JetBlue Pet Policy 2026: Fees, Carrier Size and the Routes Where Pets Are Banned

JetBlue Pet Policy at a Glance

Source: JetBlue's official pet policy, JetBlue's pet help page, checked October 11, 2026.

What Most Sites Get Wrong

• "Pets can fly to the Dominican Republic and most of Latin America."JetBlue bans pets on flights to and from Puerto Plata, Punta Cana, Santo Domingo and Santiago, along with Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras and Trinidad and Tobago. Those are a big share of JetBlue's Caribbean and Latin American network.
• "Codeshare flights with American are fine."JetBlue doesn't accept pets on any interline or codeshare booking, regardless of where or how it was made.
• "Pets must stay under the seat the whole flight."Only for taxi, takeoff and landing. In between, you can hold the carrier on your lap, or put it on an extra seat if you bought one. The pet still never leaves the carrier.
• "Book by phone only."You can add a pet on jetblue.com, in the JetBlue app, or by phone, and pay with cash or TrueBlue points.
• "Large dogs can fly if you buy them a seat."No large dogs are accepted on JetBlue at all. An extra seat only gives a small pet's carrier somewhere to sit during cruise.

Source: JetBlue's official pet policy, JetBlue's pet help page, checked October 11, 2026.

Fees and How You Pay

• Add the pet in the Extras section during booking, or later in Manage Trips.
• You can pay the fee with TrueBlue points any time before check-in, in Manage Trips on jetblue.com or My Trips in the app.
• A round trip with one pet costs $300.

Source: JetBlue's official pet policy, JetBlue's pet help page, checked October 11, 2026.

Carrier Size and Bags

The carrier can be no larger than 17 x 12.5 x 8.5 inches (43.18 x 31.75 x 21.59 cm). It must be FAA-approved, have a leak-proof bottom, be well ventilated and not allow escape. Soft-sided and hard-sided carriers are both accepted. One pet per carrier, and the pet must be able to stand up, turn around and move easily inside it when it's closed.

At 8.5 inches, JetBlue's height limit is the lowest of the major U.S. airlines. A soft carrier sized for Delta or United (11 inches high) is too tall here.

Source: JetBlue's official pet policy, JetBlue's pet help page, checked October 11, 2026.

Seats, Extra Seats and Onboard Rules

• No pets in Mint, emergency exit rows, bulkhead seats or any seat restricted for under-seat stowage. JetBlue recommends a window or aisle seat.
• For taxi, takeoff and landing, the carrier goes under the seat in front of you.
• During the flight, you can hold the carrier on your lap.
• If you bought an extra seat, you can put the carrier on it during the flight. The pet can't sit on the seat itself.
• The pet stays inside the zipped carrier at the airport and on board. You can unzip it to feed or help the pet.
• Unaccompanied minors can't travel with a pet.

Source: JetBlue's official pet policy, JetBlue's pet help page, checked October 11, 2026.

Where JetBlue Won't Fly Your Pet

JetBlue accepts pets on all domestic flights. It does not accept pets on flights to or from:

Pets also can't fly on interline or codeshare bookings. For the rest of JetBlue's international network, the destination's own entry rules apply. JetBlue suggests starting the import process at least 30 days before travel. For Colombia, our Colombia entry guide covers airlines that do take pets there, such as Avianca.

Source: JetBlue's official pet policy, JetBlue's pet help page, checked October 11, 2026.

How to Book Your Pet on JetBlue

1. 1
   Check the route. Not to or from any country on the list above, and not a codeshare or interline ticket.
2. 2
   Book a seat in Main. Not Mint, not an exit row or bulkhead. Window or aisle is recommended.
3. 3
   Add the pet early. In Extras during booking, in Manage Trips, in the app or by phone. Only 6 pets fly per flight.
4. 4
   Pay $150 with cash or TrueBlue points, before check-in.
5. 5
   Check in online, in the app or at a kiosk from 24 hours before departure, once the pet is confirmed and paid.

Source: JetBlue's official pet policy, JetBlue's pet help page, checked October 11, 2026.

At the Airport

• JetPaws tag: go to the full-service counter, or ask a crewmember in the self-service lobby, for the JetPaws bag tag for your carrier.
• Security: you hold your pet and walk through screening while the carrier is inspected. The pet never goes through the X-ray. If you can't hold it, the pet gets a secondary screening.
• Relief areas: locations vary, and you may have to leave and re-clear security. JFK Terminal 5 has two pet relief areas.

Source: JetBlue's official pet policy, JetBlue's pet help page, checked October 11, 2026.

International Paperwork

• Into the U.S. with a dog: every dog must look healthy, be at least 6 months old, be microchipped with proof, and have a completed CDC Import Form receipt. Dogs from CDC high-risk rabies countries need more documents, and the port of entry depends on vaccination status.
• Cats must appear healthy.
• Mexico: since August 3, 2026, dogs need a New World Screwworm Inspection Certificate signed by a USDA-accredited vet no more than 5 days before arrival. Dogs without it can be refused entry and sent back.
• Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands require vaccination documents for pets.

Source: JetBlue's official pet policy, JetBlue's pet help page, checked October 11, 2026.

Service Dogs and Emotional Support Animals

Trained service animals fly free and don't travel in a carrier. JetBlue handles requests through Open Doors Organization, in a two-step process that must be done at least 48 hours before the flight. JetBlue no longer accepts emotional support animals. A small dog or cat can still fly as a regular pet, with the $150 fee and carrier rules.

Source: JetBlue's official pet policy, checked October 11, 2026.

JetBlue vs Delta vs American vs Southwest

JetBlue's lowest carrier height limits which pets fit, but it's the only one of the four where you can pay online or with points and keep the carrier on your lap or an extra seat during the flight. For the Dominican Republic with a pet, American is the only one of the four that flies pets there in both directions.

Sources: JetBlue's official pet policy, Delta's official pet policy, American's official pet policy, Southwest's official pet policy, checked October 11, 2026.

JetBlue Pet Policy FAQ

JetBlue Pet Travel Checklist

• Small dog or cat that stands and turns around in a 17 x 12.5 x 8.5 in carrier
• Route isn't to or from Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Trinidad and Tobago, the U.K. or Europe
• Ticket is all JetBlue, no codeshare or interline
• Seat in Main, not Mint, exit row or bulkhead
• Pet added early (6 per flight), $150 paid in cash or points
• Second pet? Second carrier, second seat, second fee
• Not traveling as an unaccompanied minor
• JetPaws tag collected at the airport
• Dogs to Mexico: NWS Inspection Certificate within 5 days
• Dogs into the U.S.: 6 months old, microchip, CDC Import Form receipt

Every rule on this page was checked against JetBlue's official pet policy and its help pages on October 11, 2026. Airlines change pet rules without notice, so check the official page again in the week you fly.