Alaska Airlines
Pet travel policy for Alaska Airlines (AS) — based at Seattle-Tacoma (SEA), United States.
Policy summary
Alaska Airlines is one of the most pet-friendly US carriers because it carries pets in both the main cabin and the temperature-controlled cargo hold under its long-running Pet Connect program. In-cabin pets travel in a hard or soft carrier no larger than 17 by 11 by 9.5 inches and must remain in the carrier for the entire flight; the fee is 100 USD per pet kennel each way for travel within the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Up to five in-cabin pet carriers are allowed per flight in the main cabin and one in first class, so call Alaska Airlines as soon as you book. Pet Connect (cargo) accepts most warm-blooded household pets on a route-by-route basis with a 150 USD fee for travel within the 50 US states; large cargo kennels must meet IATA Live Animals Regulations specifications. Snub-nosed dog and cat breeds are excluded from cargo year-round, and Alaska Airlines applies summer and winter temperature embargoes when forecast temperatures at any airport on the itinerary exceed 85F or fall below 20F.
Quick reference
| Cabin pets | Yes — cats & small dogs in approved under-seat carrier |
|---|---|
| Cargo / checked program | Yes — IATA-rated kennel via dedicated cargo division |
| Cabin fee (one-way) | $100 USD (typical, route-dependent) |
| Carrier max dimensions | 17 x 11 x 9.5 (hard) / 17 x 11 x 9.5 (soft) in |
| Weight limit | pet + carrier under-seat |
| Breed restrictions | Cargo: no brachycephalic breeds; embargo on extreme-temperature routes. |
| Reservations | 1-800-252-7522 |
| Hub airport | Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) |
| Country | United States |
How to book a pet on Alaska Airlines
Almost every airline requires you to add a pet to your reservation by phone — there is no online self-service for in-cabin or cargo pets at the major carriers, because the airline must confirm there is space on the specific aircraft type and route. Call 1-800-252-7522 within 24 hours of buying your ticket and ask the agent to add the pet to your booking. You will be quoted the fee at the time of booking and pay it at airport check-in. Bring printed proof of vaccinations and a recent veterinary health certificate, especially for international itineraries.
At the airport, plan to arrive 90 minutes before a domestic departure or three hours before an international departure. The airline gate agent will inspect your carrier, attach an in-cabin pet tag, and confirm that your pet meets the under-seat dimension and weight limits. If your animal is travelling in cargo, you will drop them off at the carrier's dedicated cargo-acceptance facility (separate from the passenger terminal) at least four hours before departure for kennel inspection and loading.