09/03/2026
Sharing important information from IPM
Effective October 1, 2026, Alaska Airlines/Hawaiian Airlines will no longer allow the following breeds to travel as cargo or checked as excess baggage.
We understand there is inherent risk in flying brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds — that risk is real, and it's something we take seriously every single day. But that risk can be, and regularly is, safely managed. With the right precautions — proper acclimation, temperature controls, kennel sizing, health screening, and experienced handling — these breeds can and do fly safely.
A blanket ban doesn't make pets safer. It just takes away options for families who rely on air travel to relocate, reunite, or bring their pets home — and it does so without input from the people who understand this risk best: professional pet shippers and veterinarians who work in pet transport every day.
We're asking Alaska Airlines to pause, reconsider, and open a real dialogue with the professionals and veterinarians in this industry before this policy takes effect. These breeds deserve thoughtful, evidence-based solutions — not a blanket exclusion.
