Recently, United announced that they were no longer going to be allowing pets in the cabin to Mexico. Many of the US based carriers had already prohibited in-cabin pet travel on international flights. Delta, American, US Airways, and Air Canada will not transport a pet in the cabin to Mexico. It is unfortunate because these carriers dominate service in the south and southwest markets where the demand is the greatest. This has frustrated many pet owners who move back and forth several times a year to homes south of the border.
After doing some research, I discovered that Taca will fly pets in the cabin from Miami (MIA) to Cancun (CUN) or Monterrey (MTY). Other options from the south/southeast are from Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) to Mexico City (MEX) or Monterrey, Mexico (MTY) and Los Angeles (LAX) to Cancun (CUN) or Monterrey (MTY). Taca also flies out of Orlando, Chicago, Washington, New York, and San Francisco.
Sure hope this helps you pet travelers heading to south of the border!
Susan
Hi Mary – US Airways no longer flies pets as checked baggage or cargo, so Alaska may be your best bet. I would caution you about when you are flying as the Summer Heat Embargo is approaching (May 15-September 15) and you should ask Alaska Air whether this would be an approved route at your time of travel.
Mexico will require a veterinary certificate in Spanish and English issued shortly prior to travel and also a ticks and tapeworm certificate.
Let me know if I can assist further.
Susan
Any ideas on how I can transport my 70# golden doodle as cargo from Seattle to Manzanillo? Alaska has direct flight (thru LAX) and
US Air direct (thru Phoenix). I’ve driven down the past 2 years, but am growing weary of the long journey and expense of car travel.
Many thanks!
The Mexican embargo was lifted as of July 3rd, 2012 thanks to a joint effort by concerned Pet Travelers, SAGARPA (Mexico’s Agriculture Dept.), Mexico Tourism Board and SCT (Secretaria de Comunicaciones y Transportes). The Aeronautical Authority published a document (Circular compulsory) that allows airlines to transport pets in the passenger cabins – dated June 21, 2012 which replaces the outdated law that banned pets from the cabin. Most airlines that travel to Mexico will allow pets to fly in-cabin, except AeroMexico. I just flew with my 11lb. Maltese mix via United Airlines in October 2012 from LAX to Oaxaca, Mexico with his USDA certified health certificate. They will ask you for your pet’s Rabies vaccine certificate, so have that handy in addition to the USDA certified Health Certificate. They will also examine your pet upon entry for any illnesses or abnormalities. I hope that helps.
Left Mazatlan Mx. june 23,2012. Was told by security that it was a mx. law that was on the books and never enforced until June 2012. I was let through to talk with us airways. They let me go thru with my Maltese. I was told not again.
American Airlines is now trying to restrict all service dogs with the exception of those for the vision impared. American is asking for medical records and a doctors note. They could be looking for someone to take this up the ladder in the legal system.
OOPs….soon ALL airlines will be changing their policies back…although I have felt the other word re airlines lately! I also have a home in Mexico and need to get my ‘baby’ down this winter.
Re above post SERVICE ANIMALS are still allowed in cabin on all airlines. No worries for you and I’m certain soon ass airlines will be changing their policies back. This was a Mexican decision but due to many complaints they are working now to reverse this. Will just take the airlines time to catch up.
RESPONSE
Not all airlines accept service animals in the cabin of the aircraft. Many of the foriegn flagged carriers do not.
Jerry
ALL AIRLINES EXCEPT FOR UNITED are now allowing pets in cabin!! WESTJET NEVER stopped allowing pets in cabin, by the way! WestJet flies into Cancun from Canada.
Call the airline of your choice and speak to them about your in cabin pets!!
THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME HOPE… IT SEEMS THEY WILL LIFT THE BAN… THERE IS ALREADY AN APPENDIX A TO THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENTED I POSTED WHICH STRANGLY THE MEXICAN EMBASSY OF MEXICO IN VIENNA WAS NOT AWARE OF… WHILE SOME CLAIM THAT THE BAN HAS NOW BEEN LIFTED, AIRLINES HAVE NOT COMPLETELY REVERSED THEIR POLICY.. IT MAY TAKE A FEW MORE DAYS OR WEEKS.. FOR EXAMPLE, SOMEONE DID MENTION THAT AIR CANADA IS NOW OK WITH PETS IN CABIN, BUT HERE IN EUROPE THERE IS STILL NO NEWS… AND AIR CANADA STILL CLAIMS IT IS NOT ALLOWED… I AM HOPEFULL THOUGH AFTER READING APPENDIX A THAT THE MATTER WILL BE RESOLVED.. LET’S KEEP OUR FINGERS CROSSED.
