An adventure can be all the more fun when you bring family along, and pets are no exception.
However, not every airline will fly cats and dogs — and not all that do are equal.
WalletHub recently identified the best airlines for pet parents by analyzing how many animals airlines have transported, how many have died in transport and how many were injured or lost during travel.
So with that in mind, these airlines are the best for traveling with pets.
United Airlines
This airline’s animal-related incident score: 5 out of 5 points (the best possible score)
United Airlines accepts only dogs and cats on its flights now, and they must travel in the cabin, not checked with cargo. Only certain active-duty military or State Department employees can fly pets in cargo.
Tickets cost $150 per pet, but not every destination will accept them, so travelers should check ahead of time.
The policy for most flights is no more than two pets per person, but that can vary depending on the model of the plane. One seat has to be purchased per pet.
SkyWest Airlines
This airline’s animal-related incident score: 5 out of 5 points (the best possible score)
SkyWest requires that any traveling animals remain in kennels and that those kennels must fit underneath the seat. Passengers can’t buy a seat for their pets.
Alternatively, passengers can fly their pets as checked baggage, but only in reservations of one large kennel or two small or medium per flight. SkyWest won’t accept extra-large or “giant” kennels.
SkyWest is a regional airline, so it focuses on smaller flights and even operates under the name of larger airlines. For example, SkyWest will sometimes operate under the name Delta Connection and give passengers Delta frequent flyer points.
You’ll have to see how pet policies may change depending on how the airline is operating your particular flight.
Envoy Air
This airline’s animal-related incident score: 5 out of 5 points (the best possible score)
Envoy is a regional airline that operates under American Airlines with the brand name American Eagle.
Certain animals may fly through American Airlines as cargo, but carry-on pets are limited to cats and dogs that meet size, age and destination requirements. Fully trained pets (like service dogs) can fly in the cabin for free.
Typically, pets won’t be allowed on flights over 12 hours long or outside of America.
How other airlines fared
Here’s how other major airlines’ animal care compares:
- Delta Air Lines: 3.19 out of 5
- Alaska Airlines: 2.37 out of 5
- American Airlines: 0.08 out of 5
Considering Envoy Air scored far better than American Airlines, you may want to check whether they’re the regional airline behind an American Airlines flight before booking a trip with your pet.
WalletHub didn’t include Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest and Spirit in this ranking because they don’t transport pets.
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