Flying with a dog: a complete guide

A move across the country, a long vacation, a semester abroad: there are lots of reasons for flying with a dog, and plenty of airlines allow it. But it takes more than buying a ticket. Pet spots are limited, every airline sets its own rules, and one mistake with paperwork or the carrier can leave you both at the gate.

This guide covers when your dog can fly in the cabin and when they’ll need to go in the hold or as cargo, how to choose a carrier that meets requirements, why many airlines won’t fly flat-faced breeds in the hold, what documents you need for domestic and international trips (including the CDC’s rules for dogs entering the US), and how to prepare your dog for a calm flight.

Cabin, checked or cargo: where will your dog fly?

The airline decides based on your dog’s size, the carrier and the route. The numbers below are general guidelines: they vary by airline, route and aircraft, so always check your airline’s current pet policy before you book.

Option	Best for	What to expect
In cabin	Small dogs	Soft-sided carrier that fits under the seat in front of you; in practice this usually means dogs under about 15–20 lb (7–9 kg) with the carrier, and some airlines set a firm weight limit
Checked in the hold	Medium and large dogs, where offered	Hard-sided, airline-approved crate; pressurized, climate-controlled area; limited spots and seasonal temperature restrictions
Cargo	Large dogs, unaccompanied pets, many international moves	Booked through the airline’s cargo division or a professional pet shipper
Service dogs	Trained service dogs	Usually fly in the cabin at your feet at no charge; US airlines require a DOT form in advance

A few things worth knowing:

Several major US airlines no longer accept pets as checked baggage except in limited cases, so larger dogs often have to fly as cargo. Emotional support animals are now treated as regular pets by US airlines.
Pet spots are limited per flight. Reserve your dog’s spot when you book your own ticket, usually by phone or through the airline’s reservation tools.
There’s a fee each way. For in-cabin pets on US airlines, it’s commonly in the $100–$200 range; cargo costs considerably more.
In the cabin, your dog stays in the carrier for the entire flight, zipped up and under the seat. They can’t come out or sit on a seat.
Puppies must be at least 8 weeks old and weaned to fly in the US, and many airlines set a higher minimum age.

Choosing the right carrier

For the cabin

A soft-sided, well-ventilated carrier with a leakproof bottom and secure zippers that fits under the seat in front of you. Your dog must be able to stand up and turn around inside. Many airlines count it as your personal item or carry-on.

For the hold or cargo

The crate must meet the IATA (International Air Transport Association) Live Animals Regulations, which most airlines follow:

Hard-sided, made of rigid plastic, wood or metal, with no wheels (or wheels removed or locked).
Metal door with a secure latch, and the top and bottom halves held together with metal nuts and bolts, not just plastic clips.
Ventilation on several sides and rims or spacers so luggage can’t block the airflow.
Food and water dishes attached to the door that can be refilled from outside without opening it.
Absorbent bedding on the floor, plus “Live Animal” and “This Way Up” labels.
The right size: your dog can stand without touching the top, turn around and lie down comfortably.

For how to measure your dog and build a positive association, see our guide to crate training a dog. Start weeks ahead: a dog who already sees the crate as a safe den travels far more calmly than one meeting it for the first time at the airport.

Flat-faced breeds: why many airlines won’t take them in the hold

Brachycephalic dogs, such as French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers, Shih Tzus and Pekingese, have narrow airways and a harder time regulating body temperature, because they cool down mainly by panting. Stress, a hot tarmac and an enclosed space raise the risk of breathing trouble and heatstroke.

That’s why many airlines refuse brachycephalic breeds and their mixes in the hold, and some won’t accept them as cargo either. If they’re small enough, they may be able to fly in the cabin on airlines that allow it. If your flat-faced dog doesn’t fit in the cabin, consider another way to travel and talk to your vet first.

Paperwork: health certificates and entry rules

Domestic flights

Many airlines ask for a health certificate (certificate of veterinary inspection) issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian, typically within 10 days of the flight, especially for dogs flying in the hold or as cargo. Carry proof of rabies vaccination, and check your destination state’s entry rules. Hawaii, which is rabies-free, has particularly strict requirements that take months of planning.

