Can I buy my dog a seat on a plane?

Most airlines do not allow passengers to buy their dogs a seat on a plane. However, depending on the dog's size and breed, as well as the specific airline's rules, you may be able to pay to have your dog fly with you in the cabin.

Can you purchase a seat for your dog on a plane?

You can't buy an extra seat for your dog unless you're flying JSX or JetBlue Airways. Generally speaking, traveling with a dog as a "carry-on luggage" item usually incurs a lower fee than if it travels in the belly of the plane as cargo. And by the way, a pet in its carrier counts as your carry-on bag.

Which airline allows dogs in the cabin?

Which airline allows dogs in cabin with their owners? Alaska Airlines and American Airlines are often considered one of the most pet-friendly major carriers, allowing a variety of pets including dogs, cats, rabbits, and birds.

Can my dog sit on an airplane seat?

No. Airlines will not even allow a seat to be purchased for a pet, unless it is to use the extra floor space- the animal cannot sit on or touch the seat for sanitation and allergy reasons. The dog/animal must ride lying under the seat in front of you.

How to fly with your dog in a seat?

Yes! You may book an extra seat for your pet. However, the pet must be placed in their carrier in the floor space of the extra seat. Pets are not allowed to sit on the seat. During taxi, takeoff, and landing, your pet must remain inside the carrier under the seat in front of you.

How To Fly With Your Dog In The Cabin In 2025 | Our experience bringing our Westie puppy on a plane

What happens if my dog doesn't fit under the plane seat?

Traveling by air with a pet can be a real pain. If your dog or cat won't fit in a carrier under the seat, you have to check the animal as baggage (when that's allowed) or ship it as cargo.

How to make a dog sleep on a plane?

A Thundershirt® swaddles a dog much like an infant is swaddled and can reduce anxiety. A pheromone calming collar can help lower anxiety (Adaptil®). Trazodone, gabapentin, and alprazolam are sometimes prescribed by veterinarians to reduce the anxiety that some dogs experience when traveling.

What if my pet is too big to fly in the cabin?

In-cabin rules can vary somewhat depending on the airline, but generally, if your pet and their carrier can't fit underneath the seat in front of you, they'll have to fly as manifest cargo.

Can I hold my dog in my lap on a plane?

On board and in flight

It is highly recommended you sit in a window or an aisle seat. Your pet must always remain inside the carrier while on board. Carriers must be placed below the seat in front of you during taxi, take-off and landing. You may hold your pet in their carrier on your lap during the flight.

How to fly with a medium-sized dog?

Dogs must either fly in a carrier under the seat in front of you, or in a crate in cargo. As much as you might love your dog, it's not possible to purchase an airline seat for your dog. The only dogs permitted to fly openly in the cabin of commercial airlines are trained service dogs assisting people with disabilities.

Is it stressful for dogs to fly?

Our results suggest that both road and air transport are stressful for dogs, at least for animals who are not used to travel. Sedation with acepromazine, at the dosage used, did not significantly affect the stress reaction during air transport.

Do any UK airlines allow dogs in the cabin?

Flying with pets in the cabin from the UK is generally not allowed on most UK-based airlines, but some European carriers, such as KLM, Lufthansa, Air France, and Vueling, do allow it on selected routes. With the right planning, these options can make traveling with your pet in the cabin more manageable.

How long can a dog fly in a cabin?

You can travel with a pet on most flights up to 12 hours or flights to / from select locations: Within the 48 contiguous United States. The U.S. and Canada* Alaska.

Is there an airline just for pets?

K9 JETS is the World's first pet-dedicated, pay-per-seat, private jet charter service, offering an innovative alternative to traditional pet shipping. Travel with your beloved pet by your side in the cabin.

Can I buy a seat for my dog?

Even if you buy an extra seat for your pet, most airlines require that your pet stays in its carrier the entire flight. That means your dog won't be able to sit directly on the airplane seat, even if you purchased that seat for them. Still, buying an extra seat can let you stretch out a bit.

Can I give my dog a sedative before flying?

That's why the American Veterinary Medical Association strongly advises against using tranquilizers or sedatives. In fact, airlines won't even accept sedated or tranquilized dogs and cats. Many of them won't even knowingly accept a dog or cat that has been or appears to have been sedated.

What airline lets dogs sit on lap?

American Airlines

It must be a cat or dog, or in some cases a trained miniature horse. The animal must fit at your feet, or in your lap if “smaller than a 2-year old child,” according to the airline website. If in a kennel, its size must be no larger than 18-by-8-by-14 inches and fit under the seat in front.

Which airline is best for dogs?

Is it better for a dog to fly in cargo?

Be aware of the dangers of flying your pet in a cargo hold

While most animals flown in the cargo area of airplanes are fine, you should be aware that some animals are killed, injured or lost on commercial flights each year. Excessively hot or cold temperatures, poor ventilation and improper handling are often to blame.

Should a dog be able to stand in a pet carrier?

Know Your Dog's Measurements to Ensure a Right-Sized Carrier

A dog should be able to stand up, turn around, and stretch when lying down. They shouldn't be expected to stay in the same position for hours on end for the sake of travel. This can ultimately stress a dog and even lead to injury.

Do dogs' ears hurt on planes?

Just like humans, they will encounter a change in air pressure which can lead to painful ear popping which can make the flight a little more stressful. Unfortunately, there is not a great deal you can do but a chew toy can act as a great assistance to pain relief and distraction as can some gentle petting.

Is there an over the counter sedative for dogs?

Conclusion. Over-the-counter medications are a viable option for treating dog anxiety. Some of the best OTC anti-anxiety medications include Benadryl, Dramamine, and Melatonin. Many of the OTC medications for anxious dogs are for humans but most of them are safe for use in dogs.

What if your dog has to pee on a flight?

Small pets are required to be in carriers, so if they make a mess it should be contained by the carrier, though it might smell. Animals traveling as cargo are in hard-sided kennels which should also contain the mess.

Do dogs parachute out of planes?

So, can dogs go skydiving? The answer might surprise you. Skydiving dogs are indeed a real thing, though it's not as simple as a dog parachuting with its owner. Military dog skydiving is the most common type of canine jumping, but some dogs fly just for fun.

Can a dog travel without a seatbelt?

The Highway Code clearly advises that dogs travelling in your car must be “suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly.”