Alaska and Hawaiian tighten cargo-hold rules for short-nosed pets

Check breed acceptance before choosing the flight

From October 1, 2026, specified short-nosed dogs and cats are no longer accepted in the cargo hold of Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air aircraft. Alaska Air Cargo’s notice was updated on October 2.

The restriction affects route planning for families whose pet would otherwise travel below the passenger cabin. An earlier booking assumption should be checked against the airline’s current policy before the journey is finalised.

Which pets and travel options are affected?

The published list includes all Bulldog, Boxer, Mastiff and Pug breeds, alongside other named short-nosed dogs. Restricted cats are Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan and Persian. Review the complete official list for the individual animal.

The airline’s linked customer notice covers purebred and mixed-breed animals identified as a restricted breed on the health certificate and says exceptions cannot be made. Its current policy does not retain the Hawaii cargo exception found in older material.

Eligible pets may still travel in the passenger cabin when all applicable pet and carrier requirements are met. This requires its own acceptance check; the cargo restriction does not create a cabin booking or change the available space.

Our planning recommendation

Share the pet’s breed, measurements, weight and proposed itinerary before committing to passenger flights. Ask for acceptance to be assessed across the full route, including any connection and the airline operating each segment.

If cargo travel is unavailable, assess a suitable alternative around the animal’s needs and the owner’s plans. Discuss fitness to travel with the veterinarian and check the practical carrier fit before pursuing an in-cabin option.

Keep the airline’s written acceptance information with the travel file and revisit it if the route changes. For a relocation quote, provide the complete journey rather than a single flight, so the departure, connections and arrival handover can be considered together.

Plan the full journey

Assess the individual dog, operating airline and route before choosing a travel format.

Read our Large dogs and breed restrictions for preparation steps and official sources.

Read the official sources

• Alaska Air Cargo: October short-nosed breed restriction notice
• Alaska Air Cargo: current Pet Connect restrictions
• Alaska Air Cargo: official customer communication linked from the notice
• Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines: pet travel

Sources checked October 11, 2026. Requirements can change. Confirm the instructions for your departure country and travel date with the relevant authority.

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