Looking for an airline that allows a large dog that isn’t a military, service or emotional support dog? Me, too. Since 2020 most airlines in the United States have suspended travel for dogs that don’t fit in the cabin. This is entirely problematic for dog owners seeking to move from one US state to another where it’s too impractical to drive or too ridiculous for a holiday. In this post, discover which airlines still offer US flights for large dogs that don’t meet in-cabin requirements and the US airlines that don’t.
Save for later – Airlines, road trips, and other pet transportation options in the USA
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How do you fly a large dog in 2022 within the continental US?
There are only two US airlines that fly large dogs within the continental US that aren’t service, military, or emotional support animals.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines offers a cargo option and also the option to fly with you if the aircraft can fit your dog’s kennel size. To find out more information, read Alaska Airlines Pet Connect animal travel service.
Highlights for flying with your large dog on Alaska Airlines:
- If your large dog can travel with you on the same plane, the dog’s plane ticket only costs $100.
- If your large dog travels alone via the cargo option, contact Alaska Airlines for a quote.
As of April 2022, a cargo flight on Alaska Airlines (dog is traveling alone) from Houston to Boston is estimated at $1700 one-way.
Call Alaska Airlines at 1-800-252-7522 for your pet travel questions.
American Airlines
For dogs that don’t meet cabin requirements, American Airlines Pet EmBark offers a cargo service.
American Airlines has a program called Pet EmBark where your pet travels on a cargo-only plane.
- Passengers and animals are no longer allowed to travel on the same American Airlines plane.
- You have to make a reservation by calling 800-227-4622.
- To find out more information about pet travel on AA or to book a ticket, email liveanimials.cargo@aa.com.
US airlines that do NOT offer flight options for large dogs 2022
Despite other publishers indicating more airline options than the above, these are the airlines as of April 2022 that do NOT offer flights within the continental US for large dogs not qualifying as military, service, or emotional support dogs. Even BringFido, my favorite travel planning website with dogs, has content about airline policies that are not up to date. Truthfully, the airlines aren’t quite sure when they will bring cargo services back for pets that don’t meet in-cabin requirements. Let’s hope they aren’t gone forever so that pet owners of big dogs have more flight options.
- Air Canada – Flights that allow large dogs are not available for USA, only within Canada.
- Delta Airlines
- jetBlue
- Frontier – NO
- Southwest
- Spirit
- United Airlines
United Airlines has been our family’s trusted dog transportation service for every move – both within the USA and overseas. Although they have suspended service since 2020, keep checking back for updates on when PetSafe will resume again.
Other pet transportation options in the US
There are pet transportation options to get your large dog from one US state to another which might be entirely worth it compared to the hassle or stress on your dog with flying.
Rates vary significantly. Petrelocation.com has moving rates that start at a minimum of $4500 one-way.
Otherwise, you can jump on the road trip wagon as my family did in 2021…and might be doing again this summer 2022. Texas to Maine anyone?
Final tips on airlines that allow large dogs 2022
The kennel size is the determining factor for whether or not your large dog can fit on the aircraft. A large kennel size may limit flight options from your origin to your destination city. Be sure to measure your large dog precisely the way the airline has instructed and buy the proper kennel to fit your dog.
The flight might not be direct but if you can travel with your dog on the same flight, it might be entirely worth it compared to a coast-to-coast road trip with the entire family. While I’ve done it before, I’m excited for the airlines to welcome large dogs on board again.