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Service Animals Policy

Trained service animals travel for free on Alaska Airlines.

If you are traveling with a service animal, please review the airline's 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 a fee of $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 for tickets purchased before June 5, 2025).
• Dogs and cats only permitted in cabin to Hawaii and international locations.
• 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 toward carry-on allowance; 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 Requirements

• Carrier must be clean, leak-proof with absorbent bedding safe for the animal.
• Carrier must fully enclose the animal and be escape-proof.
• Carrier must have adequate air ventilation and 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 in Alaska or active duty US Military and dependents on orders.
• Pet and carrier combined weight limit: 150 lbs. For 151 lbs or more, use Pet Connect™ service.
• 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.
• Pet and carrier must weigh no more than 150 lbs combined.
• 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 requirements:

• Carrier must allow pet to stand fully without ears touching top, turn around, lie down comfortably, and prevent body parts outside carrier.
• Must be clean, leak-proof with absorbent, safe bedding (shredded paper or absorbent pads acceptable).
• Constructed of solid material suitable for air transport with handles; collapsible, soft-sided, cardboard, wicker, mesh, wire, or snap-top carriers not accepted.
• Carrier must be free of cracks, damage, sharp points, or protrusions; no zip ties, duct tape, or rubber bands for frame.
• Carriers with wheels must have wheels removed.
• Multipiece carriers must be secured with nuts and bolts; twist, slide, or snap fasteners not accepted.
• Carrier must provide air ventilation and have a solid roof; ventilation slots allowed if structurally sound with bars.
• Carrier must be escape-proof with one metal grated door secured with releasable zip ties; plastic doors or locked doors not accepted.
• Carrier must meet USDA and IATA requirements.

• Food and water must be offered within 4 hours before check-in and sufficient for entire journey.
• Guests with connections of 4+ hours must request access to feed pet and re-check with receipt.
• Breed restrictions: Brachycephalic breeds and certain dog and cat breeds not accepted in baggage compartment.
• Check-in no more than 2 hours before departure, at least 90 minutes in Seattle/Guadalajara, or 1 hour at other airports.
• Pets available for pick-up in baggage claim approx. 30 minutes after arrival.
• Transfers to other airlines require minimum 4-hour connection to pick up and re-check pet.
• Extreme temperature restrictions apply; airline may decline acceptance for pet welfare.