Allegiant Air Pet Policy 2026: $50 Fee, 8" Carrier Limit

Allegiant charges $50 per segment to fly with a pet in the cabin — the cheapest pet fee of any US airline. Dogs and cats are allowed on domestic flights within the contiguous 48 states and Puerto Rico.

The catch: Allegiant's carrier height limit is 8 inches — the tightest in the industry. No cargo. No checked pets. No international routes. And you can't add a pet online — it's counter check-in only. This guide covers cabin rules, carrier dimensions, booking, and what travelers actually experience at the gate.

In-Cabin Travel

Allegiant allows pets in the cabin on domestic flights for $50 per segment, collected at the airport counter. You can't pay online — you add your pet at check-in.

Your carrier goes under the seat in front of you. Allegiant accepts both soft-sided and hard-sided carriers, but recommends soft:

• Maximum dimensions: 18" long × 14" wide × 8" tall (46 cm × 36 cm × 20 cm)

That 8-inch height limit is the real story. For context, Frontier allows 11 inches (soft-sided) and Southwest allows 9.5 inches. Most standard pet carriers are 10–11 inches tall. If you're shopping for a carrier specifically for Allegiant, measure twice.

Allegiant has no stated weight limit. The carrier must fit under the seat and your pet must be able to stand, turn around, and lie down. Dimensions are the constraint.

One pet per carrier, but two small pets can share one carrier — both must fit comfortably. One carrier per passenger.

Your carrier counts toward Allegiant's 2-item carry-on allowance (personal item + carry-on), so you'll need to choose: carrier plus one bag, or carrier only.

Seat restrictions: No exit rows, no bulkhead seats, and no aisle seats on Boeing aircraft (due to foot space limitations — if you've selected an aisle seat, you'll be relocated). Allegiant may move you to a seat with more under-seat clearance — travelers report being reassigned to the front of the plane where space is slightly better.

In-flight rules: Your pet stays in the carrier the entire flight. Flight attendants enforce this immediately — multiple travelers report being told to close the carrier within seconds of opening it. Allegiant advises against sedating pets. The effects of tranquilizers at altitude are unpredictable, and a visibly sedated pet may be refused boarding.

Species: Dogs and cats only, minimum 8 weeks old. No rabbits, birds, or other species — Frontier is your option for those.

Cargo and Checked Pets

Allegiant doesn't transport pets in cargo or as checked baggage. If your pet doesn't fit in the cabin carrier, Allegiant can't help you.

For large dogs, Alaska Airlines offers cargo, or American Airlines has the PetEmbark program.

Service Animals

Allegiant accepts trained service dogs only — no emotional support animals, no cats, no miniature horses. Psychiatric service dogs are accepted.

Service dogs fly free. You need the DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form submitted at least 48 hours before departure. Your dog also needs proof of rabies vaccination.

Service animals in training are handled case-by-case — contact Allegiant at least 72 hours before departure if this applies to you.

Max 2 service dogs per passenger. The dog must fit within the foot space of your assigned seat.

Breed Restrictions

None. Allegiant has no breed restrictions for cabin travel — flat-faced breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, Persian cats) fly under the same rules as every other breed.

Since Allegiant doesn't offer cargo, the brachycephalic breed bans that affect other airlines don't apply here.

Required Documents

These are Allegiant's rules — separate from what your destination state may need.

Domestic flights: Allegiant doesn't ask for a health certificate or vaccination proof for cabin pets. Show up with your pet in an approved carrier and the $50 fee.

Puerto Rico: Health certificate within 30 days of travel, rabies vaccination within 6 months (pets 4+ months old), external parasite treatment within 72 hours before entry, and a microchip or collar with ID tag.

How to Book a Pet on Allegiant

1. Book your flight first on allegiantair.com or the Allegiant app.
2. You cannot add a pet online. Allegiant has no online pet booking option — you add your pet at the airport counter during check-in.
3. Arrive at least 1 hour before departure. Allegiant requires this for all pet travelers. The counter agent will check your carrier dimensions and collect the $50 fee.
4. Bring exact carrier dimensions. Gate agents at some airports use tape measures since April 2025. Know your carrier's measurements before you arrive.
5. At TSA security: Remove your pet from the carrier, carry them through the metal detector, and send the empty carrier through the X-ray. For cats or nervous pets, ask for a private screening — TSA takes you to a small room instead.

Watch Out

Allegiant started enforcing carrier dimensions more strictly in April 2025. Some airports now measure carriers with a tape measure at the gate. A carrier that flew fine last year might not pass this year.

Common Mistakes

What Travelers Say

We monitor recent traveler experiences through Reddit and other sources. Here's what keeps coming up.

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On enforcement:

"I was denied boarding with my 15-lb Havanese at Elmira. The gate agent got the tape measure out. The same carrier had flown Allegiant twice before with no issues." — Sarah L., turned away at ELM

"I've rarely seen them inspecting people's animal carriers. I've flown 6 times and nobody measured mine." — Mike D., frequent Allegiant flyer

"St. Pete and Sarasota — they never measure or hassle you about carrier size." — Regular PIE traveler

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On the experience:

"The airline moved us to the front of the plane. More space under the seat up there." — Jessica T., flying with 5.5-lb dog

"The flight attendant told me to close the carrier within 10 seconds of me opening it. They're serious about keeping pets inside." — Dog owner, first Allegiant pet flight

"I have a 20-lb dog. I couldn't find any carrier that fits Allegiant's 8-inch height. We ended up driving." — Frustrated large-pet owner

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On heat:

"The plane was warm sitting on the tarmac before takeoff. Allegiant uses older aircraft. Bring a frozen water bottle and a small clip-on fan for the carrier." — Summer traveler

Tip

Middle seats have slightly more under-seat space on Allegiant's A319/A320 aircraft. If your carrier is tight on dimensions, request a middle seat at check-in.

Tips for Flying Allegiant with Your Pet

Buy a carrier specifically for Allegiant. The 8-inch height limit rules out most standard carriers. Look for "low-profile" or "airline-approved" carriers under 8 inches tall. Measure the carrier yourself — manufacturer dimensions sometimes include wheels or handles.

Arrive a full hour early — no exceptions. You can't add a pet online, so the counter is your only option. If the line is long and you miss the check-in window, your pet doesn't fly. Allegiant's check-in counters close earlier than most airlines.

Bring a frozen water bottle for summer flights. Allegiant uses older Airbus aircraft that can sit on the tarmac. The cabin warms up before the AC kicks in. A frozen bottle wrapped in a towel keeps the carrier cool during boarding.

The hidden costs. The $50 fee is just Allegiant's cut. A low-profile carrier runs $40–$90 (more than standard carriers because of the specialty sizing). If you're flying to Puerto Rico, a vet visit for the health certificate runs $50–$150. Budget the full picture.

How Allegiant Compares

Allegiant's $50 fee is half what Frontier charges and a third of Delta or JetBlue. The trade-off: the tightest carrier height limit in the industry (8 inches vs. Frontier's 11), no online pet booking, and a domestic-only route network that skips most major hub airports. If your pet fits in a low-profile carrier and Allegiant flies your route, the savings are real. If your pet needs more vertical space, Frontier at $99 with a generous 11-inch soft-sided limit is the next cheapest option.

FAQ

Your next step: Arrive at the Allegiant counter at least 1 hour before departure with your pet in a carrier that fits the 8" height limit — there's no way to add a pet online, so the counter is your only shot.