Planning your next vacation and don't want to leave your furry friend behind? We get it!
Alternative Airlines has created this guide to answer all your questions and queries about taking your beloved pet onboard and taking that unnecessary stress away.
Listed below are some of the airlines' policies for flying with a pet. Please note that each airline has different rules regarding pets.
American Airlines is not only the second biggest airline in the world but also one of the most pet-friendly! Prices for taking your pets on board range from $125-200 USD, depending on your flight and pet.
JetBlue is a great option for you and your pampered pets. Small cats and dogs are welcome onboard JetBlue flights in any cabin class except Mint, so you'll have plenty of room to stretch out if you wish to do so. Sadly, larger pets will not be accepted on board JetBlue flights.
The largest airline in Canada, Air Canada, is one of the most accommodating airlines for your pets! Prices for bringing your furry companion on board with you start at $50 and go up to $100 each way, making Air Canada one of the cheaper options. There's even a Pet Stop at Toronto Pearson Airport if you're passing through!
Lufthansa is slightly more accommodating by allowing 2 pets to be in the same carrier onboard a flight with them. This is great if they get on! Other small animals, such as rabbits, will be located in the hold at a charge of €70-400 EUR depending on the route and size of the pet.
Using the search form at the top of the page, select if you wish to fly a 'one-way', 'return' or 'multi-city' flight. Then enter the departure and arrival destinations as well as the dates you want to fly, the number of passengers, and the cabin class you want to fly in. Press the 'Search Flights' button.
Browse through all the available flights and select the flight that best suits you. If you want to fly with a certain airline (such as one of the pet-friendly ones above), you can use the 'Airlines' drop-down tab to only show flights with a specific airline. You can choose a pet-friendly airline from the list.
Once you've found the ideal flight for you, 'Confirm Selection' and proceed to the next
Click to Add a Pet to your booking and proceed to fill out all the required details and information for both yourself and your pet.
Once you're satisfied with your flight choice and have added your pet to your booking, proceed to the payment section to confirm your booking. At Alternative Airlines, we take pride in offering 40+ different payment options, including Buy Now Pay Later options, cryptocurrencies and virtual wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Once your booking has been confirmed, you'll receive your e-ticket immediately via email. Please note that in some cases it may take up to 24 hours for you to receive your e-ticket.
At Alternative Airlines, you can book your flights on pet-friendly airlines and pay over time using your favourite payment methods, including pay over time options.
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To bring your furry friend on a flight with you, you're often looking at a cost of between $50 - $500, depending on the size of the animal, the distance at which you plan to fly and the individual airline you're flying with. As this is the case, you must check directly with the airline to be sure.
Yes, all assistance dogs are accepted on board without an extra charge. Passengers with guide dogs are likely to get seated on the front row of the aircraft to allow for enough space for both the passenger and the dog.
Yes, all dogs, cats and ferrets will need a pet health certificate in order to go abroad. This can be obtained via the veterinary practice your pet is signed up to.
Yes, it can be, but how your dog experiences it depends heavily on their personality, preparation, and whether they are in the cabin with you or in the cargo hold.
According to a 2023 study published in Discover Magazine, about 72% of dogs show at least one sign of stress during the journey. However, the same research indicates that most dogs recover quickly once they are back on solid ground and in a familiar routine.
For most airlines, you don’t buy a dedicated seat; instead, you pay a pet fee (typically $95–$150) to keep your dog in a carrier under the seat in front of you. While they aren't allowed on your lap or the actual cushion, you may be required to purchase an extra seat if you are travelling alone with two pets or if you're flying on specialised carriers like JSX that allow larger dogs on the cabin floor.
Just remember that, regardless of the ticket, pets are usually barred from the bulkhead and exit rows due to storage requirements.
