Millions of animals travel safely aboard aircraft every year. Airline personnel make every effort to handle these animals with the care they deserve. Please keep in mind that each airline has its own guidelines and limits on the number of live animals it can fly per flight. There are also restrictions for live animals, depending on the aircraft serving the route. For many reasons, it is important to notify an airline about your pet travel plans as soon as possible. The International Airline Transportation Association (IATA) administers regulations for the transportation of live animals worldwide. These regulations apply to you, the shipper, as well as to the airlines. If you decide to transport your dog or cat by air, there are some airline travel tips to check for compliance with applicable laws and to assure the safest and most comfortable trip for your pet.
Is your pet healthy?
Your first consideration when flying a pet is whether your pet is healthy and fit for travel. Schedule a check up with your veterinarian to be sure that your pet is fit to travel.
You will need an airline health certificate in order to comply with the rules of many airlines. A licensed or government veterinarian issues this document. Most airlines ask that it be issued no more than ten days before departure, especially for pets flying in the cargo hold. Be sure to check with the airline to get the exact amount of time they require before your pet’s trip.
Some species, such as brachycephalic (snub-nosed) dogs (e.g., Pugs, Shih Tzu, Bulldogs, Boxers, Boston Terriers), simply do not fly well because they can have difficulty breathing even under normal conditions. In cases like these, you need to get a crate that is one size larger than normally required. Be sure and tell your airline that your pet is a snub-nosed breed, as many airlines will not accept these breeds.
Know your pet
No one knows your pet better than you. Your pet’s personality will have a lot to do with the amount of preparation required to prepare your pet for airline travel.
Is your pet happy-go-lucky by nature? Does it approach unfamiliar people or surroundings with tail wagging? Does it like being in its crate or carrier? Or, is your pet uneasy with unfamiliar people or changes in its environment? Is it afraid of loud noises or appears skiddish when uncomfortable?
All of these qualities should dictate how and even whether your pet should fly on an airplane. The more sensitive your pet is to changes, the more time you will need to spend with them before traveling.
Is your pet old enough to fly?
IATA states that your animal must be at least eight weeks old and fully weaned before flying with the airlines. Many airlines require that your pet be at least 15 weeks of age before traveling internationally. As for best practice, the longer you wait before transporting a puppy in the cargo hold, the more time there will be for their respiratory systems to develop.
Of course, your pet must be of an age that conforms to the requirements of your destination country. In some cases, the minimum age will also apply to the layover country if your pet’s flight is not direct.
How to transport your pet by air
In-cabin
If your pet is small enough to fit in an airline-compliant carrier, which goes beneath the seat in front of you, this method of travel by air is far and away your best bet for a safe, worry-free trip. Many major airlines accept one pet per passenger at an average cost of $125.00 each way on domestic flights. There are airlines that will allow pet owners to purchase an extra seat and bring on another carrier with them. Of course, reservations must be made in advance.
Carry-on pets are not regulated under many animal welfare laws; however, the airlines will require that your pet be able to stand up and turn around in the carrier. Weight limitations are generally 18 lbs. (8 kg) including the weight of the carrier. Measure your pet carefully from tip of nose to base of tail and from top of ears to the ground to pick an appropriate carrier.
Few airlines do accept pets other than dogs and cats in the cabin. Frontier and Alitalia are examples of this policy.
Checked Baggage or Air Cargo
If your pet is too large to fly in the cabin, dogs and cats are typically transported as checked baggage if your airline offers this class of service. What is important to know is that you will only transport your pet as checked baggage if you are an adult passenger traveling on the same flight as your pet.
Your pet will fly as air cargo under an air waybill if the following conditions apply:
- Your pet is a larger animal.
- Your pet is an animal other than a cat or dog (in most cases).
- Your pet is flying unaccompanied.
In this case, you will need to check your pet in and pick it up at the cargo facility of your airline, which is typically located on airport grounds but not in the airport terminal.
The cost can run from about $200.00 USD (checked baggage) to thousands of dollars (air cargo) so check with your airline’s reservation or cargo department. Pets up to approximately 75 pounds including their crate can travel as checked baggage when accompanied by a passenger.
Many airline cargo departments have specialists in the movement of animals who can assist you with answers to your questions. Also, you may consider hiring a pet transporter to assist you with the transport of your pet. They are trained to handle your pet with care and experience.
