Pet Travel Guide 2026: Carriers, Car Safety & Airline Rules

Last updated: June 24, 2026 — PetCarePicks Editorial Team

Car Travel: The 3 Safety Rules

No pet in the front seat. Airbags deploy at 200 mph and kill a dog in a crate or on a passenger's lap. Back seat only. Crates strapped down with a seatbelt through the crate handle or using a crash-tested harness.
Crash-tested harness or crate. The Center for Pet Safety (CPS, independent nonprofit) crash-tests pet restraints at 30 mph. The only harness that passed CPS testing consistently: Sleepypod Clickit Sport ($100). Most "pet seatbelts" on Amazon are untested and fail catastrophically in a crash—the clip breaks and the dog becomes a projectile.
No heads out the window above 25 mph. A pebble kicked up at 65 mph hits a dog's eye with the force of a BB gun. Corneal ulcers from road debris are one of the most common summer emergency vet visits.

Airline Travel: What Changed in 2026

Airline	In-Cabin Pet Fee	Weight Limit	Carrier Max Size	Cargo Hold?
Delta	$95 each way	Pet + carrier under 20 lbs	18×11×11" (soft-sided)	Yes (Delta Cargo, separate booking)
Alaska Airlines	$100 each way	Pet + carrier under 20 lbs	17×11×9.5" (soft-sided)	Yes
Southwest	$95 each way	No published weight limit (carrier must fit under seat)	18.5×13.5×9.5"	No (in-cabin only)
JetBlue	$125 each way	Pet + carrier under 20 lbs	17×12.5×8.5"	No

Recommended in-cabin carrier: Sherpa Original Deluxe ($45). The medium size (18×11×10.5") fits under the seat of most major airlines. Mesh panels on 3 sides for ventilation. The spring-wire frame compresses by 2 inches to slide under a seat, then springs back to full size. The locking zipper prevents escape—a non-locking zipper can be pushed open from inside by a determined cat.

Sedation warning: Most airlines prohibit sedated pets because at altitude (cabin pressure equivalent to 8,000 feet), sedation + reduced oxygen saturation can cause respiratory failure. If your pet needs sedation for travel, discuss with your veterinarian the specific drug and altitude interaction. Gabapentin (commonly prescribed for travel anxiety) is generally safe at altitude because it does not depress respiration. Acepromazine is riskier.

Disclosure: PetCarePicks is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Airline policies current as of June 2026—verify with airline before booking.