Airline Pet Travel

Airline pet travel, although it may seem traumatic to a caring pet owner, whether in-cabin or cargo, is oftentimes the best way (or the only way) to travel. Dogs, cats and all pets get to their destination quicker and as safely as possible. It should be noted that millions of animals travel safely aboard aircraft every year. Airline personnel make every effort to handle these animals with the care they deserve.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) sets and enforces regulations for the transportation of live animals. These regulations apply to the pet owner, the shipper, as well as to the airlines. If you decide to transport your dog or cat by air, there are some things to check for in order to be in compliance with applicable laws, and to assure the safest and most comfortable trip for your pet.

If you are traveling with a smaller dog or cat, generally under 13 pounds and 12″ from floor to front shoulder, you should be able to bring the pet into the cabin with you. Always check with the airlines to find out the dimensions under the seat in front of you. An airline compliant carrier is a must. It should have a waterproof bottom, secure fasteners, (zippers) and ventilation on all sides. (These carriers are available at PetTravelStore.com.)

If you cannot accompany your pet, or they are too large to fly in the cabin, dogs and cats typically are transported as cargo or as checked baggage. Sometimes these terms create confusion, but both describe humane means of shipping animals. What is important to know is that you may only transport your pet as checked baggage if you are a passenger traveling on the same flight as your pet and the combined weight of your pet and its crate is under about 70 pounds. (This weight varies by airline.) If flying cargo, your pet may travel unaccompanied, either through the regular cargo channels or through an especially expedited delivery service that several airlines have developed. Many airline cargo departments have specialists in the movement of animals who can assist you with answers to your questions. They are trained to handle your pet with care and are experienced in doing so.

What is important for you to know is that pets traveling as cargo are transported in the same pressurized holds as those in the checked baggage system, and this area is temperature and pressure regulated similar to those in the cabin.

Each airline has its own pet policy, but one thing remains the same. You should call the airline before you book and tell them that you are traveling with a pet. Most airlines will only allow a certain number of pets in the cabin. Additionally, there will be a cost to bring your pet in the cabin with you. If your pet is traveling unaccompanied, then contact your airline’s cargo department.

For more tips on traveling with a pet on an airline, visit airline travel tips.

For airline pet policies for every airline that we can find worldwide, visit airline pet policies.


Comments

Airline Pet Travel — 183 Comments

  1. Hi,

    I’m looking at moving my dog from NZ to UK. I’m torn between 3 flights, 1) that’s basically direct, there’s a 2 hour stop in LAX where she wouldn’t get off the plane, another flight where theres a 3-4 hour stop over where she changes planes but wouldn’t get let out from the crate, and a third option where there’s a long layover and she would get “excersized and fed”.
    PLEASE if anyone had done any of these options, or any other options I would LOVE to hear from you.

    She has already flown from Australia to NZ last year and was sweet 🙂

    Thanks!

  2. Jim – try Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa or Finnair for the cost as they fly the Madrid to Vilnius route pretty efficiently. (not sure of your exact route) If you are not traveling with your dogs, contact their cargo department. Your dogs will travel under commercial regulations for live animals unless you are traveling either with them or within 5 days of them, in which case they can travel under the rules of the Pet Travel Scheme. If you need regulations for importing your pets to Lithuania, you can find them here: http://www.pettravel.com/immigration/lithuania.cfm.
    Susan

  3. I am looking to move 5 small dogs from Spain to Lithuania in early December, can you please give me some information on which airline would do this and at what cost. as a road journey is over 4,00 km

    Thanks

    Jim

  4. Maya – the process for importing your kitty to France depends on the originating country. What country does your kitty live in currently? Will it be entering France from that country?
    Susan

  5. Hello, I am moving back to France this Christmas and I am taking my kitty with me. I will be traveling with Air France. I know she needs a microship and vaccinations with a certificate but I was wondering how early do I need to get her vaccinated? She is 4 years old and she has not received any kind of vaccination since she was a tiny baby after I adopted her (basically she got 2 or 3 different shots, over the course of a couple of months when she was 3 months old but nothing since). your help would be much appreciated.
    Best,
    Maya.

