How Does Alaska Airlines Accept Pets on Their Flights?

Can I Travel With My Pet Dog or Cat Safely with Alaska Airlines?

Yes, you can bring your pet dog or cat to travel with you on Alaska Airlines flights. The airline has a very simple pet travel policy under which you can plan to bring your furry friends air traveling. The Alaska Airlines Pet Policy allows you to take small, vaccinated domestic pets on their flights. However, you need to consider several factors before booking a flight with them. And there is a pet travel fee, which is a must.

If you have big pets that do not qualify to travel on Alaska Airlines planes with you, the airline’s cargo offers Live Animal Shipping. The airline accommodates 1 pet in their first-class cabins and 5 more in the main cabin. To understand the rules for travel with your pets, take a look at the details below.

So, with Alaska Airlines, your pet is covered with its smart policy for a first class experience. Count on its pet travel program that transports pets with the best care and safety. To know more about pet policy of Alaska, go through the following account.

What is Alaska Airlines Pet Policy?

If you are traveling with Alaska Airlines with your four-legged friends, the airline has some specific guidelines for you. In 2024, travel with your pet, as per Alaska Airlines travel policy, needs more attention. For safe travel with pets, keep in mind the below points and follow them thoroughly:

The airline only allows dogs, cats, rabbits, and household birds on its flights as in-cabin pets, and the requirement changes for cargo.
A pet must be at least 8 weeks old to travel with you on the plane.
Wean your dogs and cats well before bringing them onboard with Alaska Airlines.
For connections or flight transfers, pets can wait up to 4 hours. The rule stands true respective to flights operated by Alaska Airlines, SkyWest Flight Series 3300-3499, or Horizon Air.
To transfer to any other airline -
- Get your pet in the baggage claim area
- Re-check the pet with the connecting airline
Alaska Airlines allows only one emotional support dog or cat per disabled passenger in the cabin.
If your pet's flight is delayed, it will be moved to a carrier facility until the flight is ready to depart.
You have to bear the costs incurred because of the weather-related delays.

Now, let’s proceed to look into the pet policy according to in-cabin and in baggage compartment pets.

Alaska Airlines Policy for In-Cabin Pets

In-cabin pets travel as carry-on luggage with Alaska Airlines. If you want to travel with your pets in the cabin, the below rules apply:

As per Alaska Airlines pet policy in cabin, you must be at least 18 years old to fly with a pet in the cabin.
Avoid bulkhead or exit rows when flying with pets.
The Main Cabin accommodates eight pet carriers per flight.
Three pet carriers per flight are allowed in the First Class cabin.
Alaska allows you to fly with -
- Pet stowed under the seat
- Maximum two pets (same species and size) in the same kennel
Alaska allows only dogs, cats, rabbits, and household birds in the Main Cabin.
With Alaska Airlines, a carry on allotment is provided to your pet as per the policy devised. So, you can bring either of the following -
- A pet carrier and a carry-on bag of standard size
- A pet carrier and a personal item

Make sure to keep your pet in a secure carrier throughout the entire journey, from entering the airport to leaving it at your destination.

Alaska Airlines Checked Pet Policy- Pets in Luggage Compartment

You can also transfer your pets as luggage in the luggage compartment of the Alaska airlines flight. However, the travel rules vary when sending pets as checked luggage. Here are the details for pet traveling in the baggage compartment:

On Alaska Airlines your pet can travel, if you show a health certificate that a vet has issued.
Feed your pet within 4 hours before check-in.
Check the airport guide for recommended arrival times at your departure airport.
Your pet must be inoffensive, harmless, and should not need attention during transit.

Please note

As per Alaska Airlines pet policy, check additional requirements for Hawaii or other international destinations.
Check the service animal policy page of Alaska when traveling with service animals.
If your pet has offensive odors or creates noise, it will travel in Alaska’s climate-controlled baggage compartment.
If you are not traveling with your pet, check Alaska Airlines pet policy cargo at alaskacargo.com.

Your pets can travel without any problems if you adhere to the guidelines mentioned above. For more details on travel with pets, please check with an airline expert.

