Traveling with a pet from Sioux Falls Regional Airport (FSD) requires thoughtful planning and an understanding of which airlines truly prioritize animal comfort and safety. While Alaska Airlines is frequently celebrated across the country for its pet-friendly service, it does not currently operate out of Sioux Falls. Fortunately, several carriers serving FSD offer reliable options for flying with your dog or cat in the cabin or as cargo. Before you book, compare policies on carrier sizes, fees, health certificates, and temperature restrictions—each airline handles these differently.

An airport scene in Sioux Falls with pet owners and their dogs and cats preparing to board a plane, with city landmarks in the background.

Key Takeaways

  • Frontier, Delta, American, United, and Allegiant are the primary airlines flying pets out of FSD, each with distinct in-cabin and cargo rules.
  • In-cabin fees typically range from $50 to $150 each way, while cargo costs are higher and require special booking.
  • A current health certificate (issued within 10 days of travel) and advance reservations are essential for all carriers.
  • Weather embargoes—extreme heat in summer and bitter cold in winter—can halt cargo travel, so choose flight times and seasons carefully.
  • Sioux Falls’ small size means most trips involve a connection; make sure your itinerary allows enough layover time for pet relief and paperwork checks.

Top Pet-Friendly Airlines Departing Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls Regional Airport is served by five mainline carriers that accept pets, plus Allegiant’s low-cost service. Understanding each airline’s unique approach helps you avoid surprises at check-in.

Frontier Airlines

Frontier is a go-to for budget-conscious travelers flying with small pets from FSD. The airline permits dogs and cats in the cabin only—no cargo option is available. Your pet must remain in a soft-sided carrier that fits under the seat; maximum dimensions are 18” long x 14” wide x 8” high. The pet fee is $99 each way, and only 10 pets are allowed per flight, so early booking is critical. You’ll need a health certificate, though Frontier’s agents rarely ask for it on domestic hops. Still, having it ready avoids stress. Check Frontier’s current pet rules here before purchasing your ticket.

Delta Air Lines

Delta offers the most connectivity from Sioux Falls through its Minneapolis–Saint Paul hub and can handle small pets in the cabin as well as larger animals as cargo. In-cabin pet fees range from $95 to $150 each way depending on your destination. The approved carrier size limit is 19” long x 15” wide x 8” high, though regional jets may enforce a 9” height maximum. Delta’s cargo program, Delta Cargo, provides temperature-controlled holds and dedicated animal handling; book at least 14 days ahead. A health certificate issued within 10 days of travel is mandatory for all pets. Delta restricts snub-nosed dog and cat breeds from flying in cargo, and some aggressive breeds may be denied altogether. Always confirm breed eligibility on Delta’s pet travel page before you book.

American Airlines

American Airlines welcomes small dogs and cats in the cabin on all flights from Sioux Falls, with a fee of $150 each way. The soft-sided carrier must fit entirely under the seat—maximum dimensions 19” long x 13” wide x 9” high. For pets that can’t ride in the cabin, American offers checked pet service (domestic only, fee around $200) and American Airlines Cargo for larger animals. Cargo reservations need to be made well ahead, and spots fill quickly during holidays. American enforces breed restrictions for cargo, especially brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds like Boston Terriers and Persians, and requires a health certificate for every pet. The airline also limits pets per passenger to one, and two pets can share one carrier only if they are the same species and under 20 pounds combined. Visit American’s pet policy page for the latest dimensions and fees.

United Airlines

United flies from Sioux Falls to its Chicago and Denver hubs and offers in-cabin travel for small pets as well as an extensive cargo program called PetSafe. In-cabin fees are $125 each way, and the carrier must fit under the seat (maximum 18” long x 11” wide x 11” high). The PetSafe program is designed for larger animals, featuring climate-controlled vehicles, dedicated animal specialists, and online tracking. It costs considerably more—often $200 to $400 depending on size and route—and must be booked at least a week in advance. United imposes breed restrictions for cargo and may not accept pets when temperatures at any point in the journey fall below 45°F or rise above 85°F, which can be a problem during South Dakota’s harsh winters and hot summers. Always verify weather policies on United’s site before committing.

