Can’t let your pets be all by themselves while you vacation? Alaska’s pet-friendly travel enables you to fly seamlessly with your furry friend. However, it comes with a little toll. The catch is learning about the Alaska Airlines Pet Policy before proceeding with the reservations. Certain guidelines apply to those who bring an animal along with them on the flight. These rules also vary as per the type of animal you plan to transport.
The lines ahead contain the information that you can not pass on while flung with your lovely four-legged family member. Catch up on what you must know!
Fur-st, Learn about the Policies
The Airline may claim a $100 starting charge for bringing a pet, but there might be additional charges based on the breed and the type of animal you plan to carry. So, there are two main categories under which you can transport animals. The first one is inside the cabin, and the other one is inside the climate-controlled baggage compartment. Let’s understand them in detail.
Inside the Cabin
If you love to keep your pet close to you and they are uncomfortable when away from you, take them along with you inside the cabin. Make sure to follow the guidelines in the coming sections.
- Only adult passengers of ages 18 or above are allowed to bring pets.
- Those with pet animals are not allowed to occupy emergency exit row or bulkhead row seats.
- As a carry-on allotment, you may bring a personal item along with your pet inside a carrier, or you can bring a pet inside a carrier along with standard-sized carry-on luggage.
- A total of Eight pet carriers are allowed inside the main cabin, whereas inside the first-class cabins, only 3 pet carriers are permitted. Therefore, the first-come, first-served rule applies.
- Main cabin Alaska Airlines Flying With Pets are only allowed to carry upto two animals only if they purchase an adjacent seat.
- Cats and dogs only above the age of eight months are allowed inside the cabin. They should be fully trained to take solid food on their own before their departure date.
- The animals should not have their body parts getting out of their carriers wherever they are, including the time on board, at the Alsak lounge, and around the boarding area.
- During landing, departure, and taxi, you should stow the animals inside the seat for their own safety.
- Similar animals (same species and size) can be kept inside the same carrier. Given none of their body parts are sticking out they are safe and have sufficient space at all times.
- Noisy animals and unclean, strong odors must travel inside the baggage compartment.
Alaska Airlines Pet in Cabin Policy
Why don’t you take a look at these carrier guidelines before you carry them to the airport on the departure date? It is essentially important to follow Alaska Airlines Pet Travel rules during transportation for the safety and security of your pet. The cabin must be clean, leak-proof, and with adequate air ventilation.
| Type | Carrier size | Dimensions (length x width x height) |
| Hard-sided | 50 | 17″ x 11″ x 7.5″ |
| Soft-sided | 50 | 17″ x 11″ x 9.5″ |
Animals Allowed Inside the Cabin
Not all kinds of animals are permitted on board. Check the list of permissible animals inside the cabin.
- Small dogs
- House cats
- Domesticated rabbits
- Household birds
In the Baggage Compartment
If your pet is not allowed in the cabin, or in case they are too big for the cabin, you can try the baggage compartment. Keep the following Pet Policy On Alaska Airlines, and you are free to transport them without any hassles.
- The animal, along with the cage or the carrier, must not weigh more than 150 lbs.
- Passengers must be on the same flight as the animal. In case you only intend to transport the animal, you should follow the Pet Connect service guidelines.
- Eight weeks and older, well-weaned animals are allowed inside the baggage compartment.
- Baggage Compartment animal transport requires you to provide a printed copy of the health certificate with the digital signature of a licensed veterinarian.
- Short-nosed dogs and cats with Brachycephalic Syndrome are not allowed for baggage compart transportation.
- The animals should be safe and must not need additional attention during transportation.
- You will be required to fill out a Pet Check record, which includes feeding the pet 4 hours before the check-in.
- Check-in for the animals begins to begin two hours before the departures. Make sure to check in at least an hour before the departure at all airports except Seattle or Guadalajara, where you are required to check in at least 90 minutes prior.
