Summer heat and pet embargoes

The 45°F to 85°F rule

Pets in the cargo hold wait on the ground before and after the flight: at the cargo building, on the ramp, during loading. That is when heat is the biggest risk. So Alaska Airlines generally accepts pets only when the forecast is between 45°F and 85°F at every airport on the trip.

• Above 85°F at departure, a connection or arrival: pets are not accepted that day.
• Below 45°F: pets can fly with a vet acclimation letter, issued within 10 days of the flight.

This applies to pets flying on their own as cargo. Pets in the cabin are not covered by it.

The summer season

On top of the daily rule, the airline publishes a list of stations with summer limits. The season "generally runs from May 1 through October 16", about May 1 to October 16. Some cities take no pets at all on set dates (a full embargo). Others take pets only when the forecast stays at 85°F or below. Some limits apply only one way, to pets arriving or to pets leaving.

Seattle itself has no summer limit. What matters is the city at the other end.

Full summer closures on our routes

These cities take no pets in the cargo hold on these dates:

• Dallas (June 1 to September 15)
• Chicago (June 1 to September 15)
• Austin (June 1 to September 15)
• Las Vegas (May 1 to September 30)
• Miami (May 1 to October 15)
• Atlanta (June 1 to October 1, leaving only)

If your move falls inside one of these windows, the choices are to move your pet before it starts or after it ends, or, for a small pet, to fly together in the cabin.

What we do about the heat

From May to mid October, Alaska does not fly pets in the cargo hold when it is forecast to be over 85°F at an airport on the trip, and some cities close to pets for part of the summer. We choose early flights and check the forecast before we confirm.

• Early flights. Mornings are cooler at both ends. In summer we look for early departures first.
• Forecast checks. We check the forecast at both airports before we confirm, and again close to the day.
• Nearest dates. If your date falls in a closure, our quote form tells you, and we suggest the nearest dates that work.
• A plan B. A hot day can still cancel a booking. We tell you straight away and move the pickup to the next workable flight.

Snub-nosed breeds are the most at risk in heat, and since October 1, 2026 they cannot fly in the cargo hold at all. See snub-nosed breeds and flying.

Flying with your pet in summer

For pets as checked baggage on your flight, the airline may decline them in extreme heat, and posts dated heat advisories for some airports, such as Dallas, Austin, Houston and Palm Springs. Pets in the cabin are still accepted on those flights. Check the airline's travel advisories before you fly. See the Alaska Airlines pet policy.

Storms and short notices

The airline can also stop pet travel at short notice for weather, such as a tropical storm in Hawaii. These notices usually last a day or two. We check the airline's notices before every booking and again before the flight.

Winter: the cold side of the rule

No dated winter embargo is published, but the 45°F floor matters on flights to and from Alaska. In the colder months a vet acclimation letter is often needed for flights to and from Alaska (when it is below 45°F at an airport on the trip). The vet can add it at the health certificate visit. See moving pets to Alaska.