🔄 Updated : June 30, 2026

Alaska Airlines (United States) is one of the carriers that accepts dogs both in the cabin and in the hold, under certain conditions. Weight limits, fees, breed restrictions and booking: here’s everything you need to know before you reserve.

In the cabin

Alaska Airlines accepts a dog in the cabin (weight limit depends on the aircraft and class of service). The carrier must be soft-sided and fit under the seat in front of you. Expect around $100.

Airline conditions: No strict weight limit (the dog must be comfortable in the carrier); $100 each way.

In the hold

Above the cabin limit, your dog travels in the pressurized, heated hold in an IATA-compliant crate, with a combined dog + crate weight of up to 68 kg (150 lb). Indicative fee: $150.

Airline conditions: Checked baggage hold; max dog + crate 68 kg (150 lb); $150 each way.

Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds

Like most airlines, Alaska Airlines restricts flat-faced breeds (Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers, etc.), which are generally banned from the hold because of the respiratory risk. If your dog is brachycephalic, opt for the cabin whenever their weight allows it, and confirm the rule before booking.

⚠️ Heat: seasonal embargoes may apply during periods of high temperatures. Check the dates of your trip. Our advice: heatstroke in dogs.

How to book

Pet spots on board are limited: book as early as possible.

  1. Buy your ticket, then contact Alaska Airlines to add your dog to the reservation.
  2. Prepare the health documents (microchip ID, rabies vaccination, health certificate or pet passport, sometimes a rabies titer test) — see our guide to international travel with a dog.
  3. Choose the right container: an approved soft-sided carrier (cabin) or an IATA crate (hold). Size it with our IATA dog crate calculator.

🧰 Our tools to plan your trip

Dog flight checker Can my dog fly? 62 airlines compared, by departure airport, destination and your dog's weight. Open the checker → IATA crate calculator IATA crate calculator The airline-approved crate size for your dog, using the official IATA formula. Calculate the size → Entry requirements by country Entry requirements checker Country-by-country entry rules: paperwork, vaccines, lead times and official sources. Check the rules →

Compare with other airlines

Pet rules vary widely from one airline to the next. To find the best option for your route and your dog’s weight, use our Can My Dog Fly? tool and browse our comparison of 62 airline pet policies. To prepare for the flight itself, also read our tips on dog travel anxiety.

➡️ Next step : your journey

  1. Check the health requirements
  2. Choose an IATA-compliant travel crate
  3. Prepare your dog for the stress of flying
  4. Compare all 62 airlines

🌍 Where can you fly with Alaska Airlines? Our entry-requirement guides for its destinations: United States, Canada, Mexico.

Frequently asked questions

Does Alaska Airlines accept dogs in the cabin?
Yes.
Does Alaska Airlines transport dogs in the hold?
Yes, up to 68 kg (150 lb) (dog + crate), in an IATA-compliant crate — but snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds are usually excluded.
How much does it cost to fly a dog on Alaska Airlines?
As a guideline: $100 in cabin, $150 in the hold, each way. The final fee depends on your route and is confirmed at booking.

Sources

Alaska Airlines — traveling with pets, accessed June 2026. Conditions and fees change regularly — double-check with Alaska Airlines before booking.