In-cabin pet reservations can fail on holiday flights because each airline allows only a fixed number of pets per flight, and those spots are handed out first come, first served. Holiday rules do not change. The cap is the same in November as in March, but more travelers are competing for the same few spots, so the pet allowance can sell out while passenger seats are still open. Seat rules, carrier size and the carry-on allowance can also lead to a refusal.
Why can an airline refuse your small dog’s in-cabin spot on a holiday flight?
An airline can refuse an in-cabin spot because the per-flight pet cap is already full, even if passenger seats remain. Delta describes a “first-come, first-serve policy for pets in the cabin, with a limit on the total number allowed on each flight.” Delta’s travel agent guidance puts the same point another way: “Delta and its partners limit the number of total pets in cabin per flight.” The cap does not grow when demand rises, so a busy travel week simply leaves fewer open pet spots for late bookers.
The American Veterinary Medical Association advises owners to “book a nonstop flight, and avoid layovers and busy holidays.” That advice reflects the crowding, not a special holiday rule. Airlines publish no data on how fast pet spots sell out. The practical takeaway is simple: on a holiday flight, the pet spot is the scarce part of the booking, and a passenger ticket alone does not hold the pet spot.
Do airlines ban pets in the cabin over Thanksgiving and Christmas?
No. The official pet pages of Delta, American, Alaska, JetBlue and Southwest show no holiday ban on pets traveling in the cabin. The seasonal embargoes that do exist cover pets in checked baggage or cargo. Delta does not accept checked pets from May 15 to September 15, and from November 1 to March 31 Delta does not accept checked pets on routes involving SUN, TWF and JAC. American applies temperature limits to checked pets, such as no travel above 85°F.
Alaska Airlines also applies “travel date embargoes” to pets in the baggage compartment, not to pets riding under the seat. A small dog in an approved carrier under the seat follows the same in-cabin rules all year. What changes over the holidays is how many other travelers are trying to claim the same limited in-cabin spots on the same flights.
How many pets in the cabin does each airline allow per flight?
The per-flight cap ranges from one carrier on some regional jets to 20 on many American mainline flights, and several airlines do not publish a number. Delta allows four pets in Delta Comfort and Main Cabin, two in domestic Delta First, and none in Delta One, Delta Premium Select or international business class, with a note that “restrictions may apply.” American allows up to 20 kennels across all cabins on most mainline flights.
| Airline | In-cabin cap | Max soft carrier |
|---|---|---|
| Delta | 4 Main, 2 First | 18 x 11 x 11 in |
| American | 20 mainline, 5 Eagle | 18 x 11 x 11 in |
| Alaska | Subject to availability | 17 x 11 x 9.5 in |
| JetBlue | 2 per traveler | 17 x 12.5 x 8.5 in |
| Southwest | Space is limited | Not stated here |
On American Eagle regional flights, the cap drops to one carrier in the premium cabin and five in Main Cabin. Alaska says in-cabin pet space “is subject to availability,” and Southwest says “space is limited,” without a published flight total. JetBlue allows up to two pets per traveler, with the second requiring an extra seat and fee. Fees also differ: Delta charges $150 within the US and Canada and $200 internationally, American charges $150 per kennel, and Alaska charges $100 per carrier each way. Check the airline before booking, since fees and caps can change.
Which seats can’t you choose when flying with a small dog in the cabin?
Bulkhead and exit row seats are off limits with a pet at Delta, American and JetBlue, according to each airline’s official pet page. Delta also excludes seats marked as having no under-seat stowage, flat-bed seats, Delta One and Delta Premium Select. American excludes seat 13D on the A321NEO and premium cabins on some aircraft. JetBlue excludes Mint.
A holiday seat map makes this restriction harder. When a flight is nearly full, the remaining seats can be ones a pet traveler cannot use, so a confirmed pet spot can still collide with a seat assignment that fails the rules. Pick an eligible seat as soon as the pet spot is confirmed, before the remaining eligible seats are gone.
Does your small dog’s carrier fit under the seat on every plane?
No. Under-seat space varies by aircraft, and American publishes smaller hard-carrier limits for regional jets. American’s soft carrier limit is 18 x 11 x 11 in (46 x 28 x 28 cm). The hard carrier limit is 19 x 13 x 9 in on mainline aircraft but only 16 x 12 x 8 in on American Eagle. Alaska caps soft carriers at 17 x 11 x 9.5 in, and JetBlue at 17 x 12.5 x 8.5 in. Delta recommends a soft carrier of 18 x 11 x 11 in that fits completely under the seat in front.
