You are flying, your pet is traveling with you in the cabin of the airline, and, unless you have done this before, you have no way of knowing how your pet will travel. The last thing you want to deal with is a howling cat or a wimpering dog for hours until you land. So what can you do to keep your pet quiet during the flight?
The first thing to consider is that, under no circumstances, can you remove your pet from its carrier during the flight. However, the key here is to keep your pet calm, to isolate them from all of the crazy activity of people loading their gear in the overhead compartments and finding their seats. This is the perfect opportunity to keep your pet in its carrier on your lap, turn it towards the window, and hug it tightly (if your pet allows for hugs) and stroke it through the carrier (assuming you are using a soft sided carrier which we highly recommend). Keep your voice low and close to your pet while assuring it that everything will be ok. Lots of “good girls” and “good boys” are certainly a welcome sound for a nervous pet.
The attendents will tell you that your pet must be stowed under the seat in front of you during take off and landing and we must all comply with that. Hopefully, your pet is laying down at this point because you need to get the carrier under the seat in front of you. Leave the carrier between your feet for a minute and then slowly slide the carrier under the seat all the while offering plenty of vocal assurances.
Once the plane is in the air, you should be allowed to keep the carrier between your feet. If your pet is fussing, offer them a pet calmer by unzipping the carrier an inch or two and extending the treat to your pet. This should calm them down. The drone of the engines should encourage them to rest unless there is too much activity in the cabin. You should be able to extend a finger or two into the carrier for a head scratch so that your pet will know that you are still there. Also, a finger tip that has been dunked in a glass of water is a good way to keep your pet occupied.
Because you are traveling, you have not given your pet a full meal, so offering one piece of chow at a time can keep you connected with your pet as long as they will accept it. Don’t feed them too much; the object here is to keep them occupied, not to fill their belly. Remember not to open the carrier so that your pet can escape. This will never turn out to be a good thing.
Other tips for traveling pet owners: put a worn t-shirt or piece of your clothing with your scent on it in the carrier with your pet. Your scent is very calming to your pet. Pack light so you don’t have to fumble with other luggage and can move quickly to turn your attention to your pet. Groom your pet prior to travel. A clean, well groomed pet is a happier traveler. Also, try to prepare in advance for your trip. Get your pet accustomed to being in the carrier. It will pay off on travel day.
Pet travel on an airline can be challenging, but use a few tricks and a lot of love, and your pet will do just fine.
Ash – Have you spoken with Turkish Airines? They fly the route through Istanbul and they do fly small animals in the cabin. You will need to confirm that they will allow this on your route.
Susan
Hi,
Need your guidance about airlines that may allow in-cabin travel for pet cat from karachi/pakistan to zurich ?
Ranjit – you can find requirements to import your Maltese Terrier to Australia here: https://www.pettravel.com/immigration/australia.cfm. You can start the 180 day titer test in Sri Lanka, but the sample must be send to an approved lab. Once you move your pup to an approved country, another titer test must be done. The results must be approved by the government of that country, then you can apply for an import permit and quarantine space. Ten days of quarantine in Melbourne is required for all cats and dogs entering Australia except for very few countries.
Susan
Mila – the airlines will require that your Pug remain in its carrier for the duration of the flight. Once you are airborne and the fasten seatbelt lights go off, you can pull your pup’s carrier out from underneath the seat and put it between your legs. If the flight attendant is nice, you can put the carrier on your lap. Some will allow this and others don’t. Reserve a window seat and bring a jacket to partially cover the carrier.
Jason
I need to take our Maltese Terrier, 8 yrs old, from Sri Lanka to Australia.
What is the best way with the least amount of quarantine time ? I understand that I can take him via Malaysia with a 45 day non-quarantine time in Malaysia, to do certain vaccinations and tests? Can we keep the pet with us during that time?
Advice please?
H! It?s my first time flying to the Philippines with a pug in a cabin. Can I take my pug out of the bag once the Plane is on the air already? Can I hold him while where on the flight? Pls. Give me a suggestion what should I do and what I shouldn?t do? It will help me a lot since it?s my first time to fly with my pug. I really appreciate it and Thank you!
