Among the most pet-friendly airlines in the United States, Alaska Airlines offers not only pet cabin transportation but also pet air travel using its climate-controlled cargo facility as part of its Pet Connect policy. The allowed pets include not only dogs and cats but also rabbits, birds, and a limited number of exotic breeds based on the flight route and mode of transportation. In compliance with the policies of every airline in the USA, Alaska Air also abides by DOT and the ACAA, ensuring that trained service animals have the right to free entry into the cabin regardless of any carrier, but ESAs and pets are exempt from this policy.
In this guide, we will discuss what Alaska allows, its prices, weight, and carrier limitations for both cabin and cargo travel.
What Is Alaska Airlines’ Pet Policy?
The policy of Alaska Airlines regarding pets is relatively liberal compared to those of budget and medium-sized airlines; the pets can either travel in the cabin or be transported in the pressurized hold of the plane. The animals allowed in the cabin include dogs, cats, rabbits, and household birds, provided that they are properly caged. The airline permits passengers to transport up to two pets at one time. First class has up to three places for pet cages per flight, while the main cabin has up to eight.
The trained service dogs are exempt from the fees and do not have to be placed in a cage according to the ACAA. Emotional support animals have lost their classification, and since the 2021 rule by the DOT, ESAs on Alaska Airlines are treated like any other pet.
What Types of Pets Does Alaska Airlines Allow?
This is determined by two things: how one will travel into the country and the mode of transportation:
- International Flights and Flights to Hawaii: The only pets allowed on this route are dogs and cats; no other animals will be accepted.
- Domestic In-Cabin: These include small dogs, house cats, domestic rabbits, and household birds.
- Cargo Transportation: A large variety of pets may be carried in this way, including dogs, cats, guinea pigs, ferrets, rabbits, hamsters, pot-bellied pigs, household birds, tropical fish, and non-poisonous reptiles.
In both cases, any dogs and cats entering the state via Alaska must be at least eight weeks old and weaned before travel.
What Are the Requirements for International Pet Travel on Alaska Airlines?
Traveling overseas with a pet entails more documentation than usual:
- A health certificate issued by a certified veterinarian is mandatory for all pets being transported overseas, whether in-cabin or cargo.
- Proof of rabies vaccine is needed, especially for pets coming from high-risk areas.
- An ISO microchip (15-digit) is mandatory as a means of identification and to confirm health documents.
- The carrier must meet the criteria of sturdiness, ventilation, non-leaking, and escape-proof, as well as dimensional specifications.
- Pre-booking is highly recommended; better if booked at least three to seven days before departure, especially for pets having connecting flights and other carriers involved.
- Other documentation will be needed depending on the destination country.
How Much Does Alaska Airlines Charge Per Pet?
The fee to bring your pet on board or as cargo in Alaska Airlines is $100 and $150 per pet carrier, one-way. The fee for bringing pets as cargo in Alaska (the state) or to active-duty military personnel and their family members flying by order is $100. These fees are applicable only for Alaska Airlines, not any other airline.
What Is the In-Cabin Pet Policy for Alaska Airlines?
Under Alaska’s in-cabin policy, dogs, cats, rabbits, and select birds will be able to fly for the regular cost of $100, with only dogs and cats allowed on the international routes and Hawaii-bound flights. The animal must be no less than eight weeks old, weaned completely, and feeding solid food before it can be allowed to board the flight.
Since the available pet space within the cabin is restricted and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, booking is necessary because there can be no more than three pets in the first class and eight pets in the main cabin. In addition, all passengers carrying an animal must be at least 18 years of age and cannot occupy seats in the emergency exit row or bulkhead.
The pet carrier must fit under your seat completely. Two pets of the same species and the same size can occupy a single carrier if they are able to share space comfortably; however, if a passenger needs to carry another carrier, he or she may purchase an additional seat. All pets emitting a strong odor and those with aggressive behavior may not be allowed to board within the cabin and would have to be transported in the cargo section instead.
What Is Alaska Airlines’ Pet Carrier Size Policy?
Alaska’s carrier requirements align with USDA and IATA standards. Approved dimensions are:
- Hard-sided carriers: 17″ x 11″ x 7.5″
- Soft-sided carriers: 17″ x 11″ x 9.5″
The carrier should be sufficiently spacious for the animal to move around freely, but should fit underneath the seat in front of you. The acceptable carrier will be entirely enclosed, clean, leak-proof, have absorbent bedding, and adequate ventilation.
