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What it costs to travel with a pet in 2026: the real numbers
Pet fees are published, but they are published in different units by every airline. Here is what the fee actually buys, where the extra costs hide, and why we will not quote you an average.
Costs · Last checked July 2026 · 4 minute read
Key takeaways
Cabin fees on the routes most people fly
Within Canada, Air Canada and WestJet both start around $50 CAD one way and rise to roughly $100 to $120 on international routes. Porter charges about $50 to $57.50 per direction, and Flair $79 to $129, on Canadian domestic flights only.
In the US, American, United and JetBlue charge $150 USD each way. Southwest is $125 USD one way on the mainland and $35 USD within Hawaii. Alaska Airlines is $100 USD each way in the cabin and $200 USD in the baggage compartment, with reduced rates on flights within Hawaii and within Alaska, though the page we hold for Alaska is a pet-travel Q&A rather than its fee table, so confirm the figure at booking. Delta sits at $95 USD for tickets issued before 8 April 2025 and $150 USD after it, which is a real trap on an old quote.
Allegiant is the one to read carefully: about $50 USD, charged per segment rather than per direction.
Sourced from each carrier's published pet fee page · Last checked July 2026
Why we will not give you an average
The same pet on the same day can cost $50 or $600 depending on carrier, direction, cabin or hold, and route zone. Several carriers publish no flat rate at all and price at booking through a calculator, and at least one airline's only published fee schedule is years out of date. An average across all that would be a number with no trip attached to it.
So a WayFur check shows the fee for the airline and route you actually picked, and says plainly when a carrier does not publish one.
Sourced from published carrier fee schedules and route-based pricing tables · Last checked July 2026
The costs that are not the airline
Paperwork has a price: vet appointments, certificates, and in some cases an official endorsement on top. Accommodation adds pet fees and, more often, weight limits that push you to a pricier property. On a drive, the cost moves entirely into stops and overnight stays.
WayFur already includes readiness checks. Paid plans cover the trip you build around the answer: $19.99 CAD for a single Trip Pass, or $69.99 CAD a year for Pro Annual, which includes a 7-day free trial.
Sourced from published property pet policies and WayFur's own pricing · Last checked July 2026
See the fee for your actual flight
Enter your route, date and pet. The check returns the published fee for the airlines on that route, in the unit each one charges.
Common questions
How much does it cost to fly or drive with a dog or cat?
It depends on the airline, whether the trip is domestic or international, and whether your pet flies in-cabin or cargo, so we do not quote a single number. Your check shows the actual fee for the airline and route you pick, not a category average.
Is the fee each way or for the whole trip?
Usually each way, and on a few carriers each segment, which means a connection can cost twice what you expected on the same ticket. Read the unit, not just the number.
What does WayFur cost?
Readiness checks are free once you sign up (no card needed). Paid plans cover the trip you build around the answer: a Trip Pass is $19.99 CAD for one trip, and Pro Annual is $69.99 CAD a year with a 7-day free trial.