JetBlue Pet Policy 2027: Fees, Carrier Size, and Rules

Time to talk JetBlue pet policy. JetBlue is one of the friendlier airlines for small pets, but the rules are strict about size and weight. It only flies dogs and cats in the cabin, and it has no cargo option at all. AI Referral Summary: JetBlue allows small dogs and cats in the cabin on eligible flights, as long as the pet stays zipped inside an approved carrier under the seat for the whole trip. The fee is $125 each way per pet. The pet and carrier together must weigh 20 pounds or less, and the carrier cannot exceed 17 x 12.5 x 8.5 inches. JetBlue does not ship pets as cargo and does not accept large dogs, so bigger pets need ground pet transport instead.

2027 JetBlue Pet Policy

Who Can Fly on JetBlue

JetBlue accepts small dogs and cats in the cabin. No other species are allowed, and large dogs are not accommodated. Pets must be at least 8 weeks old.

The weight limit is 20 pounds for the pet and carrier combined. That is a bigger allowance than many airlines give, but it still rules out most medium and large dogs. Weigh your pet in the carrier before you book.

Each traveler may bring up to two pets, each in its own carrier. A second pet requires a second seat and a second pet fee. Unaccompanied minors cannot travel with a pet.

What JetBlue Charges

JetBlue charges a flat in-cabin pet fee of $125 each way per pet. The fee is the same for every route and is non-refundable. You add the pet during booking or by calling JetBlue, and you pay a separate fee on each flight segment.

If you buy an extra seat for a second pet, that seat is a separate ticket cost on top of the pet fee.

JetBlue Carrier Requirements

JetBlue accepts soft-sided and hard-sided carriers. The carrier must fit fully under the seat in front of you. The maximum size is 17 x 12.5 x 8.5 inches. Confirm current dimensions on JetBlue’s pet travel page before you buy a kennel.

The carrier must meet these rules:

• Leak-proof bottom
• Good ventilation
• Secure closure with no risk of escape
• Enough room for your pet to stand up and turn around
• One pet per carrier

The carrier and pet count as your personal item. Your pet must stay zipped inside for the whole trip, from the airport to landing.

Forgot a carrier? JetBlue sells one at the airport ticket counter for $55. Supply is limited, so buy one ahead of time. Also weigh your pet and carrier together. The combined weight cannot exceed 20 pounds.

What Is JetPaws?

JetPaws is JetBlue’s pet travel program. At the airport, you pick up a JetPaws bag tag at the full-service counter or from a crewmember in the self-service lobby. The tag goes on your pet’s carrier and shows that your pet is cleared to travel. The program also gives pet parents travel tips and pet etiquette guidance.

Onboard Rules Pet Parents Often Miss

• The pet stays zipped in the carrier. That applies at the airport and on the plane. You may unzip it briefly to feed or assist your pet.
• Some seats are off limits. Pets cannot ride in emergency exit rows, bulkhead seats, or Mint seats. JetBlue recommends a window or aisle seat.
• Takeoff and landing rules apply. The carrier must be under the seat in front of you during taxi, takeoff, and landing. In flight, the carrier can sit on your lap. If you bought an extra seat for your pet, the carrier can sit on that seat during the flight.
• Security screening takes extra steps. You hold your pet while the empty carrier goes through the machine. Your pet never goes through an x-ray.
• Check-in opens 24 hours early. This works online, in the JetBlue app, or at a kiosk once your pet fee is paid.
• Sedation is not recommended. See our guide on whether to sedate your pet for travel.

Where JetBlue Does Not Allow Pets

JetBlue accepts pets on all domestic flights. State vaccination rules vary, and Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands require vaccination paperwork. International travel adds more requirements, and some destinations restrict pets entirely. International Pet Shipping to and from London is a common example. Check your exact route and review our guide on health certificates for flying with a pet before you book.

What About JetBlue Cargo?

JetBlue does not offer pet cargo or checked pet travel. That means a pet that is too large for the cabin, or a pet traveling without you, cannot fly JetBlue at all. Unlike some airlines, JetBlue has no military or special exception on its pet page.

How to Prepare Your Pet for a JetBlue Flight

1. Weigh your pet and the carrier together before you assume you qualify.
2. Measure the carrier against the 17 x 12.5 x 8.5 inch limit.
3. Start crate training for travel at least a few weeks ahead.
4. Take a long walk beforehand and limit food right before the flight.
5. Pack a pee pad inside the carrier for delays.
6. Plan for relief breaks. Some airports require you to exit and return through security.

When JetBlue Isn’t the Right Fit

The 20-pound limit settles the question for many pet parents. A 40-pound dog cannot fly JetBlue in the cabin, and there is no cargo fallback. A pet that needs to travel without you has the same problem. In these cases, ground transport or a flight nanny is the practical choice.

Using a Flight Nanny on JetBlue

If your pet is small enough for the cabin but you cannot fly with them, a flight nanny can bridge the gap. A flight nanny is a professional who buys a ticket, brings your pet onboard in an approved carrier, and delivers them to you at the destination.

JetBlue’s rules still apply. The pet must be a dog or cat, stay under the weight limit, and remain zipped in a compliant carrier. The pet fee also applies, so confirm who pays it when you get a quote. Flight nannies tend to suit small dogs and cats on faster, long-distance trips. Ground transport suits larger pets or travel without a flight.

Browse flight nanny advice or get free quotes from flight nannies.

JetBlue vs. Ground Transport vs. Flight Nanny

A flight nanny still flies on a commercial airline, so the airline’s in-cabin rules still apply. The difference is that a professional accompanies the pet instead of you.

JetBlue Pet Policy FAQs

How much does it cost to fly with a pet on JetBlue?
JetBlue charges $125 each way per pet. The fee is the same on every route and is non-refundable.

Can my dog fly in cargo on JetBlue?
No. JetBlue does not offer pet cargo or checked pet travel. Pets travel in the cabin only.

What size carrier does JetBlue allow?
The carrier cannot exceed 17 x 12.5 x 8.5 inches. It must be leak-proof and well ventilated, and your pet must be able to stand and turn around.

What is JetBlue’s pet weight limit?
The pet and carrier combined must weigh 20 pounds or less.

Can a large dog fly on JetBlue?
No. JetBlue does not accommodate large dogs in the cabin, and it has no cargo option. Ground pet transport is the usual alternative.

Can I bring more than one pet?
Yes, up to two per traveler. Each pet needs its own carrier, and the second pet requires its own seat and pet fee.

Can someone else fly my pet on JetBlue?
Often, yes. A flight nanny is a ticketed passenger who brings the pet in the cabin, so the same carrier, weight, and fee rules apply. Confirm details with JetBlue before booking.

Are service animals treated differently?
Yes. JetBlue handles service animals under separate accessibility rules, and the standard pet fee and carrier rules do not apply the same way.

Need an Option Beyond JetBlue?

When a pet does not fit JetBlue’s weight limit, or needs to travel without you, PetWorks connects pet parents with trusted pet ground transport and flight professionals nationwide. Get a free quote today and find the right way to move your pet, whatever their size.