Airline Pet Fee Increases 2026: What Delta, United & Southwest Changed

Want the full policy comparison across all airlines? Our comprehensive airline pet policies guide compares 12 carriers’ rules for in-cabin, cargo, carrier dimensions, and breed restrictions. This article covers only what changed: the specific fee increases and rule updates that took effect in late 2025 and early 2026.

Updated for 2026: All fee figures and policy details reflect changes announced by major U.S. carriers as of Q1 2026.

Last spring, a reader named Jen booked a last-minute flight from Chicago to Denver and assumed her eight-pound cavapoo would cost the same $95 pet fee she’d paid on Delta the year before. At the gate, she was told the new fee was $150 — a 58% jump that no one on the booking page had flagged clearly. She paid it, her dog flew fine, but the sticker shock stuck.

That story is now common. Airlines quietly revised pet policies throughout late 2025 and early 2026, raising fees, tightening carrier dimensions, and in some cases eliminating cargo options altogether. If you’re planning to travel with a pet in 2026, this breakdown covers every major change you need to know before you book.

Why Airlines Are Changing Pet Policies Right Now

The post-pandemic surge in pet ownership created pressure on airlines to modernize how they handle in-cabin animals. More dogs and cats are flying than at any point in airline history, and carriers are responding in two ways: raising fees to manage demand and tightening rules to reduce the number of problem incidents in cabins.

The FAA and IATA also issued updated joint guidance in early 2026 regarding sedation, requiring airlines to stop accepting sedated animals and — for cats with documented stress histories — requiring a “behavioral readiness letter” from a certified feline behaviorist. These regulatory shifts are pushing airlines to update their policies simultaneously.

The result: if you haven’t checked your airline’s current pet policy in the last six months, assume something has changed.

Delta Air Lines: Biggest Fee Increase of 2026

Delta made the most dramatic move. Domestic pet fees jumped from $95 to $150 per segment — a 58% increase that went into effect in early 2026. International fees rose from $175 to $200.

Delta also maintains a temporary cargo embargo for pets flying as excess baggage. The only exception is active U.S. military or diplomatic personnel traveling on official orders. If you were planning to send a larger dog via Delta Cargo, that option is essentially closed unless you qualify for the military exemption.

Delta cabin pet rules at a glance:

Detail	Current Policy
In-cabin fee (domestic)	$150 each way
In-cabin fee (international)	$200 each way
Weight limit	Pet + carrier combined under 20 lbs
Carrier max dimensions	18” x 11” x 11”
Pets per passenger	1
Cargo option	Suspended (military exemption only)

Delta does allow up to two pets per carrier if they are small enough to fit comfortably and the combined weight stays under the limit, which is one of the more generous policies among major carriers.

United Airlines: Layover Fees Are New in 2026

United’s base in-cabin pet fee is $150 each way — matching Delta’s increase. What’s genuinely new in 2026 is the layover fee: if your itinerary includes a connection with a layover longer than four hours domestically or 24 hours internationally, United now charges an additional $125 layover fee.

This catches a lot of travelers off guard on connecting itineraries. A direct flight costs $150. The same trip with a long layover in Houston could cost $275 for your pet.

United no longer accepts pets as checked baggage and discontinued the PetSafe cargo program. Only cats and dogs are permitted in-cabin, with limited government cargo exemptions for specific circumstances.

United cabin pet rules at a glance:

Detail	Current Policy
In-cabin fee (per segment)	$150
Long layover surcharge	$125 (4+ hrs domestic, 24+ hrs international)
Accepted animals	Dogs and cats only
Cargo option	Discontinued for general public
Military exception	Yes, via government cargo channels

Southwest Airlines: Stable but Still Restricted

Southwest has held its in-cabin pet fee around $125 per one-way flight, making it one of the cheaper options among major U.S. carriers heading into 2026. The airline allows only small cats and dogs (combined weight with carrier under roughly 20 lbs) and does not offer cargo or international pet travel.

One Southwest policy worth noting: each ticketed passenger may bring one carrier, and that carrier can hold up to two pets of the same species. That two-for-one rule saves money if you’re traveling with a pair of small dogs or cats.

