Traveling with pets is a booming industry—a growing number of people are bringing their furry friends along for vacations, business trips, or even moves. In response, carriers have changed their rules to help accommodate people flying with furry friends. But not all carriers are pet travel-friendly. While some provide amazing services and policies to cater to your pet’s comfort and safety, others might not value your pet’s welfare.
So, in this guide, we are going to break down the Airlines with the Best Pet Travel Policies in 2025 to make sure you know who to book with for a smooth and safe journey for your furry friends. Whether you are flying close to home or across the world, knowing what airlines care more about your furry companion can make all the difference in your trip.
Why Pet Travel Policies Are Important:
An airline is as safe as its travel policies for your pet. Inaccessible pet accommodation can leave you and your pet in for a rocky ride, causing anxiety, discomfort, or worse. On the other hand, airlines that are pet-friendly bring you peace of mind, as you know your pet will receive excellent care on the airplane.
When it comes to traveling with pets, there are many things to keep in mind, including:
- Cabin or Cargo: If your pet will fly in the cabin with you or in the cargo hold.
- Pet Size and Weight Limitations: Each airline imposes restrictions on the dimensions and weight of pets permitted in the cabin.
- Pet Transport Costs: Building to Bring Your Pet with Us.
- Health and Safety: What measures the airline takes to guarantee the safety of your pet, including temperature control, ventilation, and regular checks.
- Documents: Health certificates, vaccination records, or pet passports.
This guide will cover the best airlines with pet travel policies in 2025, taking into account all the above-mentioned factors, so that your furry friend can travel comfortably along with you.
When Traveling with Pets, Here Are Factors to Consider When Choosing an Airline:
Now, before we get into which airlines have the best pet travel policies in 2025, let’s cover the points you’ll want to consider when booking a flight for your furry friend:
- Pet Size and Breed Restrictions: The size of the pet and certain breeds are not permitted on the airline due to safety concerns (e.g., brachycephalic dogs like bulldogs).
- Pet Travel Type: Certain airlines allow pets to travel in the cabin with their human companions and some only permit pets to travel in cargo. These take advantage of the fact that if you are flying with a small dog or cat, some airlines accommodate pets in the cabin.
- Travel Comfort: Ensure that the airline provides a space for your companion to be comfortable and secured during the flight (this is especially important if they are being transported in the cargo hold).
- Fees: Pet travel fees vary from airline to airline. At least some airlines have reasonable rates for taking a pet in the cabin and may charge more for larger pets traveling in cargo.
- Health and Safety Precautions: Find carriers with added health and safety measures for the comfort of your pet (this includes temperature-controlled cargo holds or dedicated pet care teams).
Best Airlines for Pet Travel in 2025:
Based on the criteria above, let’s explore which airlines made the cut for best pet travel policies in 2025. We will also take a look at some of the most well-known pet-friendly airlines and their respective policies.
Alaska Airlines:
In 2025, Alaska Airlines is among the top-ranking pet-friendly airlines. All pets travel in the cabin for a fee, and the airline has one of the most detailed pet policies around.
- Cabin: Pets must be less than 17 pounds (8 kg) and comfortably fit in a compliant kennel that can fit under the seat.
- Cargo: Alaska Airlines also says it has cargo transport available as an option for bigger pets that don’t fit the cabin restrictions.
- Pet Fees: For pets traveling in the cabin, Alaska Airlines has a reasonable pet fee, and their pet cargo fees are also competitive.
- Health & Safety: Pets flying in the cabin or cargo require a valid health certificate, confirming they’re healthy and ready to fly, to board an Alaska Airlines flight.
American Airlines:
American Airlines has one of the most pet-friendly travel policies in the United States — both for domestic and international flights. Booking with an airline that offers in-cabin pet travel and a good reputation for pet care is a must!
- Cabin Travel: Small pets (cats, dogs, and household birds) can travel in the cabin for a fee. The pet must be placed in an approved carrier that fits under the seat, and the carrier and pet together must not weigh more than 15 pounds (7 kg).
- Cargo Travel: American Airlines has measures in cargo travel for pets as well, but there is extra caution taken that is unnecessary in transit for larger pets.
- Fees For Pets: American Airlines charges a fee for pets traveling in the cabin and in cargo, but both options are considered competitive for pricing.
