One advantage of owning a small dog is that you can travel in the cabin with them rather than shipping cargo, which can be costly and stressful for the dog. You can pay a pet fee to bring your dog on domestic flights, which is approximately $125 per way (or slightly less on some airlines), even though emotional support animals are no longer allowed to travel in the cabin for free. Sometimes it’s worth it to have your pet travel with you or visit family and friends, even though the $250 round-trip fee can occasionally exceed the price of your ticket.
I really picked this breed with size in mind, and my Pomeranian Lu Lu weighs only 6.5 pounds. I wanted a dog that I could carry in a carrier on the subway in New York or, if I was traveling within the United States, fly in the cabin. Although it’s fairly simple to fly with a dog in the cabin, there are a few things you should consider before your trip, and if your dog is young, it can still be stressful. My best advice for flying with a dog is as follows:
Call us to make a reservation.
You will need to make a special reservation for your pet if you intend to bring them into the cabin. Airlines have a cap on how many pets they can allow on their aircraft, so I suggest calling them PRIOR to making your reservation. When you book your flight, you don’t want to discover that the maximum number of pets allowed has been reached. To find out whether there is space for your dog in both directions, ask a representative.
The majority of airlines have a specific pet policy page with phone numbers for their reservations staff, though the regulations regarding dog travel vary. The procedure is fairly simple—all they need is the breed, weight, and carrier size of your pet, which is what I do when I fly Luna on Delta.
Obtain a carrier that is the right size
I advise using a soft carrier when flying in the cabin. In addition to being lighter and more flexible than hard kennels, they make your dog feel more at home and comfortable. Soft carriers typically have a safety clip inside that you can fasten to your dog’s harness in case he tries to flee quickly, and small dogs are unlikely to destroy them. Carriers should be leak-proof and have three sides of ventilation.
Check with the airline you are traveling with as each one has different maximum carry-on dimensions. Although the carrier must fit beneath the seat in front of you, the size of the seat varies depending on the type of aircraft. Airlines permit slightly larger dimensions for soft carriers than for hard carriers because they are more easily squashed and folded under the seat.
Although height can be problematic, most airlines allow soft-sided bags that are roughly 17″ to 18″ long and 11″ to 14″ wide. For instance, United recommends a maximum height of 11 inches, whereas Southwest Airlines permits lightweight carriers to be as tall as 8.5 inches.
The majority of bag manufacturers seem to make their pet carriers between 10.5 and 11 inches tall because your dog needs to be able to stand up and turn around comfortably inside the carrier. Although technically this wouldn’t apply to airlines like Southwest or JetBlue, it doesn’t matter if the airport employees actually measure your bag. You may be able to fit your soft bag under your seat, but if it doesn’t fit under the seat in front of you, you risk being removed from the aircraft.
My dog would be too squished in my 10.5-inch-tall suitcase, so I would probably steer clear of any airline that offers suitcases smaller than that. I’ve tested a few suitcases, and the Sherpa Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier, which is high-quality and has positive reviews on Amazon, is the most reasonably priced choice. United and Delta are both excellent airlines for pet travelers. Airlines such as JetBlue and Southwest sell their own carriers if you need to find one that is only 8.5 inches tall.
Soft-Faced Pet Carry-On Sizes for Airlines:
United Airlines: 18 inches long by 11 inches wide by 11 inches high is the recommended maximum.
Spirit Airlines: The largest container size is 18 x 14 x 9 inches (L x W x H). The pet and carrier must weigh no more than 40 pounds together.
Delta: Depending on the type of aircraft, I had no trouble booking a bag that was 18 inches long, 10.75 inches wide, and 10.75 inches high. Make an informational call.
American Airlines: Their website doesn’t specify. For more information, get in touch with reservations.
JetBlue: The combined weight of your pet and carrier cannot be more than 20 pounds, and your pet carrier cannot be larger than 17 L by 12.5 W by 8.5 H.
Alaska Airlines measures 17 feet by 11 feet by 9.5 feet.
Southwest: 18.5 long by 8.5 high by 13.5 wide is the maximum measurement.
Border: A pet container’s maximum measurements are 18 inches long by 14 inches wide by 8 inches high.
Hawaiian Airlines: The airline’s dimensions cannot be greater than 16 x 10 x 9.5 inches (40 cm x 25 cm x 24 cm). Go here to read the pet policy.
Cover the carrier’s bottom with a blanket.
