So, you are flying with your pet in a few days. There is so much to think about. Here are 10 things you should not forget to do before you fly.
1. Confirm reservations for your pet – contact your airline and tell them you are traveling with a pet. Do this whether your pet is flying in the cabin, as checked baggage or air cargo. Do this before you book your ticket to be sure your airline has not met its limits on the number of pets they will carry on your flight. If you can’t pay for your pet’s passage online, then you will pay at the check-in counter.
2. Book a window seat – if your dog or cat is flying in the cabin with you, reserve a window seat. This removes your pet from the traffic in the aisle so it will be less distracted, stay calmer and can focus on your reassurances. Also, with all the cabin redesigns of late, electronics powering seat back screens and such can wind up under the center seat, thus eating up any space for your pet carrier.
3. Stay connected – sign up for flight notifications from your airline via text and email alerts. You can also get the FlightStats app which gives you real-time flight status and is free for Android and iOS phones. Amazon Echo can monitor flight status of most major American-based airlines, provide wait times at security, weather at your destination, call Uber or Lyft and provide translations for foreign countries.
Don’t forget to add your airline’s reservation number into your mobile device in case any delays or cancellations occur. If your pet is flying as air cargo, add the number of your airline’s cargo facility.
4. Do your research – check your layover airport to see if there are any pet relief areas behind security gates. Many US airports have them but unfortunately, few foreign airports do. (carry spare pet pads) Find pet hospitals and veterinarians in your destination city. Be prepared in the case of emergencies. Also find pet friendly hotels, parks and restaurants so you and your pet can enjoy your stay together. If you are thinking about attending an attraction that does not accept pets, find a doggie day care and contact them for their requirements.
5. Get your pet microchipped – this is one of the most important things you can do. A pet microchip is your pet’s identification should you become separated from it. Don’t forget to register your chip with your cell phone number in the registration. No good if officials are trying to contact you at home when you are out of town.
6. Don’t forget your pet’s documentation – if you are flying with your pet internationally, you should already have your pet’s rabies certificate, health certificate and other permits and tests that may be required to enter your pet’s destination country. More on international pet import requirements.
Take a selfie of you and your pet on your mobile phone for identification.
7. Check your equipment – your pet carrier should be clean, without tears, and zippers should operate correctly. Make sure you have everything you need to make your pet crate IATA-compatible if your pet is traveling in the cargo hold. Put your pet’s documentation in a plastic Zip lock bag and tape it to the top of your pet’s crate and mark it ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS – DO NOT REMOVE. Tape a bit of food as well if you are taking a long trip. Freeze water in your pet’s water bowl to minimize spillage during handling. Attach crate hardware and live animal stickers to the crate. Put a good pet crate pad in the crate to keep your pet dry and comfortable during the trip. More on preparing your pet’s crate for travel.
8. Assemble essentials – put everything your pet needs in one place: leash, collar, medications, treats, food, grooming items, wipes and anything else your pet will need. No toys or chews will be allowed in pet crates, so you will need to carry them with you.
9. Pre-Boarding exercise – leave extra time for walking your pet at home before leaving for the airport. This not only relaxes them but tires them out and helps to ease the stress of traveling. As always, be considerate to others and the environment and clean up after your pet.
10. Relax – have a long layover in a US airport? Consider joining your airline’s club so you can relax in their lounge if they permit pets. Centurion Lounges for American Express Platinum card members permit well behaved pets in carriers. They are located in the following airports: Dallas/Fort Worth (Terminal D), Intercontinental Houston (Terminal D), Las Vegas McCarran (Concourse D), Miami International (Concourse D), NY LaGuardia (Terminal B – pre-security), San Francisco (Terminal 3) and Seattle-Tacoma (Concourse B). Members of United Club and Delta Sky Club can also enjoy their well behaved pets in their lounges. If your pet is flying as air cargo, this is a good time to contact the cargo office and request an update on your pet’s transport.
Much more information on flying with your pet can be found in our pet travel information section.
Sofia-Maria: have you tried Jet Airways? They fly from Bengaluru to Delhi. Unfortunately, we do not have offices in India and so, are not familiar with their carriers. You may need the assistance of an agent although they will likely know more about air cargo services. You can search for one at IPATA.org.
