Allegiant Airlines Pet Policy Guide [2022]

In this article, I will tell you everything you need to know about the Allegiant Air pet policy including things like fees and the restrictions and limitations.

I’ll also cover details regarding service animals and emotional support animals.

What is the Allegiant Air pet policy?

You can travel with your pet as a carry-on on Allegiant Air as long as you provide adequate carriers for your pets, supply any needed documentation, and pay the fees I’ll outline below.

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Allegiant Air pet fees

Carry-on pet fees

If your pet is traveling as a carry-on, a fee of $50 per segment per carrier will apply for all pets. This is a pretty standard amount for a pet fee when compared to many other major airlines.

If you are traveling with a service animal you will not be charged an additional fee. More on that below.

Checked pet fees

Allegiant does not transport animals in the cargo bin.

You might also be interested in Allegiant Air baggage fees.

How to avoid Allegiant Air pet fees

One of the easiest ways to avoid pet fees is to use the right credit card.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a good card for general travel expenses and its points can be used to offset airline pet fees since they will often code as travel.

Other cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve have a $300 travel credit that could be used on virtually any type of travel purchase including pet fees.

Related: Bringing a Dog to a Hotel: Essential Tips for a Good Stay

Allegiant Airlines carry-on pet rules

If your furry friend is going to accompany you as a carry-on, here are some things to keep in mind.

Kennel restrictions

  • Pets must fit comfortably in the carrier and may not protrude from the carrier
  • They strongly suggest a soft-sided leak-proof carrier that fits under the seat
  • The carrier may be no larger than 9”H x 16”W x 19”D

Soft sided carriers are easier to store under the seat and just remember that your pet needs to have plenty of space in the carrier. Typically this means enough space for them to turn around inside.

The other big thing to watch out for is if your pet is protruding from the carrier. Airlines do not want anything extending outside the carrier including the pet’s tail, nose, etc.

Two pets per carrier

You are not allowed to have more than two pets per carrier.

Again, remember that they need to have plenty of room to move around so you would only be able to bring in two pretty small pets inside one carrier.

One carrier per person

Each traveler can only bring one carrier.

So if you would like to bring two carriers or more, you would have to have two traveling passengers or more.

Interestingly, unlike many other airlines, Allegiant does not publish a hard limit on the number of pets allowed in a cabin.

Two months of age

All animals must be at least two months of age.

Pets must remain inside carrier

Your pet must remain inside the pet carrier at all times. This includes while you are traveling in the airport terminal and on board the aircraft.

Temperament and condition

All animals must be harmless and non-disruptive and also odorless. In addition, your pet cannot be ill, violent, or in physical distress.

If your pet exhibits any of these qualities they may not be allowed on the plane. You know your pet best so you will have to make the judgment call.

Select seats

If you are traveling with your pet, you were not allowed to sit anywhere in the plane. Seats that are off-limits include the emergency exit row, and one row before or after an exit row or a seat in the bulkhead.

Check in time

If you were traveling with a pet, you will need to check in at the ticket counter or a gate counter at least one hour prior to the scheduled departure to ensure that your pets and pet carriers are compliant with all of the guidelines.

You definitely don’t want to be rushing to the airport and traveling with pets. Not only will it stress you out but the stress could also affect your pet.

Health certificates

Health certificates are not required for you to travel with your pet.

Allegiant Airlines pet international restrictions

When traveling to international destinations and U.S. territories, including San Juan, Puerto Rico, destinations may not accept all pets.

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Service and support animals (and notice)

Service animals and emotional support animals have specific requirements but there is no additional charge for them if they meet all of the requirements.

Some people get confused about the difference between these two types of animals and hopefully this will clarify. Emotional support animals assist individuals with emotional, psychiatric or cognitive disabilities.

Trained service animals have been specifically trained to perform life functions for individuals with disabilities like visual impairments, deafness, etc.

Emotional support animals documentation

When traveling with emotional support or psychiatric service animals, you will have to complete three forms.

  • Form 1 – Veterinary Health Form
  • Form 2 – Mental Health Professional Form
  • Form 3 – Animal Behavior & Responsibility Form

These forms must be completed by your veterinarian, health professional, and yourself so make sure you leave plenty of time to sufficiently complete these forms.

The three completed forms MUST be presented to an Allegiant representative at least one hour prior to scheduled departure at the ticket counter.

Documentation must be presented for all flights, inbound and outbound.

Your forms will be good for one year.

Service animals documentation

Allegiant requires the following documentation for travel with a fully trained service animal:

  • Trained Service Animal(s) Veterinary Health Form

By the way, you can find all of the forms here.

Service and support animal guidelines

Below are some of the key points to know when traveling with service or support animals on Allegiant.

Limit on emotional support animals

Effective January 11, 2021, the Department of Transportation will no longer require air carriers accept the transport of Emotional Support Animals.

Kennels

Allegiant highly recommends that you use a soft sided and leakproof carrier that fits under the seat whenever the size of the animal allows. The carrier may be no larger than 9”H x 16”W x 19”D.

Size/seat requirements

Unlike pets that must remain in a pet carrier at all times, service animals can remain on the floor, under the seat, or in the passenger’s lap if the animal is no larger than a two-year-old child which is less than approximately 30 pounds.

If the animal encroaches on the seat of another passenger or on their foot space, you may be required to purchase a second seat.

Also, animals may not extend into the aisle.

You can occupy any seats except an exit row or a bulkhead seat if the animal is in a carrier.

Types of animals accepted

Allegiant only accepts for transport domestic dogs, cats, and miniature horses.

Pit bull type breeds are prohibited from travel on Allegiant.

If you have a different type of animal, those will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Age requirement

  • Animals must be 2 months or older

Behavior

All animals are expected to be sufficiently trained to be able to properly behave in a public setting.

Per the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 14, Part 382, Allegiant reserves the right to deny transport to any animal displaying disruptive behavior, such as, but not limited to:

  • Growling, snarling, biting, attempting to bite or acting in an aggressive manner
  • Running around or jumping on other passengers
  • Relieving themselves in the airport terminal or in the aircraft cabin
  • Barking excessively (other than alerting passenger as trained)

Approval

You will not receive final approval until you arrive at the airport and it is determined by Allegiant that the animal will safely fit at your feet.

Keep in mind that your animals on board cannot:

  • Be seated in an exit row
  • Protrude into or block aisles
  • Occupy a seat
  • Eat from tray tables

Find out more about Allegiant Airlines service animals and emotional support animals.

Final Word

Allegiant has a pretty simple pet policy especially since they do not allow pets to fly as checked animals in the cargo bin.

Cover photo by Raymond Wambsgans via Flickr.

3 comments

  1. Do i need any documentation from the vet for a paid pet (small dog) that i will be flying with at the end of October 2021 Thanks

  2. What if my emotional support animal is a medium to large dog, like a yellow lab? Can he travel with me in the cabin? I don’t think he could possibly fit at my feet without encroaching on another passenger unless it’s in the bulk head.

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