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.
Shih Tzus are snub-nosed breeds and many airlines will not fly them. You may want to contact an agent in your origination country for options. You can search for one at IPATA.org.
Susan
hi!are there anyone who had tried to relocate a shih tzu to qatar.i am really frustrated.i dont know what to do?
Charlotte – the only airline that we know that serves Manila that will accept a snub-nosed breed is Korean Air through Seoul. You will need an agent in the Philippines to book the transport. It would be an extremely difficult and expensive process. (not to mention the risk from pet scammers) It would be far easier to adopt from a registered breeder in the US. Hawaii has strict import regulations and your puppy will need to be at least 5 months of age to avoid quarantine.
Susan
Aloha,
I?m in the process of adopting a snub nose dog from bocolog, Philippines. I was told that I may not be able to do so due to the breed being a snubbed nose (Shitzu). Is there any airlines that you know of that would assist me in shipping her to Honolulu, Hawaii? Please help me. My family & I would be heart broken if we can?t find a way to get her home to us. We were really looking forward to have her.
Mahalo,
Charlotte
Carrie – Lufthansa recently changed their policies regarding snub-nosed dogs and they no longer fly them as checked baggage. We believe that Lufthansa will fly them as air cargo; however, an agent is required to book the transport. You may want to have your breeder contact an agent in the UK. You can search for one at IPATA.org. We are located in the United States and not authorized to book transport out of the UK.
Susan
Hello, I am so frustrated! We have purchased two Beautiful French Bulldog puppies from the UK and we live in the USA. I have searched for several flights and cannot find any! The breeder was going to fly the one puppy on Lufthansa but they cancelled her flight after booking and said she cannot fly with her! Are there any options? Thanks
Courtney – Korean Air through Seoul to Narita may be an option for your Frenchies. Very few airlines will fly them. If this does not work, you will need to find an airport that serves Lufthansa and transport them via ground to that airport. Know that Lufthansa will only fly snub-nosed pets as air cargo after January, 2020. Let us know if you need assistance with booking. Be sure you attach the largest water bowl you can find to the door of their crate. Hydration is a concern with this breed. You can find IATA-compliant pet crates for them as well as large water bowls and crate buckets at https://www.pettravelstore.com.
Susan
Hi, My family is moving from Atlanta, Ga to Sasebo Japan in april. I am trying to find an airline that will fly my three french bulldogs. Thank you for your help!
Sarah – most of Lufthansa’s flights out of IAH are operated by United which does not accept Pug breeds. They do have a Saturday flight at 4:30PM that they operate. If your Pugs are flying unaccompanied or after the first of the year, you will need to contact Lufthansa cargo department. They also fly out of Dallas Fort Worth airport.
Susan
Hey we might be moving with 2 pugs in April 2020 from Houston to Scotland. Is there any airlines that would fly our pugs in cargo. They came over to Houston from Scotland in 2017 with Lufthansa but I see that is no longer an option.
Tania – almost no airlines will fly French Bulldogs in the cargo hold due to its snub-nosed condition. If your Frenchie is small enough to fly in the cabin, then Air Canada can transport it through Toronto. If it must fly in the cargo hold, try flying Westjet to a US location served by Copa Airlines. You will need to claim your pet and clear customs to recheck it on the Copa flight to Sao Paulo, so you layover should be at least 3-4 hours.
Susan
Lease I want get back from Vancouver- Canada to S?o Paulo -Brazil with my 10 years old French Bulldog… what is the best way to travel with her and air company, if you can help me please, I will be very thankful ,coz it?s very difficult to bring her (Nina)home, , tks a lot
Subasana – the question is whether your Lhasa Apso is small enough to fit in an airline-compliant pet carrier. If not, then you may want to contact Lufthansa as they offer service from India to Canada and will fly your pet in the cargo hold if it is not small enough to fly in the cabin. Watch out for temperatures, though, if your pup must fly in the cargo hold. They cannot exceed 29 degrees C anywhere on the route.
Susan
Hi, I stay in Canada and I have to bring my dog fluffy (lhasa apso) from India to Canada. I’m confused about which airlines would be comfortable for him and also is there any chances we can we take him with us in cabin because he is 3 years old now.
Thank you.
Rima – if your Frenchie must fly in the cargo hold due to its size, then know that few airlines will fly it as it is a snub-nosed breed. Turkish Air and Lufthansa will as long as temperatures are not extreme. Plan to fly in the cooler months if possible.
Susan
i am planning to take my french bulldog back to LA after college, which will be in 2yrs and my dog will be 2y/o that time.
Kelly – Australia will require that your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel fly as air cargo into Melbourne for mandatory 10 days of quarantine. This means that you will be dealing with the airine’s cargo department. Many airlines will ban this breed; however, Qantas will fly it as air cargo. An agent may be required to book the transport. Let us know if you need this assistance ([email protected]). It will need to fly in an IATA-compliant pet crate like those shown here: https://www.pettravel.com/immigration/pet-crates/
Unfortunately, we are unaware of any pet friendly options by sea.
If you need to review regulations to import your dog to Australia, you can find them here with links to further instructions if you need them: https://www.pettravel.com/immigration/australia.cfm.
Susan
I’m moving from the USA (LA) to Australia and trying to figure out how to transport my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. He’s tall – about 32lbs – so can’t come in the cabin sadly.
Has anyone safely flown a Cavalier in cargo, or is it too risky due to the snub nose? Or are there other options ie boat?
Thanks for your help!
Lee-Jane – Lufthansa or Turkish Airlines “may” fly your Frenchie depending on temperatures at the time of flight. Not many airlines will fly this breed as it is snub-nosed. You will need to contact their cargo departments as all live animals flying into South Africa must do so as air cargo according to commercial airline regulations. If you need pet import requirements for South Africa, you can find them here: https://www.pettravel.com/immigration/SouthAfrica.cfm.
Susan
We are needing to fly our French Bulldog from Malaga Airport to Cape Town South Africa.
Please give me instructions on which airline to try?
Thank you