Alaska Airlines

Service Animal Travel Policy

Trained service animals travel for free on Alaska Airlines.

If you are traveling with a service animal, please review the airline's dedicated service animal policy page for more information.

Dogs (including service dogs) are accepted for travel to Hawaii and internationally.

In-Cabin Pet Carrier Rules

• Small pets accepted in cabin for $100 USD/CAD each way, subject to space availability.
• Allowed animals: small dogs, house cats, domesticated rabbits, household birds (rabbits and birds only until April 4, 2026 if ticket purchased before June 5, 2025).
• Only dogs and cats permitted in cabin to Hawaii and international destinations.
• Pets must be at least 8 weeks old, fully weaned, and accustomed to solid food for at least 5 days.
• Pet must remain in carrier with door/flap secured at all times in boarding area, lounge, and onboard.
• Carrier must fit under the seat in front of you during taxi, takeoff, and landing.
• Maximum two pets of same species and similar size allowed in one carrier if no body parts protrude and animals are not distressed.
• Passengers must be 18 or older to travel with a pet in cabin.
• Cannot occupy emergency exit or bulkhead rows when traveling with a pet.
• Pet counts as carry-on; can bring pet carrier plus one personal item or standard carry-on bag.
• First Class cabin allows 3 pet carriers per flight; Main Cabin allows 8 pet carriers per flight.
• Maximum two pet carriers in Main Cabin only if second ticket with adjacent seat is purchased.

Carrier Size and Requirements

• Carrier must be clean, leak-proof with absorbent bedding safe for animals.
• Must fully enclose the animal and be escape-proof.
• Must have adequate air ventilation.
• Must be free of tears, cracks, or breaks.

Checked and Cargo Pet Travel Rules

• Fee: $150 USD/CAD per pet and carrier; $100 USD/CAD for travel wholly within Alaska or active duty US Military and dependents on orders.
• Pet and carrier combined weight limit: 150 lbs maximum.
• If combined weight is 151 lbs or more, use Pet Connect™ service via alaskacargo.com.
• Accepted pets: cats, dogs, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, household birds, non-poisonous reptiles, pot-bellied pigs, rabbits, tropical fish.
• Only dogs and cats allowed in cargo to Hawaii and international destinations.
• Reservation required; limited number of pets allowed in baggage compartment; first-come, first-served basis.
• Pets must travel on same flight(s) as owner; otherwise use Pet Connect™ service.
• Dogs and cats must be at least 8 weeks old and weaned.
• Health certificate from licensed veterinarian required within 10 days of travel.
• Brachycephalic (short-nosed) dogs and cats not accepted in baggage compartment.
• Carrier must be large enough for pet to stand fully, turn around, lie down comfortably, and prevent body parts outside carrier.
• Carrier must be solid, leak-proof, with absorbent bedding; no collapsible, soft-sided, cardboard, wicker, mesh, wire, or snap-top carriers.
• Carrier must have solid roof with sturdy ventilation slots; no plastic or fabric coverings.
• Carrier must be escape-proof with one metal grated door secured with releasable zip ties.
• Carriers with wheels must have wheels removed.
• Carrier sizes accepted for cargo:

• Food and water dish must be attached inside carrier; airline can feed pet without opening carrier door.
• Animals must be harmless, require no attention during transit, and not destructive.
• Only one live dog or cat (6 months or older) per carrier; puppies and kittens have specific limits.
• Food and water must be offered within 4 hours before check-in; guests must certify this.
• Check-in no more than 2 hours before departure (at least 90 minutes in Seattle/Guadalajara, 1 hour elsewhere).
• Breed restrictions apply; brachycephalic breeds not accepted in cargo.
• Transfers to other airlines require minimum 4-hour connection to pick up and re-check pet.
• Extreme temperature restrictions may apply; airline may decline acceptance for pet welfare.