Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is big, busy and full of connections. Travelling with a pet here can be easy, but good planning is important. DFW has five terminals, many airlines and several pet relief areas. Your pet rules can also change depending on your airline and destination.

The good news
DFW has facilities for pets both before and after security.
Focus on four things
Airline → Carrier → Security → Pet Relief Area

Flying With a Pet at DFW

There is no single pet rule for Dallas Fort Worth Airport. The airline decides how your pet can fly.

Cabin

Best known for small dogs and cats.

Check: carrier size and airline rules
Aircraft Hold

Used by some airlines for larger pets.

Check: weight, kennel and aircraft
Cargo

Often used for large animals or special routes.

Check: cargo booking and destination rules

One important difference in the United States is that many airlines focus on carrier size, not only a simple 8 kg cabin rule. Your carrier normally needs to fit under the seat in front of you.

Airline Pet Fees and Rules at DFW

DFW is home to domestic, European, Asian, Middle Eastern and Latin American airlines. This means pet policies can be very different.

Airline Cabin Pet Main Cabin Rule Larger Pets Current Published Fee / Status
American Airlines Eligible routes Carrier and aircraft rules Limited / Cargo
Cabin: $150
Eligible checked pet: $200
Delta Air Lines Eligible routes Under-seat carrier No normal checked pets
U.S./Canada: $150
International: $200
United Airlines Yes Under-seat carrier No normal passenger hold service Current booking price
Alaska Airlines Yes Carrier-size rules Baggage compartment available
Cabin: $100
Hold: $200
Air Canada Eligible routes Under-seat carrier Hold on eligible routes Route-based
Air France Eligible flights Airline cabin rules Hold up to 75 kg incl. carrier $70–$400
depending on route and travel type
Lufthansa Yes 8 kg incl. carrier Aircraft hold Route / kennel-size based
British Airways No regular pets — Cargo Quote-based
Turkish Airlines Yes 8 kg incl. carrier AVIH Route & weight based
Emirates Generally no — Hold / Cargo
≤23 kg: $500
24–32 kg: $650
32 kg+: $800
Qatar Airways Restricted — Checked pet / Cargo Weight & route based
Japan Airlines No regular international cabin pets — Hold / Cargo Route-based
Korean Air Yes Around 7 kg incl. carrier Aircraft hold Route & weight based
Qantas No regular cabin pets — Cargo Cargo quote
Aeromexico Eligible pets Carrier and route rules Hold on eligible routes Route-based
Avianca Eligible routes Small pet / carrier rules Restrictions apply Route-based
Frontier Airlines Yes Under-seat carrier No normal hold pets $99 one way
jetBlue Yes Small dog/cat in carrier No checked pets $125 each way
Viva Aerobus Eligible routes Airline cabin rules Hold available Route / booking based
Volaris Yes Cabin carrier rules Belly option
Cabin: up to $192
Belly: up to $190

American Airlines Pet Travel at DFW

American Airlines has a very large operation at DFW, so it deserves special attention. For eligible journeys, small pets can travel as carry-on pets.

$150
Cabin Pet Fee
Per kennel on eligible routes
International Limits
Normal carry-on pets are not accepted on every international route.
Larger Animals
Normal checked-pet service is limited and cargo may be required.
DFW → New York
A domestic journey may allow a normal cabin pet on an eligible flight.
DFW → London
The pet options can be completely different because international route restrictions apply.

Taking Your Pet Through TSA

This part surprises many first-time pet travellers. Your pet does not stay inside the carrier when the carrier goes through the X-ray machine.

01
Take Your Pet Out
Remove your pet from the travel carrier.
02
Send the Carrier Through X-Ray
The empty carrier goes through the screening equipment with your other items.
03
Go Through Security With Your Pet
Keep control of your animal while you go through passenger screening.
04
Put Your Pet Back Inside
After screening, place the animal back in its carrier.
Never put the animal through the X-ray machine
If you are worried that your pet may escape when you open the carrier, tell a TSA officer before removing the animal.

Finding Pet Relief Areas at DFW

DFW provides designated pet relief areas inside security, so you do not always need to leave the secure part of the airport during a connection.

Terminal A
A29
Inside security
Terminal B
B28
Inside security
Terminal D
D18
Inside security
Terminal E
E31
Inside security

Outside Security

Terminal Location
A Near A8
C Temporary location in the parking garage near C17
D Near D15 and D29
E Near E2 and E38
Terminal C note: The current outdoor location is temporary because of construction. Pets must also be on a leash while using airport pet-friendly areas.

