There are certain precautions every pet owner must take when your pet is traveling in the cargo area of a plane. You want to make sure your pet is acclimated to the crate, properly hydrated so your pet travels as safe and as comfortably as possible.
For the snub nosed pet owner, things can get risky. Here are dogbreeds that can be considered as snub-nosed depending on your airline: Affenpinscher, American Bully, American Pit Bull Terrier/Pit Bull, American Staffordshire Terrier/”Amstaff,” Belgian Malinois, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bulldog, American Bulldog, English Bulldog, French Bulldog, Old English Bulldogges, Shorty Bulldogs, Spanish Alano/Spanish Bulldog/Alano Espanol, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chow Chow, English Toy Spaniel/Prince Charles Spaniel, Japanese Chin/Japanese Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff, American Mastiff, Boerboel/South African Mastiff, Bullmastiff, Ca de Bou/Mallorquin Mastiff, Cane Corso/Italian Mastiff, Dogo Argentino/Argentinian Mastiff, Dogue de Bordeaux/French Mastiff, English Mastiff, Fila Brasileiro/Brazilian Mastiff/Cao de Fila, Indian Mastiff/Alangu, Kangal/Turkish Kangal, Neapolitan Mastiff/Mastino Napoletano, Pakastani Mastiff/Bully Kutta, Pyrenean Mastiff, Presa Canario/Perro de Presa Canario/Dogo Canario/Canary Mastiff, Spanish Mastiff / Mastin Espanol, Tibetan Mastiff, Tosa/Tosa Ken/Tosa Inu/Japanese Mastiff/Japanese Tosa, Pekingese, Pug, Dutch Pug, Japanese Pug, Shar-Pei/Chinese Shar-Pei, Shih-Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier/”Staffys,” and Tibetan Spaniel.
Also, the following cat breeds are also snub-nosed:?Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan and Persian.
These short nosed (also called “brachycephalic”) pets have difficulty breathing and acclimating to certain weather conditions. Even though these pets are considered ?at risk?, taking necessary precautions and using the proper flight itinerary on a pet-safe, pet friendly airline will help reduce the chances of an incident. Below is an airline chart to help pet owners who are considering traveling via cargo with their sub-nosed breed.
Most airlines require a health certificate within 10 days prior to your travel date for pets flying in the cargo hold. (International immigration requirements also apply if traveling outside country borders)
Weather restrictions: When temperatures exceed 80-85 degrees F (27-30 degrees C) in any airport on your pet’s itinerary, the airlines restrict animals that will be accepted as checked baggage or cargo. These restrictions are enforced for the safety of your pet. The restrictions are as follows:
Summer Heat Embargo: May 15 through September 15
Winter Embargo: November 1st through March 31st
Delta: Delta has changed their banned breed policies and will no longer transport dog or cat breeds considered as snub-nosed in the cargo hold.
United: United will no longer transport snub-nosed pets in the cargo hold. See their snub-nosed breed restrictions here..
American Airlines: American Airlines has issued a permanent embargo on all breeds of snub-nosed dogs and cats.
Frontier Airlines: Frontier no longer offers checked baggage or air cargo services for live animals. If you want to fly with your pet on this airlines, it must fit in an airline-compliant pet carrier that will fit under the seat in front of you.
Alaskan Airlines: snub-nosed breeds are no longer permitted to fly Alaska Airlines in the cargo hold.
Lufthansa: Snub-nosed breeds will be transported as long as temperatures do not exceed 75 degrees F anywhere on the itinerary.
KLM Airlines: KLM will only fly snub-nosed breeds as air cargo. Four breeds of snub nosed dogs will no longer be allowed in the cargo hold on KLM aircraft: English Bulldog, French Bulldog, Boston Terrier, and Pug
When your snub-nosed dog or cat are flying in the cargo hold, here are tips to keep them safe:
- Use a pet crate that is one size larger than is normally required
- Use a crate with ventilation on 4 sides. (If the kennel does not have ventilation on 4 sides, modify the kennel by drilling 7 holes in the rear top and 7 holes in the rear bottom of the kennel using a 3/4 inch keyhole bit).
- Acclimate your pet to its crate by letting the animal spend time in the kennel for several days before its departure.
- Do not place food in the kennel during the flight, just water.
- Provide plenty of water to your pet. Frozen water bottles with tiny holes punched in the sides make a great watering tool for several hours when placed in the crate’s watering dish. Find the largest pet crate water bowl that you can.
It is always wise to call your airlines when making your reservation and disclose the breed of your dog. Also, it is a good idea to let the Captain know that you are traveling with a pet. Preparing in advance is an important part of pet travel.