Im so upset. I have a home in Mexico and a service dog who always goes with me in the cabin…(She’s a service dog)
We may have to sell our home down there if this continues to be a problem. please as soon as anyone knows anything for sure
let us all know.
Dear All.. much to my dismay, the Mexican Embassy in Vienna told me that there is a old rule back from AUG 2007 which prohibits animals from traveling in the same cabins with human beings.. They told me that this has always been their rule and that now it seems it is in effect… The site below is in Spanish but basically, for those that can read, the important points are 4.1 and 2.1.2. It is very frustrating.. and cruel.. especially in case of lap dogs.. which would probably die of depression if they are put in cargo, especially for such long hauls indirect flights!!!
http://www.sct.gob.mx/uploads/media/85_Circular_obligatoria_CO_VA-07.8_07_Que_establece_los_lineamientos_para_las_condiciones_de_seguridad_que_deben.pdf
They have lifted the ban on in cabin pets travelling into Mexico.
http://jaltembabaylife.com/blog/2012/06/new-no-pets-in-cabin-policy-for-mexico/
I still can’t get a straight answer: Alaska Airlines says it’s a rule from Mexico; the Mexican Tourist Office says it’s the airlines that are confused and dogs are permitted in the cabin except for intra-Mexico flights.
The policy has been reversed. The best thing to do now is to contact the airlines directly and let them know that you want their policy changed to match the new Mexican Aviation Admin’s guidelines. A little pressure can’t hurt, especially given how fast the Mexicans took action!
Here’s a blog with all the updates. Scroll or search for “who to contact” for the numbers and web forms of the airlines – http://jaltembabaylife.com/blog/2012/06/new-no-pets-in-cabin-policy-for-mexico/
Can you please provide the link to the petition on the web I can sign? This new policy is affecting us very bad and we need it back as soon as possible since we always have traveled with our dog. Thanks
Yep, regulation changed 6/21 to clarify that pets are allowed in cabin. I just called United to see when they would reverse their policy. There was a 30 min wait time to the Pet Safe desk and now it’s ringing busy. Hopefully people complaining about this!
They didn’t even tell me about the change. I showed up on Sunday to the airport with cat (paid-for!) and they wouldn’t let me board. Wasted hours on the phone with various parts of the airline in the next two days. Worst customer service EVER.
Mexico rescinded this regulation and sent circular notice to all airlines on Friday. Now it’s up to the Airlines to respond and allow pets in cabin again. Call, complain, make yourself heard.
This is NOT a Mexican government mandate. I called Sagarpa/Senasica (the agriculture import office) TWICE and was advised there is no such law and it is coming from the Airlines and the airlines can make their own rules. I had a flight with United booked and it was cancelled because of the pet policy, I rebooked with US Airways because at the time, they still allowed pets. That subsequently changed. I then booked with Air Canada and they also recently changed their policy, although I have heard that with all the controversy, they are allowing pets. I am about to go call to find out myself.
Agreed…keep digging
RESPONSE
I am getting the same information, that it is not a Mexico regulation. You may have better luck if you travel with one of the foriegn flagged carriers and not a US airline.
Jerry
There is a petition on the web you can sign, and also contact the Mexican Tourist Board as they are listening. There is a toll free number.
We are selling and leaving as well – we have been caught with our two, one elderly – cats here.
Well it seems Mexico’s problem with attracting people to vacation in their country is over. Why else would they alienate thousands of people who visit every year, 3-4 times a year? If bring ing my dog down to my home in Baja is going to be such a major problem, money wise and safety wise I might as well find a more pet-friendly country to retire in. No one has said why such a ruling was passed or what was behind it. We may never know and it would be a pity to say “hasta la vista” to such a beautiful place for such a lame reason. Wake up Mexico! Money is running for the border, north!
all the recent research indicates this is a MX government mandate, NOT an airline mandate. Travelers in MX cannot even get a dog through SECURITY much less on a plane. I would urge travelers to do MUCH MORE DIGGING before taking this for granted.