Each airline has its own rules and they change frequently so check each time when you plan to travel with your pet. There are also quotas on pets traveling with passengers in the cabin—if you don’t reserve early all the slots may be taken.
The airlines charge ($80-100+ one way) to carry on a pet and have limitations as to how many pets are allowed per flight (just a few). You will need to make a reservation. Your pet must be small enough to fit comfortably in a kennel under the seat directly in front of you--contact the airline to determine the size. The pet must remain in the kennel in the boarding area, lounge and onboard. As cargo, airlines (eg. Delta) will not accept animals if it is forecasted to be below 20 degrees Fahrenheit and below 45 F a vet acclimation certificate is required.The airlines will also not accept animals if the temprature is above 85 F and for snub/pug nosed breeds (bull dogs, terriers, boxer, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff) and cats (Burmese, Persian, Exotic, Himalayan), if it is forecasted to be above 70 degrees. Check with your airline as rules change. Certain states also require a health certificate.
As of August 12, 2008, some of the airlines have new charges for pets. To learn more about new fees on airlines for your pet and yourself, check out this link .
The pet must be at least 8 weeks old and you can not carry on more than one pet. Your pet counts as your one piece of carry-on baggage. Hawaii travel has additional regulations.
Puppies are at risk as are older or animals with health conditions if they are checked as baggage. The airlines consider pets as warm-blooded mammals and birds. Some airlines do not allow birds including (check as it changes): American Airlines, JetBlue and Southwest and Frontier Airlines. JetBlue allows dogs and cats but not birds while Southwest does not accept any animals in the cabin or cargo. Ferrets and reptiles must travel as cargo on Northwest.
The Humane Society travel tips