Is your pet flying internationally?
If your pet is flying to a foreign country, the first thing to do is to research the pet import regulations of your destination country. It is essential to comply with such requirements, and sometimes it requires veterinary procedures as much as 6 months in advance of travel. The consequences of non-compliance can be extremely costly and disruptive. We have done extensive research on pet import requirements for over 220 countries worldwide. If you don’t have time to research, you can find detailed instructions and required forms for international pet travel in the Pet Travel Store.
Do you have the right crate or carrier for your pet?
All commercial airlines follow IATA regulations on the size and type of crate or carrier for your pet.
Travel in the Cabin
Carriers used to fly pets in the cabin of the aircraft must be of a size that will fit under the seat in front of you. You can contact your airline to see how much space is available on the aircraft that serves your route. There are weight limits on all commercial airlines that allow pets to fly in the cabin. Generally, about 18 lbs. (8kg) is the upper limit, and this also includes the weight of your carrier.
Carriers must allow enough space for your pet to stand up and turn around comfortably. No parts of your pet, including the head, must extend out of the carrier. The carrier must have a waterproof bottom and secure fasteners or heavy-duty zippers. The carrier must have adequate ventilation. Many airlines will require a pet pad in your carrier, and, for your comfort and that of your pets, a pet pad is something you should not be without when flying in the cabin with a pet.
Travel in the Cargo Hold
The crate must be sturdy, properly ventilated, and large enough that your pet may freely stand, turn around, and lie down. The top of your pet’s head or the tips of their ears (if their ears stand erect) cannot touch the top of the crate if they are standing or sitting. Measure your pet before purchasing its crate to be sure that you are getting the correct size pet crate.
The crate must close securely with a spring lock mechanism that requires no special tools to operate. It must be made of sturdy plastic or wood (if your airline will accept it), have a waterproof bottom, a metal door and ventilation on three sides for domestic flights and all four sides if traveling internationally.
When in doubt, check with the airline, because the United States Department of Agriculture assigns full responsibility for accepting the proper crate to the airline. The crate must have spacers that will ensure ventilation openings are not blocked by adjoining kennels or cargo.
Related: Is your pet’s crate airline compliant?
Have you acclimated your pet to its crate or carrier?
Acclimating your pet to its crate or carrier is, by far, the most important step and the best thing you can do for your pet when flying.
As far in advance of the trip as possible, let your pet get to know its crate. Start with just the bottom half of the kennel. After a good walk, when your dog is tired, or after playing with your cat, encourage them toward their crate. Give them time to walk into the crate. Stay with them until they settle down. Leave familiar bedding, an old sock, or other familiar object inside, so that your pet will spend time in the crate.
As your pet becomes accustomed to being inside, assemble the top half and leave the door open. Keep working with your pet every day until it is comfortable in its crate. Then start taking your pet out of its environment while it is in its crate. Take a car ride to the dog park, to a friend’s house, or around the block. Make the trip fun (not to the vet). Once home, take them inside, let them out, and give them lots of treats and praise.
It is important for your dog or cat to be as relaxed as possible during the flight, and getting your pet accustomed to the crate or carrier is crucial to make that happen.
Related: How to Acclimate Your Pet to Its Carrier or Crate
Which flights are less stressful for your pet?
Whenever possible, book a direct, non-stop flight and avoid layovers, even if the flight costs more. Your pet’s stress level increases every time it is handled. It is exposed to noise, temperatures on the ground, and additional wait time.
Temperature considerations when pets fly in the cargo hold
Consider schedules that minimize temperature extremes. Try to avoid travel during excessively hot or cold periods, such as summer and winter. During the summer, early morning or evening flights are safer for your pet. During the winter, daytime flights are best. Sometimes the airlines will accept an acclimation certificate; however, do not expose your pet to extreme low temperatures if they are not accustomed to them.
Know that the risk to your pet does not come when it is airborne. The risk to your pet comes when it is stored in a warehouse, loaded on the aircraft, and taxied to the takeoff runway.
Have You Made Reservations for Your Pet?
At the time you book your trip, call the reservations number of the airline (in-cabin and checked baggage) and tell them that you will be traveling with an animal. In many cases, you cannot book your pet’s reservation online. Be sure to reconfirm with the airline 24-48 hours before departure that you will be bringing your pet.