Is There a Weight Limit for In-Cabin Pets on Alaska Airlines?
Yes. The total weight of the pet and carrier should not go beyond 20 pounds when traveling inside the cabin. This is a more stringent requirement than that enforced by some other major airlines in the United States.
Can You Bring More Than One Pet In-Cabin on Alaska Airlines?
Yes. It is possible, but with restrictions. A passenger can take two pet carriers in the cabin by buying another adjacent seat for the other pet. Furthermore, if the pets are of the same breed and about the same size, such as two cats, then the passenger can have them in the same carrier. However, this applies only when the pets fit well in the same carrier.
Does Alaska Airlines Require a Health Certificate for Pet Travel?
It will depend on how your pet travels. Cargo transport involves presenting a certificate of good health from a certified veterinarian no more than 10 days before your flight. For round-trip tickets booked under a single ticket, the certificate will be valid for 30 days; otherwise, a new certificate will be required no more than 10 days before each leg.
No health certificate is required if your pet travels in the cabin space for regular domestic flights. For international flights, the rules differ as described above.
Does Alaska Airlines Allow Pets to Fly in Cargo?
Yes. The animals are moved using Alaska cargo and baggage holds that have climate control, but under several restrictions:
- Total weight (of the pet and box/crate together) should not exceed 150 pounds
- Breeds of brachycephalic animals (short noses) are not allowed to move in cargo, as it poses serious health risks
- Cargo movement is not allowed during extreme temperature conditions, such as above 85°F
- A health certificate must be issued no more than 10 days before the flight and up to 30 days before the return flight
- Cargo charges are $150 per animal one-way and $100 for Alaska-only travel or military people
How Do You Travel With a Pet in Cargo on Alaska Airlines?
- Schedule in advance. Space is limited, so schedule early by contacting Alaska Reservations at 1-800-252-7522 or chatting with one of their representatives.
- Provide a health certificate. This certificate needs to be issued by a veterinarian and can be presented in paper or electronic format.
- Provide evidence of rabies vaccination. Health and rabies vaccination together are acceptable, and puppies and kittens below the age of three months are excluded from this criterion.
- Comply with the requirements for kennels. The kennels have to be waterproof, not collapsible, not escape-proof, ventilated, and equipped with food/water dishes attached to the kennel.
Temperature and Seasonal Restrictions for Cargo Travel
Cargo shipment of pets is allowed when the temperatures at the departure point and destination lie between 45°F and 85°F. In case temperatures rise above 85°F during travel days, pets cannot be shipped by cargo mode without an acclimation certificate from the veterinarian saying that the pets can withstand high temperatures. Heat embargoes imposed seasonally can also affect cargo shipments of pets, so it would be wise to check on any existing restrictions before summer travel.
What Is Alaska Airlines’ Policy for Emotional Support Animals?
There are no free trips for emotional support animals with Alaska Airlines in the cabin. Due to the rule change in 2021, according to the DOT, which did not consider ESAs within the ACAA anymore, ESAs will be treated as common pets by Alaska Airlines and will have to follow all the rules and procedures as other pets, including cabin and cargo transport.
If you have received your ESA letter in order to use it during air travel, it might be time to think about what kind of documentation you really need. ESA letters are still valid in the scope that they were designed for the housing accommodations according to the Fair Housing Act, but they mean nothing for airlines. You can contact the ESA Clinic to get help from a licensed mental health professional regarding your need for an ESA letter or for a PS dog assessment.
Are ESA Letters Still Required to Fly With ESAs on Alaska Airlines?
Not at all. The absence of protection granted to ESAs from ACAA means that an ESA letter won’t give you any special rights in case of your trip to Alaska. It doesn’t mean that there will be no extra charge for your pet, exemption from the use of a carrier, or guaranteed access onboard.
Can Alaska Airlines Deny an ESA?
Yes. Due to the lack of ACAA protection ESAs receive now, Alaska Airlines can reject your ESA based on the same criteria that are used when dealing with pets – behavioral problems, improper carrier, or non-conformity to breed and size policy. In case you were refused, there are several options available to you: appeal to Alaska Airlines’ Complaints Resolution Official about an unjustified rejection, consider the possibility of reclassifying your pet as a psychiatric service dog, trained for performing some specific tasks, or use a specialized pet relocation service.
What Is Alaska Airlines’ Policy for Service Animals?
