Which airline has the cheapest in-cabin pet fee?

Among the airlines we track, Hawaiian Airlines is cheapest ($35 within Hawaii; $125 between Hawaii and North America). On the mainland, Allegiant charges $50 per segment; the majors (Delta, American, United, JetBlue) all charge $150 each way within the US.

Is the pet fee per flight or each way?

Almost always per direction (each way), and on some low-cost carriers per segment - a round trip with a connection can mean four segment fees. Each airline page here states how its fee is charged, from the official policy.

Does paying the pet fee buy my pet a seat?

No. The fee only covers carrying your pet in an approved carrier under the seat in front of you. The carrier usually also counts as your personal item.

In-cabin pet fees by airline (2026)

In-cabin pet fees range from $35 within Hawaii on Hawaiian Airlines to $150 each way on Delta, American, United and JetBlue. Every fee below comes from the airline's official policy, next to its carrier size limit — because the fee only matters if your carrier actually fits.

Last verified 2026-07-23 · 12 airlines

Airline	In-cabin pet fee	Max carrier (L×W×H)	How it's booked
Hawaiian Airlines	$35 within Hawaii; $125 between Hawaii and North America	17 × 11 × 9.5 in	Call Hawaiian Reservations (1-800-367-5320) at least 48 hours ahead.
Air Canada	CA/US $50–60 one-way (within Canada & Canada/US); $100–120 international	17 × 16 × 8 in	Add in advance (space is limited); must see an agent at check-in, 30 min before recommended check-in.
Allegiant Air	$50 per segment, per carrier	18 × 12 × 11 in	Check in with an Allegiant agent at the ticket or gate counter at least 1 hour before departure.
Sun Country Airlines	$75 each way (booked in advance) or $100 walk-up	17 × 12 × 9 in	Call Sun Country Reservations to add your pet.
Frontier Airlines	$99 each way	18 × 14 × 11 in	Add at flyfrontier.
Alaska Airlines	$100 each way	17 × 11 × 9.5 in	Add your pet when booking; call to confirm space.
Southwest Airlines	$125 each way	18.5 × 13.5 × 8.5 in	Add at the airport or by calling; limited pets per flight.
American Airlines	$150 per kennel each way (carry-on, within/between US, Canada, Mexico, Central America & Caribbean)	18 × 11 × 11 in	Add a carry-on pet to your trip; pay the fee at the airport.
Delta Air Lines	$150 each way (within US/Canada/Puerto Rico/USVI); $200 international	18 × 11 × 11 in	Call Delta Reservations to add your pet before travel.
JetBlue	$150 each way (or TrueBlue points)	17 × 12.5 × 8.5 in	Add in the Extras section at jetblue.
United Airlines	$150 each way	18 × 11 × 11 in	Add your pet when booking or via Reservations.
Breeze Airways	Additional charge posted at booking on the Breeze website (the Contract of Carriage doesn't publish the amount) — check when you book	17 × 8 × 13 in	Add your pet when booking on flybreeze.

Fees are the airlines' published in-cabin rates as of 2026-07-23 — airlines change fees without notice, so confirm at booking. Sources are cited on each airline page.

⚠️ The fee is the easy part — the size limit is what catches people. A carrier that fits one airline may be over the limit on another. Run your airline through the fit matcher →

Fee traps worth knowing

Per segment vs each way. Allegiant charges per segment, per carrier — a connection doubles it.
Walk-up premiums. Sun Country charges $75 booked in advance but $100 at the airport.
Route restrictions beat fees. Hawaiian's $35 interisland fee is the cheapest anywhere — but cabin pets aren't allowed at all on its international routes or to/from JFK, BOS, AUS and SLC.
The carrier is your personal item. On most low-cost carriers the pet carrier replaces your personal item — budget for a paid bag if you need one.

Compare limits instead: all airline policies · or start from your carrier: all carriers