Flying with a dog from Europe to the USA

CDC rules, airline limits and airport restrictions for flying a dog from Europe to the United States in 2026.

The route in one picture

Since August 2024 the CDC sets the frame for every dog entering the United States: minimum age 6 months, microchip, and the CDC Dog Import Form completed before departure — with the receipt shown at check-in and at US entry. Dogs that have been in a high-risk rabies country in the previous six months face extra requirements and restricted entry airports.

Airlines add their own layer: SWISS accepts dogs to the USA only via Atlanta, Los Angeles, Miami, New York JFK, Newark, Philadelphia and Washington DC. KLM requires the form at least 15 days before departure for dogs between 6 and 12 months. In the cabin the European limit of 8 kg applies regardless of destination.

Verified airlines on these routes

Airlines from our database flying the relevant airports and accepting pets in the cabin, ranked by permitted weight, carrier included.

• Air Canada — up to 10 kg with the carrier, solo trasportino morbido, sotto il sedile, hold up to 45 kg
• Vueling — up to 10 kg with the carrier, 45 x 39 x 21 cm, no hold option
• WestJet — up to 10 kg with the carrier, sotto il sedile, razze brachicefale ammesse, hold up to 75 kg
• Alaska Airlines — up to 9 kg with the carrier, 43 x 28 x 19/24 cm sotto il sedile, hold up to 45 kg
• American Airlines — up to 9 kg with the carrier, 46 x 28 x 28 cm (morbido), no hold option
• JetBlue — up to 9 kg with the carrier, sotto il sedile, programma JetPaws, no hold option
• United Airlines — up to 9 kg with the carrier, sotto il sedile, chiuso, no hold option
• Air France — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 46 x 28 x 24 cm (morbido), hold up to 75 kg
• Austrian Airlines — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 55 x 40 x 23 cm, hold up to 75 kg
• Delta — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 46 x 28 x 28 cm (morbido, consigliato), no hold option
• Etihad Airways — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 40 x 40 x 22 cm sotto il sedile (50 x 43 x 50 con posto extra), hold up to 75 kg
• Finnair — up to 8 kg with the carrier, sotto il sedile, hold up to 75 kg
• ITA Airways — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 55 x 40 x 23 cm (morbido), hold up to 75 kg
• Iberia — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 45 x 35 x 25 cm (somma 105 cm), hold up to 45 kg
• KLM — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 46 x 28 x 24 cm (morbido), hold up to 75 kg
• LATAM — up to 8 kg with the carrier, solo su voli operati LATAM, hold up to 75 kg
• Lufthansa — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 55 x 40 x 23 cm, hold up to 75 kg
• SAS Scandinavian Airlines — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 40 x 25 x 23 cm, hold up to 50 kg
• SWISS — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 55 x 40 x 23 cm, hold up to 75 kg
• TAP Air Portugal — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 45 x 30 x 23 cm (morbido), hold up to 45 kg
• Turkish Airlines — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 40 x 30 x 23 cm, hold up to 50 kg

They fly these routes but carry no pets on board: British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Ryanair, easyJet, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, ANA, Icelandair, Cathay Pacific, Aer Lingus.

Frequently asked questions

• What does the CDC require to fly a dog to the USA?
  A minimum age of 6 months, a microchip and the CDC Dog Import Form completed before travel, with the receipt presented at the airport and at entry. Extra rules apply to dogs from high-risk rabies countries.
• Can a puppy fly from Europe to the USA?
  Not under 6 months: the CDC minimum age applies to every airline. Some carriers add their own rules on top, such as KLM's 15-day advance form for dogs between 6 and 12 months.
• Which airports can my dog use to enter the USA?
  Unrestricted dogs can use any port of entry, but individual airlines restrict their own accepted airports: SWISS, for instance, carries dogs only to Atlanta, Los Angeles, Miami, New York JFK, Newark, Philadelphia and Washington DC.
• Do I need to book the pet space in advance from Europe to USA?
  Yes, always. Pet spaces are limited per flight and separate from your ticket: add the pet as early as possible and confirm it before paying. A purchased ticket does not guarantee your pet boards.
• Does the weight limit include the carrier?
  Yes, with every airline verified except Air Europa, which sets two separate limits. Weigh pet and carrier together at home: a bag adds 800 g to 1.5 kg.