Does a dog carrier count as a carry on?

Most airlines these days have a 1 carry on plus 1 personal item max for items you bring with you into the cabin. If you’re planning on flying with your dog in the cabin with you, you might be wondering if your dog carrier counts towards your carry-on allowance. Here’s what to know.

Dog Carrier and Carry-On Policies Vary by Airline

Different airlines have different policies. Note that airlines differentiate between service animals and pets flying as passengers. The policies below may not apply to service animals.

Here are the current policies of five major airline carries in the US:

Alaska Airlines. Your pet’s carrier DOES COUNT towards your carry-on allowance, so you may bring your dog’s carrier plus either a personal item or a full sized carry-on item. (Source: Booking pet travel.)

Delta Air Lines. Your dog’s carrier or kennel DOES COUNT as your carry on item. In addition to your dog’s carrier or kennel, you may bring a personal item. (Source: Pet Travel on Delta.)

JetBlue Airways. Your pet’s carrier DOES COUNT as a personal item so you may bring your carrier along with a carry-on item. (Source: Traveling with Pets.)

Southwest Airlines. Your dog’s carrier is considered a personal item OR a carry-on item, so you may bring your dog’s carrier along with either a carry-on or a personal item. (Source: Traveling With Pets.)

United Airlines. Your dog’s kennel does NOT count towards your carry-on allowance, so you can bring your dog’s carrier plus your carry-on allowance, which varies depending on your flight. (Source: In-cabin pets.)

Virgin Airlines. Virgin does not allow pets to travel in the cabin with the exception of service animals. (Source: How to book your pet onto a flight.)

To avoid inconvenience or trouble once you arrive at the airport, always call your airline first to verify the information and to ask any questions about their pet and carry-on policy.

Dog Carrier Requirements for In-Cabin Travel

In addition to carry-on policies, airlines have different policies on what kind of dog kennel or carrier is acceptable for transport within the cabin. Generally, they must be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you while still allowing room for your dog to stand and move. In practical terms, this means that only very small pets can travel in the cabin with you. (Again, policies may differ for service or support animals.)

What is the maximum size your dog carrier can be for in-cabin travel? That depends on the airline and may also depend on your particular flight since different airplanes can accommodate different sized carriers.

Double check that your dog’s carrier meets your airline’s requirements for travel on your flight before going to the airport.

The Snoozer Roll Around Travel Dog Carrier Backpack 4-in-1

For a durable and versatile piece of travel equipment for your dog, the Snoozer Roll Around Travel Dog Carrier Backpack 4-in-1 is it! You can use it as a carrier to roll your dog around, use it as a backpack to transport your dog on your back, plus use it as a dog car seat and a pet bed for when you reach your final destination. Designed for dogs up to 15 pounds (Medium size) and 30 pounds (Large size), it’s ideal for little dogs on the go!

(Before airline travel, remember to verify that it meets your airline’s pet carrier requirements.)