Allegiant Air

Allegiant’s straightforward pet policy appeals to leisure travelers heading to warm-weather destinations. The airline only permits small cats and dogs in the cabin, with a low fee of $50 per pet each way (fees can vary by route). The soft-sided carrier cannot exceed 19” long x 15” wide x 9” high. Allegiant caps the total number of pets per flight at two, and they must remain with their owners at all times. Because seats sell out fast on popular routes, book your pet’s spot the moment you purchase your ticket. Allegiant does not offer cargo transport, so larger dogs must fly with another carrier that does. You’ll want a health certificate, though domestic flights rarely demand one—just don’t leave home without it.

Beyond picking a carrier, you need to understand the reservation process and paperwork requirements that apply across airlines.

Reservations: Pet spots are limited—most airlines allow only one or two animals per passenger and cap the total number per flight. Reserve your pet’s space at the time of booking, either online or by calling the airline. Some carriers let you add a pet to an existing reservation, but you risk finding zero available slots. Last-minute airport check-in for a pet is almost never permitted.

Carrier Requirements: Each airline publishes exact dimensions for in-cabin carriers. The carrier must be leak-proof, ventilated on at least two sides, and large enough for the pet to stand and turn around. For cargo, you’ll need a hard-sided crate that meets International Air Transport Association (IATA) guidelines. Securely fasten the crate with metal hardware—plastic snaps are usually rejected.

Health Certificates and Vaccinations: A USDA-accredited veterinarian must issue a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (health certificate) within 10 days of travel for most airlines. This document confirms your pet is free of infectious diseases and fit to fly. Up-to-date rabies vaccination records are also required. International trips demand additional endorsements, sometimes through a USDA office. Double-check specific destination requirements on the USDA APHIS pet travel website.

Age and Behavior: Puppies and kittens must be at least 8 weeks old for domestic cabin travel and often 16 weeks for cargo. Aggressive behavior can get your pet denied boarding, so a pre-flight vet visit to discuss mild sedatives or calming aids (if recommended) is wise.

Connecting Flights and International Journeys with Pets

Because Sioux Falls is a regional airport, almost every trip involves a connection. Most passengers connect through Minneapolis (Delta), Chicago O’Hare (American/United), or Denver (United/Frontier). These hubs have dedicated indoor pet relief areas—often just a small room with artificial turf and a waste station—which can relieve your pet during a layover. Plan at least a 90-minute connection to allow time for potty breaks and any gate-side paperwork checks.

If you’re flying internationally from Sioux Falls, you’ll typically connect to a major gateway and then board a foreign-flag carrier that accepts pets. Airlines such as Lufthansa, KLM, British Airways, and Air France handle pets on transatlantic routes, but each has its own crate, weight, and temperature rules. For Africa, South African Airways and Ethiopian Airlines accept pets in cargo; for Asia, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, and Korean Air are among those that do. You’ll need an international health certificate endorsed by the USDA, import permits for the destination country, and possibly a pet passport. Start this paperwork three to six months in advance for countries with strict rabies-free status (like the United Kingdom or Japan). Always call the final airline and confirm your pet is accepted on every leg.

Pre-Travel Preparation Tips for a Stress-Free Journey

Preparation matters as much as picking the right airline. The more comfortable your pet is with the travel routine, the smoother your day will be.

