Flying to the United States with a dog
Flying to the United States with a dog requires more planning than simply booking a pet-friendly airline. Not only does your dog need to meet the U.S. entry rules, the airline you choose has to approve your dog for flying.
This guide will focus on the flight side of the trip. Learn about cabin and cargo travel, airline paperwork, check-in, arrival, and what to confirm before you book.
For the full country overview start with our United States dog travel guide.
What you should know before flying
Before you book your flight to the United States, there are two things you should confirm. Will your dog be able to enter the U.S. and if your airline will carry your dog on that route? The CDC rules determine if your dog can enter the United States and the airline rules decide if your dog will be allowed to board the plane.
Your dog will need a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, have to be at least 6 months old, be microchipped, and appear healthy when entering. If your dog has been in a high-risk rabies country within the last 6 months they will require extra paperwork and steps.
Airline Rules
Your dog can meet the CDC entry requirements and still be denied boarding by the airline if the carrier is too large, pet space is full, the aircraft doesn’t allow dogs, or the route has pet restrictions.
Before your book check the following:
- whether the airline accepts dogs to the United States
- whether your dog can fly in cabin, checked baggage, or cargo
- whether the aircraft has enough under-seat space for the carrier
- whether there is a pet weight or carrier size limit
- whether your dog’s breed is restricted
- whether your documents match the airline’s check-in rules
- whether your arrival airport matches your CDC paperwork
If you are still comparing airlines you might want to check out our best airlines for dogs guide to help you decide.
Can dogs fly in the cabin to the United States?
Dogs can fly in the cabin with you to the U.S. if the airline allows pet in cabin travel and your dog meets the airline’s carrier rules. The dog needs to stay inside an airline approved carrier underneath the seat in front of you for the duration of the flight. The airline also determines soft-sided vs hard-sided, carrier size, weight limit, booking process, and whether dogs are accepted in cabin for a particular route.
Do not assume your dog can fly in cabin just because your dog is small. Some routes, aircraft, or airlines do not allow pets in cabin.
Can large dogs fly to the United States?
Large dogs flying to the United States will usually travel as checked luggage or cargo depending on the route, aircraft, airline, and size of the dog.
This is where airline rules matter the most. Some airlines do not allow dogs to fly in the cargo hold. Some restrict snub-nosed breeds. Some have strong dog breed restrictions. Other airlines have temperature restrictions, and aircraft specific size and weight restrictions.
If you are unsure of the differences of cabin vs cargo dog travel we have written a guide to help you decide.
U.S. airport arrival planning
For dogs coming from rabies-free and low-risk rabies countries airport arrival is straightforward as long as the CDC Dog Import Form is complete and the dog meets age, microchip, and health requirements.
If your dog has been in a high-risk rabies country within the last 6 months the choice of airport your fly into can become very important. CDC separates high-risk requirements based on the dog’s vaccination history. This means some foreign vaccinated dogs must arrive at an airport with a CDC registered animal care facility.
Check the following before booking your flight:
- whether your dog has been in a high-risk rabies country
- whether your dog’s vaccination paperwork meets CDC rules
- whether your arrival airport is allowed for your dog’s category
- whether your CDC Dog Import Form matches your arrival location
- whether your airline accepts pets on every flight segment
If your itinerary has a connection pay attention to layovers. The CDC applies the high-risk rules if your dog cleared customs in a high-risk rabies country during a layover within the last 6 months.
Booking your dog’s flight
Pet space is limited on aircraft and first-come first served. So don’t assume your dog is included when you purchase your ticket. You will need to add your dog to the reservation. Some airlines let you add a dog in cabin during the ticket purchase, others you have to add the dog online or by phone after the ticket is bought.
Things to confirm before buying your ticket:
- your dog is accepted on that route
- your dog is approved for cabin, checked baggage, or cargo
- your carrier or crate meets the airline’s size rules
- your dog’s breed is accepted
- your dog’s documents match the airline’s check-in rules
- your connection airport accepts pets on all flight segments
- your arrival airport matches your CDC paperwork
If you are flying with a small dog make sure your know the under-seat carrier dimensions before you book.
Documents at check-in
Airlines often ask to see your documents before allowing you to board. Your dog needs at a minimum, the CDC Dog Import Form receipt. All dogs entering or returning to the United States must be accompanied by this receipt.
The airline may also ask for:
- rabies vaccination records
- microchip information
- health certificate or vet paperwork
- high-risk country CDC documents
- service dog forms
- cargo or crate paperwork
For the full paperwork checklist use the documents needed to bring a dog to the United States guide before your travel date.
What happens when you arrive in the United States?
When you arrive your dog will enter under the CDC category that matches its recent travel history.
Dogs coming only from dog rabies-free or low-risk countries need the CDC Dog Import Form receipt and must meet the age, microchip, and health requirements. The Dog Import Form is the only CDC form required.
Dogs that have been in high-risk rabies countries need to follow the stricter CDC process. This can include specific rabies documentation, approved arrival routing, or a CDC-registered animal care facility process depending on the dog’s vaccination history.
Flying vs driving
Flying adds airline approval, carrier checks, airport timing, aircraft restrictions, and sometimes stricter arrival routing. Driving avoids the airline requirements but does not remove the CDC entry requirements.
If you are deciding between the two, our driving to the United States with a dog guide explains what changes when you enter by car.
Mistakes to avoid
The biggest mistake is treating U.S. entry approval and airline approval as the same thing.
Avoid these common mistakes:
- booking before confirming your airline accepts dogs on the route
- assuming a small dog automatically qualifies for cabin travel
- forgetting to complete the CDC Dog Import Form
- choosing an arrival airport that does not match your CDC paperwork
- ignoring high-risk country rules because your current flight starts somewhere else
- forgetting that airline pet spaces can sell out
- packing your dog’s documents somewhere hard to reach
Frequently asked questions
Can I fly to the United States with my dog?
Yes. You can fly to the United States with your dog if your dog meets CDC entry rules and your airline accepts your dog on that route.
Does my dog need the CDC Dog Import Form when flying?
Yes. All dogs entering or returning to the United States need a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, including dogs arriving by air.
Does my arrival airport matter?
Yes, it can. For dogs coming only from dog rabies-free or low-risk countries arrival is simpler. For some high-risk country situations, your dog may need to arrive at a specific airport or through a CDC-registered animal care facility process.
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