More information on airline pet policies.
Hi we’re traveling from Manila to Lax this December. He’s a shih tzu consider him as a snub nose. What can I do to lower the risks of my pet dying. He’s checked in as baggage and the airlines told me (Philippine Airlines) that he will be placed in an area for live animals. I was quite relieved but I’m still worried. He is bpvery healthy and we completed all the documents needed. Hope you answer. Thanks
Audrey – Lufthansa will carry them as long as the temperature does not exceed 75 degrees. They must travel as air cargo, so you want to contact Lufthansa’s cargo department.
Jason
How can I get my adult English Bulldog from Washington D.C. to Germany?
Moniza – try Korean Air, Lufthansa or KLM. They may be options for you on this route.
Susan
how can I fly my 3 yrs old shiatsu from KL Malaysia to Toronto Canada in April with me or through the cargo itself? Pls. advise .
Moniza
Hi Jesse – BA does not carry your pet’s breed. Where in the UK are you traveling from?
Jason
Hello, I was wondering about French Bulldogs on British Airways flights. I see that airline isn’t listed. I know they allow them on some routes but I’m enquiring about a puppy coming from the UK on British Airways to Bermuda. Thank you! Jessie
Hi Jackie – we can service that route for you and would be happy to do a free quote. click here and fill in your details so we can accurately price out a quote: http://www.pettraveltransport.com/pettransportquote.html
Campbell
(Campbell@pettravel.com)
Delta will not fly her because of the summer embargo, even in those cities listed. I’m considering going down there myself and bringing her with me in the cabin, though I am not sure that will be possible. Could you give me a quote as to how much it would cost for ground transportation? It would be from Miami to NYC. Thank you?
Jackie – Delta will not transport pets as checked baggage between the period of May 15 through September 15. During that time, pets must fly under the policies of Delta Cargo unless the weather is extreme. First suggestion: consider flying from a city that is on Delta’s 2015 Summer Live Animal Program: Miami, Sarasota, Fort Walton Beach, Pansacola, Gainesville, Panama City, Fort Myers, Ft Lauderdale. Contact Delta’s cargo department and see if there is a flight that departs very early in the morning before temperatures rise. Be prepared to get a crate one size larger than your pup would normally require. As for ground transport, we are based in South Florida and would be happy to quote you a price to drive, however, it will most likely exceed the cost of flying your pup as cargo.
Susan
I have a an 8 month old Shih Tzu mix I’m trying to get from Florida to NYC. I was planning to use the Delta Airlines cargo option, but now I’m confused about the embargo they have. I know they won’t accept it as checked baggage, but can she travel as cargo? Would another airline be better? Or should I consider ground transportation?
Neil – try Lufthansa, KLM, Swiss or SAS. Not sure about this route, so you need to confirm. If reservations says no, contact their cargo department.
Susan
Hi, do you know which airline would allow a Boston Terrier out of Edinburgh, Scotland into Boston Logan in Massachussets? It would be December/Winter time. I was thinking we’d use Air France but they appear not to permit snub nosed dogs such as Boston Terriers… thanks!
Lindsey – it matters not whether your Bullie has a breathing problem. Eighty five percent of incidents involve Bulldogs and the airlines cannot assume that liability. Anyway, be very aware of temperatures. Anything greater than 75 degrees can increase risk to your pup. Try Lufthansa and see what they say.
Susan
I have a Olde English Bulldog and we are moving to Italy from Idaho. Does anyone know of an airline That can take her? She doesn’t have the breathing problems that English Bulldogs have, airlines don’t understand that.
Tommy – did you try Virgin Australia? Korean Air through Seoul may also be a possibility.
Phil
I’m a french bulldog who is planning to move to Sydney, AU from Los Angeles, CA and I’m looking into options on getting there. Please help.
Anne – you can try Philippine Air. Your breed is a snub-nosed breed so there are few airlines that will transport it in the hold. The best months to travel are spring and fall. The temperatures are not at their extreme during those months. To enter the US, your Shih Tzu will need proof of rabies vaccination more than 30 days prior to import and a health certificate issued in English within 10 days of entry. Also a tapeworm inspection between one and five days of entry.
Phil
Good day!
I have a nine year old shih tzu that I want to bring to Seattle USA from Manila Philippines? What airline can I try to contact that will help me safely bring my pet with me. What month is it safest for her to travel? What are the requirements for me to bring her to the U.S.? How much are the airlines charging for bringing a pet to the U.S.?
Thank you very much for your attention and response, I appreciate it.
John – did you try United Airlines? They transport pets to Honolulu from Detroit under their SafePet Program. You will need to arrange their flight to Maui.
Phil