Terrilr – the airlines will specify that your pet must be under the seat during take off and landing periods. Once the plane is in the air and the fasten seatbelt light is off, the flight attendant should not have an issue with putting the carrier between your feet. It may be that some flight attendants are stricter than others. Reserve the window seat and carry a jacket with you…
Susan
A question regarding the statement, “Once the plane is in the air, you should be allowed to keep the carrier between your feet.” I have not yet found an airline that will allow the carrier to be anywhere other than under the seat. I’ve even been reprimanded by flight attendants when I didn’t get the carrier under the seat fast enough – when we were still 10-15 minutes from taking off. Which airlines would allow the carrier to be at your feet during the flight?
Denise – several suggestions for you. The first one is to try a privacy carrier. With these carriers, you can roll down the flaps and keep your cat isolated from goings on outside of the carrier. You can find privacy carriers here: https://www.pettravelstore.com/pet-carriers/. The second suggestion is to put a “used” t-shirt in the carrier that will have your scent on it. Also, try working with her at home giving her treats when she behaves in the carrier. The more time she spends in the carrier before travel, the better. The last suggestion is to consider flying your cat in the cargo hold as checked baggage. Yes, it is not the most ideal and sure you would like to have your cat in the cabin with you; however, the most important thing is to keep your cat safe while traveling. there is no way she should claw her way out of a cargo crate.
Susan
I am flying with my cats from Massachusetts to San Diego. I was wondering if anyone knows of a soft pet carrier that is extremely durable. On our plane ride in the past my cat wanted out of the carrier and shred it up almost getting out. I must say it was very stressful. I will give her natural calm treatments prior to travel but I’m worried about finding a strong enough carrier. Just in case.
Waynessa – you can give your pup an all natural pet calmer like these: https://www.pettravelstore.com/pet-calmers/. Discuss with your veterinarian.
Phil
We are planning to move to Las Vegas from Hawaii next year and this will be our dog’s first flight. He takes medication for his seizures. Do you have any suggestions and/or tips on how to keep him calm thru the hours of travel?
Leanne – to fly in the cabin, your pet should be socialized and fully trained if not already. GSDs are great dogs to train. Get a short lead (like this one: https://www.pettravelstore.com/dog-travel-leash/ and keep it very close to you. Bring a foldable pet pad that it can sit on. Not sure where you are located, but we have pet calmers in our store that work great on our dogs: https://www.pettravelstore.com/happy-traveler-calming-chewables/ or https://www.pettravelstore.com/pet-calming-treat-for-dogs/
Phil
I am taking my GSD on a 3 hour flight (in cabin) is there any suggestions to help him have a good first flight, keep calm.
Anthony – certainly, it is better to fly with your cat in the cabin with you than in the cargo hold as long as it has good manners. 🙂 The only airlines that will allow that are Korean Air and Asiana Airlines. We would also note that, unless you fly into Guangzhou, there will be quarantine for your cat both in Shanghai or Beijing. (see requirements to enter China with a dog or cat here: http://www.pettravel.com/immigration/china.cfm) We would recommend avoiding this if possible as conditions are questionable at best. You will need the assistance of an agent in Guangzhou to clear your cat and get the docs for your next flight. You can get a quote at IPATA.org.
Susan
Hello, I will be moving to China (Tianjin) in July. I will be flyin out of the Baltimore area and am taking my cat.
She was a cargo passenger three years ago from Lahore, Pakistan to Washington DC. She had a scratch on her nose…I think she tried to eat her way out of crate…lol.
Do you have suggestions on airlines to use, and do you think it is better to fly her in the cabin? It is cheaper…and I could be near her…
Thanks,
Anthony
Mir-i-nisa – you can find requirements to import your Pom to the United States here and there are links to further instructions and forms if you need them: http://www.pettravel.com/immigration/unitedstates.cfm.
As for airlines, we are not sure what city you are flying to, but if you are looking for an airline that will allow your Pom in the cabin with you and it is small enough to fit in an airline-compliant pet carrier, try contacting Korean Air as they do fly pets in the cabin.
Phil
Which airlines would allow my Pom to fly from Philippines to US? Help with documents I need to bring with me please. Thanks.
Hello – A Lufthansa rep?lhet a kuty?in, eg?szen Sao Pauloig, ahol tiszt?zni fogj?k a v?mhat?s?gokat, ?s egy LATAM j?ratot sz?ll?tanak Braz?li?ba. Ez akkor m?k?dik, ha vel?k utazik.
Susan
2 cica, 4,5kg ?s 5,5kg. Budapestr?l Brasiliav?rosba! Hogyan lehets?ges?
Utaz?s terv szerint 2018.junius v?ge, j?lius eleje.