How to Fly With Pets

• Also try: Traveling with Pets
  

• by Nicole Gustas

Step 1: Determine if your pet is able to travel

• .Listen to this step

Destination restrictions

1. Your pet may not be allowed to travel to your destination. For example, birds, hamsters, and other animals are not allowed into Australia. Other countries have similar restrictions, especially on pet birds. Check your destination's regulations before you travel.
2. Some countries, as well as the U.S. state of Hawaii, require lengthy quarantine periods before they will admit a pet. Check before you book your ticket, or your pet could have a very boring vacation!

Airline restrictions

1. If your pet is under 8 weeks old, it will not be allowed to fly.
2. If your pet is not weaned, it will not be allowed to fly.
3. Take your pet to the vet within 30 days before traveling. Some airlines, and many states and countries, require a certificate of health in order for your pet to travel.
4. Most airlines place greater restrictions on pugs, bulldogs and other short-nosed breeds (this goes for cats as well); as the American Kennel Club notes, these breeds are exceptionally susceptible to heat.
5. Pit bulls are banned from most airlines.

Step 2: Determine which airlines will allow your pet aboard

• .Listen to this step

1. See below for U.S. airlines that will accept your pet. This does not include certain international carriers.
2. Then, check whether your specific pet will be allowed.
   • Will the airline accept your type of pet? Some airlines only accept dogs and cats.
   • Is your pet small enough to bring as carry on baggage? Your pet and its carrier must be able to fit beneath the seat in front of you. If not, many airlines will not accept your pet.
   • What time of year are you traveling? Most airlines that accept pets have significant restrictions during summer and winter. Check for details.

• Below are links to the policies of domestic airlines that do allow pets, as of August 3, 2007. A summary of each policy is provided; please check the links for details and updates. For animals not listed, try Continental or Frontier Airlines. Poisonous reptiles, insects and arachnids are not currently allowed on any airlines.

Airlines that accept dogs and cats

• AirTran Airways: Can I travel with a pet? $65, as carry on only, carrier must be no bigger than 8.5" high x 17" long x 12" wide, animal and carrier combined must weigh no more than 15 pounds
• Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air: Traveling with Pets $75 in cabin, $100 in baggage; carrier size in cabin dependent on aircraft, in baggage no larger than 40" long x 27" wide x 30" high; pet and carrier combined weight no more than 149 pounds
• American Airlines: Traveling With Pets $80 as carry on, $100 checked; cabin carriers no bigger than 23" long x 13" wide x 9" high, checked carriers no bigger than 40" long x 27" wide x 30" high EXCEPT on MD-80 (call for MD-80 details); maximum combined weight of pet and carrier 100 pounds
• ATA: Pets and Guide Animals Call for information and fees
• Continental Airlines: Traveling with Animals $95 as carry on, varies as cargo; maximum carrier size as carry on 22" long x 14" wide x 9" high, as cargo 48" long x 32" wide x 35" high
• Delta: Pet Travel Options $50 carry on, $100 checked; carrier size for both carry on and checked varies
• Frontier Airlines: Traveling With Pets Checked only; $100 fee; call for carrier sizes
• JetBlue: Guidelines for traveling with pets Carry on only, $50 each way, combined weight of pet and carrier no more than 20 pounds, carrier no bigger than 17" long x 12.5" wide x 8" high
• Northwest Airlines: Priority Pet Limited destinations 6/1-9/15; $80-$350 per animal; animal plus carrier for carry on must weigh no more than 15 pounds, 100 pounds for checked; carrier for carry on must be no larger than 17" x 12.3" x 8", for checked must be no more than 100 in (total L x W x H)
• United Airlines: Rules and guidelines for your pet $85 carry on, up to $200 in cargo hold; no travel if temperature during trip above 85 degrees; contact United for other details
• US Airways: Pets Will only allow carry on pets except in BOS/DCA/LGA market; $80 fee; carrier must be no bigger than 17" long x 16" wide x 8" tall

