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The rules depend on cabin vs cargo, the airline and where you land. Here's the short version, airline by airline, plus the paperwork to have ready.
Updated October 2026
For checked or cargo travel you almost always need a health certificate from a licensed vet issued within 10 days of the flight. For in-cabin domestic flights, many airlines don't require one — but your destination state may. International travel needs a USDA-endorsed certificate.
It depends on where your dog flies (cabin or cargo/checked) and where you're going:
| Airline | Pets in cabin | Checked / cargo |
|---|---|---|
| Delta | No airline certificate stated; check destination state | Certificate within 10 days of travel |
| American | Generally no certificate for carry-on pets | Certificate within 10 days |
| Alaska | No certificate stated on cabin page | Within 10 days outbound (30 for return on same ticket) |
| Southwest | Cabin only, small vaccinated cats & dogs; no certificate stated | No cargo |
| United | Cabin only — check United's current rules before booking | — |
Airline policies change often. Check the airline's pet page when you book, and again a week before you fly.
The USDA doesn't regulate pets moving between states — each state sets its own entry rules (USDA APHIS links to them).
Your vet can't issue a health certificate without up-to-date vaccines. Bring your records.
For checked or cargo travel, the certificate must be dated within 10 days of departure. Book early — slots fill up before holidays.
Airline staff, hotels and the destination may all ask.
Leaving the US: a USDA-accredited vet issues the certificate and submits it to USDA APHIS for endorsement, usually online. Each country has its own rules — start weeks or months ahead.
Bringing a dog into the US (since August 2024, CDC rules): every dog must be at least 6 months old, microchipped, appear healthy and have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. Dogs that were in a high-risk rabies country in the past 6 months need more documents, including rabies vaccination and a blood test.
PetTally stores the health certificate, rabies certificate and full vaccine history, and shares a QR Pet Passport with any vet on the road. Free on iPhone.
Get PetTally FreeFor checked or cargo travel, almost always — issued by a licensed vet within 10 days of the flight. For in-cabin domestic flights many airlines don't require one, but your destination state might. International trips need a USDA-endorsed certificate.
Airlines commonly require it to be issued within 10 days of departure. Some accept it for the return flight on the same ticket for longer (e.g. 30 or 60 days) — check your airline.
Southwest's pet policy allows small vaccinated cats and dogs in the cabin on domestic flights and doesn't list a health certificate requirement — but your destination state may have its own rules.
Since August 2024 the CDC requires all dogs to be at least 6 months old, microchipped, healthy, and to have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. Dogs from high-risk rabies countries need additional documents.
Related: How often do dogs need a rabies shot? · Boarding instead? Requirements · Lost your vaccine records?
Sources: USDA APHIS: state to state · USDA APHIS: US to another country · Delta pet requirements · Alaska Airlines pets · Southwest pet policy · CDC dog import
General information, not veterinary or legal advice. Airline and government rules change often — confirm with your airline, destination state or country, and vet before travel. PetTally is not affiliated with any airline named here.