What Size Dog Can Fly In Cabin? Taking your dog when you’re flying can be very overwhelming since there are so many things to work out such as paperwork, rules, and regulations which are sometimes different from airline to airline, and cost.
Typically, most airlines will allow a dog of a certain size to fly in the cabin with its owner “but” only if the dog is able to be stored away under the airline seat including the carrier with a maximum weight of 10kg.
If your dog can not fit under the seat or weighs more than 10kg then the dog will have to travel in the cargo unless you have a fully trained service dog with the correct paper.
Dogs That Can Fly In The Cabin (Breeds, Size & weight)
Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier Height is approximately 8 to 9 inches and Weighs between 4 to 7 lbs.
They are inconsistent in size yet, This type of dog breed is the perfect size to fly in the cabin.
A single litter can have one Yorkie that weighs less than 4 pounds and one that weighs more than 6 pounds.
However, you will need a suitable dog carrier that’s been approved by the airline.
Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise height when fully grown will stand about 23–28 cm (9–11 inches tall) and can weigh up to 7 or 12 pounds. Making this dog the correct size to fly with you in the cabin.
However, as before you will need a carrier with the correct dimensions and again that approved by the airline. This carrier not only needs to contain your dog but can also fit under the airplane seat.
Chihuahua
The chihuahua’s height when standing up is 15–25 cm (6 inches to 10 inches tall) fully grown they weigh about 1.8–2.7 kg (4–6 lb) This breed of dog is very easy to transport and will fit in most carriers.
Because of this breed’s particular weight and size this cheerful little dog can fly in the cabin and can fit under the airline seat with no problems just as long as you have the correct size carrier.
Pekingese
The Pekingese’s full-grown height is about 6–9 inches (15–23 cm) tall at the shoulder, and weighing in at approximately 7 to 14 lb (3.2 to 6.4 kg).
Like the Chihuahua, this breed is very easy to transport and more around without straining your shoulder,
and because of the size this dog will be granted permission to fly in the cabin with its owner.
Maltese
Now, there are two sizes for the Maltese. A full-grown male’s height is 20–25 cm (8–10 in) and females are 20–23 cm (8–9 in) tall. The weight for a dog is 1.4–3.6 kg (3–8 lb) and a female 0.91–3.18 kg (2–7 lb).
This type of breed is very easy to handle and transport, their size makes them perfect for any airline travel, and do well in confined areas.
Pomeranian
The Pomeranian’s height approximately is 7–12 inches (18–30 cm) tall at the shoulder and weight of 3 to 7 pounds (1.4 to 3.2 kg)
Their sizing is inconsistent and there are reports of some Pomeranians weighing as much as 14 pounds.
With that said this breed is the correct size to be able to fly in the cabin.
Toy Poodle
There are 3 different size breeds for the Toy poodles the smallest generally stands up to 10 inches tall and weigh about 6 to 9 pounds and typically weighs in at 15 to 17 pounds.
However, unfortunately, the other two breeds are too big to travel in the cabin but the smallest breed can “but again” you will need a suitable carrier.
Brussels Griffon
The Brussels Griffons usually stand at 9 to 11 inches (230–280 mm) and weighs about 8 to 10 pounds (4–5 kg) depending on their diet.
This breed of dog is allowed to fly in the cabin and can easily fit under the airline sit assuming that you have the correct Airline Approved Dog Carrier.
Japanese chin
Japanese Chin typically stands at 20 to 27 cm (8 to 11 inches) at the shoulder and weighs an average of 3.2 to 4.1 kg (7 to 9 lb).
This dog like the rest mentioned above is easy to transport and will be given access to travel in the cabin with its owners.
However, there are some airlines where certain dog breeds are banned from flying, these dog breeds include, Shortened Head or Brachycephalic Dog Breeds.
Because these breeds can have breathing problems they are not allowed to fly to prevent any health emergencies they might have on the plane.
Examples of such breeds include
- Pug,
- Cane Corso,
- Tibetan Spaniel,
- Bulldog,
- Chow Chow,
- Mastiffs,
- Boxers,
- Lhasa Apsos,
- Shih Tzu,
- Boston Terriers.