A carrier that passes on one leg of a holiday trip may fail on a regional connection, so check the aircraft type for every segment. The AVMA warns that “defective crates or carriers are the most common cause of escaped or injured animals during air travel,” which makes a sturdy, well-closed carrier worth checking before the trip.
Does a pet carrier count as your carry-on bag?
Yes, at most airlines the pet carrier uses up one of your cabin bag allowances. American says you can bring a personal item or a carry-on bag with a pet carrier, “you can only bring one with your pet carrier, not both.” JetBlue says the pet “and approved pet carrier count as one personal item and must fit under the seat in front of you.”
Delta allows “only one (1) kennel per customer,” and Southwest allows one carrier per ticketed customer, holding up to two small dogs or cats of the same species. Holiday trips tend to involve gifts and extra layers, so this rule catches travelers at the gate. Plan the packing around one bag plus the carrier, and check whether a partner airline has different rules: American and Alaska both direct travelers on partner flights to the operating airline.
What happens at TSA security with a small dog?
At a TSA checkpoint, the small dog comes out of the carrier and is carried through the metal detector, while the empty carrier goes through the X-ray. Robert Duffy, TSA Federal Security Director for LaGuardia Airport, said in a TSA release: “One of the most important things to know is that pets should never be screened through a checkpoint X-ray unit.”
The AVMA suggests checking in as late as practical to shorten time in the terminal. On calming medication, the AVMA is direct: “Consult your veterinarian before giving your pet any tranquilizers or sedatives,” adding that these drugs “generally are not allowed by airlines.” Consult your veterinarian about any travel concerns specific to your dog.
How do you book an in-cabin pet spot before the holiday rush?
Book the pet spot right after buying your own ticket, because the per-flight cap is filled in order of booking. Delta, Alaska and Southwest all describe in-cabin pet space as limited or subject to availability, and the booking methods differ by airline:
- Delta: reserve the in-cabin pet in advance through Delta Reservations.
- Alaska: buy the passenger ticket, then reserve the pet spot by chat or phone.
- Southwest: an advance phone reservation is recommended.
- American: add the pet under Additional Services on aa.com or the app, then pay at the airport counter.
After the pet spot is confirmed, pick an eligible seat and confirm the aircraft type for each leg. Some routes do not take cabin pets at all: American does not carry pets in the cabin on transatlantic or transpacific flights, or to Jamaica or Hawaii, and Delta does not allow them in international premium cabins. That is why in-cabin pet reservations fail on holiday flights: the cap stays fixed while demand climbs.
Frequently asked questions
Can you add a small dog after buying a ticket?
Yes, Alaska describes buying the passenger ticket first, but the pet spot is not held until the airline confirms it. Delta, Alaska and Southwest all describe in-cabin pet space as limited.
Is the holiday in-cabin pet limit lower than usual?
No. Airline pages show no holiday-specific cabin limit. The cap stays the same, while demand for the spots rises.
Does a pet ticket guarantee a seat?
No. The pet still needs an eligible seat, which excludes bulkhead and exit rows on several airlines.
Sources
- Delta Air Lines, “Pet Travel Overview”, accessed 2026-10-21 – https://www.delta.com/us/en/pet-travel/overview
- Delta Air Lines, “Pet Travel Requirements & Restrictions”, accessed 2026-10-21 – https://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/traveling-with-us/special-travel-needs/pets/pet-requirements-restrictions.html
- Delta Professional, “Pet Policies”, accessed 2026-10-21 – https://pro.delta.com/content/agency/us/en/products-and-services/pet/pet-policies.html
- American Airlines, “Traveling with pets”, accessed 2026-10-21 – https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/special-assistance/pets.jsp
- Alaska Airlines, “Traveling With Pets”, accessed 2026-10-21 – https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/pets
- Alaska Airlines News, “Paws before takeoff: What to know before traveling with a canine companion”, 2026-08-26 – https://news.alaskaair.com/company/what-to-know-before-traveling-with-a-canine-companion/
- JetBlue, “Traveling with Pets”, accessed 2026-10-21 – https://www.jetblue.com/help/traveling-with-pets
- Southwest Airlines, “Pet Policy”, accessed 2026-10-21 – https://support.southwest.com/helpcenter/article/pet-policy
- American Veterinary Medical Association, “Traveling with your dog or cat”, accessed 2026-10-21 – https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/traveling-your-pet-faq
- Transportation Security Administration, “Small Pets”, accessed 2026-10-21 – https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/small-pets
- Transportation Security Administration, “TSA tips on traveling with pets through a security checkpoint at LaGuardia Airport”, 2023-02-14 – https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/releases/2023/02/14/tsa-tips-traveling-pets-through-security-checkpoint-laguardia