So, flying with a pet. It sounds like a dream—your little companion peering out the window at 30,000 feet—but the reality of the Horizon Air Pet Policy is usually more about measuring a crate for the nineteenth time and wondering if that $100 fee actually pays for anything other than the privilege of being stressed. Look, Horizon Air (the regional arm of Alaska Airlines) is actually one of the more "pet-friendly" options out there, but that’s like saying a root canal is "patient-friendly" because they give you a sticker afterward. It’s still a process. It’s still messy. And if the carrier is a half-inch too tall? Good luck.

The Reservation Roulette: Call, Don't Click

Don't even think about just showing up at the airport with a cat and a prayer. Horizon Air has some of the tightest limits in the sky because their planes—mostly those snappy Embraer 175s—don't have much room to spare. In First Class? Only one pet is allowed. Total. One. In the Main Cabin? You’re looking at a maximum of five.

If those spots are gone, they’re gone. The system won't always tell you this during a web checkout, either. The move—the seasoned, "I've-been-stuck-in-SeaTac-for-six-hours" move—is to book the human ticket and then immediately get on the horn with their reservations line (800-252-7522). Do it within 24 hours so you can cancel the whole thing for a refund if the pet "quota" is already hit. Waiting until the day of travel is basically begging to be left at the gate while the plane pulls away with your dignity.

Horizon Air Pet Policy: The In-Cabin Essentials

What actually counts as a "pet" in the eyes of the gate agent? For 2026, it’s strictly the classics. We’re talking dogs and cats. (There was a time when rabbits and household birds were part of the crew, but unless that ticket was bought ages ago, the "exotics" are mostly relegated to the cargo hold or stay-at-home status).

• The Age Gate: The pet has to be at least 8 weeks old.

• The "One per Customer" Rule: Technically, you can bring two carriers if you buy an extra seat, but who has that kind of money in this economy?

• The Weight Limit: 20 pounds. That’s for the pet plus the carrier. If the dog has been hitting the kibble a little too hard, it’s time for a diet or a different airline.

The Fee (Or, Why Your Dog is an Expensive Carry-On)

Expect to drop $100 each way. That’s $200 for a round trip. It’s a flat fee, doesn't matter if the flight is forty-five minutes from Portland to Redmond or a cross-country haul under the Alaska banner.

• Payment: You pay at the check-in counter.

• The Catch: This isn't an "extra" bag. This is the bag. A pet carrier counts as the carry-on. You get the carrier and one small personal item (like a purse or a laptop bag that actually fits under your own feet). If you show up with a roller bag, a backpack, and a dog? Someone’s going to have a talk with you about "checked bag fees."

The "Under the Seat" Squeeze: Carrier Dimensions

This is where the drama usually happens. Horizon Air flies regional jets. Regional jets are small. The space under the seat is... optimistic at best.

See that 7.5-inch height for hard-sided? That is microscopic. Unless the dog is a literal pancake, go with a soft-sided carrier. Most agents are cool with a soft carrier that’s a little "squishy" because it can compress under the seat frame. But if it’s a rigid plastic box and it sticks out into the aisle? The flight attendants will be on you faster than a seagull on a French fry.

The pet has to be able to stand up and turn around. If the poor thing is folded like a piece of origami just to fit the dimensions, the agent has the right to deny boarding. It’s a "welfare" thing, but it’s also a "we-don't-want-to-deal-with-this-at-30,000-feet" thing.

The Terminal Hustle: Security and Check-In

Forget the kiosk. When flying with a pet under the Horizon Air Pet Policy, one must visit the full-service counter. They need to see the pet, check the carrier, collect the $100, and give you that little tag that says "Yes, I paid my pet tax."

Then there’s TSA.

The carrier goes through the X-ray. The pet does not. You have to take the animal out—which is always fun when a cat is terrified and has claws like steak knives—and walk through the metal detector with them. Pro tip: Make sure the harness has no metal, or you’re going to be that person getting a secondary pat-down while holding a squirming Maltese.

The Reality of the Regional Cabin

Since Horizon is mostly E175 aircraft, the "middle seat" doesn't exist. It’s a 2-2 configuration. This is actually a win. There’s no middle-seat-stranger to judge your dog’s heavy breathing. However, the under-seat space on the "A" side (the single seats or the left side) can sometimes be narrower than the "D" side. If there's a choice, aim for the right side of the plane.

• No Bulkheads: You can't sit in the front row. There’s no seat in front of you to put the pet under.

• No Exit Rows: Obviously. In an emergency, no one wants to trip over a Bichon Frise.

Behavior and "The Smell Test"

The policy is pretty clear: if the pet is disruptive, they don't fly. "Disruptive" is a broad term. Excessive barking? Problem. Growling at the lady in 4B? Problem.

And then there's the odor. If the pet or the carrier smells... let’s say "unrefined," the airline can say no. It’s worth the extra effort to make sure the absorbent padding in the carrier is fresh. Accidents happen—nerves do weird things to an animal’s bladder—so over-pack those puppy pads. Tuck a few extra into the side pocket of the carrier. You’ll thank yourself when you’re mid-flight over the Cascades and things get "fragrant."

What About Checked Pets?

Sometimes the dog is just too big. Horizon does allow pets in the "baggage compartment" (the hold), but it’s a different beast entirely.

• The Cost: $150 each way (Wait—heads up: for flights after January 2, 2026, this jumps to $200).

• The Safety Check: They won't fly checked pets if it's too hot or too cold. If the temp at the departure or arrival city is outside the 45°F to 85°F range, the pet stays on the ground.

• The Breeds: Brachycephalic (short-nosed) dogs like Pugs, Bulldogs, or Boxers? Absolutely not. They can’t breathe well in the hold. They are "in-cabin only" or they stay home.

The "Paperwork" Myth vs. Reality

For a standard domestic flight within the lower 48, Horizon usually doesn't demand a formal health certificate for in-cabin pets. That said, if the flight is headed to Hawaii or Alaska, the rules change instantly.

Traveling to Alaska requires a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI). Hawaii is its own circle of bureaucratic hell with rabies titers and quarantine rules that require months of planning. Don't just wing it. If the destination isn't the contiguous U.S., get a vet involved at least 30 days out.

A Few "Unfiltered" Tips for the Road

1. Skip the Sedatives: Most vets (and the airline) advise against heavy sedation. Changes in pressure and altitude can mess with a sedated pet’s heart and breathing. A little CBD or "calming" treat might be okay, but check with the vet first.

2. The "Water" Trick: Don't fill a bowl of water in the carrier; it’ll just spill and soak the dog. Freeze a small bowl of water the night before. It’ll melt slowly during the trip, giving them a lickable source of hydration that doesn't create a swamp.

3. The Window Seat: It’s usually more private and gives the pet a corner away from the foot traffic in the aisle.

Is It Worth It?

Look, Horizon Air tries. They really do. They have a "Pet Check" system where they’ll actually tell you when your pet has been loaded into the hold (if you're checking them), which is a nice touch of sanity in an insane process. But flying with a pet is never "easy." It’s an exercise in logistics, a test of patience, and a $200 dent in the travel budget.

But when that little head pops out of the mesh at the baggage claim (not during the flight—keep that zipper shut, the FAs will narc on you), and you realize you don't have to pay a kennel fee for the week? It almost feels worth it. Almost.