Compared to other legacy airlines, the Allegiant Air pet policy is less complicated; only small dogs and cats are allowed to fly domestically within the cabin of the plane for a fixed and very low price, but cargo transportation or international pet travel are not available. Like any other American airline, Allegiant Air complies with regulations of the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), thus giving free transportation in the cabin without the carrier of trained service animals – but pets and ESAs are regulated by the pet policy of Allegiant Air.
Here are details of what it allows, pricing, requirements, and the difference between the service animal policy and pet policy.
What Is Allegiant Air’s Pet Policy?
Allegiant allows small domestic dogs and cats in the cabin on flights from and to the contiguous 48 states in the United States, along with certain flights to Puerto Rico. Each animal must be contained in a carrier for the entire duration of the journey, and there is no cargo option available by Allegiant in any case – if your pet cannot qualify for in-cabin transport, then Allegiant cannot be an option for you.
Service animals are the only exceptions. According to the ACAA, they can travel for free without being in a carrier at all. However, ESA lost its status after the January 2021 rule by DOT was introduced, so now ESA are treated like any other pet in Allegiant.
What Types of Pets Does Allegiant Air Allow?
The in-cabin pet travel policy of Allegiant includes only domestic cats and dogs. There is no limitation on breed for cats, but there is a limitation on breeds that are pit bull-type for dogs for traveling as standard pets. This limitation is only related to pets; it does not apply to any service dogs because, according to the ACAA, an airline cannot have any breed limitations for trained service animals.
All pets should be at least eight weeks old, be in good health, without smell, and well-behaved.
How Much Does Allegiant Air Charge for Pets?
Allegiant imposes a non-refundable pet charge of $50.00 per segment, per carrier – which happens to be one of the most economical pet fees charged by major airlines in the United States. Since the charge is imposed on a per-segment basis, a connection means having to pay the charge several times. Adding your pet during booking from Allegiant’s Reservation Center is recommended, as pet reservations are rarely done online like a regular seat booking.
What Is the In-Cabin Pet Policy for Allegiant Air?
Animals are allowed inside the cabin on domestic Allegiant aircraft provided that the animals are in an approved carrier which can fit entirely underneath the seat in front of the traveling passenger. Passengers can have only one carrier in the cabin, but if two pets of the same type can coexist in the carrier, then passengers can carry them as long as both animals are at least eight weeks old.
Traveling passengers cannot be seated in exit rows, the row before or after an exit row, and bulkhead rows because there should be clear space available for the carrier to fit under the seat. If the selected seat is not suitable for pet traveling, the airline will automatically move the passenger to another seat. The check-in process through an agent is required at least an hour before the scheduled departure time.
What Is Allegiant’s Pet Carrier Size Policy?
According to Allegiant’s current policy, approved carrier dimensions are:
- Soft-sided carriers: Maximum 18″ L x 12″ W x 11″ H when fully closed
- Hard-sided carriers: Maximum 17″ L x 11″ W x 10.5″ H when fully closed
It is highly advisable to use soft sided carriers, as they can squeeze in more easily into the tighter areas under the seats. Regardless of what kind of carrier you choose, your pet should have sufficient space to be able to stand, turn, and sit without any of its parts sticking out of the carrier. Your pet’s carrier also constitutes one of your two allowed pieces of cabin luggage, which means that you have to make a choice between another bag and your personal item.
Is There a Pet Weight Limit for In-Cabin Travel on Allegiant Air?
There is no weight limit set out in Allegiant’s regulations for the total of the pet’s weight and that of the cage itself. The actual limit lies in the size limitations of the cage discussed above; the pet should be small enough to fit inside an appropriate cage. In most cases, this means that only smaller cats and dogs can travel in the cabin.
Does Allegiant Air Require a Health Certificate for In-Cabin Pet Travel?
Not necessarily. According to Allegiant’s pet policy currently in effect, there’s no need for a health certificate for the regular in-cabin transportation of pets. At the same time, requirements may differ depending on a specific state or destination, so it would be wise to check out the local policies prior to flying, especially if the stopover place requires different policies.
Can You Bring More Than One Pet In-Cabin With Allegiant Air?
Yes, but with restrictions. It is allowed at Allegiant to bring in one pet carrier per passenger who has paid, with the condition that this pet carrier can accommodate two animals of the same kind. This is the maximum number of pets in the cabin that you are allowed to have on one Allegiant reservation.