Finding the Right Terminal at DFW

This is especially important for American Airlines passengers. Do not think:

American Airlines ≠ One Terminal
American flights can operate from different terminals at DFW.
Check Airline Check Flight Check Terminal Check Gate

Do this again on the day of your flight. Knowing the correct terminal is even more useful when travelling with a pet because you may want to find the closest relief area before boarding.

Domestic vs International Pet Travel

Flying Inside the U.S.

For many domestic journeys, your biggest questions are:

  • Does my airline accept my pet?
  • Does the carrier fit?
  • How much is the pet fee?
Flying Internationally

Now there is another layer:

What does the destination country require?

A country may require vaccinations, health documents, microchip information or other entry paperwork.

Airline Rule
How the pet flies
Country Rule
Whether the pet can enter

Bringing a Dog Into the United States

If DFW is your first airport in the United States, the rules become especially important.

CDC Dog Import Form
6+
Months Old
Microchipped
Appear Healthy

All dogs entering or returning to the United States must have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. Dogs must also be at least six months old, microchipped and appear healthy when they arrive.

Where has your dog been?

The dog's travel history during the previous six months matters.

Rabies-Free or Low-Risk Countries

If your dog has only been in these countries, the CDC Dog Import Form is generally the main CDC document required.

High-Risk Countries

Additional vaccination and documentation requirements apply. Some foreign-vaccinated dogs may also need to arrive through an approved airport with a CDC-registered animal care facility.

Connecting Through DFW With a Pet

Mexico City DFW Chicago
Your Pet
Does your pet need a relief break?
Your Terminal
Do you need to move to another terminal?
U.S. Entry Rules
Is DFW where your pet enters the United States?

A layover does not always mean U.S. pet-entry rules can be ignored. Dogs travelling by air may need to meet U.S. import requirements even during a U.S. layover, depending on the journey and how the animal travels.

What to Pack for Your Pet

Do not fill the carrier with too many things. Your pet needs enough safe space.

Leash
Keep it easy to reach before TSA screening and at pet relief areas.
Waste Bags
Keep a few in your hand luggage.
Water
A small water option can be useful during long journeys and connections.
Pet Documents
Keep them with you, not deep inside checked luggage.
Familiar Item
If airline rules allow it, a small familiar item may help during travel.

The carrier itself must still meet your airline's size and safety rules.

Before Security vs After Security

Before Security
01 — Check-in
02 — Pet documents if required
03 — Carrier check
04 — Outdoor relief break if needed
05 — TSA screening
After Security
01 — Check your gate
02 — Find the nearest indoor pet relief area
03 — Give yourself enough boarding time
04 — Keep the pet inside the carrier when required
05 — Board

Five Things to Check Before Leaving Home

1. PET RESERVATION Make sure the airline has accepted your pet.
2. CARRIER Check the airline's maximum dimensions.
3. PRICE Know how much you will pay and where the fee is paid.
4. DOCUMENTS Domestic and international journeys may need different paperwork.
5. DFW TERMINAL Check your terminal again before travelling to the airport.
One extra check can save time
Find your nearest pet relief area before you arrive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, many airlines at DFW accept small dogs and cats in the cabin on eligible flights. Carrier, route and destination restrictions can apply.

There is no single DFW pet fee. Some U.S. airlines charge around $100–$150 for eligible cabin pets, while international hold or cargo transport can cost several hundred dollars.

Yes. DFW provides designated pet relief areas in its terminals, including locations inside security.

Not always. DFW currently lists inside-security pet relief areas at A29, B28, D18 and E31.

The carrier itself must be screened separately. The animal should not go through the X-ray machine.

Yes, on eligible routes. Small pets may travel in the cabin, but route and destination restrictions apply.

Potentially. The options depend heavily on the airline. Some airlines offer hold transport, while others require cargo.

Yes. All dogs entering or returning to the United States need a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. Additional requirements depend on the dog's recent travel history and vaccination status.

Potentially, but U.S. dog-entry requirements may apply during the connection. Your dog's vaccination status and countries visited during the previous six months can also affect the rules.

Extra time is useful because pet check-in, document checks, carrier checks and TSA screening can add steps to your airport journey. Check your airline's recommended arrival time before travelling.