How to Fly With Pets

You may be relocating to a new city, or perhaps you want to take your pet on an extended vacation. Flying with a pet is not impossible, but it can be complicated. Follow our step by step guide, How to Fly With Pets, to get your pet to your destination safely.
1. Only 0.01% of pets have trouble on flights
2. Most problems caused by: ill animals, defective kennels
3. Cargo holds in which pets travel are pressurized
4. Can't travel as cargo if temperatures will be below 45 or above 85 at any point in journey

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Pets | Travel | Vacation | How Tos

Step 1: Determine if your pet is able to travel
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Step 2: Determine which airlines will allow your pet aboard
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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
Airlines that accept rabbits
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 th
- '''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 pot-bellied pigs
Airlines that accept ferrets
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
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- 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
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- 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
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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
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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 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
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- 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

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Step 1: Determine if your pet is able to travel

Step 2: Determine which airlines will allow your pet aboard

Airlines that accept dogs and cats

Airlines that accept rabbits

Airlines that accept tropical fish

Airlines that accept non-poisonous reptiles

Airlines that accept pot-bellied pigs

Airlines that accept ferrets

If your pet is flying as a carry on

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

Step 5: Prepare the crate for your pet

Step 6: Prepare your pet for the flight

Step 7: Bring your pet to the airport

If you are checking your pet

Dangers of Flying With Pets

Articles About How to Fly With Pets