In the event of an accident, your carrier will probably have a detachable sherpa liner that is hand washable. To prevent my dog from having to lie in a wet area if she urinates, I also like to line the bag with a blanket or towel. I can either wash the blanket in a bag or throw it away. It not only facilitates cleaning but also guards against damage to a brand-new pet carrier.
The week before the flight, get your dog acclimated to the carrier.
Although small dogs are typically excellent at being carried in carriers, it’s a good idea to acclimate your pet to the carrier a week or two prior to your trip if they aren’t already. Your dog might choose to nap in the carrier if you leave it on the floor of your house! To help your dog only associate the carrier with good things, start rewarding him with treats inside of it. Start taking your dog for walks while in a carrier, and consider taking short subway rides. Work on closing the carrier door while leaving it open. In the end, your dog must be at ease with the fact that you will need to keep the carrier closed while flying.
Pack of Essentials and Goodies
Don’t forget to bring your dog’s small toys, treats, a leash, a harness, and a collapsible water bowl. They will feel more at home if their favorite toys are available. Giving them treats will guarantee that you can keep them content both during the flight and when you arrive at your destination.
Remember to pack your dog’s food.
Sure, you can buy dog food when you get there, but be aware that you might not be able to go directly to a pet store and that you might not be able to find the brand you’re used to. Trying a new dog food that might make you sick is not the best idea when you’re away from home. You can bring enough food to last the whole journey if you have a checked bag. Only enough to last them a few days should be packed if you’re flying or have limited space. So you have time to go to a pet store and buy their favorite food. If you’re staying with relatives or friends, you can schedule food delivery from Petco or Chewy so it’s ready when you get there.
Darwin’s raw food, which Luna consumes, is frozen and completely unsuitable for travel because, even with ice packs, it would thaw by the time I reach my destination. Although I don’t give her kibble because it’s bad for dogs (she won’t touch it either), I do give her dry food when we travel. Although Luna is a very particular eater, she will consume Sundays, which are air-dried jerky-like pieces, or Sojos freeze-dried raw food.
Verify whether a health certificate is required.
Although every airline is different, many of them demand that your veterinarian sign a health certificate within 30 days of the date of your trip. If so, don’t forget to account for both your pet’s fee and the cost of a veterinarian visit.
The good news is that Delta, my favorite airline, does not require a health certificate for dogs to travel in the cabin. However, you should also check the state’s laws before traveling. While some states require a health certificate in addition to proof of rabies vaccination, others only require proof of vaccination. If your state requires these documents, it’s worth having them with you even though technically no one is checking them at arrivals.
For instance, taking a round-trip flight from New York to Austin:
Texas does not require a health certificate; dogs three months of age and up only need to show proof of a current rabies vaccination.
For animals three months of age or older, New York requires a current rabies vaccination and a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection issued no more than thirty days before entry. If the animal will be staying for less than 30 days, the certificate is not necessary. Additionally, if the dog is a resident of New York with a valid dog license and has been out of the state for less than a year, it is not necessary.
Purchase pee pads.
I advise you to pack a few pee pads in your dog’s crate if your dog has been trained to use them. Pet rest areas are available at airports, but my dog dislikes going on the indoor lawns where all the other dogs have been, and they can be rather odorous. Luna thought the smell was a little disgusting and didn’t like it. If you have pee pads, you can simply place one on the bathroom floor for your dog to use and then discard it.
Before your flight, take your dog for a long walk to exhaust them.
A dog with a lot of energy will be extremely agitated when confined in a suitcase. Before leaving for the airport, it’s best to exhaust your dog as much as possible. Do this by taking them for a long walk and engaging them in games and social activities. Your dog will be far more likely to simply unwind and sleep during the flight rather than barking or whining if you do this.
Stay away from extremely short scales.
You might want to select a slightly longer layover if your trip includes one so that you can exercise your dog and take them to the restroom in between flights. You might not have time to take them to the pet relief area if your layover is only thirty minutes long because you’ll be rushing from gate to gate. In order to give them time to use the restroom, try to schedule a layover that lasts an hour or more.
If you can, take your dog for a walk with them, but be ready for them to remain in their crate.
In most cases, airports require your dog to stay in his or her carrier at the gate, in the airline lounges, and throughout the airport building. You can remove your dog from their carrier and carry them through the scanners in your arms when you go through security. I saw many pet owners walking their dogs around the airport on my most recent flight from Newark, even though security told me I was free to put my dog down and walk him. You can let your dog out to get some exercise before the flight if no one comes to chastise you.
