MDELAX
Flying with your pet from Medellin (MDE) to Los Angeles (LAX)
What to check before booking: which airlines take your pet, at what price, and what entry into Los Angeles requires.
7 airlines accept your pet on this route, 5 of them in cabin. Minimum lead time: 90 days.
Rules verified on September 16, 2026
Blockers on this route
- Departing a high-risk rabies country (CDC list): for a dog vaccinated outside the US, a serology titer, at least 6 months of age, a reservation at a registered animal care facility and arrival only through one of the 8 airports concerned — Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York-JFK, Philadelphia, Seattle (cargo) or Washington Dulles.
- Heat embargo likely: most airlines close the hold above 27-29 °C on the ground, May to September.
Minimum lead time
90 Allow at least 90 days between the first vet step and departure.
The dated plan for your pet
Free search: the airlines that accept your pet on this route, their transport mode and their fees. The full dated plan is €19, a single payment.
See the airlines for MDE → LAXAirlines on this route
| Airline | Travels as | Pet fee | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | Cargo | PetEmbark® | Verified at source |
| Delta | Cargo | Delta Cargo | Verified at source |
| JetBlue | In cabin | 150 USD per trip (payable in TrueBlue points) | Verified at source |
| United | In cabin | 150$ | Verified at source |
| Alaska Airlines | In cabin | 100 USD (35 USD intra-Hawaii) | Verified at source |
| Avianca | In cabin | 170-220$ | Verified at source |
| JetSMART | In cabin | Not published | Verified at source |
From $35 to $220 depending on airline and travel mode. These are the carriers' published amounts; they cover neither vet work nor the crate.
Derived corridor The rules below follow from the same official sources, but this specific route was not re-verified individually — only 9 corridors were. Confirm with your airline and the destination authorities.
What this means in practice
Of the 7 airlines serving Medellin → Los Angeles with a pet, 5 take it in the cabin, 2 in the hold as checked baggage and 2 through cargo — a single airline may offer more than one of these.
The highest cabin weight limit on this route is 10 kg, with Avianca. Above that, 2 airlines still take the animal in the hold.
4 of these airlines apply a restriction on short-nosed breeds (American Airlines, Delta, Alaska Airlines, Avianca) — a carrier policy, unrelated to the destination country's rules.
The longest booking notice on this route is 48 hours, with Avianca: the pet slot can't be secured at the last minute.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take my dog in the cabin from Medellin to Los Angeles?
Yes, with JetBlue, United, Alaska Airlines, Avianca. The highest limit on this route is 10 kg with Avianca. The others publish a lower limit or none at all, and in every case the pet must fit under the seat.
How long does it take to prepare the trip?
Allow at least 90 days between the first vet step and departure.
What paperwork is required to enter Los Angeles?
A CDC Dog Import form is mandatory for every dog, plus an ISO 11784/11785 microchip, and the dog must be at least 6 months old.
Can a large dog travel in the hold on Medellin → Los Angeles?
Yes, with Alaska Airlines, Avianca. Above the published limits, cargo remains — a shipment separate from the passenger ticket.
How much does it cost to fly the pet?
From $35 to $220 depending on airline and travel mode. These are the carriers' published amounts; they cover neither vet work nor the crate.
Are short-nosed breeds accepted?
4 of the 7 airlines on this route restrict short-nosed breeds: American Airlines, Delta, Alaska Airlines, Avianca. This is a carrier policy driven by respiratory risk, unrelated to the destination country's rules.