While many airlines around the world allow pets to fly on them, whether in the cabin or the hold, there are some airlines that are extra pet-friendly. I’ve picked these nine airlines out as the most pet-friendly airlines around the world, including European, American and Asian airlines.
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What Makes an Airline Pet-Friendly?
At a minimum, I’ve only selected airlines that allow pets to fly in the passenger cabin. If pets are only permitted to fly in the cargo hold on the airline, no matter how good the reputation of the airline and their pet facilities, I’ve left it off this list.
However, in addition to allowing pets in the cabin, I’ve looked for the best airlines that go at least one step further. They may have generous weight allowances for pets, offer options for larger pets to fly in the cabin, allow you to buy an extra seat for pets, let you bring on a pet stroller for free, or provide extra facilities at their airports for pets.
Some of these airlines I’ve flown on myself, while other airlines are regularly praised by other pet owners for pet travel.
The Best Pet-Friendly Airlines
Based on this criteria, I’ve selected the following nine airlines from around the world as the most pet-friendly airlines. For each airline, I’ve listed the extra pet-friendly features that the airline offers.
JSX (United States)
Pet-Friendly Features: Larger dogs out of a carrier allowed in the cabin
JSX describes itself as a “hop-on jet service” that operates between a short list of airports in the United States, plus Baja California Sur in Mexico. While not a major US airline, they are by far the most dog-friendly commercial airline in the USA and North America.
In addition to transporting small dogs and cats in the cabin, they also make allowances for flying medium-to-large dogs in the cabin, with up to five pets permitted per flight. Until recently there was also a policy for emotional support animals, but this is no longer offered.
For medium-to-large dogs that are too large for a carrier, but still under 79 lbs (35.8kg), you need to purchase an adjacent seat. During the flight, your dog will have to remain leashed, lay on the floor directly in front of the seat and of course be well-behaved. Call the call centre to purchase this option.
Note that small dogs and cars in a pet carrier no longer fly for free, as was initially the case, with a fee of $100 applying. The maximum carrier size is however a generous 17 x 13 x 11 inches (43.2 x 33 x 27.9cm), with no weight limit. Only one pet carrier is permitted per passenger, replacing your personal item.
Click here to view their pet policy.
Etihad Airways (UAE)
Pet-Friendly Features: Buy a seat, with a larger carrier permitted
The Middle Eastern airline Etihad Airways, based in Abu Dhabi, operates an extensive network of flights throughout the Middle East and the world. Two options are available when flying with a small pet on Etihad.
Firstly, if flying in economy, you can fly with your pet at your feet, in a carrier no larger than 40 x 40 x 22cm. However, there is also the option to buy an adjacent seat for your pet, in which case their carrier can be a far larger 50 x 43 x 50cm.
In both cases, an 8kg weight limit applies. And if flying in business class, due to the seat design, the only option is to buy an adjacent seat, with the higher carrier dimensions applying. (Pets are not currently allowed in first class.)
The only thing that makes me reluctant to call them a truly pet-friendly airline, is that in October 2022 they substantially increased their pet fees. Previously the charge was a set $200, but it is now an astronomical $1500. This is in addition to the cost of buying an extra seat, if selected.
Small pets are permitted to fly in the cabin on most flights, both to and from Abu Dhabi, except for when flying to or from selected destinations – see their website for more details. For larger pets and other destinations, you will need to book your pet with the LiveAnimals service through Etihad Cargo.
Click here to view their latest pet policy.
JetBlue (United States)
Pet-Friendly Features: Buy a seat to bring a second pet, generous legroom
At first glance, JetBlue doesn’t seem like the most pet-friendly American airline. For instance, the maximum carrier size isn’t that large, 17 x 12.5 x 8.5 inches (43.18 x 31.75 x 21.59cm), although the airline no longer has a weight limit for pets.
But there are a number of pet-friendly features offered when you fly with JetBlue. Firstly, it’s possible for each passenger to fly with two pets in the cabin, thanks to the option to buy an additional seat.