Airlines that accept birds

• AirTran Airways: Can I travel with a pet? $65, as carry on only, carrier must be no bigger than 8.5" high x 17" long x 12" wide, animal and carrier combined must weigh no more than 15 pounds
• Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air: Traveling with Pets $75 in cabin, $100 in baggage; carrier size in cabin dependent on aircraft, in baggage no larger than , size no bigger than 40" long, 27" wide, 30" high; pet and carrier combined weight no more than 149 pounds
• ATA: Pets and Guide Animals Call for information and fees
• Continental Airlines: Traveling with Animals $95 as carry on, varies as cargo; maximum carrier size as carry on 22" long x 14" wide x 9" high, as cargo 48" long x 32" wide x 35" high
• Delta: Pet Travel Options $50 carry on, $100 checked; carrier size for both carry on and checked varies
• Frontier Airlines: Traveling With Pets Checked only; $100 fee; call for carrier sizes
• Northwest Airlines: Priority Pet Limited destinations 6/1-9/15; $80-$350 per animal; animal plus carrier for carry on must weigh no more than 15 pounds, 100 pounds for checked; carrier for carry on must be no larger than 17" x 12.3" x 8", for checked must be no more than 100 in (total L x W x H)
• United Airlines: Rules and guidelines for your pet $85 carry on, up to $200 in cargo hold; no travel if temperature during trip above 85 degrees; canaries, parakeets and finches only; contact United for other details
• US Airways: Pets Will only allow carry on pets except in BOS/DCA/LGA market; $80 fee; carrier must be no bigger than 17" long x 16" wide x 8" tall

Airlines that accept rabbits

• Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air: Traveling with Pets $75 in cabin, $100 in baggage; carrier size in cabin dependent on aircraft, in baggage no larger than , size no bigger than 40" long, 27" wide, 30" high; pet and carrier combined weight no more than 149 pounds
• Continental Airlines: Traveling with Animals $95 as carry on, varies as cargo; maximum carrier size as carry on 22" long x 14" wide x 9" high, as cargo 48" long x 32" wide x 35" high
• Delta: Pet Travel Options $50 carry on, $100 checked; carrier size for both carry on and checked varies
• Frontier Airlines: Traveling With Pets Checked only; $100 fee
• Northwest Airlines: Priority Pet Limited destinations 6/1-9/15; $80-$350 per animal; animal plus carrier must weigh no more than 100 pounds for; carrier must be no larger than 100 in (total L x W x H)

Airlines that accept tropical fish

• Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air: Traveling with Pets $75 in cabin, $100 in baggage; carrier size in cabin dependent on aircraft, in baggage no larger than , size no bigger than 40" long, 27" wide, 30" high; pet and carrier combined weight no more than 149 pounds
• Continental Airlines: Traveling with Animals As cargo, fees vary, maximum carrier size 48" long x 32" wide x 35" high

Airlines that accept non-poisonous reptiles

• Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air: Traveling with Pets $100 in baggage, pet and carrier combined weight no more than 149 pounds, size no bigger than 40" long, 27" wide, 30" high
• Continental Airlines: Traveling with Animals As cargo, fees vary, maximum carrier size 48" long x 32" wide x 35" high

Airlines that accept guinea pigs and hamsters

• Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air: Traveling with Pets $100 in baggage, pet and carrier combined weight no more than 149 pounds, size no bigger than 40" long, 27" wide, 30" high
• Continental Airlines: Traveling with Animals As cargo, fees vary, maximum carrier size 48" long x 32" wide x 35" high
• Delta: Pet Travel Options $50 carry on, $100 checked; carrier size for both carry on and checked varies
• Frontier Airlines: Traveling With Pets Checked only; $100 fee; call for carrier sizes
• Northwest Airlines: Priority Pet Limited destinations 6/1-9/15; $80-$350 per animal; animal plus carrier must weigh no more than 100 pounds for; carrier must be no larger than 100 in (total L x W x H)

Airlines that accept pot-bellied pigs

• Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air: Traveling with Pets $100 in baggage, pet and carrier combined weight no more than 149 pounds, size no bigger than 40" long, 27" wide, 30" high
• Continental Airlines: Traveling with Animals As cargo, fees vary, maximum carrier size 48" long x 32" wide x 35" high
• Delta: Pet Travel Options $100 checked; carrier size varies
• Frontier Airlines: Traveling With Pets Checked only; $100 fee; call for carrier sizes

Airlines that accept ferrets

• Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air: Traveling with Pets $100 in baggage, pet and carrier combined weight no more than 149 pounds, size no bigger than 40" long, 27" wide, 30" high
• Continental Airlines: Traveling with Animals As cargo, fees vary, maximum carrier size 48" long x 32" wide x 35" high
• Delta: Pet Travel Options $50 carry on, $100 checked; carrier size for both carry on and checked varies
• Frontier Airlines: Traveling With Pets Checked only; $100 fee; call for carrier sizes

Step 3: Reserve a flight for yourself and your pet

• .Listen to this step
• Once you have determined which airlines your pet may fly on, you can reserve a flight. You must reserve a place for your pet as well as yourself, even if you will be bringing your pet aboard as a carry on; space for pets is limited.

