When transporting a pet by Air Mobility Command, it is extremely important to understand their pet policy. It is important to know the answers to all your questions before making your decision to fly your pet on any airline. Can my pet fly in the cabin on Air Mobility Command? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on Air Mobility Command? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for Air Mobility Command? All your answers related to Air Mobility Command pet policy are answered below.
Changing your mode of transportation from a commercial airline to Air Mobility Command will incur new charges. Other airlines will not interline your pet to a flight operated by Air Mobility Command.
Classes of service offered to pets by commercial airlines
- In-Cabin: Pets traveling in the cabin must fly with an adult passenger and travel in an airline compliant
carrier stowed under the seat. - Checked Baggage: Pets traveling with a passenger that are not permitted in the cabin due to size or breed can be transported as checked baggage in the cargo hold.
- Air Cargo: Unaccompanied, very large pets or pets flying to countries that require that pets enter under air cargo will travel as manifest cargo in the hold.
Can my pet fly with me in the cabin? Yes (PCS Status only)
Can my pet fly with me as checked baggage? Yes (PCS Status only)
Can my pet fly as manifest cargo? No
Air Mobility Command Pet Policy – In Cabin
If your dog or cat meets the requirements listed in Air Mobility Command’s pet policy to fly in the cabin, it will need an airline-compliant pet carrier unless you are flying with a service dog who is trained to assist you in a task required to address a physical or medical disability.
Pets flown by Air Mobility Command in the cabin
Dogs and cats can fly with their owners on Air Mobility Command flights. There is a limit of two pets per family on each flight. Owners must accompany their pets on the flight. Pets must be clean, healthy, harmless and mannerly.
Reservations
Pet owners must notify Traffic Management Office/Installation Transportation Office to make a reservation for a pet. Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis, so it is best to make your reservations as early as possible. Contact the local transportation office or AMC Passenger Terminal for more information.
Age requirements
Pets must be at least 8 weeks of age to fly on Air Mobility Command.
Pet carrier requirements
Your pet’s carrier must:
- Have adequate ventilation on at least 3 sides (domestic) or 4 sides (international)
- Be large enough for your pet to stand up and turn around comfortably
- Be able to accommodate your entire pet. No part of your pet can extend out of the carrier
- Be able to fit under the seat in front of you
- Have a waterproof bottom and absorbent pet pad
- Have secure fasteners (heavy duty zippers are recommended)
The maximum dimensions for pet carriers flown in the cabin are 18″L x 11″W x 10.5″H so the carrier can fit under the seat comfortably. Only one pet per carrier is permitted unless two small dogs or cats over 8 weeks and under 6 months or age of the same species, under 20 pounds each, and known to each other can be carried in the same carrier if there is adequate room. Pets must remain in their carriers for the duration of the flight.
Related: Selecting a pet carrier that is airline compliant
Forms required
All permits, licenses, test results as well as rabies and health certificates must be presented at check in.
The passenger assumes full responsibility and expense for complying with applicable laws, customs and/or other governmental regulations, requirements, or restrictions of the country, state or territory to and from which your pet is being transported. Upon arrival, health certificates, import permits, and other papers may be required by local authorities depending upon the route on which your pet is traveling.
Related: Regulations and forms required to import a pet to over 220 countries
Check in
Check-in time for AMC flights at Baltimore/Washington International Airport is no later than 2 hours and 20 minutes prior to flight departure. Check-in time for AMC flights at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is no later than 3 hours and 20 minutes prior to flight departure.
Pet owners flying on Patriot Express flights can check their pets in up to 6 hours prior to departure; however, they must retain
custody of their pets until 45 minutes before departure. Note that all pets must remain in their kennel or shipping container while in public or terminal areas.
Related: How to clear airport security with a pet
Pet fee
The fee to fly your pet on Air Mobility Command is $125 at the time of publishing. Prices can change.
Service dog pet policy
All service dogs may fly in the cabin at no charge. They must be trained by a person or organization that specializes in service dog training to provide specific tasks for a person with a disability. Notice must be provided to the airline at least 48 hours prior to departure.
Service dogs must be suitably marked, harnessed and leashed. They must fit in the space provided at their passenger’s feet without intruding on cabin operations or other passengers. They will not be seated in exit rows. They must be clean, mannerly and not show any signs of aggression toward other passengers or the flight crew.
Department of Transportation form and a Relief Attestation Form must be completed and submitted at least 48 hours prior to departure. To complete the form, the following information will be required:
- Your veterinarian’s name and contact number
- Rabies vaccination date and expiration
- Trainer’s name/organization and contact number
All required documentation required for the destination country must be provided at check in.
All service dogs are subject to the same requirements as regular dogs when traveling internationally.
Air Mobility Command Pet Policy – Checked Baggage
If the size of your pet is too large to fit in an airline-compliant pet carrier, or it is a pet other than a cat or dog, it will be transported as checked baggage on Air Mobility Command if it is flying with an adult passenger. This section of the cargo department has the same temperature and pressure as the passenger cabin.
Live animals are checked in by reservation employees and are checked in at the airport terminal. The airline will move your pet between aircraft in their fleet during layovers if the layover is not over about 3 hours in length.
