Want to add a pet
to your booking?
Whether a pet can travel, and how, is decided by the airline and can depend on the route, the aircraft and the space left on the flight. Call to speak with an independent travel agent who can help you review what may apply. Acceptance cannot be guaranteed.
Independent third-party travel assistance. Not affiliated with any airline. Service fees may apply if you choose to proceed.
What airlines commonly check
Three different ways an animal may travel
These are handled under different rules, so it helps to know which one fits your situation before you call the airline or book.
A pet in the cabin
Many airlines accept certain small pets in the cabin in a carrier that fits under the seat in front. Accepted animals, carrier size, the number of pets allowed on each flight and the fee are all set by the airline, and space can run out. A pet in the cabin is generally booked in addition to the passenger’s own ticket.
A trained service dog
Under US Department of Transportation rules, a service animal is a dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. Airlines may require DOT forms about the dog’s health, behavior and training. Service animals are handled under those rules rather than under an airline’s pet policy. See the US DOT service animal guidance.
An emotional support animal
Under current DOT rules, an emotional support animal is not treated as a service animal. Airlines may accept one as a pet instead, in which case the airline’s ordinary pet policy and fees apply. Whether and how it can travel depends on that policy.
Airlines commonly cap the number of animals on a flight, and some routes, aircraft, seasons or destinations are not open to pets at all. Not every airline carries pets in the hold. Checking before you buy a ticket, rather than after, avoids the situation where a traveler is booked and the pet is not.
What airlines may ask for
These are the documents and timings US DOT rules allow airlines to require. Individual airlines apply them through their own processes, so check what your airline asks for.
Airlines may require a DOT form attesting to the service animal’s health, behavior and training.
For a flight of 8 hours or more, airlines may also require a DOT form attesting that the animal either will not need to relieve itself or can do so in a sanitary way.
If the reservation was made more than 48 hours before travel, airlines may ask for the forms up to 48 hours before departure.
These are not service animals under current DOT rules. An airline may accept one as a pet, subject to its pet policy and fees.
Three things we do not decide
These are set by the airline or by government agencies. We can help you review the information and where a request should go — we do not approve animals for travel.
Dogs entering the United States
According to the CDC, a dog entering or returning to the United States must be at least 6 months old, have a microchip that can be read by a universal scanner, and have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. Further documents may be required if the dog has been in a country the CDC considers high-risk for dog rabies in the previous six months. See the CDC dog importation guidance and the CDC Dog Import Form instructions.
Your destination’s own rules
Other countries, and some US destinations, set their own requirements for animals arriving from elsewhere, which can include health certificates, vaccinations, microchips, permits or quarantine. These are separate from the airline’s acceptance rules and can take time to arrange, so check them before booking.
The airline’s acceptance rules
Which animals an airline carries, carrier size and weight limits, any breed or seasonal temperature restrictions, and pet fees are all set by the airline and can change. Final acceptance happens with the airline, and sometimes only at the airport. See the DOT service animal form if you are traveling with a trained service dog.
General information only, not advice about your trip. Airline policies and government rules change — verify the current position with the operating airline, the US DOT, the CDC and your destination before you travel. SkyBuzzz does not decide whether an animal may travel and cannot guarantee acceptance.
When travelers ask about pets
These are the situations we are asked about most often. If your situation is not listed, call and a travel agent can help you review the available options.
Your pet needs to travel in the cabin
In-cabin pet policies commonly limit the animal, the carrier size and the number of pets on each flight. Space can be limited, so it is worth checking before you buy a ticket.
You are traveling with a trained service dog
Under US DOT rules, airlines may require DOT forms, and may ask for them up to 48 hours before travel if you booked before then.
You have an emotional support animal
Under current DOT rules these are not treated as service animals. An airline may accept one as a pet, subject to its pet policy and fees.
Your trip is international
Destinations can set their own animal entry rules, and a dog entering the United States must meet CDC requirements.
You booked your ticket but not your pet
Many airlines ask for a pet to be added to the reservation in advance, and the space for animals on a flight can run out.
Your flight or aircraft was changed
A schedule or aircraft change can affect whether an animal can still travel on the flight. It is worth re-checking before departure.
Questions about traveling with a pet
No. Whether an animal can travel is decided by the airline, and can depend on the route, the aircraft, the season and how much space is left for animals on the flight. We can help you review what may apply, but acceptance cannot be guaranteed.
It depends on the airline. Many airlines accept certain small pets in the cabin in a carrier that fits under the seat in front, with limits on size, carrier dimensions and the number of pets on each flight. Fees are set by the airline. Some airlines, routes and aircraft do not accept pets in the cabin.
Not under current US Department of Transportation rules, which took effect in January 2021. A service animal is a dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. An airline may choose to accept an emotional support animal as a pet, in which case its pet policy and fees apply.
Under DOT rules, airlines may require a DOT form attesting to the service animal’s health, behavior and training. For a flight of 8 hours or more they may also require a DOT form about the animal’s relief needs. If the reservation was made more than 48 hours before travel, airlines may ask for the forms up to 48 hours before departure.
According to the CDC, a dog entering or returning to the United States must be at least 6 months old, have a microchip that a universal scanner can read, and have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. More documentation may be required if the dog has been in a country the CDC considers high-risk for dog rabies in the previous six months. Check the CDC’s current guidance before you travel.
Some airlines restrict certain breeds, or restrict animals traveling in the hold during periods of very hot or cold weather. These restrictions are set by each airline and change, so check the operating airline’s current policy for your route and dates.
It depends on every airline on the itinerary and on the destination. Where more than one airline is involved, each may apply its own animal policy, and international destinations can have separate entry requirements that take time to arrange.
We can help you review the airline and destination requirements that may apply, explain the difference between pet, service animal and emotional support animal travel, and identify where a request should be directed. We cannot approve an animal for travel, complete government or veterinary forms for you, or override an airline decision.
No. SkyBuzzz is an independent third-party travel assistance service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or authorized to represent any airline. All airline names and trademarks belong to their respective owners.
No service fee for the initial consultation. If you choose paid assistance, we'll disclose our service fee before you agree. Airline charges and fare differences are separate. Any pet fee charged by the airline is separate from our service fee and is paid to the airline.
Other ways we can help
If something has gone wrong with your booking, a live travel agent can help you review the available options on one call.
Flight Change
Review options to move to an earlier or later flight or change your dates.
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Flight Cancellation
Review what refund or travel credit options may apply to your booking.
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Seat Selection
Review seat requests, including seating together, subject to availability.
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Manage Booking
Review passenger details, baggage options and your existing itinerary.
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Infant on Lap
Review adding a child under two to your booking, on your lap or in their own seat.
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Unaccompanied Minor
Review airline requirements before a child travels without an accompanying adult.
Learn moreCheck your pet’s options before you travel
Call to speak with an independent travel agent who can help you review what may apply to your booking. Acceptance cannot be guaranteed. No service fee for the initial consultation. If you choose paid assistance, we'll disclose our service fee before you agree. Airline charges and fare differences are separate.