Alaska Airlines lets dogs ride in the cabin, which is the row I highlighted first in my spreadsheet. Luna approves of anything that keeps her under the seat and off the tarmac. Before you book, this article breaks down the cabin acceptance, the hold option, and the snub-nosed breed paperwork so you know exactly what Alaska expects the moment you arrive at the counter.

Alaska Airlines's pet policy splits into cabin and cargo. This page summarizes the weight limits, fees, brachycephalic-breed restrictions, and carrier specifications for both modes — sourced from the airline's official pet pages.

How Alaska Airlines handles your pet

Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Hover the to read the exact wording; the opens the source page.

In the cabin Accepted
In the hold / cargo Accepted
Snub-nosed breedsNot accepted

Cabin policy

Pets accepted Accepted“Pets in cabin Pets that fit in an under-seat carrier can travel in a cabin”
Snub-nosed breeds banned Yes“Brachycephalic breeds with restricted breathing are not permitted transport in the cargo hold on any Alaska Airlines flight.”
Snub-nosed breeds listPersian, Himalayan, Exotic Shorthair, Burmese“Alaska Airlines does not allow brachycephalic (short-nosed) dogs and cats to travel as checked baggage in the cargo hold. Restricted dog breeds include Boston Terrier, Boxer, Bulldog (all breeds), Bull Terrier, Brussels…”
Minimum age8 weeks“Dogs and cats must be at least 8 weeks old and fully weaned.”
Advance booking notice48 hours“Reservations Reservations for your pet to fly with you in the cabin should be made at least 48 hours prior to departure by contacting Alaska Airlines’ reservation team Reservations Reservations for your…”
Advance booking required Yes“Pets flown by Alaska Airlines as air cargo through their Pet-Connect program Reservations Reservations must be made at least 24 hours prior to the departure date aveltransport.com.”
Max pets per flight1“November 1 – January 31 and March 1 – April 1: Only 1 pet is accepted per aircraft as checked baggage on flights to or from Hawaii”
Max pets per passenger2“A maximum of 2 pets may travel with a passenger in the main cabin when a second adjacent seat is purchased.”
Booking methodcontacting Alaska Airlines’ reservation team“Reservations Reservations for your pet to fly with you in the cabin should be made at least 48 hours prior to departure by contacting Alaska Airlines’ reservation team”
Cold-weather embargo-6.6°C“Pets will be accepted at temperatures below 45°F with an acclimation certificate , however, no pet will be transported at temperatures lower than 20°F (-6.6°C).”
Banned destinations Yes“These pets may travel in the cabin if carrier requirements are met, but Alaska Airlines may limit travel due to extreme temperatures, seasonal embargoes, or route restrictions, particularly to and from Hawai‘i.”
Max per flight1“Between November 1 and January 1, only one pet per flight to Hawaii will be accepted.”
Sedation allowed No“Information Sedation is not recommended unless prescribed by a licensed veterinarian.”
Carrier size43 × 28 × 19 cm“For pets traveling in the cabin, hard-sided carriers must not exceed 17" x 11" x 7.5" (43 cm x 28 cm x 19 cm) and soft-sided carriers must not exceed 17" x 11" x 9.5" (43 cm x 28 cm x 24 cm).”
Crate must have/behard-sided ok, soft-sided ok, water bowl, ventilated, absorbent liner, a carrier“For pets traveling in the cabin, hard-sided carriers must not exceed 17" x 11" x 7.5" (43 cm x 28 cm x 19 cm) and soft-sided carriers must not exceed 17" x 11" x 9.5" (43 cm x 28 cm x 24 cm).”

