If you've recently tried to book a flight for your dog in cargo, you've probably discovered that most major U.S. airlines no longer offer the service. This isn't a temporary policy. Over the past several years, airline after airline has quietly dropped pet cargo transport, and the options that remain are limited and restrictive.

Here's what happened, what's still available, and what most pet owners are doing instead.

Which Airlines Still Ship Pets in Cargo (and Which Don't)

As of 2026, most major U.S. airlines have either eliminated pet cargo entirely or restricted it to military and government personnel only:

American Airlines — PetEmbark still technically exists but is restricted to active-duty U.S. military. Not available to the general public.
United Airlines — PetSafe is restricted to military and State Department personnel only. Not available to the general public.
Delta Air Lines — pet cargo restricted to military and government. Not available to the general public.
JetBlue — no cargo pet program
Southwest Airlines — no cargo pet program (never offered one)
Frontier Airlines — no cargo pet program
Spirit Airlines — no cargo pet program

Alaska Airlines is the notable exception — they still offer pet cargo to the general public for pets up to 150 lbs (with kennel), though breed restrictions and temperature embargoes apply. Hawaiian Airlines also still offers cargo for the general public (up to 70 lbs), though their route network is limited.

For most pet owners who aren't active military, the practical reality is this: unless you're flying Alaska or Hawaiian on a route they serve, pet cargo is not available to you.

What About In-Cabin?

Most airlines still allow small pets (generally under 20 lbs including the carrier) to fly in-cabin under the seat. But this doesn't help owners of medium or large dogs, and most airlines limit the number of pets allowed in the cabin per flight.

If your dog weighs more than about 15–18 pounds, in-cabin is not an option. And if you have multiple pets, you're likely hitting airline limits even if each one individually qualifies.

Why Airlines Pulled Out

Airlines stopped shipping pets in cargo for several reasons:

Liability. Pet injuries and deaths in cargo generated bad press and lawsuits. The DOT requires airlines to publicly report animal incidents, and the numbers were not flattering.
Logistics. Live animal cargo requires special handling, temperature-controlled holds, trained ground crew, and real-time monitoring. It's expensive relative to the revenue it generates.
Breed complications. Brachycephalic breeds (bulldogs, pugs, French bulldogs, Boston terriers, Persian cats) are at high risk of respiratory distress at altitude. These breeds accounted for a disproportionate number of in-flight incidents, and airlines decided the risk wasn't worth it.
Seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during summer and winter months made the service unreliable and hard to schedule.

The result is a gap in the market. Millions of pet owners who previously would have booked a cargo flight now need an alternative.

Your Options in 2026

1. Ground transport through a driver marketplace

This is what most pet owners are turning to. A verified, independent driver picks up your pet at your door and drives them to the destination, with regular stops for food, water, and bathroom breaks along the way.

Why it works:

No breed restrictions — any dog, any size
No airline limits on number of pets
Door-to-door, no airports involved
Your pet travels with a human the entire time
Real-time tracking and photo updates during the trip
Typically costs $1,000–$2,500 for cross-country trips

On Ferried, you post your pet's trip for free, receive bids from verified drivers within hours, and choose based on price, reviews, and experience. Payment is held until you confirm delivery, and every trip includes $2,000 in pet protection.

2. Drive your pet yourself

If you have the time, driving your pet yourself is always an option. Plan for about 400–500 miles per day, and budget for gas, pet-friendly hotels, and food along the way.

The downsides:

A coast-to-coast drive takes 5–7 days each way
You need to take time off work
Pet-friendly hotel availability varies (and most hotels cap at 2 dogs)
If you have multiple pets, it's a complex logistics challenge
If you're relocating, you may already be flying to your new city

For shorter moves under 500 miles, driving yourself is often the simplest option. For cross-country trips, the time and cost add up quickly.

3. Pet air nanny service

A pet air nanny is a person who books a seat on a commercial flight and carries your pet in-cabin as their personal animal. This only works for pets small enough to fly in-cabin (typically under 20 lbs in carrier).

Cost: $500–$1,500+ depending on the route Limitation: Size-restricted. If your pet is over 20 lbs, this isn't an option.

4. Charter or private flights

Companies like K9 Jets and others offer charter flights specifically for pets. Your dog flies in the cabin of a private or semi-private aircraft with handlers present.

Cost: $4,000–$10,000+ for shared/per-seat services; $8,000–$45,000+ for full private charters Best for: Owners with large budgets who need speed and are uncomfortable with multi-day ground trips.

What About Brachycephalic Breeds?

If you have a bulldog, pug, French bulldog, Boston terrier, Shih Tzu, boxer, or Persian cat, air cargo was never a safe option anyway. These breeds are at elevated risk of respiratory failure in pressurized cargo holds, and most airlines banned them years ago.

Ground transport is the standard recommendation from veterinarians for brachycephalic breeds. Your pet stays in a climate-controlled vehicle at ground level with a driver who can monitor their breathing and comfort throughout the trip.

What Most Pet Owners Are Doing

The shift from air cargo to ground transport has been happening for years, but the airline pullbacks accelerated it. Today, ground transport through verified driver marketplaces is the most common way to move a dog or cat across the country.

The advantages over the old air cargo model are significant:

Your pet has human contact for the entire trip (vs. hours alone in a cargo hold)
You get real-time updates (vs. zero visibility from check-in to pickup)
Any breed, any size (vs. breed bans and weight limits)
Door-to-door (vs. airport drop-off and pickup logistics)
No seasonal embargoes (vs. temperature-based flight cancellations)

If you're looking for a way to move your pet and just discovered that flying isn't the option it used to be, ground transport is likely your best path forward.

Most Airlines Stopped Shipping Pets — Here Are Your Options in 2026