Avoid feeding them too soon before you leave.
Although feeding and watering your dog is crucial, try to do so two hours before you leave the house. This will allow them to digest, urinate, and defecate before you depart. Don’t give them food from strangers before you leave; instead, give them their usual dog food. Having diarrhea at the airport is not enjoyable! I discovered this the hard way: my friend ate some mango, and we gave Luna a piece because it can be a nutritious dog snack. However, because of the fiber, Luna ended up with very soft and watery stools. I was forced to wash her in the airport pet wash! Eek.
Cover the pet fee.
The pet fee is normally paid at the airport check-in desk, where you will also receive a tag to attach to the carrier and a receipt. The following are the pet fees each way:
- Delta Pet Fee: $110
- Border Pet Fee: $100
- JetBlue Pet Fee: $115
- Spirit Airlines Pet Fee: $200
- American Airlines Pet Fee: $115
- Pet Fee: $100
- Southwest Airlines Pet Fee: $98
- Hawaiian Airlines pet fee: $65 for inter-island flights, $225 for other flights
- Alaska Airlines Pet Fee: $111
Before boarding, make sure your dog has urinated
It should go without saying, but before you board the plane, make sure your dog uses the restroom. Luna and I typically use the restroom outside the terminal before security checks and then again in the pet relief area after security checks. Pet relief areas are located throughout the airport; locate the nearest one by consulting the online or terminal map.
Bring water with you, but keep an eye on how much you consume
Bring a portable water bottle (I have this MalsiPree from Amazon) or a collapsible water bowl that you can fill at airport water stations to ensure your dog stays hydrated. Keep in mind that a 100ml or larger water bottle cannot pass through security. You don’t want them to scream into the restroom while you’re flying, so keep an eye on their intake and make sure they use the restroom.
While you’re flying, give them a soothing treat
You must keep your dog’s carrier closed and tucked under the seat in front of you when you board the aircraft. It’s best to try to give them a soothing treat at this stage so they can enjoy themselves while in their kennel. Try a frozen treat or a stuffed Kong. Ensure that they are as comfortable as you can. Don’t be shocked if your dog refuses to eat the treat, though, as some dogs won’t eat when they’re anxious or not at home.
Get a seat by the window
I was assigned an aisle seat on my first trip with Luna, and I soon found that this was a little annoying. The aisle is noisy because people are moving up and down it all the time. The cabin crew is less likely to notice if your dog’s head is protruding from the bag if you sit in the window seat, which also offers you some privacy.
During the flight, put your dog’s carrier on your lap if they are whining
Although my dog loves her carry-on bag and sleeps in it constantly, she detests being on the floor in the dark, where she can’t see what’s happening. Why would she want to be on the floor beneath the seat when she LOVES greeting strangers and enjoys being near me? It can also be unsettling to hear footsteps on the cabin floor and rolling suitcases.
All of this may result in whining and small barks to escape the carrier. As a dog owner, you want the ground to suck him up because it’s embarrassing. So, how can a dog’s barking on an airplane be stopped?
The good news is that cabin crew will typically allow you to carry your dog’s carry-on bag on your lap once you’re in the air, if exercise and treats haven’t worked. Although you must always keep the bag door closed, you can pet and comfort your dog by reaching inside. Although the cabin crew may be understanding and don’t mind your dog’s head sticking out, follow their instructions if they insist that the bag stay closed.
Leave your dog alone if he is quiet.
However, it’s best to let your dog unwind and sleep on the floor of the crate if they’re cold and exhausted. I’ll leave the crate on the floor until Luna settles down and goes to sleep if she’s extremely exhausted. They may become agitated if you start to move and put your hand inside the crate. Dogs are adept at figuring out how to get attention, so even a small amount of attention could start a chain reaction.
As a last resort, use sedatives.
A mild sedative should only be used as a last resort, but if your dog is a nervous traveler, you might want to ask your veterinarian about prescribing one for the trip. If at all possible, use the sedative as a backup after trying the aforementioned techniques.
Whether or not you believe your dog has the personality type to travel is up to you. Hire a Rover pet sitter or leave them at home with family or friends if you think they’ll be too stressed. It can be stressful for puppies who don’t understand what’s happening because of all the people, noises, and changes in cabin pressure. Plan ahead, create a checklist, and exhaust your small dog as much as you can before the flight if you intend to take them in the cabin.