Alaska Air Cargo Booking

Pet Connect Animal Travel

What you need to know

We've prepared the following guidelines to ensure your pet is prepared for safe travel with us. Please take a moment to carefully review the information shown below.


Pets Fly Happy with Us

Our Pet Connect™ animal travel service provides quality care when transporting your live animals such as dogs, cats, birds, and other animals (subject to approval).

We are committed to the proper care of your animal while in transit because we understand he's not just a pet; he's your little buddy. The dedicated staff at Alaska Air Cargo truly cares about your animal's well-being and provides a safe and relaxing journey from start to finish. Pet Connect animal travel offers options for transporting your pet safely, while providing helpful tips and information to prepare your pet for take-off. We are proud to partner with Banfield™ Pet Hospital to provide pets and their owners with a special discount offer "This indicates a link to an external site that may not meet accessibility guidelines.".

Are you planning to travel on the same fight with your pet? Animals traveling with a passenger are subject to different regulations.

Pet Connect reservations are accepted a minimum of 24 hours and a maximum 35 days before inline travel, and 7 days before interline domestic or international travel.

Thank you for choosing the Pet Connect animal travel service on Alaska Air Cargo.

Cargo call center:
7:00 am - 7:00 pm PST
1-800-225-2752


Kennel size chart

Model Dimensions
(in.) LxWxH		 Tare weight
(empty)		 Cubic feet Dimensional
weight
100 21x16x15 9 lbs 3 26
200 27x20x19 14 lbs 6 53
300 32x22x23 20 lbs 9 84
400 36X24x26 24 lbs 13 19
500 40x27x30 28 lbs 19 167

The maximum dimensions (inches) for belly load kennels on Alaska Airlines are 53 L x 48 W x 34 H
*The maximum dimensions (inches) for kennels on Horizon Air are 40 L x 27 W x 30 H

Additional restrictions may apply on flights operated by SkyWest.

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Breed restrictions

Brachycephalic or "short-nosed" dogs and cats are not accepted for travel in the cargo compartment on our flights (including flights operated by Horizon, SkyWest, or PenAir). Veterinary experts say that short-nosed pets commonly have abnormalities that can compromise their breathing. Stress associated with flight can make those conditions worse.

Brachycephalic or "short-nosed" dogs and cats may still travel in the cabin with their passenger, provided their pet carrier fits under the seat.

This applies to the following breeds and mixed breeds thereof:

Dogs: Boston Terrier, Boxer (all breeds), Bull Dog (all breeds), Bull Terrier, Brussels Griffon, Chow Chow, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Spaniel/Japanese Chin, Mastiff (all breeds), Pekingese, Pit Bull (all breeds), Pug (all breeds), Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Terrier.

Cats: Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, Persian

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Hawaii pet restrictions

Due to strong headwinds at various times of year, Alaska Airlines limits the number of pets accepted for travel in the cargo compartment on flights to Hawaii. For limits on pets traveling with their passenger, please visit our Pets traveling to Hawaii page.

  • January 1 - March 31: No pets will be accepted on non-stop flights from Seattle, Bellingham, Portland, or Anchorage to Hawaii.
  • November 1 - March 31: Only 1 pet is accepted per aircraft for travel in the cargo compartment.
  • April 1 - October 31: Standard pet allowance applies.

Hawaii has strict laws regarding the importation of animals. Shippers must determine and comply with local, state, and federal export, transit, and entry requirements. Any expenses, penalties or fees resulting from noncompliance with all requirements are the burden of the shipper.

Please refer to:

State of Hawaii - importing animals to Hawaii from the US mainland "This indicates a link to an external site that may not meet accessibility guidelines."

State of Hawaii – animal quarantine information page "This indicates a link to an external site that may not meet accessibility guidelines."

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Pet Connect shipping guidelines

When you're ready to book a reservation for your pet, we will need the following details:

  • Shipper and consignee name, address and phone contact.
  • Length, width, and height dimensions of the kennel.

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Animal guidelines

  • Reservations are required, and we recommend booking 24 hours in advance. Shipments involving transfers to another airline must be booked at least three business days in advance, but no more than seven days before travel.
  • Pets must be accepted and all paperwork processed at least two hours before scheduled departure.
  • For all Hawai’i departures, all live animals must be accepted and all paperwork processed at least two and a half hours before scheduled departure.
  • Pets are not accepted more than four hours prior to scheduled departure.
  • Your pet will be available for pickup within one hour of flight arrival, and must be picked up within four hours or kenneling charges may apply.
  • Pet Connect animals are not accepted to or from Mexico.
  • Pet Connect shipments are transported airport to airport service only (Courier pickup/delivery service is not available). Other cities may prohibit live animal shipments during extreme weather seasons. Please refer to our Cargo location information for details regarding your specific origin or destination.
  • Alaska Airlines will accept Pet Connect shipments on a collect basis when the shipper guarantees all charges. Interline shipments of live animals must be prepaid by the shipper.
  • Combined animal and kennel weight is limited to 150 pounds on Alaska and Horizon-operated flights and 100 pounds on SkyWest-operated flights. Other restrictions may apply depending on aircraft type.
  • Animals will not be accepted in an agitated or hostile condition.
  • Muzzles or restraints impairing respiration or injuring the animal will not be accepted.
  • The shipper must provide written instructions concerning the handling, feeding and watering requirements for the animal(s) in the shipment. See the Labeling and preparation of animal containers section for more information.
  • Shipping containers must be clean and must not have an offensive odor.
  • The animal container must be non-collapsible, approved for airline travel and is subject to inspection by airline personnel. See Container regulations and requirements section for more details.
  • Dogs and cats must be at least eight weeks of age and weaned.
  • The shipper must provide applicable health declarations and permits required by authorities of countries of export, transit, and import.
  • Animals traveling as cargo must have a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian. See the Health certificate requirements section for more information. Pet Connect customers can receive a discount on health certificates with Banfield Pet Hospitals.
  • Food and water must be offered within four hours of flight departure.
  • No more than two puppies or kittens, eight weeks to six months of age, that are of comparable size, and weighing 20 pounds or less each, may be transported in the same kennel. See Live animals in the same container section for more details.