So if you own one of the dog breeds listed above then there are some airline requirements you need to be aware of first before booking any flight.
The first is finding the airline that allows dogs in the cabin and the second thing, of course, is the carrier’s size and weight which we are going to talk about below.
List Of Airlines (Carrier Size & Weight)
Air Canada
Air Canada allows small dogs in a cabin if the dog and carrier weight is under 10 kg (22 lbs).
They count your dog as your carry-on items and you must stow your dog under the seat during the flight.
Compared to other airlines, Air Canada is more accommodating when it comes to flying with pets in general.
Carrier Size & Weight
- Maximum Weight 10 kg (22 lbs) Including Carrier
- Carrier Size 21cm x 38 cm x 43 cm
If your dog weighs more than 100 pounds or less, you just have to check your dog at baggage.
If your dog weighs more than 100 pounds then it can go on the cargo.
Visit Air Canada Website for more information.
Air France
Air France’s travel policies when it comes to dogs are quite strict.
They allow only non-snub nose dogs that weigh less than 30lbs.
Air France allows Dogs in the cabin as long as the pet and carrier together weigh 8kg or under.
During most flights Air France, insist that dogs must be over 10 weeks old before entering the cabin.
One of the requirements passengers are to abide by strictly when they are on board flights heading to or between French Guiana and metropolitan France, is that pets must be at a minimum of fifteen (15) weeks old.
The airline allows each passenger to travel with 1 dog or any other pet in the cabin.
However, they don’t accept dogs or any other pets on international flights or in the business cabin.
American Airlines
To travel in-cabin the combined weight of the carrier and the pet should not be more than 8kg.
These dogs must be in their carrier, with the carrier door closed and stowed under the seat during the flight.
Carrier Size & Weight
- Maximum Weight 8kg Including Carrier
- Carrier Size 48 cm x 33 cm x 22 cm
American Airlines does not allow pets in the cabin to/from Venezuela, Chile, Hawaii, Argentina, Bolivia, and Uruguay. It also does not pet on transatlantic flights.
American Airlines allows large dogs in their cargo but the owners of the dogs have to inform the airline first. American Airlines does not allow the following dogs in the cabin.
Visit American Airlines Website for more information.
Delta Airlines
Delta Airlines allows small dogs in the cabin on most flights within the Virgin Islands, the United States, and Puerto Rico, Dogs are not allowed on flights to Hawaii.
If you are traveling from the USA to somewhere else then your dog should be small enough comfortably fit into a carrier under the seat in front of you.
They must also not be less than 16 weeks old.
Carrier Size & Weight
- Maximum Weight No Limit
- Carrier Size Contact Customer Support
They must be 15 weeks or more European Union travel.
Delta Airlines allows passengers to bring one pet in each carrier but a female dog can travel with her litter in domestic flights in the USA if they are over 10 weeks and under 6 months old.
The puppies in the litter can be more than ten since there is no limit. Recently, Delta no longer allows emotional support dogs and snub-nosed dogs on any flight.
Visit Delta Airlines Website for more information
Lufthansa
Lufthansa allows passengers to bring 2 dogs in the cabin each but they must be left in their carrier under the seat on the front of you throughout the trip.
Dogs classified as dangerous or fighting are kept in normal crates in the hold of the plane if they are between 3 and t months old but dogs above 6 months are kept in special crates.
Carrier Size & Weight
- Maximum Weight 8kg (17 lbs)
- Carrier Size 118 cm (55 x 40 x 23 cm) or 47 in (22 x 16 x 9 in).
These dogs include
- Karabash,
- Bull Terrier,
- Dogo Argentino,
- American Pit Bull Terrier,
- Caucasian Shepherd Dog,
- American Staffordshire Terrier,
- Anatolian Shepherd Dog,
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier,
- American Bulldog.
You can export Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers into Germany but you can’t import them.
Snub-nosed animals are not expressly forbidden but passengers are advised not to do so.
Lufthansa Airline allows emotional support dogs to travel in the cabin free of charge non-stop to and from the USA.
