No, you generally cannot hold your dog during takeoff on a commercial flight; they must remain securely in their carrier under the seat in front of you for safety, although some airlines or special charter flights might allow the carrier on your lap after takeoff/landing, but rules are strict for taxi, takeoff, and landing phases, with only trained service dogs being an exception.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, representing 3 days (overwhelmed/hiding), 3 weeks (settling in/testing boundaries), and 3 months (feeling at home/bonding) to help owners manage expectations and provide patience, routine, and a calm environment, understanding that anxiety is normal as they decompress from a stressful past. It's a framework for recognizing stress and fostering trust, not a rigid timeline, but it helps owners understand why a new dog might seem timid or act out initially.
Flying can cause ear pressure changes in puppies, leading to discomfort or mild pain. Symptoms include whining, pawing at ears, or restlessness. To prepare, acclimate your puppy to travel crates and noisy environments beforehand. During the flight, offer water and comfort items.
Transporting a puppy in the luggage/cargo hold carries meaningful risk of physical harm and psychological trauma, especially for very young, brachycephalic, or medically fragile animals. Whenever possible, choose cabin travel, ground transport, or delay travel until the puppy is older and crate-trained.
Carry-on pet limits by aircraft type and cabin
2 dedicated animal-friendly compartments at the front of the plane. No under seat stowage in First. Only smaller, soft-sided carriers will fit in Business. The total weight of your pet and its carrier must not exceed 20 pounds (9.07 kilograms).
On board and in flight
It is highly recommended you sit in a window or an aisle seat. Your pet must always remain inside the carrier while on board. Carriers must be placed below the seat in front of you during taxi, take-off and landing. You may hold your pet in their carrier on your lap during the flight.
You may book an extra seat for your pet. However, the pet must be placed in their carrier in the floor space of the extra seat. Pets are not allowed to sit on the seat. During taxi, takeoff, and landing, your pet must remain inside the carrier under the seat in front of you.
A total of 70.1% of dogs showed at least one sign of the above-mentioned stress signs at handover before the flight, 72.4% of dogs showed at least one of the above-mentioned stress signs during the flight, and 32% of dogs showed at least one of the above-mentioned signs of stress at arrival/handover after the flight.
Just like humans, they will encounter a change in air pressure which can lead to painful ear popping which can make the flight a little more stressful. Unfortunately, there is not a great deal you can do but a chew toy can act as a great assistance to pain relief and distraction as can some gentle petting.
The cargo hold is well-lit, temperature and climate controlled, and pressurized to ensure the well-being of the pets during the flight.
Unless your furry friend is small enough to ride under your seat, it's best to avoid air travel with your pets. If you must bring your pet along on the flight, here are a few suggestions to keep your pet safe while flying the friendly skies.
That popping sensation in your ears when there is a change in air pressure is so much worse for your pets. This happens quite a few times while takeoff and landing because there is a huge change in air pressure with the change in altitude. Your pets can puke or they could let go of themselves in fright.
Dogs have very sensitive hearing and, just like us humans, need noise protection while in flight. Several companies provide dog earmuffs, but cotton balls will also do the trick.
The most commonly surrendered dog type is the "pit bull type" (including mixes), often due to negative stereotypes, breed-specific legislation, and high energy levels, followed by other popular breeds like German Shepherds, Huskies, and Labrador Retrievers that may not fit owner lifestyles. Breeds like Staffordshire Bull Terriers (especially mixes) also top surrender lists in some regions like Australia.
It takes 3 days for the dog to relax, 3 weeks for them to understand a a routine and pattern in the way things work in your home, and 3 months for them to be fully acclimated and comfortable around you.
As with humans, exercise can be a great stress reducer. For healthy dogs, physical activities such as walking or playing fetch may help both you and your dog release tension. It is also important to provide your dog with a safe place in the home where they can escape stimuli that trigger a stress response.
An hour for a dog feels much longer than an hour for a human because dogs perceive time more slowly due to their faster metabolism and heightened awareness of routines, so a 10-minute wait can feel like 70 minutes to them, and your hour-long absence feels like an eternity, though they don't grasp clock time but rather the intervals between events like meals, walks, and your return.
A pheromone calming collar can help lower anxiety (Adaptil®). Trazodone, gabapentin, and alprazolam are sometimes prescribed by veterinarians to reduce the anxiety that some dogs experience when traveling. Test the medication at home, before your trip, so you know how your dog will react.
Quick answer: Most healthy cats and dogs hold it during flights. Give a last bathroom break before check-in, line the carrier/crate with an absorbent pad, and use airport pet-relief areas during layovers. Pets traveling as cargo have no mid-flight access, so prep the crate well and plan connections with enough time.
Yes, your dog might suffer from “airplane ears” due to sudden changes in pressure inside and outside the ears. To relieve this change in pressure their ears may pop while flying on airplanes. While this phenomenon causes some degree of discomfort for humans and likely pets, it usually goes away on its own.
Melatonin. A natural hormone that regulates sleep, melatonin can also help reduce stress and anxiety in dogs. Many vets recommend it as a mild sedative for situational anxiety like travel.
Some common concerns reported by guardians of aging dogs are increased sensitivity and irritability, increased fear of unfamiliar pets and people (sometimes accompanied by aggression), decreased tolerance of touch and restraint, increased following and desire for contact, and increased anxiety when left alone.
Alaska Airlines and American Airlines are often considered one of the most pet-friendly major carriers, allowing a variety of pets including dogs, cats, rabbits, and birds. For larger dogs, JSX and La Compagnie offer more accommodating policies.
In-cabin rules can vary somewhat depending on the airline, but generally, if your pet and their carrier can't fit underneath the seat in front of you, they'll have to fly as manifest cargo. You can't just buy a seat on the airplane for your dog, especially larger dogs.
Flying a dog costs anywhere from under $100 for small pets in-cabin on some airlines to thousands of dollars internationally, depending heavily on size, route, airline, and if they travel as cargo (usually $300-$500+ domestically) or in the cabin (small pets only, often $50-$200). Factors like destination (international is much pricier), carrier fees, weight, and special crates significantly impact the final price, so contacting airlines or pet transport services for a quote is essential.