Alaska Airlines allows the use of full-service dogs, which include psychiatric service dogs that help with a disability of a mental nature. The ACAA does not cover service dogs that are in training. There are no limitations based on breed or size as long as the service dog will fit into the foot space of the handler and not be in the seat area, block any aisles, or interfere with the emergency exit access.
Two service dogs can accompany passengers on their flights, and all service dogs are supposed to behave properly at the airport and during the flight. Special requirements apply when flying to Hawaii or outside the country.
What Is the Procedure for Flying With a Service Dog on Alaska Airlines?
- Verify that you qualify. Alaska Airlines welcomes fully trained service dogs and psychiatric service dogs, and will allow up to two dogs per passenger.
- Complete the DOT Service Animal Form, which is the required document that will prove that your dog is healthy, trained, and well-behaved.
- Once your form has been approved, receive your Service Animal ID (SVAN ID) via email and use it when making your reservations on future flights.
- Make sure you pick the right seat. Exit row seats cannot be used by passengers with service animals; window seats are preferred so that your dog is not exposed to the busy aisle.
- Be ready with all your travel necessities, such as the leash, harness, and collapsible bowls.
As a handler, you are responsible for your dog’s behavior throughout the entire flight. Alaska Airlines reserves the right to refuse entry to an uncooperative service dog.
Do You Need to Notify Alaska Airlines in Advance for a Service Dog?
Yes. You will have to fill out and submit the DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form, which serves to notify the airline and confirm that your dog is indeed properly trained and healthy. For flights scheduled more than 48 hours in advance, the form can be submitted online via the travel partner of Alaska Airlines, Service Animal Travel Solutions (SATS). In case of flights less than 48 hours away, the filled form should be printed and shown to an Alaska agent at the gate.
Do Service Dogs Fly Free With Alaska Airlines?
Yes. Alaska offers free service animal air transport without any charges whatsoever. The $100 (cabin) and $150 (cargo) pet travel fees apply only to regular pets and ESAs, but not to qualified service animals.
Are There Breed Restrictions for Service Dogs on Alaska Airlines?
No. Alaska Airlines accepts service dogs of any breed. This is one of the important differences between the policy of flying a service animal and the general policy regarding regular pets and ESAs of Alaska Airlines.
Can You Bring More Than One Service Dog on an Alaska Airlines Flight?
Yes. There can be up to two dogs accompanying one person in Alaska, but both of them must comfortably fit in the seat of the handler, along with the space of the handler’s feet. If the dogs cannot comfortably sit there, then the handler will have to get another seat.
Are There Size Restrictions for Flying With a Service Dog on Alaska Airlines?
No. In Alaska, there are no limitations on the size and weight of service dogs because they are not considered pets. The dog should fit into the handler’s area under his/her seat or fit in the lap, if the dog is small enough, like an infant.
Are Pets Allowed on Connecting Flights With Alaska Airlines?
Yes. Animals that travel in cargo will be automatically connected with another flight if this flight is operated by Alaska Airlines, SkyWest Flight Series 3300-3499, or Horizon Air. The maximum transfer time for pets in cargo is four hours; if the connection is longer, then the owner has to ask for permission to feed the animal. If your connecting flight is operated by another airline company, then you will have to reclaim your pet and recheck him.
Can You Travel With an Unaccompanied Pet on Alaska Airlines?
Yes, via Alaska’s Pet Connect service, where the pet travels in the cargo area but does not have to travel with the owner. There are specific rules for this service: the animal should have a vet certificate proving that it is in good health, be transported in a strong and well-ventilated crate, and observe the same temperature range as regular cargo (45°F – 85°F). Also, as for the regular cargo transport, Pet Connect does not accept short-nosed breeds of cats and dogs due to their health concerns.
Planning Your Trip With a Pet, ESA, or Service Animal
Alaska Airlines’ combination of cabin and cargo transportation services allows it to be more versatile compared to other companies, but the costs, documents, and requirements vary greatly depending on whether your animal is a pet, an ESA, or a trained service animal. Only the latter are allowed to travel free of charge and without the need to pay any fees; pets and ESAs fall into one category and have equal rights.
If your journey depends on your animal’s specific legal status – for instance, the possibility of qualifying as a PSD in case your dog’s training allows for that – it’s better to clarify it beforehand. ESA Clinic helps you get in touch with certified psychologists who will help you figure out what kind of documentation is really needed in your situation.
