Don’t underestimate the difficulty of flying large dogs. Consider yourself lucky if your dog is small enough to fit into an airline-approved pet carrier under your seat. Unfortunately, unless you have a service dog, canines over 20 lbs (9 kg) must go in the aircraft hold with checked luggage (a human traveling companion must be on the same flight) or flown in manifest cargo. What’s more, not all airlines fly big dogs.
Limited Airline Choices
During the coronavirus epidemic, United Airlines stopped flying pets in the aircraft hold or as cargo for anyone other than military and state department personnel. More recently, Delta declared it is “only allowing the shipment of pets for active US Military or US State Department Foreign Service Offices (FSO) traveling with active permanent change of station orders.” Others, such as Frontier Airlines, have changed their policies and will no longer transport dogs in the aircraft hold or cargo, and Southwest Airlines has never allowed pets in the aircraft hold or cargo department.
Who Flies Large Dogs
As of the date this post was published, only 18 major international commercial airlines fly dogs in aircraft holds or cargo departments, and only three US airlines (Alaska, American, and Hawaiian) do so. All have strict crate size and weight limits (up to 100 lbs/45 kg), so if you are into massive breeds like St. Bernards and Wolfhounds, they are likely too large to fly.
Temperature Guidelines
The main obstacle to transporting dogs in the aircraft hold or cargo department is the temperature guidelines airlines must adhere to during summer and winter. Shifts in temperature can make it challenging to plan. There are also embargoes against snub-nosed dogs and breeds deemed aggressive. Health certificates and vaccinations must be in order within ten days of travel.
Temperature Ranges
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) publishes Live Animals Regulations, which include Temperature Control Regulations. However, it is up to each airline’s government to enforce the regulations.
Temperature ranges vary from airline to airline. Alaska and American Airlines won’t fly animals in the cargo hold when the temperature is between 45°F (7°C) and 85°F (29°C) at origin, destination, or connection airports. But Hawaiian Airlines’ allows temperatures as low as 20°F (-7°C).
Certificates of Acclimation
The airlines accept “certificates of acclimation” from vets who certify that a particular animal can withstand more extreme temperatures — usually the longer-haired, double-coated breeds.
Difficulties During Temperature Embargoes
Imagine needing to fly a puppy from Chicago to Northern California in November. Your options are Alaska or American Airlines unless you want to pay for ground transportation or a private airline. If the temperature falls below 45°F (7°C), you’ll likely not see your puppy until after the weather embargoes end in March. Your puppy will be four months older and much heavier by this time.
My husband and I now face this reality. Our puppy needed a medical procedure, which pushed her travel date from October to November. Now, she will likely wait out the winter with the breeder.
And what if you have to relocate your family and belongings across the country or overseas during the summer and winter embargoes? You can forget that Christmas puppy if it has to fly out of or through a frigid airport like Chicago or Philadelphia. And if you are transporting a large dog to a show, you’ll likely have to drive to the colder and hotter destinations.
Airline Policies and Restrictions
I’ve compiled a list of the major commercial airlines that fly dogs in the aircraft hold or cargo as of November 26, 2023.
Please read each airline’s policies carefully because each has different crate requirements, drop-off times, and even restrictions on aircraft types they use to transport dogs. Note that some airlines will only fly dogs in the aircraft hold if a human companion books a ticket in the cabin.
List of Major Airlines That Fly Large Dogs
An Airline for Dogs: Bark Air Launches
Update on August 5, 2024: BarkAir,a public charter operator for dogs launched in May 2024. This airline flies dogs first class in cabin and welcomes all breeds and sizes. No carriers or crates are required. It’s fairly pricey, but if you can pay the tab it’s a wonderful way to fly your dog in style. Routes are limited.
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