Everything I learned flying with my dog the first time

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My life completely changed when I got a dog.

That wasn’t going to stop me from traveling, but I had to quickly learn all the rules, fees, and fun quirks that come with flying with a pet.

From figuring out where we could sit to choosing the right airline and carrier, here’s everything I wish I’d known before our first flight together.

First, the basics. You can usually bring your dog or cat in the cabin on most domestic flights as long as they’re small enough to comfortably fit in a carrier under the seat in front of you.

While I’ve only had to prove this once, your pet should be able to stand up, turn around and lie down inside the carrier.

However, there are some restrictions on where you’re allowed to sit:

• No exit rows
• No bulkhead seats
• Usually, no premium cabins with lie-flat seats (there’s one exception, but more on that shortly)

While generally allowed, I also recommend avoiding aisle seats when traveling with a pet since there may be less underseat space and the carrier can become a tripping hazard.

Your pet usually counts as your carry-on, so plan to check anything beyond your personal item (like a backpack or purse).
Picking the right airline

Most airlines, including ​American​, ​Delta​, ​United​, and ​JetBlue​, typically charge $150 each way for in-cabin pets. However, some are definitely more pet-friendly than others.

For example, if you fly often, I recommend trying to earn JetBlue Mosaic status. Mosaic elites can select a pet fee waiver as a perk, saving you a whopping $300 per round-trip. Meanwhile, non-elites earn 300 extra TrueBlue points per segment when traveling with a pet.

Pro tip: If you have a travel card that offers incidental airline fee credits, you can use it to cover your pet fee.

If you prefer sitting up front, American Airlines is the only U.S. carrier that allows pets in lie-flat seats — but only on its A321Ts, used for premium transcontinental routes. This is because these planes have a special pet compartment for takeoff and landing. Plus, AA allows you to bring a proper carry-on bag on board when traveling with a pet, as opposed to just a small personal item.

The right carrier makes all the difference. My go-to is the ​Sherpa Original Deluxe Pet Carrier​.

It’s soft-sided, so it can easily fit under most seats, and includes a “Guaranteed On-Board” program. If your pet is denied boarding for size reasons after following all the rules, Sherpa will reimburse you for your flight and pet fee.

Here are a few of my favorite tips that’ll hopefully make things a little less stressful:

• Find the good relief areas. Most airports have them airside now, though quality varies to say the least. Do yourself a favor and scope the options ahead of time. I’ll often walk out of my way if I know there’s a nicer outdoor one in another part of the terminal.
• Hydration is key. Bring a dog water bottle with a built-in bowl (like ​this one​) and offer small sips and treats before boarding and again once in the air.
• Pack extra food. In addition to treats, I always bring some dry food in my carry-on. While I don’t recommend feeding your pet right before a flight, it’s good to be prepared in case there’s a major delay or diversion and you don’t have access to checked bags.
• Take advantage of early boarding. If you have elite status or a credit card with priority boarding, the extra few minutes can go a long way when you’re settling in and juggling bags, a carrier, and treats.

Flying with a dog isn’t nearly as intimidating as it may seem. Pick a pet-friendly airline, get in a reliable carrier, and give yourself extra time to move through security.

Nothing beats landing, unzipping the carrier, and seeing your dog’s happy tail wagging again.