Alaska Airlines Pet Policy

Alaska Airlines has made it easier for people to go on a trip with their loving pets. It has a precisely designed policy so that you do not have to leave your furry friend behind. You must know the Alaska Airlines pet policy so that you can know what the rules are and how you can travel with them.

Traveling with Pets in Alaska Airlines

According to the policy, you can transport your animals either in the cabin or through the cargo facilities. While transporting them in the cabin, you will need to remember the following:

• The minimum age of the ticketed passenger should be at least 18 years.
• You will not be allowed to occupy the seats available in the bulkhead row or emergency exit row.
• First-class cabins will only be permitted for up to 3 pets.
• You must get an approved animal carrier.
• It will be counted as a carry-on bag.
• Every passenger will be allowed to keep a maximum of 2 cages in the cabin. However, they will need to buy the adjacent seat.
• The airline only accepts dogs, cats, household birds, and rabbits in the cabin.
• Each dog should be at least 8 weeks and fully weaned.
• You can place 2 animals of the same size, breed, and type in the same carrier.
• Your furry friend must stay inside the cage throughout the trip.
• The cage should be placed under the front seat or in the designated area.
• If your pet has an offensive odor or they create some sort of disturbance, then you are suggested to ship them in the climate-controlled baggage compartment/cargo.

Suggested Kennel Size for Pets

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), there are specific requirements for the carrier. Look at the following for more knowledge:

• As per the Alaska Airlines pets policies, you can buy soft-sided or hard-sided kennels.
• The soft-sided carrier should be of size 50 with the dimension of 17 inches (L) x 11 inches (W) x 9.5 inches (H).
• You can get a hard-sided kennel that is size 50. It must have a dimension of 17 inches (L) x 11 inches (W) x 7.5 inches (H).
• The purchased carrier must have enough space so that your cat/dog/bird does not feel uncomfortable while traveling.
• You should remain within the suggested carrier dimensions.
• It must be leak-proof and clean with an extra layer of absorbent bedding.
• The cage should be escape-proof, properly secured, and well-ventilated.
• It should not have any break, crack, or tear.

Policy for Transporting Animals in the Cargo 

The policy of Alaska Airlines allows you to transport other animals in the Pet Connect™ – the cargo facility. This airline has spacious and comfortable cargo as well as climate-controlled baggage compartments for a smooth transition. 

Some important details have been given here:

• The airline accepts almost every domesticated but small companion in the cargo including:

• Dogs
• Cats
• Guinea pigs
• Ferrets
• Non-poisonous reptiles
• Hamsters
• Rabbits
• Tropical fishes
• Pot-bellied pigs
• Household birds

• Vaccine certificates and health documents will be needed.
• Animals in cargo will be considered checked baggage.
• The minimum age for them for cargo should be 8 weeks.
• They must be fully weaned,
• You cannot keep multiple beings in the same carrier.
• For puppies, the minimum age is 8 weeks and the maximum weight should not be more than 20 lbs.

Remember: The boarding or transition of animals having offensive and harmful behavior will be denied, indicates Alaska’s pet policy.

Important Points of Cargo Pet Policy of Alaska Air

While transporting cats/dogs/birds/others through the cargo service, you will need to keep certain points in mind. These include:

• Beings in cargo will be considered checked baggage.
• You must not provide them with heavy meals or excessive water within four hours of airport check-in.
• You can offer light meals, treats, and some sips of water to the animal.
• If you have a flight with a connection of 4 or more hours, then you can request the airline authorities for water and food.
• For connecting flights, you will need to re-check the cage of your companion.
• A complete PET CHECK can take place at the time of check-in, under Alaska Airlines’ pet shipping policy.

Pet Travel Fees

Traveling with your animal comes with a fee. Whether you are bringing it to the cabin or transporting it through the cargo, you will need to pay a certain amount.

• In the Cabin: USD 100 for a one-way trip
• As Baggage: USD 100 for all one-way trips 

Note: The amount of the fee will be different for the flights that are departing from Canada. For this route, you will need to pay USD 105 for a one-way trip.

Climate-Controlled Baggage Compartment

Passengers should travel on the same flight if they opt for this method for transporting pets. You must reach the airport at least 2 hours before the expected time of departure to check in at the counter. Please remember that you cannot make the most out of this facility if you have connecting flights from different airlines.

