Believe me when I say road trips are much easier than air travel.
As a full-time travel blogger, I’ve spent most of my time bringing my husky along on trips.
However, for most international flights, I’ve chosen to leave him at home because of the tedious airline policies for transporting pets both domestically and abroad.
In this article, I’ll share the complete travel guide I’ve learned about flying with a husky as a seasoned fur traveler.
Understanding Airline Regulations for Pets
Before I share with you my in-cabin experience with my husky, it’s such an important topic that we know about the basic airline pet policies.
Delta, United, Hawaii, and other major U.S. airlines have restrictions on the number, size, and type of pets allowed in the cabin and cargo holds.
To better understand how these U.S airline policies work, here is a table detailing the size restrictions, weight limit, type of pets allowed, and the following pet charges:
| Airline | Soft-Sided Carrier | Hard-Sided Carrier | Weight Limit | Pet Seat Allowed | Type of Pet Allowed | Pet Fees (rough estimates) |
| Delta | 18″ x 11″ x 11″ | N/A | No weight limit stated | No | Small dogs, cats, & household birds | around $75 – $200 |
| United | 18″ x 11″ x 11″ | 17.5″ x 12″ x 7.5″ | No weight limit stated | No | Cats & dogs | around $125 |
| American | 18″ x 11″ x 11″ | 19″ x 13″ x 9″ | Up to 20lbs | No | Cats & dogs | around $125 |
Southwest | 17″ x 10″ x 9.5″ | 17″ x 10″ x 9.5″ | Up to 20lbs | No | Small cats & dogs (must be vaccinated) | around $125 |
| Alaska | 17″ x 11″ x 9.5″ | 17″ x 11″ x 7.5″ | Up to 20lbs | No | Dogs, cats, rabbits, & household birds | around $100 |
| Hawaiian | 17″ x 11″ x 9.5″ | 16″ x 10″ x 9.5″ | Up to 25lbs | No | Cats & dogs | around $125 |
| JetBlue | 17″ x 12.5″ x 8.5″ | 17″ x 12.5″ x 8.5″ | Up to 28lbs | No | Small cats & dogs | around $125 |
Spirit | 14” x 9” x 7” | 18′′ x 14′′ x 9′′ | Up to 40lbs | No | Domestic Dogs, cats, rabbits, & household birds | around $125 |
As you can see in the table above, the requirements are quite restrictive for major US airlines.
These tight restrictions mean most medium, large, or giant size breeds can only fly as cargo in the hold.
Note: Airlines also require current vaccination records and may require a veterinary health certificate for pets traveling as cargo.
Though rules differ for domestic and international airlines, the pet charges (based on my experience as well) can increase from $75 to $200+.
It might become more expensive depending on your flight destinations and other miscellaneous fees.
Traveling In The Cabin With Your Husky
Back when Four (my Siberian husky) was 10 weeks old, I was able to sneak him into the cabin with me on a flight.
But how did I do that?
Well most U.S. airlines have basic rules for bringing a dog into the cabin: the dog must fit comfortably inside an airline-approved carrier.
Plus, the carrier’s size dimensions must pass the screening process.
Fortunately, when I decided to bring Four with me in the cabin, he was still a small, cute little puppy, which made it easier to comply with the airline’s regulations.
There are two ways to bring your husky on a cabin flight:
1.) Checked Baggage: Yep, your husky pup gets treated just like regular baggage.
They’ll go through security screening and get loaded into the cargo area below the aircraft’s plane.
You’ll need to pay not only the pet fee but also additional checked baggage, where they will be weighed and transported like the rest of the plane’s bags.
2.) Carry-on Item: The second option is to bring them aboard as a carry-on. But there are some rules for this.
If your husky meets the airline’s size and weight restrictions, you may be able to bring them aboard as a carry-on item.
However, your husky’s carrier (should be airline-approved) must be small enough to fit completely under the seat in front of you during the flight.
You also can’t take them out of the carrier except during boarding and landing (No letting them roam the aisles).
Take note: The combined weight of your pet and carrier must not exceed 20 pounds for carry-on. Plus, if bringing your small husky puppy into the cabin, the flight attendant will check that your dog can sit and stand comfortably inside the carrier.
Cargo Considerations for Large Husky
Now this is a big deal for fur parents with large huskies.
Generally, dogs exceeding the pet carrier dimensions and weighing more than 20 pounds cannot be brought inside the airplane cabin.
Instead, they will be transported in the cargo hold area, where all the passengers’ luggage and baggage are stored.
These rules are mostly followed by the major U.S airlines and we have no choice but to comply.
Look, unless your husky is an actual certified service dog that you have proper documentation for, the airline isn’t going to let you bring it inside the plane.
Service dogs are allowed, but regular pets aren’t permitted in the cabin unless they’re legitimate service animals with the right paperwork proving it.
A bigger husky likely doesn’t qualify unless it’s been specially trained for a disability you have.