If you are transporting your pet as cargo, contact their cargo department and find out how far in advance they require you to check-in your pet.
Please note that advance arrangements do not guarantee that your animal will travel on a specific flight. To be as humane as possible, airlines reserve the right to refuse to handle an animal for such reasons as illness, behavior, poor kenneling of the animal, or extreme temperatures at the origin, layover, or destination airports.
Should you tranquilize your pet before flying?
Sedation is not advised for traveling pets as the effects of tranquilizers on animals at higher altitudes are unpredictable. The decision to prescribe a tranquilizer for your pet should be made by your veterinarian. Many airlines will not accept a pet that has been tranquilized to fly in the cargo hold. We suggest that an all-natural pet calmer will help in relaxing your pet, but not affect its breathing when administered according to directions.
Note: Thundershirts or other calming devices that pets wear will not be permitted by the airlines for pets flying in the cargo hold.
Have You Prepared Your Pet’s Crate for Flight?
When your pet travels, the crate should:
- Clearly display your name and address;
- Use arrows or other markings (Live Animal Stickers) indicating the top of the kennel
- Include food and water dishes (both empty) secured inside the kennel and accessible from outside
- Show a food and water schedule (Shipper’s Declaration) and, if any food is necessary, include an ample supply in a bag attached to the outside of the kennel
- Contain no more than one adult dog or cat (some airlines allow two puppies or kittens, younger than six months and under 20 lbs. each)
- Contain crate pet pads
- Attach your pet’s collar and tag in a plastic bag to the top of the crate.
- Mark your pet’s name on the crate or on a sticker attached to the crate.
- Attach a close-up photo of your pet
- Do not include any toys or treats in the crate, as the airlines will not permit loose objects in the crate.
- You can find everything discussed here in our crate accessory kits.
In addition to showing your name and address, you must mark the kennel with the telephone number of a person at the destination who can be contacted about your pet. This is especially important if you are sending your animal unaccompanied through the cargo system, because you will not be at the airport to claim your pet upon arrival. It may be helpful to contact a pet travel service to handle an unaccompanied shipment, since these services manage pick-up and delivery and can advise on quarantine requirements for international travel. If your animal is traveling in the cargo system, remember that after arriving at their destination, there is a processing period for cargo, which may vary by airline and airport. If you have questions, be sure to contact your airline.
Are Your Prepared for Flight Day?
The International Air Transport Association requires that your pet be offered water within four hours before check-in with the airline. Do not feed your pet within four hours of flight and feed them less than they normally consume. A full stomach is not good for a traveling pet. When you check in with the airline, you must certify with a signature the time when your pet was last offered food and water. You can attach some of your pet’s dry food to the top of the crate in a plastic bag. Freeze water in the water bowl the night before travel to avoid spillage during handling.
Arrival and Check-In
Get to the airport with plenty of time to spare, but no more than four hours prior to departure, so that there will be no rush. If your pet is traveling in the cabin, or as excess baggage, or by special expedited delivery service, check-in will usually be at the passenger terminal. If your pet is flying as air cargo, pet owners or their agents will need to go to the air freight terminal, which is located in a separate part of the airport. Be sure to check with your airline for the acceptance cutoff time for your flight. Note: by regulation, an animal may be tendered no more than four hours before a flight time (six hours by special arrangement).
Finally, your airline must assure that facilities are able to handle your pet at the airports of transfer or final destination. The Animal Welfare Act has set clear guidelines on allowable temperature limits for animal-holding areas, to which airlines must conform.
Transfer of Live Animals Between Airlines
When pets travel as accompanied baggage or as air cargo, it is unlikely that one airline can check an animal through from its own system to a final destination served by another airline. This may cause you to claim and recheck your pet and clear customs in the layover country, making your pet subject to the regulations of the layover country. For this reason, we do not recommend changing airline companies during a layover.
When your pet travels as air cargo, an interline transfer is not possible unless airlines have a contracted arrangement between each other. this is why it is important to keep your pet on the same airline for the entire route.
Since each airline cares about and is responsible for the animals it accepts, airline agents will need to inspect your pet at the time of check-in. This will cause you to claim your pet and clear security to recheck your pet on the next airline.
