Airlines That Welcome Dogs and Cats in the Cabin: Your Ultimate Guide

Traveling can be both exciting and exhausting, and when it comes to traveling with pets, opinions are often divided. Some see it as an added hassle, while others depend on their pets for emotional or medical support. Either way, it’s becoming increasingly common to see pets accompanying their owners at airports, whether for leisure or necessity.

Pets as Family Members

Pets hold a special place in our hearts and families, making it difficult to leave them behind during vacations. For some, traveling without their pets isn’t an option. These furry companions are not just animals—they’re family.

Pets in the Cabin

In the past, traveling with pets meant checking them into the cargo hold, where they were placed in carriers and transported with the luggage. Families often worried about their pets’ safety and emotional well-being during this process. While incidents involving pets in cargo are rare, the idea of leaving a beloved pet in the luggage area can feel unsettling, akin to leaving a child behind.

For those who rely on pets for medical reasons, such as detecting low blood sugar or alerting them to seizures, having their animals in the cabin is a matter of safety. This necessity has prompted growing discussions about allowing pets to travel alongside passengers, leading to significant changes in airline policies.

By the end of 2023, over 20 airlines worldwide began permitting pets to ride in the cabin, reflecting the increasing demand for pet-friendly travel options.

Airline Policies and Requirements

Airlines like French Bee, TAP Air Portugal, Air Canada, Delta, Lufthansa, and United Airlines now allow pets in the cabin, but each has its own rules. Restrictions often include breed, size, and age. For example, some airlines require puppies to be at least eight weeks old, while others set the minimum age at 12 weeks.

United Airlines, for instance, imposes no weight or breed limits but requires pets to be in a carrier that fits under the seat. However, service animals can travel without carriers and are often assigned their own seats.

Emotional support animals, by contrast, are treated as regular pets under most airline policies. While they provide comfort to owners, they don’t qualify as service animals unless they perform specific medical tasks.

Emotional Support vs. Service Animals

Emotional support animals can be invaluable for easing anxiety, especially for the 25 million adults who experience aerophobia. However, unlike service animals, they are not trained to perform medical tasks or respond to emergencies. Service animals provide critical assistance and are trained to stay focused on their handlers, ensuring their safety.

Some passengers argue that emotional support animals are used as an excuse to fly pets for free. In 2019, one traveler expressed concerns to USA TODAY about safety and questioned whether certain animals truly served a support purpose.

Balancing Needs

While pet-friendly policies are appreciated by many, they also raise concerns for passengers with allergies or a fear of animals. Striking a balance that accommodates everyone’s needs is challenging, but careful consideration and planning can help ensure a smoother experience for all travelers.

When traveling with pets, it’s essential to follow airline guidelines, prepare in advance, and be mindful of other passengers to create a pleasant journey for everyone.