Each pet will need to fly in their own carrier, one initially underneath the seat in front of you and the other in front of the adjacent seat, with the pet fee of $150 each way applying per pet. Luckily, up to six pets are permitted on each flight.
While pets need to stay in their carrier at all times, and be stowed underneath the seat in front during taxi, take-off and landing, during most of the flight you’re welcome to sit the carrier on your lap – it’s listed in their policy! If you have another pet with their own seat, that pet’s carrier can sit on the seat or in your lap.
JetBlue also claim to have the most generous legroom in coach class, making it easier to fit both your pet and your legs in the space in front of your seat. There’s also the option to EvenMore for extra legroom, even when travelling with a pet.
JetBlue previously offered the option for pet strollers to be checked at no charge. However, pet strollers now count as carry-on items and are subject to carry-on size restrictions, except for pet strollers used by a service dog.
Find out more about travelling with pets on JetBlue, here and here.
Alaska Airlines (United States)
Pet-Friendly Features: Buy a seat to bring an extra pet, two extra small pets in the same carrier
Another American airline that also allows you to buy an adjacent seat so that you can transport two pet carriers in the cabin is Alaska Airlines. Plus, if travelling with extra small pets, up to two small pets can travel in the same carrier, as long as they are the same species and a similar size, meaning you can fly with up to four pets in total.
When buying a second seat, you’ll need to pay for the actual seat, plus a second pet fee, currently $100 USD/CAD each way. (Double check if the fee is per carrier or per pet, if travelling with two extra small pets in the same carrier.) I don’t believe you receive additional baggage allowance for the second seat.
During early 2025, there were multiple online reports of Alaska Airlines allowing large pets to fly in the cabin on the seat next to you, a product known as “in cabin baggage” or “in cabin cargo”. However, this was never listed on their website, and it stopped during early June 2025. However, larger dogs are still flown by Alaska Airlines in the baggage hold or as cargo.
Click here to view their latest pet policy.
United Airlines (United States)
Pet-Friendly Features: Buy a seat to bring a second pet
Finally, there is a third American airline that allows you to buy a seat to travel with a second pet, United Airlines.
The second seat policy for United Airlines is quite brief – they simply state that it’s possible to travel with up to two pets, by purchasing two seats on your flight. Naturally, the second seat must be next to your assigned seat.
However, there are some aircraft that are excluded from this policy, due to limited space under the middle seat meaning that adjacent seats are not possible. See the pet policy for the latest list of aircraft where there is a limit of one pet per passenger.
It is likely that you need to pay a second pet fee, in addition to the seat fee. Currently the pet fee is $150 one way. Both pets must stay in their carrier and underneath the seat at all times. Soft carriers up be to 18 x 11 x 11 inches (45 x 27 x 27cm) in size, while the size limit for hard carriers is 17.5 x 12 x 9 inches (44 x 30 x 22cm).
Click here to view more details.
Aeroflot (Russia)
Pet-Friendly Features: Buy a seat, with a larger carrier and higher weight limit, check a pet stroller or car seat for free
The Russian flag-carrier, Aeroflot, recently improved their pet policy and now permits you to buy a seat for your dog, as long as they travel in a rigid or semi-rigid container.
Pets can travel on the adjacent seat in Economy or Comfort class in a rigid container that is up to 50 x 35 x 30cm in size or a semi-rigid container up to 32cm high. In Business Class, the container can be larger: up to 50 x 40 x 30cm for rigid containers or a very generous 50 x 40 x 40cm for semi-rigid containers. The maximum combined weight is 15kg.
You need to book a seat for a pet at the same time as your own booking, at least 36 hours in advance of the flight. The rate for your pet is the applicable seat fare for an adult, with no additional pet fees applying.
Aeroflot also allows animal strollers are carried free of charge, regardless of the free baggage allowance, for pets transported in the cabin.
For more information, see their pet policy and their baggage policy.