Note: Space is limited on Patriot Express flights.
Pets flown by Air Mobility Command as checked baggage
Animals allowed: dogs and cats. Minimum weight of your pet and its crate is 150 pounds.
Reservations
Pet owners must notify Traffic Management Office/Installation Transportation Office to make a reservation for a pet. Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis, so it is best to make your reservations as early as possible. Contact the local transportation office or AMC Passenger Terminal for more information.
Age requirements
Pets must be a minimum of 8 weeks of age to fly as checked baggage.
Pet crate requirements
All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For more information, see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS below.
Forms Required
The passenger assumes full responsibility and expense for complying with applicable laws, customs and/or other governmental regulations, requirements, or restrictions of the country, state or territory to and from which your pet is being transported. Upon arrival, health certificates, import permits, and other papers may be required by local authorities depending upon the route on which your pet is traveling.
Related: Regulations and forms required to import a pet to over 220 countries
Check in
Check-in time for AMC flights at Baltimore/Washington International Airport is no later than 2 hours and 20 minutes prior to flight departure. Check-in time for AMC flights at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is no later than 3 hours and 20 minutes prior to flight departure.
Pet owners flying on Patriot Express flights can check their pets in up to 6 hours prior to departure; however, they must retain
custody of their pets until 45 minutes before departure. Note that all pets must remain in their kennel or shipping container while in public or terminal areas.
Fees
- The combined weight of ≤70 lbs will be charged $125 (one piece of excess baggage).
- The combined weight of 71-140 lbs will be charged $250 (two pieces of excess baggage).
- The combined weight of 141-150 lbs will be charged $375 (three pieces of excess baggage).
Air Mobility Command Pet Policy – Air Cargo
Air Mobility Command does not fly pets not accompanied by their owners. If the weight of a pet and its crate exceeds 150 lbs. it will not be accepted.
Air Mobility Command Pet Crate Requirements
All pet crates must conform to regulations set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The container must be large enough for your pet(s) to stand, turn around, and lie down. The crate must be made of fiberglass, metal, rigid plastics, weld metal mesh, solid wood or plywood.
The crate door must have a secure, spring-loaded, all-around locking system with the pins extending beyond the horizontal extrusions above and below the door. The floor must be waterproof. The crate must not have wheels attached when checking your pet. Metal hardware should be used to fasten the top and bottom halves of your pet crate together. Air Mobility Command requires either metal or plastic nuts and bolts threaded with metal inserts to secure both halves of the crate.
All crates must be labeled with LIVE ANIMAL stickers and a Shipping Declaration that includes feeding and watering instructions. All food and water should be provided.
Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant?
All pets should be acclimated to their crates prior to travel. This may take weeks or even months to accomplish; however it is the best thing you can do for your pet before flying.
Related: Acclimating your pet to its crate or carrier
Temperature Restrictions – Checked Baggage and Air Cargo
When temperatures rise above or drop under certain levels, commercial airlines will prohibit the transport of live animals in the cargo hold. These restrictions are implemented for the safety of your pet. It is important to note that the risk from high or low temperatures is not when your pet is airborne. The risks come during preflight holding, loading on the tarmac and taxiing to the take-off runway.
Pets will not be accepted as checked baggage or air cargo when actual or forecasted temperatures are above 85°F (29.4°C) or below 45°F (7.2°C) at any airport on the itinerary. Pets may be accepted at temperatures below 45°F with an acclimation certificate, however, no pet will be transported at temperatures lower than 20°F (-6.6°C).
Note that the temperature restrictions for summer travel are lower for brachycephalic (snub-nosed) pets.
Cold-blooded animals are exempt from these restrictions.
Related: Why temperatures matter for pets flying in the cargo hold
Breeds Banned by Air Mobility Command
Snub-nosed animals will need to fly in crates one size larger than normally required.
Related: Risks for snub-nosed pets flying in the cargo hold
Reimbursement for airline charges
Service personnel and their families traveling with change of station orders may claim reimbursement for their pet’s travel. Reimbursement is for only one pet (dog or cat) and is limited to $2,000 for an overseas move or $550 for movement within the United States. Travelers using AMC Patriot Express missions will receive a memo receipt for pet travel fees. To claim reimbursement, be sure to receive a receipt for your pet’s travel fees at check-in for your flight.
Private Jet Charter
Another option for pet owners who do not want their pet to fly in the cargo hold is a pet-friendly private jet charter. Your pet can fly in your lap, at your feet or beside you comfortably without being confined. We can arrange flights from anywhere in the world to anywhere you need to go on your time schedule, without the crowds or commotion of a commercial airport.
Other Information
The information published here is a guideline for Air Mobility Command pet policy. For more pet friendly airline pet policies, click the banner below.
Further Reading
How to keep your pet safe when flying in the cargo hold
Tips for airline pet travel
Requirements for a pet transiting a country by air
When do you need a pet transporter?
Routing your pet’s flight
Flying with a snub-nosed breed
More information on airline pet travel
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To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given airline may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to deny your pet boarding privileges at the time of check in. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Air Mobility Command pet policy.