Hold & cargo policy

Hold: Pets accepted Accepted“Alaska Airlines allows small domestic animals like cats, dogs, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, household birds, non-poisonous reptiles, pot bellied pigs, rabbits, and tropical fish to travel as checked baggage if the…”
Hold: Snub-nosed breeds banned Yes“Alaska Airlines does not allow brachycephalic (short-nosed) dogs and cats to travel as checked baggage in the cargo hold.”
Hold: Snub-nosed breeds listPersian, Himalayan, Exotic Shorthair, Burmese“Alaska Airlines does not allow brachycephalic (short-nosed) dogs and cats to travel as checked baggage in the cargo hold. Restricted dog breeds include Boston Terrier, Boxer, Bulldog (all breeds), Bull Terrier, Brussels…”
Hold: One-way fee150 USD“The cost for a pet to fly in the baggage compartment is $150”
Hold: Minimum age8 weeks“Dogs and cats must be at least 8 weeks old to travel as checked baggage.”
Hold: Advance booking notice24 hours“Reservations for pets are accepted up to 24 hours prior to departure (subject to space availability) for all animals traveling.”
Hold: Advance booking required Yes“Pets flown by Alaska Airlines as air cargo through their Pet-Connect program Reservations Reservations must be made at least 24 hours prior to the departure date.”
Hold: Max pets per flight1“November 1 - January 31 and March 1 - April 1: Only 1 dog and/or cat is accepted per aircraft as checked baggage on flights to or from Hawaii”
Hold: Cold-weather embargo7.2°C“Pets will not be accepted as checked baggage or air cargo when actual or forecasted temperatures are above 85°F (29.4°C) or below 45°F (7.2°C) at any airport on the itinerary.”
Hold: Heat embargo29.4°C“Pets will not be accepted as checked baggage or air cargo when actual or forecasted temperatures are above 85°F (29.4°C) or below 45°F (7.2°C) at any airport on the itinerary.”
Hold: Sedation allowed No“Information Sedation is not recommended unless prescribed by a licensed veterinarian.”
Hold: Max weight (pet + crate)68 kg“…fish to travel as checked baggage if the combined weight of the pet and carrier does not exceed 150 lbs (68 kg).”
Hold: Crate must have/bewater bowl, ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, a carrier“Pets must be provided with food and water bowls attached to the interior.”
Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds banned Yes“Brachycephalic breeds with restricted breathing are not permitted transport in the cargo hold on any Alaska Airlines flight.”
Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds listFrench Bulldog, English Bulldog, Pug, Boxer, Boston Terrier, Pekingese, Shih Tzu, Chow Chow, Brussels Griffon, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Mastiff“Brachycephalic breeds with restricted breathing are not permitted transport in the cargo hold on any Alaska Airlines flight. Dogs: American Pit Bull, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels…”
Cargo: Minimum age8 weeks“Dogs and cats must be at least 8 weeks old to travel as checked baggage”
Cargo: Advance booking notice48 hours“Reservations Reservations for your pet to fly with you in the cabin should be made at least 48 hours prior to departure by contacting Alaska Airlines’ reservation team.”
Cargo: Advance booking required Yes“Pets flown by Alaska Airlines as air cargo through their Pet-Connect program Reservations Reservations must be made at least 24 hours prior to the departure date aveltransport.com.”
Cargo: Max pets per flight1“November 1 – January 31 and March 1 – April 1: Only 1 pet is accepted per aircraft as checked baggage on flights to or from Hawaii”
Cargo: Cold-weather embargo7.2°C“Pets will not be accepted as checked baggage or air cargo when actual or forecasted temperatures are above 85°F (29.4°C) or below 45°F (7.2°C) at any airport on the itinerary.”
Cargo: Heat embargo29°C“Pets will not be accepted as checked baggage or air cargo when actual or forecasted temperatures are above 85°F (29”
Cargo: Crate must have/bewater bowl, ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, a carrier“Pets must be provided with food and water bowls attached to the interior Pets must be provided with food and water bowls attached to the interior”