  • Crate training: Weeks before departure, leave the carrier open at home with a soft blanket inside. Reward your pet for entering calmly. Gradually increase crate time until your pet can nap inside without distress.
  • Vet visit: Schedule an appointment close to your travel date—ideally 7–10 days beforehand—to obtain the health certificate and discuss motion sickness or anxiety. Some vets can prescribe a mild anti-nausea medication or a supplement like Zylkene, but never use sedation without professional guidance.
  • Feeding and hydration: Feed your pet a light meal no less than 4 hours before departure to reduce the chance of an upset stomach. Provide water right up until you hand over the carrier, but avoid overfilling. A frozen water bottle attached to the inside of a cargo crate can melt slowly and supply hydration without a spill.
  • Packing a comfort kit: Include a familiar toy, a blanket that smells like home, and a copy of the health certificate and vaccination records. For cargo travel, affix a laminated photo of your pet and your contact details to the top of the crate.
  • Security screening: At the TSA checkpoint, you’ll be asked to remove the pet from the carrier and carry or walk it through the metal detector while the carrier goes through the X-ray machine. A leash and calm demeanour help. Read the TSA’s live animal screening guidelines to know what to expect.

Weather Embargoes and Seasonal Considerations

Sioux Falls experiences extreme temperature swings: sweltering summers and brutal winters. Many airlines will not accept pets as checked baggage or cargo when ground temperatures are predicted to fall below 20°F (–6°C) or exceed 85°F (29°C). In January and February, it’s common for United and Delta to embargo cargo pets departing FSD if the forecast shows dangerous cold. Similarly, a 95°F July afternoon can ground any animal in the hold. Whenever possible, book early-morning or late-evening flights in summer, and midday flights in winter. If you must travel during a borderline weather period, consider a pet taxi service that drives you to a connecting airport with milder conditions, or switch to an airline that allows your pet in the cabin so temperature isn’t a factor.

Pet Relief Areas and Airport Amenities at FSD

Sioux Falls Regional Airport is compact but offers a dedicated outdoor pet relief area located just outside the terminal near the short-term parking lot. It’s a grassy spot with a waste bag dispenser—simple but functional. Before checking in, take your dog for a solid walk here; it may be the last chance for exercise before boarding. There is no indoor relief station post-security, so if you’re flying with a cat, plan to use a portable litter box inside the carrier during a layover only at a connecting hub. The airport website has current terminal maps and amenity updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What airlines allow small dogs in the cabin from Sioux Falls?

Frontier, Delta, American, United, and Allegiant all accept small dogs in an approved carrier that fits under the seat. Each has specific size and weight limits, so always confirm directly with the airline before booking.

How much does it cost to fly with a pet from FSD?

In-cabin fees range from $50 each way on Allegiant to $150 each way on American. Cargo travel runs $200–$400 or more, depending on the pet’s size and the route. Additional charges may apply for international documentation or oversized crates.

Can I fly with a large dog in the cabin?

No. All airlines restrict cabin travel to pets small enough to fit comfortably in a carrier under the seat—typically dogs under 20 pounds. Large dogs must travel as checked baggage (where available) or through a cargo program.

What paperwork is required for domestic pet flights?

A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (health certificate) dated within 10 days of travel is the standard requirement. Proof of rabies vaccination is also advised. Some airlines additionally ask for a completed pet reservation form.

Are there breed restrictions for flying with pets?

Yes, many airlines ban snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds like Bulldogs, Pugs, Shih Tzus, and Persian cats from cargo because of their respiratory vulnerability. In-cabin travel may still be allowed, but always verify. Aggressive or fighting breeds may face outright bans from both cabin and cargo.

Can I bring an emotional support animal (ESA) for free?

Most U.S. airlines no longer recognize Emotional Support Animals as service animals and charge them the same pet fee as other pets. Only trained service dogs (not ESAs) travel free. Check the airline’s latest service animal policy before you book.

Flying with your pet from Sioux Falls doesn’t have to be nerve-racking if you match your animal’s size and temperament to the right carrier and prepare every detail in advance. Start by comparing the in-cabin and cargo options of Frontier, Delta, American, United, and Allegiant, then lock in your pet’s reservation early. Keep a tight hold on health documentation, weather forecasts, and crate training, and you’ll both arrive at your destination ready for adventure.