What are the Pet Carrier Requirements on Alaska Airlines?

You know about the policy for pets while traveling with Alaska. However, it is equally important to know about the dimensions of your pet carrier.

Pet carrier requirements in the cabin

Your pets must be small and fit comfortably in the carrier. Here are the kennel dimensions -

Carrier Types

Dimensions

Weight

Carrier Size

Soft-sided

17" x 11" x 9.5"

20lb/9kg

Hard-sided

17" x 11" x 7.5"

Pet carrier requirements in the baggage compartment

As per Alaska Airlines pet travel requirements, here are the kennel sizes -

Types	Dimensions	Carrier Size
Extra large	40" x 27" x 30"	500
Large	36" X 24" x 26"	400
Medium	32" x 22" x 23"	300
Small	27" x 20" x 19"	200
Extra Small	21" x 16" x 15"	100

What are Alaska Airlines Pet Travel Restrictions?

With Alaska Airlines, your pet travel is underlined by some rules and restrictions, which are -

Your pet carrier must be leak proof, escape-proof, clean, made of safe material, have adequate ventilation, and crack-free.
Attach a food and water dish to the kennel’s inside.
Your pet must freely move around and stand up in the carrier.
Carriers with wheels are accepted only if wheels are removable.
Check all USDA and IATA carrier requirements.

The airline will deny your pet to travel on their flights if you fail to meet any of the above requirements or fail to meet the conditions. In case of denial to board, consult an Alaska airline representative at the airport for more details.

How to Book Pet Travel on Alaska Airlines?

If you want to book an Alaska Airlines pet travel, the following information will help you.

Visit the official website of Alaska Airlines.
Check pet travel policies on the page.
Choose a suitable travel option.
Book spot for your pet through any of the following options -
- Call 1-800-252-7522
- Click the button - Start chat with reservations
Pay the amount through your preferred payment mode.

You can book your pet and start preparing for the travel with all the necessary documents. Remember to check the carrier guidelines to see if your current pet carrier is TSA approved or not.

What is the Alaska Airlines Pet Travel Fee?

For pets in the cabin, you have to pay $100 USD/CAD each way.
When your pets are in the baggage compartment, Alaska Airlines pet travel fee is -
- $100 USD/CAD (within the State of Alaska, active duty US Military, or US Military dependents on travel orders)
- $150 USD/CAD (on or after May 1, 2023)

After payments, you can confirm the tickets for your pets and look forward to your air travel with Alaska Airlines.

What are Alaska Airlines Breed Restrictions for Pets?

The breeds that Alaska Airlines allows as per its pet policy are for dogs and cats. Take a look here -

Short-nosed (brachycephalic) cats and dogs are -

Not accepted in the baggage compartment on Alaska Airlines flights and those operated by Horizon and SkyWest
May be allowed in the cabin

As per Alaska Airlines pet policy, following breeds of cats and dogs and mixed breeds not allowed in the baggage compartments are -

Dogs

American Staffordshire Terrier
Boston Terrier
American Pit Bull
Boxer, Bulldog
Brussels Griffon
Bull Terrier
Chow Chow
Dutch Pug
Mastiff (All Breeds)
English Bulldog
English Toy Spaniel
French Bulldog
Japanese Boxer
Japanese Pug
Japanese Spaniel
Pekingese
Pug
Shih Tzu
Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Cats

Himalayan
Burmese
Persian
Exotic Shorthair

In Conclusion

You can travel worry-free with your pets on Alaska flights. Thanks to Alaska Airlines Pet Policy that is customer-friendly and flexible. The policy is carefully designed to meet specific requirements for your pets and impart you a remarkable experience.

So, whether you are planning to travel with your pets in the cabin of your choice or send them as checked baggage, you are covered by the smart pet policy of the airline. Moreover, prices that Alaska charges for pets are the best in the industry.

Furthermore, Alaska Airlines has earned 5-star pet travel reviews on various customer feedback portals. Thereby, giving you more reasons to choose Alaska for flying with your furry friends. However, take time to research well and make sure that your pet fulfills eligibility criteria of traveling with Alaska.