Space for pets traveling in the cabin or in the cargo compartment is subject to availability. For travel on Alaska Airlines, please contact Alaska Airlines reservations at 1-800-252-7522.
Note: Alaska Airlines does not transfer pets traveling in the baggage compartment to other carriers. Pets must be claimed and rechecked to the connecting carrier.
Passengers must be 18 years or older to travel with a pet in the cabin. A passenger traveling with a pet may not occupy an emergency exit row seat, bulkhead, or any seat with an airbag safety belt (row 6 on flight numbers 001-999). The First Class cabin can accommodate a total of one pet carrier per flight, and the main cabin can accommodate a total of up to five pet carriers per flight.
Important notes for travel with your pet in the cabin:
Carriers in cabin The USDA and IATA "This indicates a link to an external site that may not meet accessibility guidelines." have specific requirements.
Pets must be small enough to fit and stay comfortably in a kennel under the seat.
The following carrier sizes are accepted for travel in the cabin:
Kennel size chart for travel in cabin
| Type | Kennel Size | Dimensions (length x width x height) |
|---|---|---|
| Hard-sided | 50 | 17" x 11" x 7.5" |
| Soft-sided | 50 | 17" x 11" x 9.5" |
To be accepted for travel, your pet carrier must:
Alaska Airlines accepts most small domesticated pets. Other pets may be accepted with approval. Pets that may travel in the climate-controlled baggage and cargo compartments include cats, dogs, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, household birds, non-poisonous reptiles, pot-bellied pigs, rabbits, and tropical fish.
The following regulations apply:
Dogs and cats must be at least 8 weeks of age and weaned. No more than 1 live dog or cat, 6 months of age or older, may be transported in the same kennel. No more than 1 live puppy, 8 weeks to 6 months of age, and weighing over 20 lbs, may be transported in the same kennel. No more than 2 live puppies or kittens, 8 weeks to 6 months of age, that are of comparable size, and weighing 20 lbs or less each, may be transported in the same kennel. Animals must be harmless, inoffensive (not destructive to itself or the kennel), and require no attention during transit.
Cargo options Cargo is a term used to denote goods or produce being transported generally for commercial gain. It does not include passenger baggage or animals traveling with a passenger. Learn more about transporting your pet using Pet Connect™ air cargo "This indicates a link to an external site that may not meet accessibility guidelines.".
Food and water for checked animals
Regulations require animals traveling as checked baggage to be offered food and water within 4 hours of check-in Animals must be offered sufficient food and water to last the entire journey Customers with a connection of four or more hours may request access to their animal in the connection city to offer additional food and water The customer is responsible to re-check the animal in the connection city and provide the paid receipt when rechecking the animal During check-in, you will be asked to complete a Pet Check record to certify your pet has been offered food and water prior to acceptance Climate-controlled baggage compartment When you check your pet using this transportation method, you must travel on the same flight(s) to your pet's destination. Check in at least 1 hour, but no more than 2 hours before departure. Please note there may be specific check-in requirements at your departure airport. Your pet will be available for pick-up in the baggage claim area approximately 30 minutes after the flight arrives.
If your trip includes a transfer to another flight operated by Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, SkyWest Flight Series 3300-3499, PenAir, or Ravn Alaska, we allow a maximum connection time of 4 hours for the animal at the connection city.
Note: Pets are not permitted to travel in the baggage compartment on flights operated by PenAir outside the State of Alaska
Alaska Airlines does not transfer pets to other airlines. If your trip includes a transfer to any other airline, you must allow time to pick up your pet in the baggage claim area and re-check your pet with the connecting airline.
If a delay prevents your pet's flight from departing, your pet may be placed in a kennel facility until it can be transported. Costs incurred due to weather-related delays are the responsibility of the pet owner. Alaska Airlines will accept a pet and kennel combined weight of up to 150 lbs. Should the pet and kennel weigh 151 pounds or more, please contact Air Cargo for assistance and pricing.
Cargo options Cargo is a term used to denote goods or produce being transported generally for commercial gain. It does not include passenger baggage or animals traveling with a passenger. Learn more about transporting your pet using Pet Connect™ air cargo "This indicates a link to an external site that may not meet accessibility guidelines.".