Flying abroad

Each country sets its own rules. Many require an ISO-compliant microchip implanted before the rabies shot, a waiting period after vaccination, an international health certificate issued by a USDA-accredited vet and, for many destinations, endorsed by USDA APHIS. Some countries also require a rabies titer test months in advance, an import permit or quarantine. For the EU, for example, your dog needs a microchip, a valid rabies vaccine given at least 21 days before travel and an EU animal health certificate. Review rabies timing in our dog vaccination schedule, and make sure your dog’s microchip registration is current.

Coming back into the US: CDC rules

Since August 2024, the CDC requires every dog entering the US, including US dogs returning from a trip abroad, to:

Be at least 6 months old.
Have an ISO-compatible microchip.
Appear healthy on arrival.
Arrive with a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, submitted online before travel.

Dogs that have been in a country the CDC considers high risk for dog rabies during the previous 6 months face extra requirements, such as specific rabies vaccination paperwork and, in some cases, arriving through designated airports. Check the CDC’s current rules before you book, since they can change.

Getting your dog ready for the flight

Weeks before:

Build up crate time with short, rewarding sessions until your dog naps in it on their own.
Take car rides with your dog in the carrier; if you’re driving to the airport, our guide to traveling by car with a dog has tips for that leg too.
Get a vet checkup and make sure vaccines and parasite prevention are current.

Flight day:

Feed a light meal about 4–6 hours before the flight, and offer water until shortly before you leave.
Go for a long walk before heading to the airport so they can potty and arrive tired.
Arrive early: dogs flying in the hold or as cargo usually check in at a special counter and well ahead of departure.
Inside the carrier: a blanket or T-shirt that smells like home, an absorbent pad and, in the hold, a full water dish. Remove tags that could snag, but keep ID with your phone number on your dog.

After landing, check your dog over, offer water and take a calm walk. It’s normal for them to be tired for a few hours.

Should you sedate a dog for a flight?

No, not unless your veterinarian specifically recommends it. Sedatives can affect breathing, blood pressure, temperature regulation and balance, and those effects are riskier in an enclosed space with pressure changes and no one watching, as in the hold. That’s why many airlines won’t accept sedated pets.

If your dog is very anxious, talk to your vet several weeks before the trip. They can suggest stress-management strategies or, in specific cases, a medication you test at home before the flight. Never give your dog human sedatives or anxiety medications.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to fly with a dog?

It depends on the airline, route and how your dog flies. In-cabin fees on US airlines commonly run $100–$200 each way, while shipping a large dog as cargo can cost several hundred dollars or more, especially internationally. Add an approved carrier or crate, the health certificate and any tests or endorsements your destination requires.

Can I buy my dog their own seat?

On most airlines, no. Even if you buy an extra seat, your dog has to stay in the carrier under the seat in front of you for the whole flight. A few airlines let you buy an adjacent seat to give yourself more room, but the carrier rules still apply. Trained service dogs follow separate rules, which you should confirm in advance.

Is it safe for a dog to fly in cargo?

The animal hold is pressurized and climate-controlled, and the vast majority of dogs arrive without problems. Risks rise with extreme heat or cold on the tarmac, long layovers, flat-faced breeds and dogs with health issues. To reduce them, choose nonstop flights, avoid midday flights in summer and make sure the crate meets every requirement.

How old does a puppy have to be to fly?

In the US, puppies must be at least 8 weeks old and weaned, and many airlines require them to be older. To enter the US from abroad, the CDC requires dogs to be at least 6 months old. Even when it’s allowed, very young puppies handle travel poorly, so it’s best to wait until they’ve finished their puppy vaccines if you can.

What if my dog barks or whines during the flight?

In the cabin, engine noise covers most whining, and many dogs settle once the plane takes off. Talk to your dog quietly, but don’t open the carrier. To prevent it, practice crate time for weeks, tire your dog out before the trip and pack something that smells like you. If your dog’s fear is intense, talk to your vet well in advance.

Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): requirements for bringing a dog into the United States.
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS): pet travel requirements and health certificate endorsement.
International Air Transport Association (IATA): Live Animals Regulations (LAR) container requirements.
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT): rules on service animals in air travel.
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): guidance on pet air travel and sedation.