Visit Lufthansa Website for more information.
Swiss International
Swiss International welcomes dogs in the cabin on Swiss International flights,
as long as the combined weight of the dog with the carrier is not more than 8 kg (17 lbs).
This airline only allows dogs that are clean, healthy, and have no odor or bad smell.
They also don’t allow dogs that may annoy other passengers, are dangerous or are pregnant.
Carrier Size & Weight
- Maximum Weight 8kg (17 lbs)
- Carrier Size 118 cm (55 x 40 x 23 cm)
Just like other airlines, they rarely allow dogs that belong to the short-nosed races of animals since they are particularly sensitive to stress and temperature.
These breeds are denied entry if the temperature in the plane is too hot:
All breeds of Bulldogs except American Bulldog, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Chow Chow, Pug, English Toy Spaniel, and Shih Tzu.
Visit Swiss International Website for more information.
Turkish Airlines
This airline allows dogs to travel in the cabin, as long as the combined weight of pet and carrier is 17 lbs (8 kg).
Animals that are likely to cause a commotion when they are together, like dogs and cats are not allowed on the same plane.
If more than one dog shares a carrier then they must be of the same species and must stay within the weight limit and carrier size.
Turkish Airlines permits passengers to have 2 carriers but only 1 carrier in the cabin for each passenger.
Carrier Size & Weight
- Maximum Weight 8kg (17 lbs)
- Carrier Size 23 cm (height) x 30 cm (width) x 40 cm
Breeds like American Staffordshire terriers Dogo Argentino, pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, Japanese Tosa, Staffordshire bull terrier, Doberman, bull terrier, Rottweiler, and pincher Doberman.
However, it is the pilot that makes the final decision on whether your dog can travel.
Turkish Air may not permit Dogs to travel if ventilation conditions are less than par.
Turkish Airlines also permit emotional support dogs free of charge on flights from Istanbul to the USA or vice versa.
However, you have to pay for transfer flights fees, before and after these routes to transport your dog in a cage.
Visit Turkish Airlines Website for more information.
Alaska Air
Alaska Air allows small dogs to travel in the cabin if the combined weight of the pet and carrier is not more than 20 lbs (9 kg) and the bag size limit for flights has now changed to 22” x 14” x 9”.
Dogs must be at least 8 weeks old to travel in the cabin.
Alaska air allows each passenger to travel with 1 or 2 pets once they purchase 2 seats While Brachycephalic (short-nosed) dogs are not accepted for travel as cargo with Alaska Airlines,
Alaska Air may still allow dogs to travel with their owner if they meet the requirements.
Carrier Size & Weight
- Maximum Weight 20 lbs (9 kg)
- Carrier Size 22” x 14” x 9”
Alaska does not accept emotional support animals but accepts the only service dogs that are trained to perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability.
Visit Alaska Air Website for more information.
Jet Blue
Jet Blue allows dogs in cabins even on international flights.
Your dog must stay in your zipped-up carrier throughout the flight.
This means that your dog must stay under the seat in front of you during taxi, take-off, and landing.
Jet Blue allows only one dog per passenger in the ongoing flight.
Carrier Size & Weight
- Maximum Weight 9kg
- Carrier Size 43 cm x 31 cm x 21 cm
Jet Blue airlines allow small dogs as long as they don’t weigh more than 9 kg / 20 pounds, carrier inclusive and each way costs 100 USD.
Visit Jet Blue Website for more information.
Conclusion
So now you know what size dog can fly in the cabin and the carrier size and weight.
However, always check with your airline about the carrier sizes and weight limits as this can change.
Having the correct carrier is very important and the good news is you can purchase already pre-approved airline dog carriers that have the correct dimensions to fit under the seat.
If this is your first time traveling in the cabin with your dog it’s a good idea to take some treats just to reward your dog for good behavior this can also help if your dog is a bit nervous.
The links above will take you directly to the airline’s website so you can see all this information for yourself.
Also, don’t forget to check out our other articles where we provide more useful information when traveling with your dogs.
