Flying with your dog

Flying with your dog on Alaska

Here's exactly how to fly with a trained service dog on Alaska Airlines: the forms, the timing, where to submit, and what happens at the gate. It's the same process Danny and his service dog Copper have used on every flight, written plainly so you're not guessing at the counter.

Alaska at a glance

Advance notice: 48 hours (5 days recommended)
Where to submit: https://www.opendoorsnfp.org/service-animal-forms
Good to know: Two-step process. Start 5 days out to avoid stress. Hawaiian Airlines merged into Alaska in 2024. Same policy applies.

The two DOT forms every airline requires

Two official U.S. Department of Transportation forms do the heavy lifting. They are the same for every U.S. airline, Alaska included:

DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form: your dog's health, vaccination, training, and behavior in public. Required for a service animal in the cabin.
DOT Relief Attestation: your plan for your dog's relief needs. Only required for flights of 8 hours or more.

These are not a certification. No U.S. registry certifies service animals, and none is required by law. The forms simply document that your dog is trained for a specific task and behaves appropriately. Paws on Board gives you editable versions with every field pre-explained.

Step by step: flying with your dog on Alaska

Confirm the basics. Your dog is trained to do a specific task related to a disability and behaves calmly in public. Make sure their microchip and rabies vaccination are current. You'll reference them on the forms. (There is no government registry or official certification for service animals in the U.S., and none is required by law.)
Fill out the two DOT forms. The DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form covers your dog's health, vaccination, training, and behavior. Every major U.S. airline requires it. The DOT Relief Attestation is only required for flights of 8 hours or more. Paws on Board pre-explains every field.
Submit to Alaska. Alaska asks for 48 hours (5 days recommended) of advance notice. Submit online at https://www.opendoorsnfp.org/service-animal-forms.
At the gate. Under the Air Carrier Access Act, staff may ask only two things: (1) is the dog required for a disability, and (2) what task is it trained to perform. They can't ask about your diagnosis or demand medical paperwork. Bring copies of your forms as backup.

Copper's tip

Submit Alaska's forms as early as you can, then bring printed copies to the airport anyway. A friendly agent at the counter beats a portal glitch on travel day. And keep it calm and matter-of-fact at the gate. A well-behaved dog at your feet answers most questions before anyone asks.

Flying with a small dog (as a pet) on Alaska

Small dogs can also fly in the cabin as pets on Alaska: a carrier under the seat, a pet fee each way, and a capped number of pet spots per flight, so add the pet to your booking early. No DOT forms. Those are service-animal documents. Check Alaska's own pet page for current fees and carrier dimensions.

Common questions: Alaska

How much advance notice does Alaska need for a service dog?

Alaska asks for 48 hours (5 days recommended) of advance notice. Requirements can change. Always confirm the current window with Alaska before you book.

Where do I submit the DOT forms for Alaska?

Alaska accepts the forms through the Open Doors form (opendoorsnfp.org): https://www.opendoorsnfp.org/service-animal-forms. Bring printed copies to the airport as backup.

Does Alaska charge a pet fee for a service dog?

No. A trained service animal is not a pet under the Air Carrier Access Act, so there's no pet fee and no carrier requirement. Your dog rides in the cabin at your feet. This is not a certification; what matters is that your dog is task-trained and well-behaved.

Can Alaska ask whether my dog is really a service animal?

Alaska staff may ask only two questions under the ACAA: is the dog required because of a disability, and what task is it trained to perform. They may not ask about your specific disability or require medical documentation.

Can a small dog fly on Alaska without being a service animal?

Yes, as a pet in the cabin: a carrier under the seat, a pet fee each way, and a limited number of pet spots per flight, so add the pet to your booking early. No DOT forms. Those are service-animal documents. Confirm current fees and carrier sizes on Alaska's pet page.

Want this handled for you? Paws on Board fills the DOT forms, tracks Alaska's deadline, and lets you ask Copper anything about flying Alaska, for free.

Become a member, it's free

Not legal advice, and not a certification of anything. Airline requirements change. Always verify the current rules directly with Alaska before you fly. Policy details verified August 25, 2026. See all airlines →