Health & documents

Health certificate required Yes“Travel to Mexico: Only dogs and cats may be accepted for travel via Baggage and Carry-on Baggage, provided the following Mexican regulations are met: All pets traveling to Mexico are required to have a Health…”
Health certificate validity10 days“Forms Required A health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of initial travel and within 30 days of return travel on the same itinerary is required for all pets flying in the cabin.”
Carrier fit certificate required Yes“All animals crossing state borders to a cold weather destination are required to have a veterinarian's note on the health certificate that they are acclimated to temperatures below 45° F.”
Health certificate validity30 days“Department of Agriculture to have a valid health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian within 30 days of travel Department of Agriculture to have a valid health certificate issued by a licensed…”
Quarantine · TypeQuarantine Station“on Pets to Hawaii requirements contact: Hawaii Department of Agriculture Animal Quarantine Station 99-951 Halawa Valley Street Aiea, Hawaii 96701-5602 (808) 483-7151 [email prote”
Quarantine · Duration120 days“es that dogs and cats not meeting the requirements of any of the above programs will be quarantined for 120 days.”
Health certificate valid within days · Health certificate valid within days10 days“Forms Required A health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of initial travel and within 30 days of return travel on the same itinerary is required for all pets flying in the cabin.”

Other rules

Minimum age8 weeks“Age requirements Pets must be at least 8 weeks old, fully weaned and eating solid food for a minimum of five days prior to departure.”
Assistance animals accepted Yes“Health and Vaccination Requirements All pets crossing state borders, with the exception of guide dogs, are required by the U.S.”
Emotional support animals allowed No“Emotional support animals are no longer accepted as service animals and may travel under Alaska Airlines' Pet Policy.”

Service & assistance animals

Esa noteEmotional support animals are no longer accepted“Emotional support animals are no longer accepted as service animals and may travel under Alaska Airlines' Pet Policy”
Fee waived Yes“All service dogs may fly in the cabin at no charge.”
Recognized Yes“Service dog pet policies All service dogs may fly in the cabin at no charge”
Cabin allowed Yes“All service dogs may fly in the cabin at no charge.”
Esa recognized No“Emotional support animals are no longer accepted as service animals and may travel under Alaska Airlines' Pet Policy.”
Training required Yes“They must be trained by a person or organization that specializes in service dog training to provide specific tasks for a person with a disability.”
Documentation required Yes“Service animals traveling with a passenger are exempt from these certifications, though they are required to be in a working harness that identifies them as a service animal.”
Alaska accepts pet reservations up to 24 hours before departure, subject to space availability. Book the pet reservation at least a full day ahead rather than at check-in. Confirm the 24-hour window applies to the specific flight, since space fills. Call to secure the slot before the 24-hour mark closes to guarantee the animal a confirmed place onboard.

Frequently asked

How many pets can I bring on Alaska Airlines?
Alaska Airlines allows 2 in the cabin, up to 1 in the hold, per passenger. Each pet needs its own carrier.
How much does it cost to fly a pet on Alaska Airlines?
On flights within Metropolitan France, Alaska Airlines charges from 150 USD in the hold, one way per pet. Longer routes cost more — price your exact itinerary.
What if my flight is delayed past my health certificate validity?
If the certificate window expires before you board, you'll need a re-issue. Build a 1-2 day buffer between the cert date and departure to absorb minor delays.
What happens if I forget a document?
At the destination airport: at best, an extended inspection while you produce backup; at worst, the pet is held in quarantine or returned to origin at your cost. Bring printed copies.
Rules read cleanly on paper, but every trip has its own oddities, and Alaska is no exception. I keep a printed copy in three places now, because counters ask for the strangest things at the worst moments. Feed your real dates, breed, and destination into Pawgo's plan-builder and get a personalized plan that mirrors your actual itinerary, not a generic checklist you have to translate yourself.
Get YOUR personalized plan for Alaska Airlines →

Glossary

ISO chip
ISO 11784/11785 — the universal microchip standard.
FAVN
Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization — a rabies serology test required by rabies-free destinations.
Brachycephalic
Snub-nosed breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans) with restricted airline acceptance due to heat-stress risk.
AVIH
Animal Vehicle In Hold — IATA's term for cargo pet shipment, with fees that vary by carrier and route.