- Health and Safety: Pets traveling in the cabin must have a health certificate, while those in the cargo hold must have a health check. The airline also goes to great lengths to make sure pets are shipped safely, including temperature-controlled cargo holds.
JetBlue Airways:
JetBlue is another pet-friendly airline that makes traveling with pets a breeze. Pets can fly in the cabin with this airline, and they have a number of pet travel-enhancing features.
- Cabin Travel: For JetBlue, the combined weight of the pet and the carrier must not exceed 15 pounds (7 kg). The pet should be in an approved carrier, JetBlue has dedicated spaces for pet carriers under the seat.
- Pet-Friendly Policies: JetBlue’s pet policies are straightforward, and the airline has a number of initiatives in place to make sure pets are treated as well as people. With these regulations, animals can fly in the cabin with their owners, lowering stress in both the pet and the owner.
- Health and Safety: JetBlue has Health and Safety guidelines that are great for pets and create an environment that is accommodating to their needs, including health certificates for pets traveling in the cabin.
Delta Air Lines:
Another strong player in pet-friendly travel is Delta. Including international (in cabin and cargo) there are several options for pets traveling both domestically and internationally with the airline.
- Cabin Travel: Delta will permit small animals to fly with you in the cabin if they are contained in an approved carrier that fits under the seat. Pets must be under 15 pounds (7 kg), and Delta allows only dogs and cats in the cabin.
- Cargo Travel: Delta provides a temperature-controlled and safe cargo hold for larger pets. Delta is also known for being no-nonsense with regard to details when it comes to pet travel.
- Pet Fees: Pets traveling in the cabin or cargo are charged a fee — in typical Delta-friendly fashion, they’re reasonable!
- Health and Safety: Delta offers health certificates for pets, and the airline maintains a quality of service in the cabin and cargo hold.
Lufthansa:
International travelers have one of the most robust, pet-friendly travel policies of any airline with Lufthansa. Lufthansa is renowned for its world-class pet care, particularly for flights to and from Europe.
- Cabin: Small pets can fly with you in the cabin on Lufthansa provided that they comply with the airline’s size and weight restrictions (up to 17.6 pounds or 8 kg). Pets must be in an approved carrier that fits under the seat.
- Lufthansa Cargo Travel: The airline’s cargo services offer a secure and comfortable environment for larger pets traveling in the cargo hold, with special temperature-controlled airplane cabins to maximize the pets’ comfort.
- Pet Fees: Lufthansa collects fees for pets that travel in the cabin as well as in the cargo hold, and the pricing is competitive with other carriers that operate internationally.
- Pet Health and Safety: Lufthansa requires pets in the cabin and in cargo to have health certificates. Whether traveling to a familiar destination or embarking on a new adventure, the airline is dedicated to making each pet’s journey as safe and comfortable as possible.
Life: Navigating the Challenges of Traveling with Pets:
How to travel with a pet — rewarding but not easy. The biggest hiccups seem to come from navigating different airline policies, fees, and logistical challenges. But these barriers can be overcome easily with some planning and research.
One most important challenge for pet owners is airline restrictions confusion. Airlines vary in terms of dimensions, weight limits, and species allowed in the cabin. Be sure to read ahead of time with your airline to ensure that their pet travel policies and the travel requirements for your pet won’t cause any trouble.
Now you might face another obstacle to bringing your four-legged friend with you on vacation: Keeping your pet healthy and safe during the flight. If you are going to be flying with your pet in the cargo hold, it’s chapters conclusive that the airline offers environments that control for temperature and that your pet is safely contained in a quality carrier. Temperature monitoring and rigorous procedures to ensure that pets are not harmed during transport are almost standard operating procedure for many airlines.
Pet fees can also be expensive. Some carriers have more palatable prices than others, but the cost of pet travel can still run high, particularly for longer international journeys. That being said, it is smart to budget and plan for these expenses—and choose an airline that offers the best value on your pet’s travel needs.
Conclusion:
These Airlines with the Best Pet Travel Policies in 2025. With your pet’s comfort, health, and safety in mind, you can select the ideal airline for your next adventure. Whether you’re traveling domestic or international, understanding the policies can really mean the difference between a fido with a great trip and one that’s miserable just like its owner because of lack of knowledge on how to take care of your furry companion.
Call to Action (CTA):
Are you going to take a trip with your pet in 2025? Let us know in the comments of your experiences or questions when traveling with pets. We did however want to make your pet’s next flight as easy and cool as possible!