Alaska Airlines Pet Policy

Thanks to the Alaska Airlines Pet Policy, your favorite fur-friend can join you on your next flight! Alaska Airlines makes it possible for the whole family to travel together.

Make sure that you have enough time to prepare and check every box on the list of pet travel requirements.

Boarding with Animals: What Assistance Animals Are Accepted for In-Cabin Flight?

Alaska Airlines allows Service Animals and Psychiatric Service Animals to accompany their humans in the cabin, free of charge. If they are an emotional support animal or pet, there will be a required fee. See below for more information.

Emotional Support Animals

Puppy, cat, rabbits, and a parrot all together, ESAs allowed on Alaska Airlines Pet Policy

According to their pet policy, Alaska Airlines allows the following animal in the cabin (only one):

Dogs
Cats

If your emotional support animal or Psychiatric Service animal is not on this list, you should call the Airline to ask whether your animal is allowed in the aircraft cabin with you.

4 Forms You May Need Before Arriving at the Airport

Before 2021, according to the Alaska Airlines ESA policy, you were required to submit a completed, 3-page form to them via email at least 48 hrs before the flight.

Alaska Airlines pet policy requires anyone traveling with a Service Animal to submit a completed form, found on their website, at least 48 hrs before travel. This document includes:

Animal Health Advisory Form
Mental Health Form
Animal Behavior

But now the Alaska Airlines pet policy includes all pets and emotional support animals.

And while you do not need the following forms, it never hurts to have them tucked away in your carry-on!

ESA Letter: Optional

According to Alaska Airlines pet policy, all pet owners do not have to bring an ESA letter, that needs to be from a certified mental health professional.

Veterinary Health Certificate/Form: Cargo Only

Alaska Airlines pet policy dictates that you will need a health certificate from a vet for your animal that is dated within 10 days of your trip or within 30 days of return travel.

Copy of The Animal’s Current Shot Record: Depends on Destination

You need to check what the vaccination requirements are for bringing an animal to your planned destination. Make sure your dog has the appropriate vaccinations and take the record with you.

Signed Testament to the Animal’s Behavior: Depends on Destination

This is essentially a disclaimer saying that you are responsible for the behavior of your dog, and if they misbehave or cause any damages, you will be liable.

It’s a good idea to have all documents ready at for the security checkpoint.

While you may not need any documentation above, Alaska Airlines reminds travelers that “many states have specific importation health and vaccination requirements. Contact the state veterinarian at your destination prior to travel to determine necessary documentation (such as health and cold-weather acclimation certificates) and vaccination requirements.”

4 Main Facts to Know When Checking-In Your Pet

Dog inside an airline cargo pet carrier at an airport traveling with Alaska Airlines

Alaskan airlines pet policy has a strict set of rules and guidelines pet owners must follow. In order to make your traveling experience safe, fun, and stress-free, we highly recommend that you review the Alaskan Airlines pet policy restriction and check-in sections.

1. Cost

If your furry friend is not a Service Animal, you will have to pay $100 per animal per flight. They have a limit on the number of animals that can be in the cargo on each flight. These spots are available on a first-come-first-served basis, so book your tickets as early as possible.

2. Breed Restrictions

Alaska Airlines, like many others, no longer allow Brachycephalic breeds (a.k.a. short-nosed dog breeds or snub-nosed dog breeds) on any of their flights.

These breeds include:

Cats:

Persian
Exotic Shorthair
Himalayan
Burmese

Dogs:

Boston Terriers
Boxers
Bull Dogs
Bull Terriers
Brussels Griffons
Chow Chows
English Toy Spaniels
Japanese Spaniels
Japanese Chins
Mastiffs
Pekinese
Pit Bulls
Pugs
Shih Tzu,
Staffordshire Terriers

3. Weight and Height Restriction of Carriers

The weight and height restrictions for pet carriers in the cargo compartment is as follows:

Carrier Dimensions:

Maximum size hard carrier dimensions: 17” x 11” x 7.5”
Maximum size soft carrier dimensions: 17” x 11” x 9.5”

Weight Restrictions:

Alaska Airlines has a maximum limit of 150 lbs in the cargo hold, which includes the weight of the kennel and the animal combined. If you exceed that weight, you will need to speak to the airline and you may be charged for the additional weight.

Apart from animals that are carry-on baggage, you will fur passenger that was in cargo or with checked baggage in the baggage claim area after the flight.

4. Regarding Pet Safety

The Alaska Airlines pet policy has a few safety rules that may affect whether or not your animal will be allowed on the flight:

Food and Water – The airline requires you to confirm at the check-in counter that you have given your dog food and water within 4 hrs of the flight. If you have connecting flights with layovers exceeding 4 hrs, you can ask to see your animal to give them more food and water.
Tranquilizers and Sedatives – Don’t sedate your animal for the flight. The change in the atmosphere may make it more difficult for an animal to breathe even without the sedative.
Extreme Outdoor Temperatures – They will not allow pets traveling on a flight in extreme weather conditions. This is for the animal’s safety, as extremely high or extremely low temperatures can be a real health risk for the animals.

2 Top Tips as You Are Preparing to Travel with Your ESA/Pet/SA

Make sure your dog fits comfortably in his crate. All crates and carriers need to be airline approved and comfortable enough for a dog to be placed in. You can check out more on how to select the best dog crate size here!
It’s important to make sure your dog is relaxed during their entire trip.

Flying with Your: ESA Know the Special Requirements when Traveling with Alaska Airlines!

Before you choose to fly with your ESA, make sure you know what Alaska Airlines pet policy dictates, and what you as a pet owner are responsible for.

Route Restrictions

You need to check with the airline what the restrictions are for pets traveling on the air carrier and route you are intending to take. As well as whether your animal will be allowed at your destination. Routes to Hawaii for example only allow cats and dogs. Other routes may have weight restrictions or specific vaccination requirements.

Documentation

If your documentation is not in order, your animal will not be allowed on the flight!

Animal Relief Areas

You are responsible for cleaning up after your animal. It is not the flight attendants job! It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the pet relief or grassy areas at airport terminals. Especially for international flights and terminals in international airports.