Alaska Airlines allows small pets to travel in the cabin, and larger pets as checked baggage and manifest cargo on most flights. Only dogs and cats are accepted on flights to the United States, Canada, and Mexico. 

Reserve early as space for pets is subject to availability.

Snapshot 

Below is a brief overview of the Alaska Airlines pet policy:

  • Only small dogs, cats, and household birds are accepted. 
  • Only 1 pet is accepted in First Class cabins and 5 in the main cabin, so reserve early. 
  • Dogs and cats must be at least 8 weeks old and weaned. 
  • Service dogs are allowed to travel free of charge in the cabin with their owners.
  • In-cabin pets
    • To travel in the cabin, the weight of the pet (incl. pet carrier) must not exceed 20lb/9kg. 
    • The pet fee for in-cabin pets is USD 100 each way. 
    • Up to 2 pets of the same species can travel in the same carrier if there is enough space for them to stand up, sit, lie down, and turn around. 
    • Each passenger can travel with up to 2 pet carriers—provided an adjacent seat has been purchased and the second pet travels under the adjacent seat.
  • Pets as checked baggage (in the cargo hold)
    • The following domesticated pets are accepted as checked baggage:
      • Dogs
      • Cats 
      • Household birds
      • Ferrets
      • Hamsters
      • Guinea pigs
      • Non-poisonous reptiles
      • Rabbits
      • Pot-bellied pigs
      • Tropical fish 
    • Pets of other species will be accepted upon approval.
    • Pets traveling as checked baggage cannot be transferred to other carriers. 
    • In extreme weather conditions, pets may not be accepted. 
    • The pet must have a health certificate dated less than 10 days before the date of travel.
    • Short-nosed (Brachycephalic) dogs and cats will not be accepted as checked baggage, but may travel in the cabin if they meet the weight and size limit.
    • Pet carriers must comply with IATA standards
  • Pets as cargo baggage
    • Pets exceeding the cabin/checked baggage weight/size limit can travel as manifest cargo.
    • To make a reservation, 1-800-225-2752.

Alaska Airlines Pet Policy —In-Cabin Pets

In-Cabin-Pets

Under Alaska Airlines pet policy, passengers must be at least 18 years old to travel with a pet in the cabin. 

Alaska Airlines pet travel requirements for in-cabin pets are as follows:

  • Pets Allowed. Only small dogs, cats, rabbits, and household birds are allowed. 
  • Carry-on Bag Allotment. The pet carrier will count as a carry-on bag. 
  • Pet Carrier Requirements
  • Size and weight 
    • Hard-sided pet carrier/kennel size (50) must not exceed 17in x 17in x 7.5in (L x W x H). 
    • Soft-sided pet carrier size (50) must not exceed 17in x 11in x 9.5in (L x W x H). 
    • The total weight of the pet carrier/kennel (incl. pet) must not exceed 20lb/9kg.
  • Your pet must be able to do all of these things comfortably inside its carrier:
    • Stand or sit erect
    • Lie down naturally
    • Turn around easily
  • The pet carrier must be adequately ventilated, free of cracks, and escape-proof. 
  • The pet carrier must be clean and leak-proof, with absorbent non-toxic bedding material. 
  • The pet carrier must comply with the applicable legal requirements for safe transportation. 
  • Pet Fee. Alaska Airlines will charge a pet fee of USD 100 per pet carrier per way. 
  • Pet Age. Dogs and cats must be at least 8 weeks old and fully weaned.
  • Pet Carriers Permitted. The maximum number of pet carriers accepted are:
    • First Class—1
    • Main Cabin—5 
  • Pet Carriers Permitted per Passenger
    • Each passenger can travel with up to 2 pet carriers in the main cabin, provided:
      • The passenger purchases the adjacent seat. 
      • The second pet carrier is stored under the adjacent seat.
    • A maximum of 2 pets are allowed to travel in the same carrier if: 
    • They are of the same species. 
    • They are of a similar size. 
    • No body part protrudes from the carrier and the animals are not under any kind of stress.
  • Pet Reservations
    • Inform Alaska Airlines at least 24 hours before travelling. 
    • Make reservations by phone or text (82008). 
    • Pet reservations cannot be made online.
  • Forms Required
    • Alaska Airlines does not require health certificates for pets travelling in the cabin on most domestic flights within the United States. 
    • A health certificate is required when travelling to or from an international destination. 
    • A rabies vaccination certificate is required for pets travelling to Puerto Rico. 
  • Trained Service Dogs are allowed to travel free of charge with their owners in the passenger cabin. 
  • Emotional support animals will not be accepted free of charge after February 28, 2021, and must travel under Alaska Airlines pet policy, subject to all applicable restrictions.
  • Restrictions
    • Birds will not be accepted on flights to Hawaii. 
    • There are additional requirements for travelling to Hawaii.
    • Only dogs and cats are allowed to travel into the United States, Canada, and Mexico. 
    • Pets are not allowed to occupy a seat.
    • Pets must stay inside their carrier/container at all times.
    • Pets with offensive odors will not be accepted for travel in the cabin.
    • Passengers travelling with pets cannot occupy an emergency exit row seat. 
    • Pets will not be accepted in the First Class cabin of Airbus-operated flights.

Alaska Airlines Pet Policy —Pets as Checked Baggage

Alaska-Airlines-Pet-Policy

Pets that are too large to fit under a passenger seat, and animals other than dogs and cats, are allowed to travel in the baggage compartment, where the temperature and pressure are the same as that in the passenger cabin. 

