in cabin pet travel

JetBlue allows only dogs and cats in the cabin of their passenger flights through their JetPaws Pet Program.  As an added bonus to travelers with pets, you can now earn 300 TrueBlue Points each way when traveling with your pet!  Here's how to book a flight on JetBlue for your pet.

1)  First you will need to determine whether your species of pet can travel in cabin.  JetBlue only allows dogs and cats in the passenger cabin of their aircraft.  If you have a dog or cat, go to step 2. If you have another species of pet, go to step 4.

2) You may take a dog or cat into the cabin if the weight of your pet (including transport container) does not exceed 20 pounds and the size of the carrier is under 17" L x 12.5" W x 8.5" H. If your pet and his carrier exceed these limits, go to step 4.  

Travel Carrier for In-Cabin Pets:  JetBlue sells a cozy pet travel product called the JetPaws^TM carrier, designed to fit underneath the seat in front of you.  They are available online for $50 at JetBlue's ShopBlue shopping area and also at the airport.

Alternatively you may use any carrier that does not exceed 17"L x 12.5"W x 8.5"H. Your pet must be able to stand up and move around in the carrier with ease, and the carriers must have a leak proof bottom, be well ventilated, and can be either soft or hard-sided.

3) Call to Book Your Flight:  To make reservations by phone, please call: 1-800-JET-BLUE (538-2583).

When you call to book your flight, you will press 2 for new reservations, and then 1 to speak with a reservation attendant.  You will need to inform them that you will be traveling with pets so they can reserve the space for your pet on the flight.  "We only allow up to four pets to travel per flight," said Alison Croyle, JetBlue's Manger of Corporate Communications.

4) Pay for Your Pet's Flight:  There is a nonrefundable pet fee of $100 each way ($200 round trip).

5)  If your pet cannot travel in cabin due to size or weight restrictions, or if you have a pet other than a dog or a cat, you'll need to contact another pet friendly airline that will allow your pet to travel as cargo or as excess luggage.

PetRelocation.com's Pet Friendly Airline Spotlight series features our favorite pet friendly airlines for travel with pets.  These Spotlights will highlight one airline each week, Monday through Thursday, through the month of May.  We'll take a look at the various aspects of their pet programs, including amenities offered for pets, how to book a pet flight on each airline and their fee structures.  For a look at the rest of our Airline Spotlight series, check out the Airline Spotlight page or on Twitter as #PetReloAS.

Yesterday, we wrote about how to determine your pet's travel crate size for traveling underneath the plane.  One of our commenters asked about how to determine the carrier size for in cabin travel. 

Every airline is different in terms of their in cabin policies, however a good general rule of thumb is that the carrier must be short enough to fit fully under the seat in front of you.  Check with the airline to find out the maximum in cabin pet kennel size.  Sizes vary depending on the airline you plan on flying.  For example, Continental allows a maximum size for in cabin pet carriers of 17" L x 12.5" W x 8" H (43 cm L x 32 cm W x 20 cm H).  Southwest on the other hand allows two different sizes.  Window and aisle seats can be a maximum of 19"L x 14"W x 8.25"H whereas middle seat kennels are allowed to be a bit wider (19"L x 19"W x 8.25"H).  

The secret's out:  airlines around the world are catering to pet lovers now more than ever.  And why shouldn't they?  US pet owners are estimated to be spending $45B dollars in 2009, a number which is up from 2008.  For airlines, which are cutting corners and looking for revenue wherever they can find it, accomodating pet owners who want to fly with Fido is an important step in adjusting to the demands of today's consumer.

Name: Steve
Moving From: Arizona
Moving To: North Carolina
Question:  We are flying to NC with our pet on board. Delta says it does not require a health certificate but the states each have their own rules. Is a certificate required in Georgia (we fly through there), Arizona (we may return there), and NC?