Flying with your dog for the holidays: book the pet spot first
Holiday flights sell out — and the pet spots go before the seats. Your ticket isn't enough: your dog's spot is the thing to confirm first.
The pet spot runs out before the plane does
Delta says it on its official page: pets in the cabin are first-come, first-served, with a limit on the total number allowed on each flight. Its table shows 2 pets in Delta First on domestic flights, 4 in Comfort and Main, and none in Delta One or Premium.
On American Airlines, the limit depends on the aircraft: up to 20 carriers on mainline jets, but just 1 in the premium cabin and 5 in the main cabin on American Eagle regional jets. On a regional flight the day before Thanksgiving, five families with a cat are enough to close the door.
In practice: buy the ticket, then add your pet the same day, before anything else. Delta asks you to contact its reservations team "as soon as possible".
Too big for under the seat? The hold is mostly gone
Delta and United no longer take pets in the hold for the general public: it's the cabin, or cargo. American accepts checked pets only for active-duty US military and State Department Foreign Service personnel on official orders; everyone else goes through American Airlines Cargo (PetEmbark).
Cargo applies heat and cold restrictions, on the ground and on the ramp. In December, it's the cold that can block a booking. Alaska Airlines still flies pets in a climate-controlled baggage compartment, subject to space, breed and aircraft restrictions, and "travel date embargoes".
Your pet's carrier counts as your carry-on
On American, with a pet in the cabin you get only one more item: a small personal item OR a carry-on bag, not both. With gifts and holiday outfits, plan to check the suitcase rather than finding out at the gate.
Domestic flights: the certificate depends on the state and the airline
There's no single federal rule: each destination state sets its own, and the airline can require a document on its side. The two checks are independent — and a vet certificate has a short validity window, so time it to your flight date.
Christmas abroad: start now
USDA advises contacting a USDA-accredited veterinarian as soon as you decide to travel: they check the destination country's requirements and submit the health certificate to APHIS for endorsement. Those requirements can change at any time and must be checked for every trip.
On the way back, the CDC requires every dog entering the US to be at least 6 months old, have a scannable microchip, and carry the CDC Dog Import Form receipt, on paper or on your phone. You can fill in the form on the day of travel, but the CDC recommends doing it a few days ahead. For high-risk rabies countries the rules are heavier, and some forms must be done BEFORE leaving the US.
Going to Europe: what changes for the EU health certificate.
Your holiday checklist
In this order:
- Pick a flight operated by an airline that takes your pet in the cabin (on a codeshare, the airline OPERATING the flight decides and collects the fee).
- Buy the ticket and add your pet the same day.
- Check the carrier size: it must fit under the seat of THAT aircraft.
- Book the vet based on the validity of the certificate you need — not too early.
- Going abroad: a USDA-accredited vet now, and the CDC form for the return.
Frequently asked questions
How many pets per flight can fly in the cabin on Delta?
Delta is first-come, first-served with a per-flight limit: 2 pets in Delta First on domestic flights, 4 in Comfort and Main, none in Delta One or Premium (official page read on October 15, 2026).
Can my dog fly in the hold for Christmas?
On Delta, United and American, not as checked baggage for the general public: it's the cabin or cargo. Cargo applies cold and heat restrictions. Alaska Airlines still accepts pets in the hold, subject to space and travel date embargoes.
When should I book my dog's spot for Thanksgiving?
The same day you buy your ticket. Pet spots are capped per flight and first-come, and holiday flights are full.