Looking for more European airlines that allow you to buy a seat for your pet? Check out fellow Russian airline S7 and Belavia, the Belarus flag-carrier
ITA Airways (Italy)
Pet-Friendly Features: Higher weight limits for pets
When flying with a pet in Europe, the majority of airlines have an 8kg weight limit, including your pet’s carrier. However, there are a handful of European airlines with a higher weight limit, including ITA Airways.
The new state-owned flag-carrier of Italy, ITA Airways currently has a generous weight limit of 12kg for pets on domestic flights (10kg for the pet and 2kg for the carrier) and 10kg for pets on international flights.
Keep in mind though that even with a higher weight limit, your pet still needs to comfortably fit in a carrier of the maximum listed dimensions. For ITA Airways, the carrier must be no larger than 40 x 30 x 24cm on domestic flights or a smaller 40 x 20 x 24cm on international flights.
The Italian authorities recently increased the weight limits for pets travelling on flights in Italy, probably just domestic flights, in May 2025. The new rule is that the weight of the pet and carrier must not “exceed the maximum weight of an average passenger”, with the carrier “adequately secured by means of seat belts or other anchoring systems”.
At this stage ITA Airways has only slightly increased their weight limits, to the weights listed above, but there are reports that they are running some trial flights with dogs in the cabin up to 25kg.
Click here to view the full pet policy.
t’way Air (South Korea)
Pet-Friendly Features: Asian airline allowing pets in the cabin, low pet fees, able to buy carriers at check-in, check a pet stroller or car seat for free
When I reviewed the pet policies of Asian airlines, I found that not many Asian airlines allow pets to fly in the cabin. Only a few airlines across the entire continent, from the Middle East to East Asia, offer this option.
Pets are more commonly allowed in the cabin on Korean airlines, and the new t’way Air is particularly pet-friendly, allowing pets to fly in the cabin with a generous weigh limit of 9kg. You can even buy t’carriers at the check-in counter. Note that they cannot accomodate larger pets in the hold.
t’way also stands out for its low pet fees. The low domestic fee of 30,000 won is not that surprisingly compared to similar airlines. But its international fees of 100,000 to 200,000 won ($76 USD to $152 USD as of December 2023) are quite low!
The airline also will check one pet stroller or car seat per pet for free, including at the gate, as long as the foldable stroller is one piece.
Click here to find out more.
Turkish Airlines (Turkey)
Pet-Friendly Features: Pet-only check-in counters, pet relief areas when transiting through Istanbul Airport, a pet-friendly stopover tour
My latest addition to this list is Turkish Airlines, the Istanbul based airline that flies to one of the longest list of international destinations of any airline, plus has an extensive domestic network in Turkey.
The reason I’ve added Turkish Airline isn’t so much because of the pet policy aboard the airline. (A typical weight limit of 8kg applies for pets in the cabin.) However, it’s because of the facilities when flying with the airline out of Istanbul Airport, or transiting through the airport.
If checking in with your pet at Istanbul Airport, there is a whole row of pet-only check-in counters, meaning that you can check in with the assistance of staff who are experts in pet travel. At the time of my visit to the airport (sadly without my dog), there was no queue for the counters.
Istanbul Airport also has five pet relief areas, also called pet rooms, great for if you’re transiting through the airport. (Most major airports in Europe and the Middle East don’t offer these facilities.)
Two pet relief rooms are located in the international airside area, the larger near the iGA Lounge and the smaller near the iGA Sleepods. There are also pet relief rooms in the domestic airside area, near the check-in counters and on the arrivals floor.
Turkish Airlines also offers stopover tours in Istanbul for customers with longer stopovers. Pets are allowed on one of the stopover tours, the 8am to 11:30am sightseeing tour (but not other tours due to museum and mosque restrictions). Your pet will need to travel in a carrier, with similar size and weight restrictions as for flying in the cabin.
Finally, animals flying in the hold with Turkish Airlines and transiting in Istanbul have access to a pet lounge during their stopover.
