restrictions

On flights operated by our Airbus fleet, pets may not travel in the First Class cabin, or in the baggage compartment – these aircraft don’t have a heated cargo space to carry pets safely.

Breed restrictions

Brachycephalic or "short-nosed" dogs and cats are not accepted for travel in the cargo compartment on Alaska Airlines flights (including flights operated by Horizon and SkyWest,). Veterinary experts say that short-nosed animals commonly have abnormalities that can compromise their breathing. Stress associated with flight can make those conditions worse.

Brachycephalic or "short-nosed" dogs and cats may still travel in the cabin with their passenger provided their pet carrier fits under the seat. This applies to the following breeds and mixed breeds thereof:

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, Persian

Extreme outdoor temperatures

Extreme hot and cold temperatures can pose a health risk to pets. In summer, choose early morning or late evening flights. In winter, choose mid-day flights. Whenever possible, book nonstop or direct flights. If temperatures at the origin, destination, or connecting airports exceed certain limits, Alaska Airlines may decline acceptance for the animal's welfare.

Proof of rabies vaccination is required for animals traveling within the state of Alaska or when traveling across state lines. Proof of Parvo Virus vaccination is required before an animal can be transported to Nome or Kotzebue. Service animals traveling with a passenger are exempt from these certifications, though they are required to be in a working harness that identifies them as a service animal.

Only pets in good health are permitted. Any pet in a kennel too small or in obvious distress due to illness or injury will be refused travel. A Reservation Sales Agent or Customer Service Agent can provide further information about documentation requirements.

Sedation is not advised since the effects of tranquilizers on animals at high altitudes are unpredictable. The decision to prescribe a tranquilizer for your pet should be made by your veterinarian.

International Travel:

Canada: Animals may be accepted for travel via Baggage, Cargo, and Carry-on Baggage provided all regulations are met. Horizon Air does not accept pets for GoldStreak service.

Mexico: Animals may be accepted for travel via Baggage and Carry-on Baggage, provided all regulations are met. Alaska Airlines does not accept pets for Cargo or GoldStreak service to and from Mexico.

Travel to the United States

Only dogs and cats will be accepted when traveling to the United States from a non-US location. Passengers will be required to have a valid rabies vaccination certificate when transporting animals from high risk countries in both the aircraft cabin and baggage compartments. Please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov for details on the specific requirements.

Travel to Canada

Only dogs and cats will be accepted for travel.

Travel to Costa Rica

Only dogs and cats will be accepted for travel. Passengers will be required to have a valid health certificate with specific documentation when transporting pets in both the aircraft cabin and baggage compartments. For more details on specific requirements please visit one of the following links: - Embassy of the United States — Costa Rica - Costa Rican Ministry of Agriculture - US Department of Agriculture — APHIS

Travel to Mexico

Only dogs and cats will be accepted for travel.

Animal must have undergone a treatment against ectoparasites and endoparasites within 6 months of scheduled travel date. Note: if this process is not completed, government officials may require passenger to contact a veterinarian at their cost to perform treatment and issue the new health certificate prior to entry into Mexico.

No bedding or similar materials are allowed to enter when packed in the kennel with the pet. Shredded paper or absorbent pads are acceptable.

Only enough food for a day's travel is acceptable.

Passengers with 3 or more pets are subject to additional importation fees of approximately $1,600 pesos (approximately $150 USD) as mandated by the SAGARPA (Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock Production, Rural Development, Fishery and Food). Upon arrival with 3 or more pets, customs officers will direct you to the cargo area where the required commercial importation process takes place. The clearance may require a customs broker. Refer to the Senasica website for more information.

Alaska Airlines does not accept pets for Cargo or GoldStreak service to and from Mexico.

Pet in Cabin = $100.00 (USD) each way.
Pet in Baggage = $100.00 (USD) each way.
Pet and Carrier Combined Weight = Pet and Carrier Combined Weight up to 149 lbs; 150 lbs or more Contact Cargo for Pricing

Note: Fees indicated are per kennel/carrier and for travel on Alaska Airlines only. If your itinerary includes travel on another airline, the other airline fee may be assessed. Please check with the other airline for more information.