Susan
Hi, i am moving from India to Europe. And have trouble with finding a way to transport 3 dogs and a cat from South-India to the New-Delhi Airport. The airlines have very strange rules it seems, Air India said they would not take cats and dogs on the same plane. Spice Jet said they would take only dogs of a breed. Since I adopted dogs from an animal shelter, they are “no-breed”. And again they would not take all of them even if their breed is according to their policy.
The railway cargo for animals is horrible, and even life-threatening. And roadways are just too long and too expensive. I’m somewhat desperate now, not seeing a solution. If you could give any idea, how to do it, I would be very grateful.
Mary – you can find requirements to import your dog to Macedonia here and there are links to further instructions and forms if you need them: https://www.pettravel.com/immigration/Macedonia.cfm. You will need to stay on the same airline for the entire trip if possible as China is a high-rabies country.
Susan
Hi I’m planning to take a trip from china to Macedonia. My dog is a Chinese dog and I don’t know what I need for her for my trip.
Can you help me an tell me how long is the process of obtaining everything for her.
And this will be here first long trip.
Ms Wong – each of your pets can travel with an adult passenger as long as your airline pet policy permits it and they can fit in an airline-compliant Pet carrier. Your Shetland will likely need to fly in the cargo hold as all airlines do not allow horses in the cabin unless they are emotional support animals. The stories about incidents in the cargo hold are real and should not happen, but know that millions of pets fly each year safely in the cargo hold. Acclimation to your pets? crate or carrier is a key. Your route is also important. Temperatures in the summer are a concern and the airlines will not fly pets in the cargo hold when temperatures are over 85 degrees F.
Susan
Hi, I’m planning to move to usa for abt 2-3 years with my 4 pets, 2 mini dachshunds, 1 mini pomeranian and a mini shetland. Can th eyes all travel in the cabin with me and my hubby if we have 4 persons travel tog but only my hubby and me are moving there. Are there any airline with bigger legroom. Is my shetland I’m worries abt cause in measure by length from snort to tail is 25cm. Have heard and read abt so many unfortunate incidents of dogs in cargo. Appreciate for your advise.
Cheers
Ms Wong
Elline – yes, it is possible for your dog to fly from China to Canada. To leave China, your dog must be microchipped then rabies vaccinated at an official animal vaccination hospital in the PRC and must have the official “Animal Health and Immunity Certificate” (vaccination red book). The vaccination must be administered more than 30 days but not more than one year prior to international travel. No more than 7 days prior to travel, pets must be examined and obtain an Exit Health Certificate from a designated government quarantine hospital.
To enter Canada, your dog will need proof of rabies vaccination. The airline will need to see the Exit Health Certificate so it should be in English or bi-lingual with English being one language if possible.
Susan
Is it possible for a middle sized dog to travel from China to Canada,which takes about twelve hours?
Evo – an export permit will be required for your cat to travel to Brunei. Ask your APHA Center for more information. The UK does not require that you hire an agent; however, Singapore Airlines may if your cat is flying as air cargo. Agents are rarely if ever required for pets flying as checked baggage.
Phil
Hi, I am travelling (moving to) with my cat from UK to Brunei. We have him chipped and we have international passport, rabies vaccine, and health certificate.
We are using Singapore Airlines with a transit in Singapore for 2 hours.
I would like to know if we need a special export permit from the UK and any other requirements in Singapore other than the AVA transit forms. Also is it true that having an agent is compulsory…We were told that by PetAir UK LTD, however it sounds really dodgy to me and kind of illegal to force people to hire agents that charge thousands for facilitation by saying it is mandatory.
Thank you in advance for the prompt response.
Maliheh – you can find requirements to import your pet puppy to Malaysia here and there are links to further instructions and forms if you need them: https://www.pettravel.com/immigration/Malaysia.cfm. It may take you a bit longer than 30 days to prepare. Once in Malaysia, your pet will have another titer test, have it endorsed by a government vet and apply for the import permit, then reserve quarantine space.
Susan