Does Allegiant Air Allow Pets to Fly in Cargo?
No. Allegiant does not ship animals as checked luggage or in the cargo hold regardless of anything. All pets traveling with Allegiant are only restricted to the cabin. If your animal is too large to be accommodated in an acceptable carrier on board, then you should consider a different airline that can accommodate this.
What Is Allegiant Air’s Policy for Emotional Support Animals?
The ESAs are treated in the same way as regular pets by Allegiant. This is because the change in DOT’s rules, made in 2021, made ESAs ineligible for protection under the Air Carrier Access Act, which means that now they are not a special type of traveler anymore – ESAs need to comply with the same Allegiant pet policy, including the $50 per-segment fee and all other restrictions.
It may be reasonable for you to consider what kind of documentation will be more suitable for your case. The ESA letter is still completely legal for its intended purpose – obtaining housing accommodation under the Fair Housing Act; however, it is nothing more than just a letter when it comes to flying on any airline, including Allegiant.
Are ESA Letters Still Required to Fly With ESAs on Allegiant Air?
No. As ESAs are considered regular pets, an ESA letter will not grant you any special rights on Allegiant, as it does not waive the pet fee or make your ESA exempt from the rules regarding carrying. If you fly with your ESA, do so just like you would with any pet.
Can Allegiant Air Deny an ESA?
Yes. As ESAs no longer fall within ACAA regulations, Allegiant can refuse them based on the same grounds as any pets that are ill, dangerous, disruptive, too big, or considered restricted breeds. If your ESA fails to fit into Allegiant’s criteria for pets, then you will have to book your pet again, according to the airline’s policy, or take care of transportation yourself.
What Is Allegiant Air’s Policy for Service Animals?
Allegiant Air allows only dogs as service animals, meaning that physical disability service dogs as well as psychiatric service dogs are welcomed on board. To fly with a service animal, passengers usually need to provide three documents, namely, the Veterinary Health Form, the Mental Health Professional Form (only for psychiatric service dogs), and the Animal Behavior and Responsibility Form. Service dogs are not subject to Allegiant’s $50 pet fee and do not need to be transported in carriers.
How Do You Fly With a Service Dog on Allegiant Air?
- Ensure that you meet all the necessary eligibility criteria and have taken care of all destination-specific requirements before your travel.
- Fill out the necessary forms, which include the form from a veterinary health provider, the Mental Health Professional form (if required), and the form regarding animal behavior and responsibility.
- Contact Allegiant Airlines before travel and visit the ticket counter or gate counter one hour before departure.
The handlers will always be responsible for maintaining good behavior of the dogs on the flight.
Do Service Dogs Fly for Free With Allegiant Air?
Yes. According to the ACAA, service animals that comply with behavioral requirements and have all the necessary paperwork will be allowed to travel on Allegiant without paying the usual pet fees.
Are There Breed Restrictions for Service Dogs on Allegiant Air?
No. Despite the general policy of Allegiant regarding its pets’ breeds, which excludes pit bulls, the same breed exclusion will not apply to service animals because federal DOT regulation does not allow airlines to exclude any specific breed from being a service animal.
Can You Bring More Than One Service Dog on an Allegiant Air Flight?
In accordance with Allegiant’s policy, a paying passenger is allowed to bring only one service animal along.
Are There Size Restrictions to Fly With a Service Dog on Allegiant Air?
Although no formal weight limitation exists for the service animal at Allegiant, in practice, the dog needs to fit into the passenger’s personal space without occupying the aisle or another passenger’s space. If the dog is too big to occupy such space, it would be necessary to purchase an additional seat.
Can Allegiant Air Deny a Service Animal?
Yes. Passengers need to adhere to all the requirements of documentation and behavior of a service animal. Allegiant will be able to deny boarding to a service dog even if the passenger has all the documents required if the service dog demonstrates inappropriate behavior.
Choosing the Right Documentation Before You Fly
According to Allegiant’s guidelines, service dogs fly without paying anything and without restrictions on their transport, whereas pets and ESAs have to pay the same and are subject to the same carrier conditions. If you are not sure that your pet could be considered a service dog, you should find out before booking. At ESA Clinic, we help you connect with certified psychologists for a proper evaluation and documentation tailored to your case, both in and out of the air.
