PetFlightCheck

Alaska & Hawaiian Airlines Pet Policy (2026): Fees, Carrier Size & Rules

Yes. Alaska allows dogs and cats in the cabin on domestic and international flights for $100 each way, per kennel. The carrier must fit under the seat in front of you, up to 17 × 11 × 9.5 in (soft-sided). The same policy applies to Hawaiian Airlines flights.

Last verified against Alaska's official pages

How to add your dog to a booking

  1. Book your own ticket on alaskaair.com or hawaiianairlines.com.
  2. Chat with or call Alaska (for Alaska flights) or Hawaiian (for Hawaiian flights) to reserve your pet's space. Do it before the day of travel.
  3. On the day, keep your pet in the carrier, head and tail inside, from the boarding area to landing, stowed under the seat for taxi, takeoff and landing.

Sources: Traveling with pets (Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines), Traveling with pets in cabin

Pet fee

$100

Most flights

each way, per kennel

$35

Wholly within the State of Hawaii

each way, per kennel

  • The fees cover flights on Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines only. Other airlines on your trip may charge their own fee.
  • A second pet carrier is allowed only if you buy a second ticket for the seat next to you.

Sources: Traveling with pets in cabin, Traveling with pets (Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines)

Carrier size and weight

Alaska doesn't publish a weight limit for pets in the cabin. What matters is the carrier: your pet has to fit inside it, and it has to fit under the seat in front of you.

Soft-sided carrier (maximum)

17 × 11 × 9.5 in

≈ 43 × 28 × 24 cm (L × W × H)

  • Soft-sided carriers only. Hard-sided kennels aren't allowed in the cabin.
  • Your pet carrier counts toward your carry-on allowance: bring it plus a personal item, or plus a standard carry-on bag. On flights within Hawaii, a pet doesn't count toward your carry-on allowance.
  • Pets must be at least 8 weeks old.
  • The number of pets allowed on each flight depends on the aircraft.
  • 1 carrier per passenger, with up to 2 pets of the same species inside.

Where you can sit

  • Not in an emergency exit row
  • Not in a bulkhead row
  • Business Class on the Airbus A330 and Boeing 787 can't take pet carriers

Source: Traveling with pets in cabin

Routes, breeds and other restrictions

Where pets can't fly

Pets can't travel in the cabin to these international locations, and the same list applies to pets in the baggage compartment (with some exceptions for active-duty military to and from Japan):

  • Europe (all locations)
  • London, United Kingdom (LHR)
  • Japan (all locations)
  • Seoul, South Korea (ICN)
  • Belize City, Belize (BZE)
  • Guatemala City, Guatemala (GUA)
  • Pago Pago, American Samoa (PPG)
  • Papeete, French Polynesia (PPT)
  • Rarotonga, Cook Islands (RAR)
  • Sydney, Australia (SYD)

Breeds

Short-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds are not accepted in cargo. Short-nosed dogs and cats can still fly in the cabin if their carrier fits under the seat. The hold ban doesn't apply on flights within Hawaii or between Hawaii and the U.S. mainland. Separately, French and English Bulldogs can't travel in the hold from July 31 to September 30, 2026.

Also good to know

  • You must be at least 18 to travel with a pet in the cabin (or travel with someone who is).
  • Hawaii: only dogs and cats can enter (rabbits to Honolulu only). Pets can't arrive in Honolulu before 8:00 a.m. or after 10:00 p.m., and direct flights to Kona, Lihue or Kahului need a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit.
  • Hawaii: animals arriving without the right documents may be quarantined for up to 120 days in Honolulu at your expense.
  • Only dogs and cats can travel between the U.S. and international locations.
  • Reserve your pet's spot before the day of travel. Space is limited and first-come, first-served.

Sources: Traveling with pets in cabin, Traveling with pets in the baggage compartment, Traveling to Hawaii with dogs, cats, and rabbits

Cargo and checked pets

Alaska carries pets in the cargo hold through pets in the climate-controlled baggage compartment. Checked pets cost $200 each way per kennel ($100 wholly within Alaska or for active-duty U.S. military on travel orders, $60 wholly within Hawaii). Pet and kennel together can weigh up to 150 lbs (68 kg), and you must be on the same flights. Pets traveling without a passenger go through Pet Connect, the Alaska and Hawaiian Air Cargo service.

Source: Traveling with pets in the baggage compartment

Service dogs and emotional support animals

  • Only trained service dogs are accepted as service animals.
  • Emotional support animals fly as regular pets, under the pet rules and fee on this page.
  • Required paperwork: U.S. DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form.

Source: Service animals

Other details

  • Besides dogs and cats, the cabin also takes domesticated rabbits and small household birds, with route limits (for example, no birds to Hawaii).
  • For travel between Hawaii and the U.S. mainland, your pet needs a health certificate dated no more than 14 days before arrival.
  • Pet Connect, through Alaska and Hawaiian Air Cargo, is for pets flying without an accompanying passenger.
  • Trained service animals fly free.

Before you fly

Alaska can change its pet policy at any time. We last checked these official pages on September 26, 2026. Confirm the rules with Alaska before you book and again before you travel.

Compare other airlines