Pets are on the move. More than 2 million pets are transported each year in the United States according to US Department of Transportation. Although the majority of animals that are transported are dogs and cats, exotic animals can be transported as well. It?s important to realize that every airline sets their own regulations on what pets, breeds and types they are willing to transport. Below is a list of airlines you might want to consider next time you travel with an exotic animal.
Delta: Delta is a very pet-friendly airline with a variety of options for different animals. Delta welcomes passengers to carry small dogs, cats, and household birds in cabin. Also, between September 16th and May 14th they will transport dogs, cats, household birds, guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters and most reptiles, amphibians and fish via cargo as long as the temperatures along your route do not exceed 85 degrees.. Pets must be in an airline approved crate or carrier. As a bonus Delta will transport two pets of the same type in one kennel as long as they meet the requirements for acceptance. Delta no longer provides checked baggage service, however they do transport pets unaccompanied. Delta only accepts pets on flights shorter than 12 hours and they limit crate height to 24″.
Frontier: Frontier is known for their laid back regulations and relatively inexpensive transport fees. They allow dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits and hamsters to travel in cabin (with the appropriate carrier) for $75 one way for flights within the United States. Only dogs and cats will be transported internationally.
United: United Air limits in-cabin travel to dogs and cats. They will only transport dogs in crates 30″ or under in their PetSafe Program.
WestJet: Westjet Airline is one of the most ?exotic pet friendly? airlines in Canada. They will transport cats, dogs, rabbits, birds (not just household) in the cabin. Chinchillas, guinea pigs, and hedgehogs can be transported as checked baggage. The only downside to WestJet is their flight selection is somewhat limited, especially in the central US. They will fly snub-nosed breeds as long as temperatures are not excessive.
It?s important to remember that each airline makes its own rules for the import of birds and exotic pets. On top of the airlines, every country (beside the EU) makes their own rules regarding the various types of pets allowed to enter the country. For more information on traveling with your exotic pet, check out www.pettravel.com.
Savannah – currently, your only option by a commercial airlines is American Cargo. We can also give you a quote for ground transport. Fill out this simple form for a free quote: https://www.pettraveltransport.com/pettransportquote.html
Susan
How can I fly my two box turtles from Oklahoma to Utah
Pearl – we know of no commercial airline that will permit any kind of monkey in the cabin or as checked baggage. Your monkey must fly under the care of an agent as air cargo. Know also that it is extremely difficult to transport a monkey internationally.
Susan
What airline lets you carry a squirrel monkey they carry him in a back pack is under vet care only 6 months old
You will need an import permit if import is permitted. Email VetPermits@daff.gov.za(link sends e-mail) for more information.
Susan
Hello, I was wondering if two rats could fly from Michigan to South Africa? Either accompanied or not
See previous response for air options. We can give you a quote for ground transport. https://www.pettraveltransport.com/pettransportquote.html
Blanca – right now, your airline options are limited to American Airlines air cargo as they are pretty much the only airlines that is flying live animals outside of the cabin right now. Alaska Airlines too if you can find a route with a 2-3 hour layover. You would need to contact American Airlines cargo department for details. Your tortoise will need a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of travel.
Susan
I will love to travel with my Russian tortoise from Ny to Chicago wat I need
I have a Russian tortoise I want to fly from ny to Chicago can I fly with my pet
Lyvie – we know of no airline that has published info that will allow reptiles in the cabin; however, you may want to contact them to see if they will allow you an exception as long as you have a suitable carrier. If they will not allow it, your best option is ground. You can rent a car and drive or we can quote you for ground transport. If you are interested in a quote for door-to-door ground transport, then go to https://www.pettraveltransport.com and click on the Get A Quote link. We will respond within a few days.
Susan
Hi, So I just got a baby box turtle freshly hatched only lets say 2 weeks old. I will be traveling from NY to TN in November 2020. She can?t stay here by herself she?s only 1-2 inches big do you know any airline that would allow her to travel on the plane as a carry on.