Southwest does not allow online pet reservations — you pay the fee at the airport counter when checking in. Given that Southwest already sells out pet spots (limited to a certain number per flight), calling ahead to confirm availability is wise.

American Airlines: Moderate Increase, Consistent Rules

American Airlines raised its in-cabin pet fee to $150 each way on domestic routes in late 2025, bringing it in line with Delta and United. International routes vary by destination. American continues to permit cats and dogs under 20 lbs (combined with carrier) in the cabin.

American still offers a cargo program for larger dogs through American Airlines Cargo, which sets it apart from Delta and United. However, cargo availability depends on aircraft type, temperature conditions at origin and destination, and seasonal restrictions for brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds.

For a full breakdown of flying with brachycephalic dogs, see our airline pet policies guide and the specific best airline dog carriers 2026 review.

Alaska Airlines: Best Value in 2026

Alaska Airlines remains one of the most affordable options for pet travel, with in-cabin fees around $100 per segment — $50 less than the big three. Alaska allows two small cats or dogs in one carrier, and the combined weight limit (pet plus carrier) stays under 20 lbs.

Alaska’s routes cover the West Coast extensively, which is helpful for travelers in California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. For travel within those corridors, Alaska is worth checking first on price alone.

Frontier and Spirit: Budget Carriers, Budget-Ish Pet Fees

Frontier charges $99 per in-cabin pet segment, and Spirit sits around $110. Both allow only small cats and dogs. Neither offers cargo pet options. For short domestic routes where the budget carriers fly, they can represent meaningful savings over the legacy carriers.

The trade-off is fewer route options and occasionally less reliable service — factors worth weighing when you have a pet’s comfort to consider.

Carrier Size Rules: Getting Stricter in 2026

Multiple airlines have quietly tightened their soft-sided carrier dimension requirements in 2026. The stated reason is standardization — ensuring carriers actually fit under the seat in front of you, which varies by aircraft type.

Common carrier dimension limits by airline (2026):

Airline	Max Carrier Dimensions
Delta	18” x 11” x 11”
United	17.5” x 12” x 7.5” (under seat)
American	19” x 13” x 9”
Southwest	18.5” x 8.5” x 13.5”
Alaska	17” x 11” x 9.5”

Measure your carrier carefully before flying. Gate agents have been instructed to enforce these limits more consistently. If your carrier doesn’t fit cleanly under the seat, you may be required to check it — or in the worst case, denied boarding with your pet.

For our top carrier recommendations that meet 2026 requirements, see the best airline dog carriers 2026 roundup.

New Sedation Rules: No More Pre-Flight Tranquilizers

The joint 2026 FAA and IATA guidance explicitly bars airlines from accepting sedated animals. If your vet previously recommended pre-flight sedation, that approach is now off the table for flight days.

For cats with a documented history of severe travel anxiety, airlines are increasingly requiring a “behavioral readiness letter” from a certified feline behaviorist (typically $120–$190) before booking is finalized. This is primarily applicable to cats with prior incident reports, not every feline traveler.

The alternative to sedation is behavioral preparation: acclimating your pet to the carrier weeks before travel, using calming sprays or pheromone products, and short practice car trips. This approach is more work upfront but produces better results for most pets than chemical sedation ever did.

How to Book Pet Travel Without Getting Surprised

1. Call the airline directly after booking. Pet spots are limited (typically five per flight on Amtrak-scale trains, similar limits on planes) and filling fast.
2. Confirm fees at booking, not at the gate. Ask specifically about layover surcharges if your itinerary has connections.
3. Measure your carrier before the trip. Don’t assume last year’s carrier still meets current requirements.
4. Book early — especially on Alaska, which caps pets per flight and fills up quickly on popular routes.
5. Read the specific aircraft restrictions — some narrow-body planes have underseat dimensions that differ from the airline’s stated standard.

For more detailed preparation tips, see our guides on dog road trip gear checklist and flying a dog in cargo for larger pet logistics.

Related Reading

• Complete Airline Pet Policies Guide
• Best Airline Dog Carriers 2026
• Pet Travel Insurance Guide