Are you looking to bring your furry friend on a trip with you and want to fly with a pet-friendly airline? Or maybe you need to organise air travel for your pet and want to make sure they're as comfortable as possible on their journey.
Here at Alternative Airlines, we've created this guide to help you find out which airlines allow pets onboard, which airlines provide suitable flight conditions for your pet and also what important details you need to consider before transporting your pet by air.
There are a handful of airlines that allow you to take your pet into the cabin with you or transport your pet in the cargo compartment including Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Lufthansa, among others.
If you need to fly your pet to another city/country and don't intend to travel with your pet or cannot board the same flight as your pet, you can book flights with the following airlines which offer special services for transporting your pet by air.
Flying with your pet:
If you'd like to take your pet dog, cat or bird on holiday with you, Delta Air Lines makes this possible. Your pet can travel in the cabin with you for a one-way fee. Your pet must be able to fit inside a small, well-ventilated pet carrier that can easily fit underneath the seat in front of you. Please note that pets stored in cabin kennels will count as your one carry-on item with Delta Air Lines.
Flying without your pet:
What if your pet is too large to travel in the cabin with you or you're not able to travel on the same flight as your beloved companion? Luckily, Delta Air Lines lets you transport your furry friend through its cargo service, Delta Cargo.
Flying with your pet:
With American Airlines, you can easily bring your small pet onboard with you and enjoy your flight together. You'll need to pay a carry-on pet fee and also have a pet carrier that your furry friend can comfortably stand in. The carrier also needs to fit underneath the seat in front of you. Similar to Delta, your carry-on pet will count as your one piece of carry-on baggage.
Flying without your pet:
If your pet is too large to be in the cabin with you or you aren't able to be on the same flight as your pet, you can use American Airlines' Cargo service. Please note that American Airlines only accepts checked pets for active-duty U.S. military and U.S. State Department Foreign Service personnel travelling on official orders.
Flying with your pet:
One of the most pet-friendly airlines out there is Lufthansa. With Lufthansa, you are permitted to bring your small cat or dog with you into the cabin. As with other airlines, you will need to make sure your pet fits comfortably inside a pet carrier that can easily fit underneath the seat in front of you.
Flying without your pet:
If your dog or cat is too large to fit inside a pet carrier, you can register your pet as excess baggage and transport them via the cargo hold - this is especially ideal if you're unable to be on the same flight as your pet. Your furry companion will be taken care of by Lufthansa in an air-conditioned cargo hold that is well-ventilated and temperature-controlled.
Flying with your pet:
KLM is another pet-friendly airline that lets you bring your small cat or dog onboard with you into the cabin. Only 1 pet is permitted per passenger and you need to make sure your pet can comfortably stand and sit inside its pet carrier that must fit underneath the seat in front of you. With KLM, you're only able to bring your pet into the cabin with you if you're in Economy or Business Class and flying within Europe.
Flying without your pet:
What if you're unable to fly with your pet or your pet is too large to fit inside the pet carrier? With KLM you can book flights for your unaccompanied pets - KLM gives you the option to transport your pet in the hold of the aircraft. Up to 3 pets are permitted in the hold - these can share the same kennel if they weigh no more than 14 kg each. Your pet will travel in an air-conditioned cargo compartment and be taken care of by KLM's crew.
Alternative Airlines doesn't yet offer a feature that lets you book flights for your pets or add pets to your booking. You can still book your flight with us at Alternative Airlines and then contact the airline directly to make arrangements for bringing your pet onboard with you. If you'd like to book a flight for your pet but cannot travel on the same flight, please contact the airline directly for further guidance.
We’re super proud of our Trustpilot rating, but don’t just take it from us. See why millions of others love booking their flights through Alternative Airlines
If your pet is too large to fly in the cabin with you, there are many airlines that let you ship your pet inside the cargo compartment - these include Delta Air Lines, Lufthansa, American Airlines, Swiss International Airlines, KLM and Air Canada, among many others. Each of these airlines has its own specific requirements for transporting your pet inside the hold. Please check directly with the airline for more information on how to ship your pet in the hold.
Unfortunately, Alternative Airlines doesn't yet offer this feature. You won't be able to book flights for your pets yet on our site, however, if you'd like to have your pet in the cabin with you, you can still book your flights with us and then make arrangements with the airline directly after booking. Flights for pets only is a feature we don't currently offer.
Many pet-friendly airlines have fees for transporting your pet. Travelling with your pet in the cabin doesn't cost much, however, shipping your pet in the cargo compartment can be very pricy. This is because the cargo rates are based on the dimensions of the kennel/pet carrier that you're using to transport your pet. If your pet is on the larger/heavier end of the spectrum, expect to pay more to transport your furry friend.
