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Can You Fly with Pets on Spirit Airlines?
Yes, Spirit Airlines allows dogs and cats to travel in the cabin with you. However, Spirit has specific rules about carrier size, weight, breed restrictions, and advance booking that you must follow to avoid being denied boarding at the airport.
Spirit does not allow pets in checked baggage or cargo hold. Your pet must travel with you in the cabin, which means you'll need to book in advance and pay a pet fee.
Key Numbers at a Glance
- Cabin pet fee: $100 USD (one-way)
- Maximum pets per passenger: 1
- Carrier length: 45.7 cm (18 inches) max
- Carrier width: 27.9 cm (11 inches) max
- Carrier height: 27.9 cm (11 inches) max
- Pet + carrier weight: 9.07 kg (20 lbs) max
- Minimum pet age: 8 weeks
- Health certificate validity: 10 days before departure
Cabin Travel: What You Need to Know
If you're flying with your dog or cat on Spirit, they travel in the cabin with you under the seat in front of you. This is the only option Spirit offers for pet travel.
Carrier Requirements
Your pet's carrier must meet these exact specifications:
- Type: Soft-sided carrier only (hard-sided carriers won't fit under the seat)
- Dimensions: No longer than 45.7 cm (18 inches), no wider than 27.9 cm (11 inches), no taller than 27.9 cm (11 inches)
- Weight limit: Pet plus carrier combined cannot exceed 9.07 kg (20 lbs)
- Ventilation: Must have mesh panels on the sides for adequate airflow
- Interior: Must include an absorbent mat or liner to manage accidents during flight
Measure your carrier carefully before booking. The carrier must fit completely under the seat in front of you — there's no overhead bin option for pets. If your carrier is too large, you won't be allowed to board.
Breed Restrictions: Brachycephalic Dogs & Cats
Spirit Airlines, like most carriers, restricts brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds due to respiratory risks during flight. These breeds cannot travel in the cabin:
Restricted dog breeds include: Affenpinscher, American Bully, American Pit Bull Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bulldog (all types including English, French, American), Bull Terrier, Cane Corso, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chow Chow, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, King Charles Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (all types), Pekingese, Presa Canario, Pug (all types), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and Tibetan Spaniel.
Restricted cat breeds include: British Shorthair, Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, Persian, and Scottish Fold.
If your pet is a brachycephalic breed, contact Spirit Airlines directly before booking to confirm whether your specific breed is allowed. Some airlines have slightly different restrictions.
Age Requirements
Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old to fly in the cabin. Puppies and kittens must be fully weaned before travel.
Health & Pregnancy Restrictions
Visibly pregnant animals are not accepted for air travel due to health risks during flight. If your pet is pregnant, you'll need to postpone travel or contact Spirit directly to discuss your options.
Health Certificate & Documentation
You must have a veterinary health certificate before flying. This is non-negotiable — you will be denied boarding without it.
- Issued by: A licensed veterinarian
- Validity: Must be dated within 10 days of your departure date
- Timing: Get it as close to your flight date as possible (within the 10-day window)
- What it covers: Confirms your pet is healthy and fit to fly
Schedule your vet appointment early — don't wait until the last minute. Some vets book up quickly, especially during peak travel seasons.
Booking Your Pet on Spirit Airlines
You must book your pet in advance. You cannot show up at the airport with a pet without prior arrangement. Spirit limits the number of pets per flight, so availability is restricted.
- Contact Spirit Airlines directly to add your pet to your reservation
- Confirm your pet meets all size, weight, and breed requirements before booking
- Pay the $100 USD one-way pet fee at booking
- You can only bring one pet per passenger
We're still verifying the exact booking window and method — contact Spirit Airlines directly for the most current booking procedures.
Important Rules About Sedation
Do not sedate your pet for air travel. IATA (International Air Transport Association) regulations prohibit sedation during flight because a sedated animal cannot maintain balance or respond to emergencies. This applies to all commercial airlines worldwide, including Spirit.
If your vet recommends sedation, ask them specifically about air travel alternatives. Never sedate your pet without explicit approval from both your veterinarian and the airline.
Assistance Animals: Different Rules Apply
If you're traveling with a service dog or other assistance animal, Spirit Airlines has a separate policy. Assistance animals are not counted as pets and have different requirements. You'll need proper documentation to qualify.
We're still verifying the specific details of Spirit's assistance animal policy — contact them directly for current requirements.
What You Need to Do: Pre-Flight Checklist
- 4-6 weeks before: Schedule a vet appointment for a health certificate (within 10 days of departure)
- 4-6 weeks before: Measure your carrier to confirm it meets Spirit's dimensions (45.7 × 27.9 × 27.9 cm max)
- 4-6 weeks before: Verify your pet's breed isn't on the brachycephalic restricted list
- 2-3 weeks before: Contact Spirit Airlines to pre-book your pet and pay the $100 fee
- 10 days before: Get your health certificate from your vet (valid for 10 days)
- 1 week before: Confirm your pet's booking with Spirit
- Day before: Pack your pet's carrier with an absorbent mat inside
- Day of flight: Arrive early and bring your health certificate to check-in
Practical Tips for Flying with Your Pet
- Practice carrier time: Get your pet used to the carrier weeks before your flight. Take short trips in the car to build confidence.
- Absorbent mat: Use a high-quality absorbent mat or puppy pad inside the carrier to manage accidents. Bring extras in your carry-on.
- Comfort items: Include a familiar blanket or toy with your pet's scent to reduce stress.
- Hydration: Offer water before boarding. The cabin is pressurized and can be dry.
- Exercise: Take your pet for a walk or play session before heading to the airport to tire them out.
- Microchip: Ensure your pet is microchipped and wearing a collar with ID tags in case of separation.
- Destination prep: Research pet regulations at your destination, especially if traveling internationally.
Checked Baggage & Cargo: Not Available
Spirit Airlines does not allow pets in checked baggage or cargo hold. Your pet must travel in the cabin with you. If you need to transport a large dog or have other concerns, you'll need to use a different airline or pet-specific transport service.
Temperature Restrictions
We're still verifying Spirit's specific temperature embargo policies for cabin travel — contact them directly to confirm whether your flight date is affected by extreme heat or cold conditions.
Need More Help?
For detailed guidance on preparing your pet for air travel, check out our flying with a dog guide and documents checklist. If your pet is a brachycephalic breed, read our brachycephalic breed flying guide.
For a personalized travel plan tailored to your specific pet and destination, get your free personalized travel plan from PawGo.
Contact Spirit Airlines
For the most current pet policy details, booking procedures, or questions about your specific pet, contact Spirit Airlines directly through their official website or customer service. Policies can change, and individual circumstances may require direct confirmation.
This guide is based on verified data extracted from official Spirit Airlines sources as of April 9, 2026. Pet travel policies can change — always confirm directly with the airline before booking. Information marked "we're still verifying" requires direct confirmation with Spirit Airlines.
Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 23, 2026