Rules for the Pet Carriers in the Baggage Compartment
The cage or the carrier in which you will keep the animal must be as per the directions of the airline. Before making preparations for your animal’s transportation, make sure to go through these Pet Policy Alaska Airlines. Here is what we know!
| Size | Carrier size | Dimensions (length x width x height) |
| Extra small | 100 | 21″ x 16″ x 15″ |
| Small | 200 | 27″ x 20″ x 19″ |
| Medium | 300 | 32″ x 22″ x 23″ |
| Large | 400 | 36″ X 24″ x 26″ |
| Extra large | 500 | 40″ x 27″ x 30″ |
Animals Allowed inside the Baggage Compartment
Not all kinds of animals are allowed onboard. Here is a lits of animals that are permissible inside the luggage compartment of Alaska Airlines.
- Cats
- Dogs
- Ferrets
- Guinea Pigs
- Hamsters
- Household Birds
- Non-Poisonous Reptiles
- Pot-Bellied Pigs
- Rabbits, and
- Tropical Fish.
Alaska Draws a Line at
Some breeds and mixed breeds may not be allowed in the baggage compartment due to their own safety. Animals with Brachycephalic and “short-nosed” dogs may face issues due the high altitude stress and suffer from compromised breathing. Meanwhile, other breeds that are not allowed in the cargo section are:
- American Pit Bull
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Boston Terrier
- Boxer
- Brussels Griffon
- Mastiff (All Breeds)
- Bulldog, Bull Terrier
- Chow Chow
- Dutch Pug
- English Bulldog
- English Toy Spaniel
- French Bulldog
- Japanese Boxer
- Japanese Pug
- Japanese Spaniel
- Pekingese
- Pug
- Shih Tzu
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Burmese cat
- Exotic Shorthair cat
- Himalayan cat, and
- Persian cat.
Play by the Rules
Decide whether you would want to bring your loved pet to the flight or not. All the customers who wish to add their pets to their reservation can follow the steps below to understand Alaska Airlines Flying Requirements.
- Book your reservations via the official website of Alaska Airlines.
- Read out all the terms and conditions of the Alaska Airlines Pet Policy.
- When and If the animal is eligible for the travel, speak with the airline representative regarding their booking.
- Call 1 800 252 7522 to book a space for your furry friend.
- You may use- https://www.alaskaair.com/content/about-us/help-contact?lid=nav:contactUs&lid=contact-us:phone-numbers&lid=contact-us:phone-numbers# to start a chat.
Pet at the Airport: Things to Keep in Mind
On the most important day, which is the day of the departure, there are a few quick steps you should follow when Flying With Pets Alaska Air. Except for the protection of the other passengers and your pet, their comfort is also paramount.
- Let the pet follow its pre-flight workout for better digestion and a healthy flying experience.
- Do not forget to get your Pet Passport or identification card.
- Get to the airport a bit early for extra time at the counter check-in.
- Make sure to give them a pre-flight relief before heading for the check-in.
- Do not overfeed or give too much water to the animal before the flight.
Service Animals During Accessibility Travels
Meanwhile, the passengers with special needs are not supposed to pay any charges food bringing a trained service dog along. An individual with a disability is allowed to get at most two dogs, and their size is decided as per the foot area of the passenger’s seat. You may be required to submit a DOT Service Animal Form per dog before your flying. There might be only limited spots; therefore, you must submit your application ASAP.
Special Alaska Pet Policy is applicable for the service animals in training, the puppies traveling with a trainer, and those traveling to Hawaii and international destinations.
Last-Minute Queries
Yes. You may buy an adjacent seat for your pet if there is more than one in your cabin when flying with Alaska Airlines.
Small dogs, House cats, Domesticated rabbits, and Household birds are allowed in the cabin. Meanwhile, cats, dogs, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, household birds, non-poisonous reptiles, pot-bellied pigs, rabbits, and tropical fish are permissible for baggage compartments.
Alaska allows pet travel, but there is a set of rules that one must abide by for the safety of their pets and fellow passengers.
Mainly, the age of cats and dogs should not be less than eight weeks; they should be well-weaned, fed, and watered before the flight.
The charges for pet travel start at $100 for passengers flying with Alaska Airlines.