Kitty Comer – no US-based commercial airline will allow a reptile in the cabin according to published regulations. Not sure of your route, but if Frontier flies it, you may want to contact them to ask whether they will make an exception for your turtle. If not, then Alaska Airlines will fly your turtle as checked baggage in an IATA compliant pet crate. If flying in the cargo hold is not an option, then ground transport or private jet charter are also options depending on your origination. We can provide quotes for both types of transports. Email info@pettravel.com.
Susan
I will be going to Florida in december, 2020, flying from Minnesota and we stay in florida for four months. I have a baby aquatic, (mud turtle), smaller than my thumb, hatched about 2 months ago, and cannot leave him home alone for four months or he will die. Can I carry him in the plane with me and what is the cost for that? Please respond back. Thank you.
Christy – it used to be that there was a ban on the import of red-eared slider turtles to the United Kingdom. Now, it appears to be permitted with submittal of a license that you can find here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/853745/ias-a02-application-form.pdf. Your turtle will need to fly as air cargo and you will need the assistance of an agent in Hong Kong to book the transport. We do not have offices in Hong Kong but you can search for an agent there at IPATA.org.
Susan
I want to bring my red eared slider turtle from Hong Kong to England. Will that be possible and how can we ensure that the turtle can survive?
You can try American Airline’s cargo department and see if they have service for your guinea pigs. If not, then you will need to transport via ground. We can assist if you need help with ground transport.
Susan
Hi, I am trying to find an airline that will allow my guinea pigs to fly alone. From New Jersey to Florida. Is this possible?
Zoie – we do not know of one commercial airline that will allow reptiles in the cabin or as checked baggage. Your geckos will need to travel as air cargo, private jet or travel by ground transport. Let us know if you need a quote for ground transport or jet charter.
Susan
I need to fly my leopard geckos from Minneapolis, Minnesota with me to Los Angeles, California this summer. I don’t trust cargo. Would any airline allow me to bring them in the cabin?
Kiyonna – we do not know of any airline that will fly a hedgehog in the cabin. You can try Frontier if they fly your route as they allow hamsters and rabbits, but they do not include hedgehogs. Perhaps they will make an exception.
Susan
Does any airlines allow hedgehogs in cabin. I don?t trust cargo
Ruth – Frontier will allow domestic cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and small birds in their cabins. Unfortunately, rats are not permitted according to their regulations.
Susan
Can I bring a rat on a Frontier flight?
Eddy – most all airlines will allow a turtle to fly as air cargo, and this is the class of service your turtle must fly if you are not flying with it. In this case, you would contact the cargo department of an airline that flies the route nonstop (Delta or Alaska Airlines). You can also contact Alaska Airlines reservations and ask whether they will accept your turtle as checked baggage if you are flying with it. (Delta does not offer this class of service for live animals.)
Susan
I need to transport a box turtle from New York to San Francisco. Do any airlines allow turtles?
Judes – a health certificate is required and we have not found information that an import permit is required. That said, an agent will need to book this transport and that agent should confirm requirements to import your turtle to Japan. You can search for an agent in California at IPATA.org.
Susan
Does anyone know or have experience in bringing a pet red slider turtle from california to okinawa, japan?
Do I need a health certicate and import permit?
Havent found much information about bringing pet turtles to japan.
Jennifer – you are correct. Delta will only fly dogs and cats in the cabin. The Department of Transportation which issues the Airline Carrier Access Act issued a clarification last year that permits the airline to specify the species of animal that they will allow as an emotional support animal. As you may recall, passengers were bringing on all sorts of insects and animals as ESAs.
Susan
Just so everyone is aware. Delta DOES NOT allow rabbits at any time of the year. They claim it’s a public health hazzard. Even if it is an emotional support animal they will not transport it on their flights.
Elaine – not sure of your route; however, Frontier Airlines will fly a guinea pig on a flight in the cabin.
Susan
What airlines allow guinea pigs as a pet on flights?
Marina – you may want to contact the USDA regarding requirements to transport your fox. You can email them here: VS-Live.Animals_Import.Permits@aphis.usda.gov
Susan