Flying with a pet can be daunting depending on multiple factors – the size and breed of your pet, flight length, destination, and specific airlines requirements. We’re proud dog parents and wish we could take our dog on all our trips. Thankfully we’re able to bring her on some of our adventures. In this post we’ll document our experience taking our pet dog (not service animal) on board Alaska Airlines. The route we will focus on will be from Seattle to San Francisco. We’ve also traveled with our dog to Hawaii… but more on that later.
Alaska Airlines Pet Requirements for US Domestic Flights
Fees
Alaska Airlines allow pets to travel in the cabin or in the baggage compartment depending on the size of the pet. Pets traveling in the cabin are $100 per flight while in the baggage compartment the fee is $150 per flight. Regardless of the length or cost of the human fare the pet fees remain the same. I choose to pay these fees with my Platinum Card from American Express since pet fees count toward the airline incidental fee credit. If I don’t want to put spend on my Platinum card I’ll use my Alaska Airlines Credit Card which earns 3X miles on Alaska Airlines-related purchases.
How to Book Pet Travel on Alaska Airlines
- Book your human tickets on alaskaair.com
- Review the policies for pets in cabin or in baggage compartment
- Call 1-800-252-7522 or start a chat with an Alaska Airlines agent to add the pet to your reservation (have your flight confirmation code ready)
- Pay the pet fee at the airport
Additional Requirements to enter Hawaii
Flying with a pet within the US is largely the same across all airports except when flying to Hawaii. This is because Hawaii is the only rabies-free state and understandably they would like to keep it that way. We flew our dog with us to Hawaii on 2 separate occasions but will probably not do it again. I’ll go into detail in another post with all the additional requirements of bringing a pet to Hawaii.
Before the Airport for Pets in Cabin
Choosing a Pet Carrier
Our dog is a 6-year-old Jack Russell Terrier mix weighing approximately 16-17 pounds. She fits inside the Medium Sherpa Carrier, which itself fits snugly underneath the seat of the standard Boeing-737 planes used by Alaska Airlines for most domestic flights. Always check the dimensions of your carrier against the airlines requirements. The pet carrier will count as your personal item, so plan accordingly if you need to consolidate your belongings.
Acclimating to a Pet Carrier
Getting a TSA-approved carrier is one thing but making sure your pet will actually like their carrier is a whole other thing.
It’s important to acclimate your pet to the carrier. The last thing you want is to have a scared, anxious pet on the day of your trip. Not only will that raise some red flags at the airport check in counter, it will also make for an unpleasant trip for you and your pet. Upon paying the pet fee, airport personnel are also in charge of making sure that the pet fits comfortably within the carrier and is not in any distress.
Preparing Your Pet for the Flight
We prepare our dog for flights by giving her some Honest Paws CBD Calm Bites. One treat before leaving for the airport (~2 hours before our flight) usually lets her settle down before we have to transport her through the airport. We’ve also used diphenhydramine (Benadryl) but found that it sedated our pup too much even at the lowest dose. These Honest Paws CBD Calm Bites are peanut butter flavored and calms her down without making her groggy. Find what works best for your pet well before your first flight so that you can predict their reaction.
At the Airport for Pets in Cabin
TSA
The pet carrier needs to go through TSA screening just like any other personal item. Your pet needs to come out of the carrier with their collar and any other metal pieces removed. You’ll need to take your pet out of the carrier and hold them while you go through TSA screening. Before putting our dog in her carrier, I usually remove her collar so that I can quickly take her out at the TSA line.
I highly recommend TSA Precheck if you don’t have it already – especially if you plan to travel with a pet. Not only are the lines usually shorter, but having that extra time to cater to your pet instead of taking off your shoes and removing your laptop can make your experiences much smoother.
Pet Relief Stations
Most major airports should have pet relief stations. This can be inside or outside the terminal so it’s a good idea to check where they’re located before you arrive at the airport.
On the Plane
Once on the plane, pets must be kept in their carriers for the entire duration of the flight. The entire carrier must fit underneath the seat in front of you. I recommend keeping a bag of treats and a water bottle just in case your pet needs some extra comfort.
After awhile on the plane our dog may start scratching her carrier. This is where pets and treats come in. Loud noises, lots of people, and a cramped environment can potentially make your pet anxious, so make sure to be attentive to them especially if it’s their first flight.
Bottom Line
Our dog is small and used to traveling with us. When she’s not flying she’s with us on road trips, staycations, and hikes. She’s used to the long hauls and knows that she’ll be rewarded with lots of grass, running, and treats. Traveling with pets isn’t for everyone but it fits our lifestyle. We’ve made sure that our dog is comfortable and rewarded for coming with us. At 16 pounds, she’s probably the biggest pet we would ever take on a flight since larger dogs need to be kept in the baggage compartment. We don’t live near any family or friends that could watch our dog while we travel so sometimes bringing her along for short trips also makes the most financial sense. We usually board her for longer flights and trips. Consider your travel habits, cost, type of pet, and your pet’s behavior when deciding if they’d make a good travel companion.
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Editorial Note
The opinions expressed on this site are exclusively from Taylex Travels and do not represent those of any financial institution, airline, hotel company, travel or financial vendors, or other companies or individuals. The opinions also have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by any other entity.