Food and water for checked animals
Regulations require animals traveling as checked baggage to be offered food and water within 4 hours of check-in Animals must be offered sufficient food and water to last the entire journey Customers with a connection of four or more hours may request access to their animal in the connection city to offer additional food and water The customer is responsible to re-check the animal in the connection city and provide the paid receipt when rechecking the animal During check-in, you will be asked to complete a Pet Check record to certify your pet has been offered food and water prior to acceptance Climate-controlled baggage compartment When you check your pet using this transportation method, you must travel on the same flight(s) to your pet's destination. Check in at least 1 hour, but no more than 2 hours before departure. Please note there may be specific check-in requirements at your departure airport. Your pet will be available for pick-up in the baggage claim area approximately 30 minutes after the flight arrives.
If your trip includes a transfer to another flight operated by Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, SkyWest Flight Series 3300-3499, PenAir, or Ravn Alaska, we allow a maximum connection time of 4 hours for the animal at the connection city.
Note: Pets are not permitted to travel in the baggage compartment on flights operated by PenAir outside the State of Alaska
Alaska Airlines does not transfer pets to other airlines. If your trip includes a transfer to any other airline, you must allow time to pick up your pet in the baggage claim area and re-check your pet with the connecting airline.
If a delay prevents your pet's flight from departing, your pet may be placed in a kennel facility until it can be transported. Costs incurred due to weather-related delays are the responsibility of the pet owner. Alaska Airlines will accept a pet and kennel combined weight of up to 150 lbs. Should the pet and kennel weigh 151 pounds or more, please contact Air Cargo for assistance and pricing.
Holiday travel Customers traveling on Alaska Airlines flights 2000-2999 or flights 3300-3499 may not check pets in the baggage or cargo compartments during the following dates:
November 21 - December 3, 2019 December 10, 2019 through January 3, 2020 Pets in the cabin will still be accepted during these time periods.
Hawaii Alaska Airlines accepts only cats or dogs for travel to Hawai'i. Because of Hawaii's unique status as the only rabies-free state, and because of strong headwinds at certain times of year, there are additional requirements for travel. Please visit our Pets traveling to Hawaii page for further details.
Alaska Airlines accepts only kennels secured with nuts and bolts for transport in the cargo compartment.
Alaska Airlines recommends that you obtain an approved carrier in advance of travel.
All pets crossing state borders, with the exception of guide dogs, are required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to have a valid health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian within 30 days of travel. If an animal is being transported by a breeder, dealer, or research facility, then the health certificate must have been issued within 10 days. All animals crossing state borders to a cold weather destination are required to have a veterinarian's note on the health certificate that they are acclimated to temperatures below 45F. It is the responsibility of the customer to obtain this certification.
November 21 - December 3, 2019 December 10, 2019 through January 3, 2020 Pets in the cabin will still be accepted during these time periods.
Proof of rabies vaccination is required for animals traveling within the state of Alaska or when traveling across state lines. Proof of Parvo Virus vaccination is required before an animal can be transported to Nome or Kotzebue. Service animals traveling with a passenger are exempt from these certifications, though they are required to be in a working harness that identifies them as a service animal.
Only pets in good health are permitted. Any pet in a kennel too small or in obvious distress due to illness or injury will be refused travel. A Reservation Sales Agent or Customer Service Agent can provide further information about documentation requirements.
Sedation is not advised since the effects of tranquilizers on animals at high altitudes are unpredictable. The decision to prescribe a tranquilizer for your pet should be made by your veterinarian.
International Travel:
Canada: Animals may be accepted for travel via Baggage, Cargo, and Carry-on Baggage provided all regulations are met. Horizon Air does not accept pets for GoldStreak service.
Mexico: Animals may be accepted for travel via Baggage and Carry-on Baggage, provided all regulations are met. Alaska Airlines does not accept pets for Cargo or GoldStreak service to and from Mexico.
Pet in Cabin = $100.00 (USD) each way.
Pet in Baggage = $100.00 (USD) each way.
Pet and Carrier Combined Weight = Pet and Carrier Combined Weight up to 149 lbs; 150 lbs or more Contact Cargo for Pricing
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