If your layover is in the European Union, your pet should have a transit EU Health Certificate and conform to the entry requirements of the layover country.
Other airline travel tips for pets
- Carry a leash with you on a trip so that you may walk your pet before check-in and after arrival. (Carry your pet’s leash or attach to the outside of the crate in a plastic bag).
- Do not take your pet out of its crate inside the airport. In keeping with airport regulations and out of courtesy for other passengers, you should let your pet out only after you leave the terminal building.
- Fly a reputable airline, either commercial or private.
- Don’t travel during peak or holiday times. Best times to travel are Wednesday and Thursday with departures between 6:00AM and 11:00AM. Avoid Mondays and Fridays. All holiday flights should be avoided if possible. Airlines oftentimes ban live animals the last two weeks of December due to high demands for cargo hold space. If you must travel during these times, consider ground transport.
- In the summer, travel early or late in the day to avoid heat; in winter, travel mid-day to avoid severe cold. (This has nothing to do with the temperature in the cargo compartment, which is pressurized and kept between 50-70 degrees by law, but when your pet is exposed to extreme temperature in holding and loading areas.)
- Unless you absolutely have no choice, take direct flights. Layovers only increase stress on your pet.
- Don’t change airlines as they will move your pet between their aircrafts in layover countries if your layover is around three hours or less. If you must change airlines, be sure you can collect and then re-check your pet at the layover airport as airlines do not interline live animals. Know that you must clear customs and be compliant with the layover country’s regulations if you claim your pet. Try to give yourself a long enough layover to take your pet out for a walk or checkout the airport dog relief area.
- Make sure your dog’s collar and ID tags are sturdy and reflect your cell phone number.
- It is good practice and mandatory on many airlines to visit a veterinarian before flying for a health certificate attesting that your pet is in good health and their shots are current. The certificate should have been issued shortly before departure (times vary according to the regulations of your destination country if your pet is traveling internationally).
- Use a top-quality airline compliant crate with enough room for your pet to stand up and turn around. Remember that this will be your pet’s protection during its travels. Use crate hardware to secure the two halves of your crate, not plastic fasteners. Many airlines are now requiring the use of steel nuts and bolts to secure your pet’s crate.
- If the flight is over three hours, get a large pet crate bowl and freeze water in it before the flight to be sure your pet has water through the flight.
- Cover your crate, using stickers or paint or permanent marker, with notices that say: “HI! My name is XX. I am sweet (or aggressive)!” and ” I’m traveling from XX to XX on Flight # XX” and “My Parent’s name is XXX. Phone: XXX. Cell: XXX.” The more information airline handlers about your pet, the better.
- Carry a photograph of you with your dog or cat that you can use to help find him if you’re separated.
- Be ABSOLUTELY certain that the door of the kennel is SECURE, really secure and attach zip ties to each corner. Just above the door, write: “DO NOT open this door without the permission of owner or a licensed veterinarian!”
- Get to airport at least a half hour earlier than required, check in, but don’t let them take your pet away until the last moment (usually 30 minutes before departure). Once you’ve checked in, take your dog outside for a walk and some good exercise.
- Don’t leave your pet before a baggage handler actually comes to collect them. Give the baggage handler a tip (or local currency equivalent). Ask him to please be sure the dogs are ok (we don’t know if this helps, but it makes us feel better).
- Be sure not to leave anything in the crate that your dog can rip to shreds, might get sick from, or choke on.
- Don’t give your dog sedatives such as dramamine for dogs or cats unless you have to, and only then on the advice of your veterinarian. Sedatives make it difficult for your dog or cat to adjust to temperature changes and turbulence, and they may impede his breathing. We suggest an all-natural pet calmer.
- At the gate, if you can look out the window and watch baggage being boarded, watch for your pet. If you can’t see them being loaded, wait until all the other passengers have boarded then ask the gate attendant to radio the baggage area to make sure your pet has been loaded. Refuse to board unless they confirm that your pet is on the plane.
- As you board the plane, talk to the captain or flight attendant and say, very politely, ” I just wanted to let you know my pet is on this flight, in cargo. It’s their first time flying so I’d really appreciate you monitoring conditions in the cargo hold.”
All of these airline pet travel tips are standard practices for transporting dogs and cats and ensuring safe and comfortable travel for your pet.
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