You Can Finally Bring Your Rabbit on a Plane Again With This Airline
For a while, rabbit owners who needed to fly ran into a problem. Most airlines treated rabbits differently from cats and dogs, which meant in-cabin travel options were extremely limited. Then, in 2025, one of the only airlines that had allowed rabbits in the cabin ended that policy, which left owners with even fewer options.
Now, that option is back. Alaska Airlines has reversed its earlier decision and once again allows domesticated rabbits to travel in the passenger cabin on eligible flights. The change returned mid-January 2026 and reopened a travel option that had briefly disappeared for rabbit owners across the United States.
The Policy That Disappeared And Then Came Back
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Alaska Airlines originally removed rabbits from in-cabin travel eligibility around June 2025. The move drew strong feedback from customers, especially from rabbit owners who relied on cabin travel rather than cargo transport.
After months of customer outreach and public pressure campaigns from rabbit advocacy groups, the airline reversed course. By January 14, 2026, rabbits were once again permitted in the cabin, as long as standard pet travel rules are followed.
For many rabbit owners, the change restored one of the only reliable ways to fly with their pets without placing them in cargo.
Where Rabbits Are Allowed To Fly Right Now
The current policy is specific. Rabbits can fly in the passenger cabin on flights within the continental United States and Alaska. That includes most domestic routes the airline operates.
There are still restrictions. Rabbits are not allowed on flights to Hawaii, and they are not currently permitted on international routes. Those routes still follow stricter animal transport rules that typically only include cats and dogs.
At the moment, Alaska remains one of the only major U.S. airlines offering this type of in-cabin rabbit travel.
What Flying With A Rabbit Actually Requires
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Rabbit travel has always been a niche area in airline policy, but Alaska Airlines treats rabbits under its standard in-cabin pet program. They must travel inside a soft-sided carrier that fits under the seat in front of the passenger. Pet space must be reserved in advance because flights have a limited number of animal spots available.
Fees typically range between USD 100 and USD 200 each way, depending on the route and travel details. There are also capacity limits across the aircraft. First class can usually accommodate up to three pet carriers total, while the main cabin typically allows up to eight. These spots are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
Why Options Are Still Limited
Even with the policy back in place, rabbit-friendly air travel remains rare. Most major airlines have not updated their rules to include rabbits in cabin programs. Route restrictions also mean that rabbit owners still have fewer travel choices than dog and cat owners.
For now, the return of this policy gives rabbit owners a mainstream airline option that allows them to keep their pet with them during the flight. It’s something they have not had consistently in years. And for many travelers, that makes all the difference when planning a trip.