Take your best friend with you
If your pet and carrier weigh up to 10 kg (22 lb) combined, you may take your pet on board. If your pet and carrier weigh up to a maximum of 45 kg (100 lb) combined, you will need to check in your pet.
For your pet's safety, check the restrictions by breed before your trip.
You may add an onboard or checked pet when booking your flights. Look for the travel with your pet option on the select your seat step. For information on costs, go to the additional services fees section.
To travel with an emotional support dog in the cabin, remember that it must weigh a maximum of 12 kg. Otherwise, you'll need to check it to travel in the cargo hold of the plane (the dog will need to be trained to be in a kennel or crate).
Learn more on how to travel with an emotional support dog or cat.
Carrier type
If traveling with a dog, the carrier to take it on board may be made of fabric or sturdy plastic. If traveling with a cat, it must be sturdy (plastic). In both cases, it must comply with measurements and requirements.
In the aircraft
The carrier must be closed with a plastic clamp to be provided to you at the airport, so your pet cannot leave it during the flight. During the flight, you must place the carrier under the seat in front of you, and the rest of your personal items on the overhead compartments.
Carrier weight and dimensions
The combined weight of the carrier and your pet must not exceed 100 lbs (45 kg).
Length: it must be equal to the measure of the animal from the tip of the nose to the tailhead, plus a quarter of that length.
Width: it must equal twice the width of the animal. You should use the widest part of the animal as a reference.
Height: it must equal the measure of the animal standing, from the tip of the head or the ears to the ground.
Your pet must be able to freely spin around on its axis and stand up on its four paws inside the carrier.
Carrier characteristics
The carrier must have a sturdy structure, and be clean, waterproof, well ventilated, wheel-free, and free of objects that can hurt your pet, be scratch-proof, with an anti-escape closure, and it must have handles for carrying.
Identification and contact information
The carrier must be labeled with your contact information (name, phone number and address) and the pet’s identification information (name, age and sex).
Leakproof containers
Leakproof containers may be placed inside the carrier with pet food and water (provided by the passenger), as necessary for the trip. The carrier must contain absorbent material or kitty litter and odor neutralizers.
Service restrictions
■ Only dogs and cats are allowed.
■ Pets younger than 4 months, nursing, sick, dead, violent, or pregnant are not accepted.
■ Add the service in advance since there is a limit of four checked pets and two traveling onboard per flight (including emotional support cats).
■ You may take one single animal per carrier.
■ Do not have your pet undergo surgical procedures within 5 days before the flight.
■ The pet on board and checked pet services are not available for flights operated by Frontier (direct or codeshare).
■ Passengers traveling with dogs may choose any window seat, except premium or emergency exit. Those carrying cats may select only window seats in the last row.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have updated the restriction for dogs arriving from high-risk countries for dog rabies.
Dogs arriving from Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Peru or have been in those countries in the last six months can enter the US only if they meet one of the exceptions:
■ Dogs with a valid rabies vaccination certificate issued by a certified veterinarian in the US.
○ The vaccination certificate must be valid and current.
○ You must present proof that your dog has a microchip. The microchip's number must be included on the rabies vaccination certificate or a separate document.
○ The dog must be at least six months old and healthy upon arrival.
Learn more about the vaccination certificate.
■ Dogs with a valid import permit issued by the CDC. Learn how to apply for an import permit.
In both cases, they can enter the US only at the approved ports of entry. Volaris operates flights in Chicago (ORD), Dallas (DFW), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), New York (JFK), Seattle (SEA), and Washington D.C. (IAD).
■ Dogs who have a valid rabies vaccination certificate issued abroad (any country other than the United States). You must show the certificate at the airport for validation.
In addition to the certificate, you must meet the following requirements:
○ Show proof of having a microchip. The microchip number may be on the rabies vaccination certificate or a separate document.
○ The dog must be at least six months old and healthy upon arrival.
○ Upon arrival, the dog must undergo a veterinary examination and rabies revaccination at a CDC-approved animal care center (all costs at the owner's expense). You will need to schedule an appointment because if the center does not have space, the dog will not be able to enter the United States and return to the country of departure at the owner's expense.
The approved animal care centers where Volaris has a presence are Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), and New York (JFK).
If you travel with three or more dogs, you must show a valid CDC import permit or a foreign-issued rabies vaccination certificate. You can only enter through the stations where there are CDC-approved animal care centers.
This restriction applies to non-stop and connecting flights. Cats are exempt.
Check out the list of high-risk countries for dog rabies.
Keep your pet well fed and hydrated
Feed and give water to your pet about four hours before the flight.
Have your pet get used to its cage
Allow your pet to get used to the cage days before traveling.
Carry a toy or garment
Put an object that is familiar to your pet in the cage so that it can travel more relaxed.
Keep the cage clean
Place absorbent material or sanitary stones in the cage.
Don't sedate your pet
Doing so may increase the risk of suffering cardiac or respiratory problems during the flight on some animals, in accordance with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the norms of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
For domestic flights (Mexico), you must arrive at the airport at least two hours before your flight’s departure, and for international flights, at least three hours before, so we can verify that your pet meets all the requirements to travel.
Vaccination cards and health certificates
Pet travel form filled out with your details as well as your pet's details.
Pay for the transportation of your pet if you didn't do so during the reservation. Go to additional services fees to check the cost of this service.
The airport security staff may need to carry out an extra inspection of your pet and its carrier. We recommend you arrive early in case this is required.
Want to know more?
For more information about official provisions regarding traveling with pets, consult the following links:
How can I add this service to my reservation?
You can add the service when booking your flights on our website or app, or afterwise at airport counters or our Call Center.
Check out the fees here.