When I first started researching how to fly with Sami in the cabin, I spent weeks piecing together information from different sources. Airline websites, Reddit threads, vet blogs, YouTube comments. Nothing gave me the full picture in one place.
This guide is what I wish I’d had back then. After 20+ flights with our Westie, Sami — across Europe and to the United States — I’ve learned how every part of the process works. This is the complete, start-to-finish guide to flying with your dog in the cabin, based entirely on real experience.
Can Your Dog Actually Fly in the Cabin?
Yes. Your dog doesn’t need to be a service animal to fly in the cabin. Regular pet dogs can fly in the cabin on most pet-friendly airlines, as long as they meet the requirements.
There are three ways dogs fly: as service animals (certified), as cabin pets (in a carrier under the seat), and as cargo (in the luggage hold). This guide is about cabin pets — regular dogs who fly with their owners in the passenger cabin.
You need four things to make it happen: a microchip, the right documents, a current rabies vaccine, and an airline-approved carrier bag. Let me walk through each one.
The Essentials
Microchip. Your dog must be microchipped. This is mandatory everywhere, no exceptions. Most dogs get chipped as puppies, but if yours isn’t, any vet can do it quickly and affordably.
Documents. Just like you need a passport, your dog needs papers to fly. What you need depends on your route. Flying within the EU? You need an EU pet passport. Flying to the US? You need a CDC Dog Import Form and possibly a health certificate. For a complete breakdown by destination, see our paperwork checklist.
Rabies vaccine. This is the one vaccine that’s required almost everywhere. It needs to be current, properly recorded in your documents, and administered after the microchip was implanted. Our full rabies vaccine guide covers timing, validity periods, and the booster vs. primary vaccine difference.
Carrier bag. Your dog travels under the seat in front of you inside an airline-approved carrier. Get a soft-sided carrier — they’re lighter, flexible, and fit better under seats. Each airline has specific size requirements, so check before you buy.
Choosing the Right Airline
Not every airline accepts cabin pets. Research this before you book your ticket, not after.
In Europe, most flag carriers allow dogs in the cabin — Aegean, TAP, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, Iberia, and many more. Notable exceptions include Ryanair and EasyJet. Our European airlines guide has the full list.
In the US, most major carriers (Delta, United, American, JetBlue, Southwest) have cabin pet programs. For a global overview, see our pet-friendly airlines guide.
Key things to check: the weight limit (usually 8 kg including carrier in Europe), the carrier dimensions, the pet fee, and the number of pets allowed per flight. Then call the airline to reserve your dog’s spot. Do this the same day you book your ticket — spots fill up fast.
For a breakdown of what to expect financially, see how much it costs to fly with your dog.
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Preparing for the Flight
Carrier training. Don’t wait until the day before the flight to introduce your dog to the carrier. Start at least two weeks in advance. Leave the carrier out in your home, feed meals inside it, gradually close the zipper for longer periods, and work up to your dog sleeping in it overnight. Our step-by-step carrier training guide walks you through the entire process.
Weight management. If your dog is close to the weight limit, start managing this 2-3 weeks before the flight. Smaller meals, fewer treats, extra exercise. We do this with Sami before every European flight because they weigh him at check-in. See our tips for dogs near the weight limit.
Grooming. If you have a fluffy breed, get them a short haircut before the flight. This makes them appear smaller inside the carrier — it’s an optical illusion, but it genuinely helps at check-in. I do this before every flight with Sami.
Packing. Documents in a clear folder. Carrier with blanket, toy, and training pads. Leash, harness, treats, water bottle, poop bags, wet wipes. That’s the complete list. Our packing checklist has everything laid out.
At the Airport
Arrive 3 hours before your flight. Most airlines don’t allow online check-in with a pet, so you need to go to the counter.
At the counter, the agent checks your documents, inspects the carrier, and weighs your dog (in Europe) or checks how your dog fits in the carrier (in the US). You’ll pay the pet fee here. Our full airport experience guide covers every step.
Security is simple: carrier goes on the X-ray belt, dog goes in your arms through the metal detector. Harness and leash go in the tray. Takes 90 seconds.
In most airports, your dog can walk beside you on a short leash through the terminal. Use the time between check-in and boarding to walk them, let them burn off energy, and give them a bathroom break.
During the Flight
Before boarding, put your dog in the carrier. The carrier goes under the seat in front of you for the entire flight. During takeoff and landing, it must be fully under the seat. Once the seatbelt sign is off, you can open a zipper to give your dog more air.
A tired, well-trained dog will sleep through most flights. If your dog gets restless, offer treats through the carrier mesh. The chewing helps with ear pressure, and the distraction keeps them calm. For more strategies, see our guide on keeping your dog calm during a flight.
Don’t sedate your dog. It’s dangerous at altitude and most airlines prohibit it. If your dog has serious anxiety, talk to your vet about natural alternatives. Our sedation article explains why and what to do instead.
International Travel Specifics
International flights add a layer of complexity — mostly around documents.
Within the EU, the EU pet passport is your golden ticket. It has all your dog’s information, microchip number, and vaccine records. Flash it at check-in, and you’re done.
Flying to the US? The CDC changed the rules in August 2024, and it’s more complicated now. You need the CDC Dog Import Form (filed 2-10 days before travel), a health certificate, and your dog must be at least 6 months old. Whether you need quarantine or additional testing depends on where your dog was vaccinated and which countries they’ve been in recently.
When arriving in a new country, you may need to visit the airport vet for a quick health inspection. This happened to us arriving in Portugal from the US — it took about 10 minutes and was straightforward.
Breed-Specific Tips
Different breeds have different challenges when it comes to flying. Westies like Sami sit right at the weight limit for most European airlines. Flat-nosed breeds (pugs, bulldogs) have breathing concerns at altitude and some airlines restrict them. Very small dogs (under 3 kg) have it easy — they’ll fit in any carrier and be well under any weight limit.
If you have a Westie or similar terrier breed, check our guide on flying with a Westie and best airlines for terrier breeds.
Ready to start preparing?
Our free 8-day email course delivers this entire process to your inbox — one lesson per day. Documents, carrier training, weight tips, airport walkthrough, and in-flight strategies. Based on 20+ flights with Sami across Europe and the US.
If you’re reading this guide and feeling overwhelmed, take a breath. It looks like a lot when you see it all at once. But each individual step is manageable. Get the documents. Buy the carrier. Train your dog. Call the airline. Show up early. That’s it. Thousands of dogs fly in the cabin every single day, and yours can too.
If you want this process broken down into daily steps, our free 8-day email course delivers one lesson per day — same information, bite-sized format. Either way, you’ve got everything you need. Now go book that flight.