Alaska Airlines’ pet travel requirements for pets travelling in the cargo hold of the aircraft as checked baggage are as follows:

  • Pets Allowed
    • Cats 
    • Dogs
    • Rabbits
    • Guinea pigs
    • Household birds
    • Hamsters
    • Ferrets
    • Pot-bellied pigs
    • Non-poisonous reptiles
    • Tropical fish 

Pets belonging to other species will be accepted only after approval.

  • Crate Requirements
  • Size and weight 
    • Maximum size—53in long x 48in wide x 34in high.
    • Minimum size—21in long x 16in wide x 15in high.
    • Maximum weight—150lb/68kg (100lb/45kg on SkyWest flights).
  • The top and bottom sections of the pet crate must be fastened together with strong metal hardware.
  • 1 crate can contain:
    • 1 cat or dog older than 6 months per crate, or
    • Up to 2 similar-sized pups or kittens between 8 weeks and 6 months of age, not exceeding 20lb/9kg each. They must be known to each other and of the same sex.
  • The pet crate must be large enough to allow the pet to:
    • Stand or sit erect comfortably
    • Turn around and lie down naturally
  • The pet crate must be adequately ventilated, free of cracks, and escape-proof. 
  • The pet crate must be IATA compliant.
  • Pet Fee
    • USD 100 per pet crate per way. 
    • Payable at the check-in counter.
  • Pet Age. Minimum 8 weeks and fully weaned (dogs and cats). 
  • Pet Reservations
    • Must be made at least 24 hours before travelling. 
    • Reservations must be made by phone or text (82008). 
    • To book your pet, fill out this form.
    • Online reservations are not allowed.
    • For more information, call 1-800-252-7522.
  • Check-in
    • You must check in with your pet at the passenger ticket counter well before your flight’s departure.
    • You must feed and water your pet within 4 hours of checking in.
    • You must provide enough food and water for the trip.
  • Forms Required
    • A health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of travel. 
    • If returning to your country on the same booking, the health certificate must be valid for 30 days. 
  • Vaccinations
    • Current rabies vaccination certificate is required for travelling between the 48 Lower states from/to Alaska, and also within Alaska. 
    • Cities in Alaska such as Kotzebue and Nome require Parvovirus vaccinations as well. 
  • Restrictions
    • Breed restrictions. Brachycephalic dogs and cats will not be accepted due to safety reasons. 
    • Temperature restrictions. Pets will not be accepted as checked baggage if the temperature (actual or forecasted) exceeds 85°F (29.4°C) or is lower than 45°F (7.2°C) on any part of the itinerary. If the temperature is below 45°F, an acclimation certificate will be required.
    • Layover restrictions. Layovers exceeding 4 hours are not permitted on trips including a transfer to other Alaska Airlines-operated flights, SkyWest Flight Series 3300-3499, Horizon Air, PenAir, or Ravn Alaska. 
    • Animals will not be to allowed to travel in the cargo hold on PenAir-operated flights outside of Alaska.
    • Aircraft restrictions
      • Pets flying in the cargo hold will not be accepted on Airbus-operated flights. 
      • Passengers travelling on Alaska flights 3300-3499 and 2000-2999 will not be allowed to check in pets in the baggage or cargo sections during holiday season (November 15 – January 10).

Alaska Airlines Pet Cargo Policy 

Alaska Airlines’ PetConnect Program offers its services across continental United States, Hawaii, Mexico, Canada, and Cost Rica. 

Alaska Airlines pet policy for pets travelling as manifest cargo requires the following:

  • Pets Allowed
    • Cats 
    • Dogs
    • Rabbits
    • Guinea pigs
    • Household birds
    • Hamsters
    • Ferrets
    • Pot-bellied pigs
    • Non-poisonous reptiles
    • Tropical fish 

Pets belonging to other species may be accepted, subject to after approval.

  • Crate Requirements
  • Size and weight 
    • Maximum size (Alaska Airlines)—53in long x 48in wide x 34in high.
    • Maximum size (Horizon Air)—40in long x 27in wide x 30in high.
    • One crate can contain Up to 2 similar-sized pups or kittens between 8 weeks and 6 months of age, not weighing more than 20lb/9kg each and must be of the same species.
  • The crate must be IATA-compliant and provide enough room for the pet.
  • The crate sturdy, well ventilated and escape-proof. 
  • Pet Age. At least 8 weeks old and fully weaned (dogs and cats) to travel on domestic and international flights.
  • Pet Reservations
    • Can be made from 35 days to 24 hours before departure, and 3 to 7 days before departure for connecting flights to another airline or international flights.
  • Check-in
    • You must check in with your pet at Alaska Airlines’ cargo facility not more than 4 hours before departure. 
    • You will be required to pay the pet fee when dropping off your pet. 
  • Forms Required
    • A health certificate issued within 10 days of your flight. 
    • Proof of vaccinations. 
    • Pet passport if travelling internationally. 
  • Vaccinations
    • As required by the state or country. 
  • Restrictions
    • Breed restrictions. Brachycephalic dogs and cats cannot travel for reasons of safety. 
    • Temperature restrictions. If the temperature is more than 85°F (29.4°C) or below 45°F (7.2°C) in any city on the itinerary, the animal may not be accepted. 
    • Country restrictions
      • Pets travelling as manifest cargo will not be accepted on flights to/from Mexico. 
      • There is a restriction on the number of pets travelling as cargo baggage to Hawaii between November 1 and March 31. 

Alaska Airlines Pet Fee

  • In the cabin USD 100 each way
  • In baggage USD 100 each way 

Frequently Asked Questions on Alaska Airlines Pet Policy

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