Yes. Your dog can fly in the cabin with you, even if they’re not a service dog or an emotional support animal. Regular pet dogs — just normal family dogs — can fly in the cabin on most major airlines, sitting in a carrier bag under the seat in front of you.
A lot of people don’t know this. They assume in-cabin flying is reserved for certified service animals and that regular pets can only go in cargo. That’s not true, and it hasn’t been true for a long time. We’ve flown with Sami — our Westie, a regular pet with no service certification — on 20+ flights across Europe and to the United States. He flies in the cabin with us every time.
Here’s exactly how it works.
Three Ways Dogs Can Fly
There are three categories for dogs on planes. Service dogs fly in the cabin for free, usually at their owner’s feet without a carrier. This requires official certification. Pets in the cabin fly under the seat in a carrier bag for a pet fee — this is what we do with Sami and what this entire article is about. Pets in cargo fly in the luggage compartment in a crate — something I’ve never done and don’t recommend, because I don’t believe it’s safe.
For in-cabin pet travel, you need three things: a pet-friendly airline, a dog that meets their size and weight requirements, and the right documents.
The Basic Requirements
Size and weight. Your dog needs to fit comfortably in an airline-approved carrier bag that fits under the seat in front of you. Most airlines set a weight limit of 8 kg (about 17.5 lbs) including the carrier, though some allow up to 10 or 12 kg. This means in-cabin flying is practical for small to medium-small breeds. If you have a small dog, you’re in a great position.
Documents. Your dog needs a microchip, a valid rabies vaccine, and travel documents that vary depending on your route. For flights within the EU, you need an EU pet passport. For flights to the US, you need a CDC Dog Import Form. Our documents checklist covers every scenario.
A carrier bag. Your dog travels in a soft-sided carrier under the seat. The carrier needs to meet the airline’s size requirements. The dog stays in the carrier for the entire flight — during takeoff, in the air, and during landing. Choosing the right carrier and training your dog to be comfortable in it are two of the most important preparation steps.
How to Book
You book your own ticket first. Then you call the airline to reserve a spot for your dog in the cabin. Airlines limit the number of pets per flight — sometimes as few as 4-6 — so this reservation matters. Don’t assume there’s space. We call the airline the same day we book, even if the flight is weeks away.
The pet fee is separate from your ticket and is almost always paid at the airport check-in counter. In Europe, expect €50-70 per flight. In the US, $95-150 domestically and up to $200 for international flights. For a full cost breakdown, see our guide on how much it costs to fly with your dog.
Most airlines don’t let you check in online when you’re flying with a pet. You’ll need to go to the counter, which means arriving 3 hours early. For the full airport walkthrough, see what to expect at the airport with your dog.
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Which Airlines Allow It?
Most major airlines allow pets in the cabin, but not all. In Europe, airlines like TAP, Lufthansa, Air France, Iberia, and Aegean all allow dogs in the cabin. Budget carriers are mixed — Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air do not allow pets. In the US, Delta, United, American, Southwest, JetBlue, and Alaska all allow in-cabin pets.
For the full breakdown, see our guides to European airlines that allow dogs and pet-friendly airlines worldwide.
What the Flight Is Actually Like
Your dog sits in their carrier under the seat in front of you for the entire flight. During takeoff and landing, the carrier must be fully under the seat. Once you’re cruising, you can open the zipper slightly to give them more air or let them see you.
Most well-prepared dogs sleep through the flight. The key is carrier training beforehand and tiring them out on flight day. If your dog tends to be anxious, we have a full guide on keeping your dog calm during the flight. Whatever you do, don’t sedate them — it’s dangerous at altitude and most airlines prohibit it.
Is It Worth It?
After 20+ flights with Sami, I can say without hesitation: yes. The first flight feels overwhelming because there are so many details to get right. By the second flight, you know the process. By the third, it’s routine.
The alternative is leaving your dog behind — in a kennel, with a sitter, or with family. For some trips, that makes sense. But if you’re like us and your dog is part of the family, flying together is worth the extra preparation. It’s not complicated. It just requires doing your homework.
Want the step-by-step system?
Our free 8-day email course takes you from booking to landing — packing, security, and everything in between. Based on 20+ real flights with Sami.
For the complete process from start to finish, see our complete guide to flying with your dog in the cabin. And if this is your first time, our first-timer’s guide breaks it down into manageable steps.