If your pet is flying checked or cargo

1. Your pet is less likely to get lost by the airline if it is on a direct or nonstop flight.
2. In summer, traveling early in the morning or at night will protect your pet from overheating if it is left on the tarmac for extended periods.

If your pet is flying as a carry on

1. You must still reserve space. Most airlines only allow one or two pets in the cabin per flight.

Step 4: Find a traveling crate or carrier for your pet

• .Listen to this step

• For your pet to reach its destination safely, it must travel in a carrier that is both comfortable and properly built.

1. The carrier or crate must be large enough for your pet to stand, turn around and lie down.
2. It must open and close securely without the use of any special tools.
3. It should be leak-proof.
4. If it is a kennel or traveling crate, the door should be metal. Dogs can gnaw through plastic doors.
5. You can learn more about traveling crates in Mahalo's Guide to Pet Crates.

Step 5: Prepare the crate for your pet

• .Listen to this step
• These preparations will ensure your pet travels safely.

1. If it is a kennel or traveling crate, write "Live Animal" in very large letters (at least one inch high) on the sides of the crate.
2. Attach a photo of your animal, as well as the address to which it is going when it arrives, to the crate or carrier. If you are separated, this will help ensure you and your pet can be reunited.
3. Make sure to attach more than one water bottle to the crate, in case the flight is delayed. Baggage handlers are often not allowed to give food or water to an animal in transit.

Step 6: Prepare your pet for the flight

• .Listen to this step

1. Get your pet comfortable with the crate or carrier. Put some familiar objects (like a pet blanket or a sock) inside, and encourage it to spend time inside. If the space is familiar, it will make the trip less stressful for your pet.
2. Line the crate with shredded paper, towels or other absorbent material in case of accidents.
3. Don't feed your pet a big meal before departure. Remember, what goes in must come out!
4. Exercise your pet before you leave. This will encourage it to rest, or even sleep, on the flight.
5. The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends that you do not sedate your pet for the flight.

Step 7: Bring your pet to the airport

• .Listen to this step

1. Arrive two to three hours before your flight.
2. Make sure you have all the paperwork for your pet readily accessible.
3. Be friendly, polite and patient with the airline staff.

If you are carrying your pet on board

1. Your pet will need to be removed from its carrier when going through security.
2. Pets must not go through the X-ray machine!
3. You will have to carry or lead your pet through the metal detector. Using a leash with very little metal on it is recommended.
4. You must place your pet back in its carrier when you are through the metal detector.
5. Your pet will need to remain in its carrier under the seat in front of you for the duration of the flight.

If you are checking your pet

1. You will be able to retrieve your pet in the baggage claim area after the flight.

Dangers of Flying With Pets

• .Listen to this step
• At least 500,000 animals fly per year.
• From May 2005 to May 2007:
  • 60 pets have died while flying
  • 32 pets have been injured while flying
  • 19 pets have been lost while flying
• A little over 0.01% of pets die, are injured or lost when flying
• Continental has had the most deaths (21), which they say is less than 0.05% of the total number of pets transported in that time

Articles About How to Fly With Pets

• CBC News: Air Canada adds pets to no-fly list (June 21, 2007)
• BBC News: Japan airline's ban on bulldogs (July 6, 2007)
• The Humane Society of the United States: Summary of Airline Pet-Transport Policies (June 21, 2007)
• American Kennel Club: Don't Overheat Your Hound! Summertime Tips from AKC (August 6, 2007)
• The Boston Globe: For most part, pets on jets fly just fine (June 21, 2007) 
• USATODAY.com: What you need to know about flying with Fido (February 14, 2007)
• PetEducation.com: Safely Flying with Cats
• Frequently updated: Animal Airline Incident Reports (February 2008)
• Air Transport Assocation: Air Travel for Your Pet
• How To Do Things.com: How To Travel with Your Pet by Air
• Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS): Pet Travel
• Fodor's Travel Wire: Flying High with Your Pooch
• Pets On the Go!: Airline Pet Regulations

Related Searches