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Seattle Pet Valet

Guide

Snub-nosed breeds and flying

Since October 1, 2026, Alaska Airlines no longer carries snub-nosed dogs and cats in the cargo hold, on Alaska, Hawaiian or Horizon aircraft. Here is the full list, what it means for mixes, and the options that are left.

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What changed on October 1, 2026

Alaska Air Cargo's notice says it plainly: from October 1, 2026, "certain brachycephalic (short-nosed) dog and cat breeds will no longer be accepted for transport in the cargo hold of Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air aircraft due to the increased health risk they may face during air travel."

Snub-nosed breeds have short noses and narrow airways. Many breathe harder than other dogs and cats, and stress and heat make it worse. That is the reason the airline gives.

Three things to know:

  • No exceptions. The airline says "for the safety of these animals, exceptions cannot be made".
  • No end date. None of the airline's pages gives one, so treat the ban as permanent.
  • Checked baggage was already closed. Snub-nosed pets could not fly in the baggage compartment on your flight before this either. The new rule closes cargo too.

So on Alaska, Hawaiian and Horizon, a snub-nosed pet can now fly only in the cabin.

The full list

Dogs (11)

  • Boston Terrier
  • Boxer (all breeds)
  • Brussels Griffon
  • Bulldog (all breeds)
  • Chow Chow
  • English Toy Spaniel
  • Japanese Chin (Japanese Spaniel)
  • Mastiff (all breeds)
  • Pekingese
  • Pug (all breeds)
  • Shih Tzu

Cats (4)

  • Burmese
  • Exotic Shorthair
  • Himalayan
  • Persian

"All breeds" means every breed with that word in its name: the English, French and American Bulldog, every kind of Boxer and Pug, and every Mastiff.

Mastiffs: big dogs too

The list is not only about small flat-faced dogs. "Mastiff (all breeds)" can cover large breeds such as the Bullmastiff, Cane Corso, Dogue de Bordeaux, Neapolitan Mastiff and English Mastiff, if the health certificate describes them as mastiffs. If your dog is one of these, ask us before you plan.

The checked pet list is longer

Alaska's page for pets as checked baggage has a longer list. On top of the breeds above, it names the Dutch Pug, English Bulldog, French Bulldog, Japanese Mastiff, Japanese Pug, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, "and mixed breeds thereof".

Mixes count

The ban applies to "both purebred and mix-breed animals identified as one of the restricted breeds on the health certificate". The airline goes by what the vet writes on the certificate. A dog described as a boxer mix, a pug cross or a Shih Tzu mix is treated as snub-nosed.

Ask your vet to describe your pet accurately. The rule exists for your pet's safety, so it is not worth trying to get around it.

Breeds the airline's pages disagree on

Alaska has three breed lists on different pages, and they do not match. Some pages also name pit bull types, the American Staffordshire Terrier, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the Bull Terrier, while another says these dogs are accepted. Until the airline settles it, we check these breeds with you before we quote, and price them by hand.

The cabin option

A snub-nosed pet can still fly in the cabin with you, if it meets the cabin rules:

  • A soft-sided carrier up to 17 x 11 x 9.5 inches, under the seat in front of you. No hard kennels in the cabin.
  • At least 8 weeks old and weaned.
  • You are on the same flight. The passenger must be 18 or older, or travel with someone who is.
  • Space for pets in the cabin is limited on each flight, so add your pet to your reservation early.

That works for many Pugs, Shih Tzus, Pekingese, Japanese Chins, small French Bulldogs and snub-nosed cats. It does not work for a Boxer, an English Bulldog of normal size or any mastiff. Full cabin rules in the Alaska Airlines pet policy.

Flying to Hawaii with a snub-nosed pet in the cabin? Hawaii's entry rules still apply: see moving pets to Hawaii.

Snub-nosed breeds: questions

Can snub-nosed dogs fly on Alaska Airlines?
Only in the cabin. Since October 1, 2026, snub-nosed dogs and cats are not accepted in the cargo hold of Alaska, Hawaiian or Horizon aircraft, and they were already not accepted as checked baggage. A small one can fly in the cabin with you if it fits the under-seat carrier.
Can a French Bulldog fly as cargo?
Not on Alaska, Hawaiian or Horizon. "Bulldog (all breeds)" is on the cargo list, and the French Bulldog is named on the checked pet list. A French Bulldog small enough for the cabin carrier can fly in the cabin with you.
Do mixed breeds count as snub-nosed?
Yes. The ban applies to purebred and mixed breed pets identified as one of the listed breeds on the health certificate. If your vet writes "boxer mix" or "pug cross", the airline treats your pet as snub-nosed.
Is the snub-nosed ban temporary?
No end date is given on any of the airline's pages, so we treat it as permanent. The airline also says exceptions cannot be made.
Does the ban cover Hawaiian Airlines flights to Hawaii?
Yes. Hawaiian once allowed snub-nosed pets on its own flights to and from Hawaii. The October 1, 2026 notice names Hawaiian aircraft, so that exception is gone. See the Hawaiian Airlines pet policy.
Can you still move my snub-nosed pet?
Send us the details for a custom quote and we tell you honestly what is possible. If your pet is small enough to fly in the cabin with you, we can help with the carrier, the vet visit and a ride for your pet to SEA: get a price for help when you fly with your pet. We reply within 24 hours.

Last checked against the official pages on October 6, 2026.

Airlines and states change their rules. Always check the official page before you book.

Moving a snub-nosed pet?

Tell us about your pet. We check the breed rules and the cabin option with you, and send you a custom quote.

Ask for a custom quote
Get a price