  6. Allycatz – the only airline that we know that will allow you to purchase a second seat so you can carry another kitty on board is US Airways. American has always allowed only one pet per carrier and one carrier per passenger, but perhaps they have modified their regulations. If you are in the US, you can contact them at
    1-800-433-7300.
    Phil

  7. We will be moving 3 11-year-old cats to Mexico within the next few months, planning to fly them on American Airlines and then driving them the rest of the way. These are indoor cats, litter mates, who do not like traveling. I have to decide on carriers and harnesses, etc. How can 2 of us take 3 cats on the plane if they don’t guarantee spots for them on the flight ahead of time? I’m overwhelmed right now. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks.

  8. Jeannie – did you try Delta Cargo to MIA? If they have a late night or very early flight, it may be able to travel as air cargo on Delta. Else you can contact Amerijet for their schedule to MIA. They are pet friendly on many of their routes.
    Susan

  9. Most airlines allow one pet per carrier and one carrier per passenger unless your dogs are very small or puppies. It depends on the pet policies of the airline.
    Phil

  10. Hello. Is it possible to travel with 2 cats in the cabin?

    Thank you for your answer.

    Best regards,
    RMV

  11. Hi!…I have been on vacation in Florida for the last couple of weeks and decided to stay. I left my dog in Puerto Rico at home and have someone taking care of him while on vacation but now that we are staying here to live of course I want to bring him. He is the large (longer legs) Boston Terrier and he weights between 25 to 30 pounds.I had no idea there were restrictions on airlines for his breed and also that as far as I have read the airlines will not ship pets in the summer time. I am beyond desperate at this point. There is no way I can leave him until the middle of September!…please!…there’s got to be other an option!
    Thank You.

  12. Martha – most all the airlines respect the temperatures as there is truly a risk to your pet when temperatures exceed 85 degrees. Additionally, your dog may require a custom crate and it will need to fly a large aircraft. Air China flies non-stop between Beijing and JFK, however, they do depart Beijing at 9A and 1P which may not be good for temperatures. China Eastern, Air China (9P departure), Korean Air (9:15P departure), Qatar (1:50A departure but 3P arrival), LOT, Japan Airlines, KLM (late departure), and Swiss (early AM departure) fly the route with one stop. Be sure and tell them about your dog’s size when you inquire.
    susan

  13. Hi, I want to import a Tibetan mastiff rescue dog to the US from China. I am working with a Swedish woman on the Chinese end who is having a really difficult time getting clear info on the process. The dog will have travel unaccompanied. The departure will be Beijing and arrival can be Dulles, Newark, or New York. I’m wondering which airlines would take her and if they have blackout dates for heat. She weighs around 45 kg. She does not look like a purebred Tibetan mastiff so she could pass as a mix if there are particular breed restrictions.

    Thank you!

  14. John – we know of no airline that will fly a live animal to the UK as anything other than air cargo. The reason for this is that the Animal Reception Center needs notification of your pet’s arrival and it is easier to get them that info if your pet travels as air cargo as opposed to in-cabin or checked baggage. Additionally, a licensed agent must collect your pet and take it to the Animal Reception Center where you will pick it up. This process has been in place for years and the airlines don’t seem to want to change it.
    Susan

  15. Although officially DEFRA now say dogs and cats can enter UK as accompanied baggage at approved entry points, in reality is any airline doing this yet?

  16. Hello Ebrahim – you should direct your inquiry to United Airlines Cargo as their drop off locations differ in each airport. Sometimes there is a PetSafe desk located near the check-in counter and other times they are located elsewhere. Call 852 3129 2333 for more information.
    Susan

  17. Thanks Susan. What about if I take United Airlines out of Hong Kong to Arkansas. Where should I drop my cat off? At the desk counter where I check in?

  18. Hello, I want to take my cat from Hong Kong to Arkansas on United Airlines flight, but I’m not sure where should I drop the cat off? When I check in at baggage? Also, should I get it any kind of passport other than shots?

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