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Live animals in the same container

The following conditions apply to live animals accepted in the same container:

  • Animals must be the same species.
  • Animals must be compatible.
  • Infant animals will only be accepted with their mother. (Exceptions include birds, fish, rats, mice, and domestic farm animals.)
  • A female animal in season will not be accepted in the same container as a male animal.

The number of dogs or cats in a container shall not exceed the following limits:

  • One dog or cat six months or more of age.
  • One puppy, eight weeks to six months of age and weighing more than 20 pounds.
  • Two puppies or kittens, eight weeks to six months of age, but not weighing more than 20 pounds each and of comparable size.
  • Puppies or kittens less than eight weeks old and littermates accompanied by their mother may be shipped in the same container when the destination is a laboratory or research facility.

Special considerations and exceptions apply to some animals. For more information, please contact the Alaska Air Cargo service center at 1-800-225-2752.

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Container regulations and requirements

Please note that the non-collapsible kennel must:

  • Be held together with metal or plastic nuts and bolts. The kennel must not be held together with snap closures nor have parts replaced by zip-ties, duct tape, or rubber bands.
  • Be of solid construction, escape-proof with one securely fastened door and able to withstand the rigors of normal transportation.
  • Contain a food and water dish clipped inside of the door.
  • Be clean and leakproof, with absorbent bedding made of material that is safe and non-toxic to the animal. Non-bedding items are not allowed, with the exception of one small comfort item.
  • Container must be constructed to hold the animal being shipped with no part of the animal protruding and should withstand the normal rigors of transportation. The kennel must not have a wire roof and/or top opening door.
  • Containers must be constructed to retain moisture characteristic with live animal shipments.
  • The interior of the container should be free of sharp edges or points, and have no protrusions that could injure the animal(s).
  • Kennels must have releasable zip ties securing the closed door to the frame, utilizing all original drill holes. Alaska can supply releasable zip ties, but it is encouraged to provide your own.
  • A means of administering food or water without opening the container is required. Containers for dogs and cats must have a food and water dish attached to the inside of the metal, grated door.
  • Handholds or handles must be provided on the exterior of the kennel for lifting without being tilted and to ensure that anyone handling the kennel will not come in physical contact with the animal.
Containers must allow sufficient space for the animal to:
  • Turn around freely in a standing position, using normal body movements.
  • Stand and sit erect.
  • Lie down in a natural and comfortable position.
  • Homemade containers are subject to inspection and regulatory compliance.
Container dimensions per operating carrier:
  • Alaska Airlines: Not to exceed 53 inches in length x 48 inches wide x 34 inches high.
  • Horizon Air: Not to exceed 40 inches in length x 27 inches wide x 30 inches high.
  • SkyWest Airlines: Not to exceed 36 inches in length x 25 inches wide x 27 inches high.
  • Minimum size accepted is a size 100 kennel: Approximately 21 inches in length x 16 inches wide x 15 inches high.

Containers are available for purchase for Pet Connect shipments traveling on Alaska Airlines. For additional information regarding containers, please contact our Cargo service center at 1-800-225-2752.

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Labeling and preparation of animal containers

Live animal containers shall have the following information clearly affixed on top and on one or more sides:

  • The words "Live Animals" in letters at least one-inch high.
  • Marked with arrows to indicate the upright position.

The shipper must sign a certification at time of tender with the following:

  • The time and date showing the animal was given food and water during the four hours prior to delivery.
  • Name, address and 24-hour emergency telephone number for the shipper and consignee, as well as the name of the animal, when applicable.
  • Shipper's written instructions must also include name, address, and telephone number of the party to be contacted if the shipment cannot be delivered to the consignee.
  • The certification with the information must be attached to the kennel for transport.

A small amount of food and/or medicine, containing no more than is required for the duration of the journey, may be attached to the kennel in a clear, sealed container and must be able to withstand normal handling in transit. If feeding an animal is necessary while in the custody of the carrier, the shipper shall provide written instructions. Charges for feeding and watering may apply.

If the animal has been medicated or sedated, affix instructions or warnings regarding medications, including:

  • Type of medication, method of administration and time administered
  • Statement that health certification, where required, has been provided
  • Per IATA regulations, sedation of animals, except under certain conditions and carried out under veterinary direction, is not recommended.

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Health certificate requirements

All animals traveling as cargo must have a certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian, certifying that the animal:

  • Was inspected no more than 10 days prior to travel.
  • Appears healthy for travel and free of infectious, contagious, and/or communicable disease.

A rabies vaccination certificate is required for transport between the Lower 48 states to/from Alaska, as well as within the state of Alaska. A combined health/rabies certificate is acceptable. Dogs or cats less than three months old do not require a rabies certificate.

Proof of parvovirus vaccination is required for animals traveling to the cities of Nome or Kotzebue. Contact the Alaska Air Cargo service center for more information.

Alaska Airlines is proud to partner with Banfield™ Pet Hospital to provide pets and their owners with a special discount offer "This indicates a link to an external site that may not meet accessibility guidelines." to prepare pets for take-off.

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We comply with U.S. Department of Agriculture and International Air Transport Association regulations for the humane treatment and transportation of animals. All animals are transported in a pressurized and temperature controlled aircraft compartment.

Pet Connect Animal Travel regulations are subject to change without notice.

Pet Connect Animal Travel is a registered trademark of Alaska Airlines, Inc.

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