Pet Policy

Please note: Pet policies are different based on the type of operation and aircraft utilized.

DORNIER 328 JET and Embraer EMB-145

Pets

Denver Air Connection (DAC) does not accept pets traveling without a passenger on the same flight. DAC does not accept pets for transport in the cargo compartment.

DAC will allow small vaccinated cats, dogs, and rabbits to travel in the cabin accompanied by an adult ticketed passenger. Pets traveling in the cabin must be carried in an approved hard sided or soft sided kennel. Only one pet per kennel, and only one pet per adult ticketed passenger. The kennel must be large enough for the animal to be able to stand up and turn around comfortably. The kennel must be able to fit completely beneath the seat in front of the passenger. The animal must remain completely inside the kennel with the door secured at all times while in the boarding area and on board the aircraft. Pets must be at least 8 weeks old, healthy and able to withstand air travel.

DAC reserves the right to refuse acceptance of any animal exhibiting aggressive or disruptive behavior, undesirable odor or other characteristics that appear incompatible with air travel.

Passengers traveling with a pet in the cabin may not sit in an exit row seat, or a bulkhead seat.

Pets must travel on the same flight as the customer responsible for them.

Customer is responsible for complying with all applicable state and country entry requirements.

Pets are subject to a $50 non-refundable fare each way. Reservations with in-cabin pets must be booked through the call center. The number of in-cabin pets per flight is limited. Failure to provide advance notice of your in-cabin pet may result in your pet being denied boarding. Pet fares are non-refundable. Your in-cabin pet is considered a carry-on item. Any additional baggage must be checked, and is subject to all applicable fees.

Denver Air Connection assumes no liability for the health or wellbeing of in-cabin pets. In case of emergency, oxygen service is not available for pets. If your pet becomes ill during flight, DAC will not provide first aid or oxygen to your pet.

Denver Air Connection will not accept pet remains in the cabin of the aircraft.

All pet carriers are subject to TSA search and screening, as well as airport authority and/or air carrier searches. Allow extra time for check-in and boarding when traveling with in-cabin pets. Denver Air Connection is not responsible if a customer misses a flight due to taking a pet to an outside relief area.

Service Animals

Service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. Qualified individuals with a disability are only permitted to travel with a maximum of two service animals The prime deterrent effects of an animal’s presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition. §36.104

Denver Air Connection welcomes trained service animals accompanying passengers aboard our flights, provided they are not too large to safely accommodate in the aircraft cabin. Service animals are not required to travel in a pet carrier, however, if you choose to carry your service animal in a pet carrier, that carrier must be properly stowed for taxi, takeoff and landing.

Passengers traveling with service animals may not sit in an exit row seat. Service animals may be placed on the aircraft floor, or if the animal is no larger than a child under the age of 2, the animal may travel on the passenger’s lap. Animals cannot be placed on an aircraft seat. Animals on the floor must be positioned so as not to obstruct passengers’ expeditious evacuation in the unlikely event of an emergency.

In December 2020, the U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT) created new rules regarding the transportation of service animals by air. In that rule the DOT allows air carriers to require passengers traveling with service animals to provide the air carrier with service animal documentation using a form provided by the DOT. If you are traveling with a service animal, please notify our call center at least 24 hours in advance and submit a completed copy of the DOT form located here: https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2020-12/Service Animal Health Behavior Training Form.pdf

Helpful Travel Reminders

  • Service animals must be properly harnessed or leashed and remain under the direct control of you or the dog handler at all times.
  • The animal must behave properly in public and should follow directions from its owner.
  • Dog must be a minimum age of 4 months for acceptance on Denver Air Connection.
  • The animal is required to occupy the customer’s personal space.
  • The animal should not extend into the aisles or into another customer’s personal space.
  • You will not be able travel within 30 days of your animal’s rabies vaccination.
  • If you have any questions or special requirements, contact the Denver Air Connection’s Reservations Office at 1-866-373-8513

Emotional Support Animals

No emotional support animals will be transported after February 28, 2021. Denver Air Connection is committed to ensuring safe and accessible travel experiences for all of our customers.

METRO 23 (FLIGHTS TO/FROM ALLIANCE, MCCOOK, CORTEZ)

For flights aboard the Metro 23 aircraft, the following policy applies:

Due to the size of this aircraft, pets are not allowed to be carried in the cabin. Service animals are permitted in the cabin, provided they can be safely accommodated. Passengers with service animals must not sit in an exit seat.

Pets may be transported in the cargo compartment, subject to the following restrictions:

    1. The animal must be a warm blooded animal, less than 75 lbs.
    2. The animal must not be dangerous
    3. The animal must be healthy enough to withstand air travel.
    4. The animal must be enclosed in a hard sided kennel
    5. The kennel must be sturdy, properly ventilated, and, most importantly, must be large enough for the animal to freely sit and stand with its head erect, turn around, and lie down in a normal posture. To prevent accidental injury, no part of the animal’s body can protrude through any openings in the kennel. For this reason, kennels made exclusively from wire are not accepted.
    6. The kennel must be secured in such a manner that the animal cannot escape during normal handling.
    7. The name, address, and phone number of the animal’s owner and the name of the animal must be written on, or otherwise affixed to the outside of the kennel.
    8. The kennel must contain adequate absorptive material so that urine and feces will be contained.
    9. The animal must be declared to Denver Air Connection at the time of check-in.
    10. Denver Air Connection may refuse to transport any animal if in the opinion of the Denver Air Connection, the animal cannot be safely transported.

Denver Air Connection will not be liable for illness or injury to an animal, the exacerbation of any preexisting illness or injury, or death of an animal due to illness or injury when the animal has been handled by Denver Air Connection with ordinary standards of safety and care or when Denver Air Connection has acted in the best interests of the entire flight such as in an emergency, a force majeure event, or other circumstances beyond Denver Air Connection’s control. In case of emergency, oxygen service will not be available for pets.