For many people, pets are part of the family. When it comes to flying with pets, passengers are faced with a variety of different rules, regulations, and policies. For passengers who either can’t bear to leave their furry friend behind or, quite simply, need to travel with their pet, the prospect can be overwhelming.
Delta Air Lines
IATA/ICAO Code
DL/DAL
Year Founded
1929
Expand
A recent study by Playstar named Delta Air Lines as the best airline in the US for pet travel. In this article, we take a look at Delta Air Lines’ pet travel policies and compare them with those of other airlines across the US in order to see how the SkyTeam carrier is leading the way.
Delta Air Lines
Photo: Alan Wilson | Flickr
What makes Delta Air Lines’ policies the most pet-friendly in the skies? First of all, the SkyTeam carrier allows each passenger to bring up to four pets onboard, which is the most of any major US airline.
That said, there are several restrictions that passengers need to be aware of. For example, anyone traveling in Delta Air Lines’ international business class, Delta One, and Delta Premium Select cabins cannot bring any pets onboard, due to the configuration of the lie-flat seats. A number of other seating restrictions apply, depending on the aircraft that is operating the flight, as outlined in the table below:
Aircraft
Restricted seats
All aircraft
Bulkhead seats
All aircraft
Emergency exit rows
All aircraft
Seats designated as ‘no stowage’
All aircraft
Flat-bed or Delta One seats
Airbus A330-200
Rows 46-51
Airbus A330-300
Rows 54-59
Boeing 757-200
Center seats
All pets must remain in their carry cases while at the airport and onboard the aircraft. The same policy applies if passengers choose to visit one of Delta Air Lines’ Delta Sky Club lounges before boarding. When it comes to the price of passengers taking their furry friends onboard a Delta Air Lines flight, it costs $150 per flight for flights within the US, Canada, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands, or $200 per pet for international flights. This makes Delta Air Lines the most expensive option for traveling with pets.
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American Airlines
Photo: kamilpetran | Shutterstock
American Airlines is the second-most expensive option among the US carriers when it comes to traveling with a pet. Each carry-on pet costs $150 per flight, while those checked into the cargo hold have a fee that varies depending on a number of factors, including destination and flight length.
American Airlines offers the flexibility of allowing pets to travel in the cargo hold as well as in the passenger cabin. The oneworld airline offers its dedicated PetEmbark service to those traveling in the cargo hold. While owners may be worried about checking their beloved pet into the cargo hold, American Airlines prides itself on the exceptional service it offers, reassuring passengers by saying,
“American PetEmbark provides industry-leading policies and procedures to ensure your pet receives the best care in the air. Not only do we have more than 65 years of experience transporting animals, but our experts exceed industry standards to ensure the best possible travel experience for your pet. When your pet travels with PetEmbark, they are in the caring hands of our compassionate team members, who treat your pet like their own.”
American Airlines also has one of the country’s most extensive route networks, both domestically and internationally. This means that passengers traveling with their pets have a much greater choice of routes and connection opportunities. It is worth noting, however, that the oneworld member’s pet travel policy does vary substantially depending on the route and destination.
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United Airlines
Photo: Ryken Papy | Shutterstock
United Airlines allows passengers to bring up to two pets with them onboard the aircraft, but they must buy two seats if bringing two pets. Due to sometimes limited space underneath the middle seat, the number of pets allowed varies depending on the aircraft type that is operating the flight, as outlined in the table below:
Aircraft type
Number of pets allowed
Airbus A319
1
Airbus A320
1
Airbus A321neo
1
Boeing 737-700
1
Boeing 737-800
1
Boeing 737-900
1
Boeing 737 MAX 8
1
Boeing 737 MAX 9
1
Boeing 757-200
2
Boeing 757-300
2
Boeing 767-300ER
2
Boeing 767-400ER
2
Boeing 777-200ER
2
Boeing 777-300ER
2
Boeing 787-8
2
Boeing 787-9
2
Boeing 787-10
2
United Airlines charges $125 per pet, and in order to travel, certain conditions must be met. For example, the pet needs to be kept in a soft-sided or hard-sided carrier at all times throughout the flight, and this carrier must fit underneath the seat in front.
The Star Alliance carrier used to offer a dedicated service for transporting pets in the cargo hold, known as the PetSafe program. However, it recently ended this service, and now only allows pets to fly in the cargo hold when traveling with certain active-duty military personnel or State Department employees.
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Allegiant Air
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
Allegiant Air is the cheapest of all major US carriers when it comes to traveling with pets. The low-cost carrier allows passengers just travel with their pets for just $50 – that is up to $100 cheaper than the equivalent service on the likes of Delta Air Lines and American Airlines.
However, Allegiant Air only accepts pets for travel on flights within the contiguous 48 United States. They are not allowed on international flights or those to and from US territories. The pet must be kept in its pet carrier at all times, and the pet carrier counts as one of the passenger’s maximum two items to be carried onboard the aircraft.
The latest data from ch-aviation shows that Allegiant Air operates a fleet of 127 narrowbody aircraft, made up of the following:
Aircraft
Number in fleet
Airbus A319
34
Airbus A320
85
Boeing 737 MAX 200
9
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Southwest Airlines
Photo: Robin Guess | Shutterstock
Southwest Airlines allows passengers to bring up to two pets each into the cabin, charging a relatively low fee of just $58 per pet, per flight. The low-cost carrier does not allow pets to travel in the cargo hold, and it is also worth noting that if two pets are brought onboard, they must be of the same species and must travel in the same carrier.
On its website, Southwest Airlines issues a warning to passengers, advising them of how best to travel with their pets, saying,
“Pets must be secured in a pet carrier at all times while in the gate area, during boarding/deplaning, and for the entire flight. If you don’t follow this requirement, your pet may be denied transportation. Carriers must be stowed under your seat while onboard.”
Southwest Airlines is the fourth-largest carrier in the US, and offers an unparalleled route network for passengers looking to travel with their pets. The low-cost carrier serves over 110 destinations throughout the US and nearby countries, including the Bahamas, Belize, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Jamaica, and Turks and Caicos.
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Hawaiian Airlines
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
Hawaiian Airlines allows up to two pets per person on the aircraft, for a fee of $125 per pet, per flight. However, this fee is reduced to just $35 on inter-island flights.
The state of Hawaii has strict rules and regulations when it comes to the transportation of animals, including certain vaccination requirements. It is therefore crucial that passengers flying on Hawaiian Airlines familiarize themselves with these before travel.
Despite the relatively high fees for pet transportation, Hawaiian Airlines offers an extensive route network to, from, and within the Hawaiian islands. The carrier’s primary hub is at Honolulu Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), and it operates a fleet of 64 passenger aircraft, made up of the following:
Aircraft
Number in fleet
Airbus A321neo
18
Airbus A330-200
24
Boeing 717
19
Boeing 787-9
3
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Many Points For Passengers To Consider
Photo: Javier Brosch | Shutterstock
There are many factors for pet owners to consider when choosing an airline to transport their furry friends, from availability to price. The fees for taking a pet onto the aircraft vary considerably per airline, from as low as $50 with Allegiant Air to as high as $150 with American Airlines, or even $200 with Delta Air Lines (when flying internationally).
Taking all factors into account, it is clear to see why Delta Air Lines was chosen as the best US airline for pet travel. Despite its higher-than-average fees, the SkyTeam carrier offers clear guidance for passengers and their pets, as well as efficient service and an extensive route network.
While traveling with pets is not easy, the fact that most major US carriers allow it, albeit with some restrictions and often hefty charges, is a blessing for many owners who cannot face being without their beloved pets.