However, I have heard reports of some pet owners having difficulties confirming pet bookings with Turkish Airlines, that means you may be turned away at the check-in desk, so be aware and make sure your pet booking is confirmed.
Click here to view the full pet policy.
More Airlines Highly Regarded by Pet Owners
In addition to the above airlines, there are a number of other major airlines that are highly regarded by many pet owners, the go-to options to fly with your pet, even though they don’t offer extra pet-friendly features.
Also consider flying with your pet on Air France, KLM, Lufthansa and Delta Airlines. These European and U.S. airlines most frequently come up as recommended airlines to fly with your pet, particularly when flying internationally.
More Airlines That Allow You to Buy a Seat
In addition to the above airlines, there are a few other airlines that allow you to buy a seat for a pet, either so that a larger pet can travel on the seat or that you can fly a second pet in the cabin.
To view the full list, check out my guide to airlines that allow you to buy a seat for your dog.
More Airlines That Allow You to Take a Pet Stroller
In addition to the above airlines, there are also a few other airlines that have pet policies that mention carrying pet strollers on board. In some cases it’s stipulated that they can be checked for free, while other airlines transport pet strollers as part of your baggage allowance.
To view the full list, check out my guide to airlines that allow you to take a pet stroller.
More Airlines That Fly Pets in the Cabin
I’ve put together comprehensive lists of airlines around the world that allow pets to fly in the cabin, including information on their weight allowances, carrier sizes, pet fees and other quirks of their pet policies.
To view more airlines, check out my guides to:
- European Airlines That Allow Pets in the Cabin
- US Airlines That Allow Pets in the Cabin
- Canadian Airlines That Allow Pets in the Cabin
- North & South American Airlines That Allow Pets in the Cabin
- Asian Airlines That Allow Pets in the Cabin
- Middle Eastern Airlines That Allow Pets in the Cabin
About the Author
Shandos Cleaver is the founder of Travelnuity: Dog-Friendly Travel. She has travelled extensively with her Miniature Dachshund, Schnitzel, including to 33 countries across Europe, every state and territory of Australia except Tasmania, and 10 of the United States. She’s passionate about providing inspiration and information to others wanting to travel with their dogs, whether close to home or internationally.
Help!!…I purchased a puppy from a breeder in Belgium . The puppy will be ready to leave for it’s new home in USA June 24th, 2024, at which time it will be 8 weeks old. I want to pickup the puppy myself, but I’m having trouble finding the right combination of allowable weight, plus age of puppy, etc. I have been told that if the flight has a stop in any other European country before it’s final leg to USA, that the country could demand quarantine or worse. I will be flying out of Brussels to USA (Missoula, MT), so I realize a stop over somewhere in USA. Please advise.
Thank you,
Sheree
I’m sorry but I generally don’t record information on minimum ages to transport puppies for the different airlines, as I’m mainly writing for people travelling with older dogs, not transporting puppies home. The two main US airlines that fly pets in the cabin trans-Atlantic are Delta and United. Unfortunately, Delta has a minimum age of 16 weeks when flying pets to the USA from other countries, while United has a minimum of 4 months for international flights.
With regards to stopovers in Europe, there are some countries that allow younger dogs to enter, as long as they have a pet passport with an attached declaration – see this page and select Belgium in the dropdown for more information. However, many countries near Belgium such as Netherlands, France and Germany don’t allow this (ruling out KLM, Air France and Lufthansa flights).
Also note that from 1st August, the USA is introducing new requirements for dogs entering the USA, including that they need to be at least 6 months old, see: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/
The 8kg limit is made by people who never had a dog.
My daschshund weighs 12 and would easily fit in a box and I would definitely pay an extra seat for him.
Same with my friend’s frenchie.
Sad world.
I believe the 8kg weight limit is because often carry-on baggage on the same airlines is limited to 8kg, and that limit has been carried over to pets and their carrier.