Flying with a pet? Have questions regarding airline pet policy?
Need to know what type of carrier you will need?
What does your pet need to fly as cargo?
Will the airlines transfer your pet from one plane to another?
Post your questions here and we will respond within 24 hours. You can also find information here: airline pet policies.
Tatiana – we can understand your concern. We would first suggest that your dog conforms to regulations to enter China. You can find them here: https://www.pettravel.com/immigration/china.cfm. Step 10 is a simplified version of export procedures; however, you should search for an official animal vaccination hospital for an Animal Health and Immunity Certificate (red book). For a domestic flight, you can contact your airline or research their website for their regulations for the transport of live animals. For import requirements for Russia, you can find them here: https://www.pettravel.com/immigration/russia.cfm. Hope this helps. Susan
Hello! I’m planning to take my dog (rescued street dog, 10 kg) from Dalian (China) to Saint Petersburg (Russia). I have zero experience of transporting pets from China, but regulations here seem extremely strict, so I’m very afraid that I might confuse somethings, especially because almost all of info is in chinese and everyone here is obsessed with red tape concept. Plus, there is some complications, because there are no directs flight, so I have to fly from Dalian (China) to Beijing\Shanghai (China) and then only to Saint Petersburg (Russia), does it men that I have to prepare documents not only for international flights, but also for domestic one? What are the exact documents that I need? I would appreciate ANY information, ANY advice. Thank you!
Eric – assuming your cat is flying with you in the cabin, and assuming that you are staying on TA both in and out of IST, then you and your kitty will stay in the secure area of terminal until you board your next flight. In this case, you will transit Turkey and the titer test required to enter Turkey will not be required as you will be transiting the country.
Susan
Dear all, I’m traveling from Rome to Mexico with a 6-hour transit in Turkey. I have the same PNR for both flights and I already bought the ticket for my cat and mine on Turkish Airlines. My cat has an EU passport, microchip, health certificate, and rabies vaccines up-to-date. Do I need the Rabies Titer Test and import certificate to Turkey?
Nina – the embargo for live animals transiting through FRA has been removed. Susan
Is the embargo by Lufthansa on all live animal air cargo transits through Frankfurt still in effect? Kindly help.
Thank You
Astor – what country are you originating from? As you are flying into the US on an international flight, you will clear customs in IAD so you can check your pet into a domestic flight to EWR. After clearing customs, you can take your pet outside for a walk before boarding your next flight. Likely a terminal change. Susan
Hi, I am flying international to the USA with my dog in the cabin. The flight is to EWR with a long layover (15+ hours) in IAD. Can I leave the airport with the dog during the layover, or will the dog be required to stay in the airport?
John – according to government regulations, if the documentation that you used to enter Costa Rica (raibes, health certs) are still valid, you should not need additional documentation to leave the country unless your airline requires a health certificate within 10 days of travel. The health certificate you used to enter CR does not list a validity period but most times, that period is 30 days. If you have stayed in CR longer than that, you will need a new certificate to leave the country.
Susan
My wife and I travelled to Costa Rica from the USA with our small dog. Travel to CR was fine. Upon return, the airport denied our dog the ability to return to the USA without a Costa Rican vet examination. This costed us about another $2,000 in inconveniences and we are still unsure we can make it back to the USA with her. We have a vet appointment in Costa Rica tomorrow, another flight booked for Tuesday. Any pointers? This has been so expensive and it makes no sense why a Costa Rican vet exam is required to bring our dog back home. It sounds like a money grab and we missed Easter with our children because of this! Can anyone provide advice on how we can get home for sure? We can’t afford to stay here much longer 🙁
Hi Samantha – your Maltipoo will need a health certificate issued within 14 days of travel and endorsed by a government veterinarian. You can find requirements to import your dog to Peru here:https://www.pettravel.com/immigration/peru.cfm. We will caution that, if you are traveling from the United States, your dog will need an import permit to return to the US. These permits are difficult to obtain and travel is not an approved reason to issue a permit. This caution is only for dogs intending to return to the United States from a high-rabies country like Peru.
Susan
Hi there, I am traveling to Peru in a couple months and want to take my almost 6 month puppy with me. She is a maltipoo and has already been vaccinated against rabies this month of October. During the first week of November, she will be getting spayed and microchipped. What do I need to do in order to take my dog with me? Thanks.
Mara – if your French Bulldog is small enough to fly with you in the cabin in a pet carrier, then that is the least expensive way to transport it. No US-based commercial airline will fly a Frenchie in the cargo hold due to its snub-nosed condition. We can quote ground transport here: (https://www.pettraveltransport.com/pettransportquote.html); however, it will be more expensive than in-cabin transport.
Susan
Help me please !!!
I need to transport my little French Bulldog from Los Angeles to Miami, I had emotional support authorization but it was canceled and the prices for carriers are too expensive, I can’t pay, what can I do? I’m terrified! I don’t want to abandon my beloved pet, please help me with any suggestions, I really appreciate it !!!!
Fiona – we do not have offices in Bahrain; however, you can search for an agent who can assist you at IPATA.org.
Susan
I need to fly my dog from Malaysia to Bahrain in July or August. I think temperature will be fine for departure, are there rules about temperature on arrival as I know it will be 30+. Is Gulf Air the best airline to use? He is 27kg so I think has to go in cargo. Will covid restrictions affect me collecting him from the plane if we have to have tests on arrival as I think we have to self isolate until the negative result comes through. If so how do I get him from the airport to where we stay? Thanks
Jill – all airlines will figure the weight of your pet including the carrier to see if it meets maximum weight limits. Generally, 8 kg (or 17.6 pounds) seems to be the upper limit; however, you should confirm this with your airline. If you are flying domestically, this weight may not be as important than if you are flying internationally. If you can drop your pet’s weight a few pounds (not sure if your dog is at its ideal size) and get a light carrier like this one (https://www.pettravelstore.com/pet-carrier-sturdibag/) your dog should come close to meeting requirements to fly in-cabin.
Susan
my dog weighs 17.4 lbs. Can she ride with me under my seat? If so what kind of carrier will fit under the seat?
Jennifer – pet policies for ESAs are very similiar with all US-based airlines. You can find more information about them here: https://blog.pettravel.com/index.php/emotional-support-service-animals-airline-policies-and-how-they-are-changing/. Know that the airline will expect that your German Shepherd will be well behaved and trained to be around people. Best to book awindow seat.
Susan
We have an ES (emotional support)registered dog (German Shepherd) who will be 7.5 mo when we are looking to fly for the holidays. He has never flown before, but which airline (Delta, United, Alaska) is the best/easiest to fly with? Due to size, he will have to stay at our feet. It doesn’t seem like any have additional fees for ESA’s, but wondering if anyone can provide additional insight on traveling with those 3 airlines before we book our domestic tickets (Portland to Milwaukee)