Policy for Service Animals

The airline accepts fully-trained service animals free of cost. However, you must read the pet policy of Alaska Airlines for hese for a better experience. Some important points have been discussed below:

• Only fully-trained dogs will be accepted as service animals.
• These should be trained to perform a certain task for the passenger with special needs they are traveling with.
• Psychiatric beings will also be accepted as service animals.
• Each ticketed guest can bring up to 2 service dogs into the cabin for assistance.
• These pets should be placed in the carrier and under the space given in the front seat.
• You will need to inform the airline at least 2 days before the expected travel time about the service dog.
• There is a 2-step process included for adding these animals.

Note: Emotional support companions and under-training service dogs will not be accepted. 

How to Request the Airline for Service Animals?

Alaska Airlines is partnered with SERVICE ANIMAL TRAVEL SOLUTIONS (SATS). As mentioned above, there is a 2-step process that you will need to complete to request a spot for your being. 

Step One

• Complete the DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form.
• In the DOT form, you will need to provide the following:

o   Owner’s name

o   Vet’s name

o   Contact number

o   Rabies vaccine’s date

o   Name of the trainer/organization

Once the form is submitted, you will be provided with the Service Animal ID that will have validity similar to the rabies vaccine.

Step Two

• After getting a valid ID, you can request the airline for traveling with a service dog.
• You will need to indicate the same at the time of booking.

Important Points to Remember while Traveling with a Service Dog

There are so many important things that a passenger must remember while traveling with a service companion. This includes:

• You should not sit on the emergency exit row due to safety reasons.
• Highly preferred seating options are window seats.
• Do not overfeed or overwater your dog.
• Take your animal to the designated animal relief areas at the airport before the journey.
• Always keep hard copies of SATS ID and DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form.
• The service dog should be leashed and harnessed properly.
• They must behave properly while at the airport and on the flight.
• You will not be allowed to place your service animal on the tray table or the seat.
• Boarding will be denied if it shows the following behaviors:

o   Excessive barking

o   Growling

o   Lunging

o   Snapping

o   Biting

o   Jumping on cabin crews or fellow passengers

o   Aggression

These trained service animals should follow and respond to the commands of their owner. In case they do not do so, the airline has the right to deny their boarding. This may lead to that person’s flight cancellation or being delayed. Check the rules of Alaska Airlines for flight delays in case you want to claim your money due to an unexpected delay.

Strictly Banned Breeds

According to the Alaska Airlines pet travel policy, the company has banned some breeds of dogs as well as cats from traveling in the cabin and cargo compartment. The following short-nosed or brachycephalic breeds are not allowed:

Dogs

• American Pit Bull
• Boston Terrier
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Boxer
• Mastiff (All Breeds)
• Brussels Griffon
• Bulldog
• Dutch Pug
• Bull Terrier
• English Toy Spaniel
• Chow Chow
• English Bulldog
• Japanese Pug
• Pekingese
• French Bulldog
• Japanese Boxer
• Pug
• Shih Tzu
• Japanese Spaniel
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Cats

• Persian
• Burmese
• Himalayan
• Exotic Shorthair

How to Add or Book Space for Your Pet?

The airline provides you with two convenient methods for adding or booking your pet. These include online and offline ways.

Official Website

• Visit the official website of Alaska Air.
• Sign in with your credentials i.e. username and password.
• Once you do it, you will see the booking page.
• Provide the necessary details and mention that you have a dog to travel with.
• This may be available under the special/additional/other services options.
• Pay the applicable fee to complete the booking process.

Via a Phone Call

Whether you want to add your animal to the existing booking or want to do a fresh registration, you can do it by calling the customer assistance team. For this, you can dial 1-800-252-7522. An executive will connect with you. Provide them with the details requested and they will do the needful.

The rules of Alaska Airlines to change the name on the ticket should also be checked. In case you want to make some changes after booking, this will help.This air operator knows that pets are also important family members. Hence, you do not require leaving them behind when it is by your side. But you must read every rule given in the Alaska Airlines pet policy for in-cabin travel and cargo shipping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Look at the following to know the answers to the commonly asked questions about the pet policy of Alaska Airlines: