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Tips on air travel with your pets will be found on this page. Mostly dogs and cats, can and do travel by air safely aboard commercial aircrafts within pet carriers. Not All Airlines Accept Pets
Please keep in mind that not all airlines accept pets for travel. Some airlines do not accept pets in the cabin for international flights. Others do not accept animals over a certain weight or at all under any conditions. Those carriers that do accept pets for travel each have their own pet transportation policy. Pet owners need to contact the airline directly or better yet have a pet travel specialists do so when making travel plans for a pet because you can get a different answer from each person that you talk to with the same airline. Airline Rules Vary
Some airline web sites will provide safety information and pet transportation policies. However you can not ascertain how current this information is without talking to a pet travel specialist to find out the current rules and regulations of the airlines. Most airline reservation agents do not know the current rules regarding the transportation of animals and you are likely to get a different answer with each person that you talk to as mentioned above. There is a whole different set of rules that pertain to service animals and only someone well versed in this area can give you the correct information on these rules. APHIS Rules and Regulations
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) sets and enforces regulations for the transportation of live animals. These regulations apply to customers and their pets, as well as to the airlines. If you transport your pet by air, you must comply with all of the applicable laws, which are designed to ensure pet safety and comfort. How to Transport Your Pet by Air
There are a number of ways to transport your pet by air. First, some airlines will allow you to travel with a small pet in the cabin of the plane if your pet will fit in a carry-on kennel or approved carrier under a passenger seat.For animals other than dogs or cats, contact your airline for its acceptance policy. Note that different carriers have very specific rules. For example, a pet cannot have an offensive odor, nor will it be allowed to disturb other on board travelers and must adhere to FAA rules. Also, the pet must remain in the carrying case throughout the entire flight. Accompanied Baggage
A second option offered by many airlines is “accompanied baggage,” where your pet travels in the cargo hold alongside your checked luggage. What’s important to know is that the airlines allow you to transport your pet as accompanied baggage only when you are a passenger traveling on the same flight as your pet.Live Animal Cargo
A third option available through most airlines is to transport your pet as a “live animal” cargo shipment. In the cargo system, your pet travels either through regular cargo channels or special expedited delivery services that many airlines have developed. Pets in the Cargo system are transported in the same pressurized holds as those in the checked-baggage system. Many airline cargo departments employ pet transportation specialists who can assist you with answers to questions and insure a safe move for your pets. These methods are safe and humane ways to transport your pet. Contact your airline or pet transporter directly to determine the best option for you and your pet. Questions to Consider When Your Pet Travels
Is your pet old enough to travel? APHIS requires your pet to be at least eight weeks old and fully weaned before traveling by air. If they are not yet 16 weeks old a rabies vaccine will not be necessary to meet airline requirements.Which Flights are Easier on Your Pets
Whenever possible, book a direct, nonstop flight and avoid holiday or weekend travel. Consider schedules that minimize temperature extremes. For example, try to avoid air travel during excessively hot or cold periods. Morning or evening flights are preferable during the summer. In the cargo system, it is possible to reserve space on a specific flight by paying for either priority or special expedited delivery service. Note that carriers reserve the right to embargo pet air travel during extreme conditions.Is Your Pet Healthy for Air Travel?
Check with a veterinarian to be sure that your pet is fit to travel. Some species – for example, pug-nosed dogs (e.g., Boxers and Boston Terriers) – simply do not fly well because they may have difficulty breathing even under normal conditions. You will need a health certificate, provided by your veterinarian, in order to comply with the rules of most airlines, as well as state and federal rules. To be valid for your trip on most airlines, the certificate should be issued no more than seven to 10 days prior to departure. Be sure to check with your airline to get the exact amount of time they require before your pet’s trip.Should You Sedate Your Pet for Air Travel?
Veterinarians, USDA, APHIS and all Pet Transporters advise against sedating your pet since the effects of tranquilizers on animals at higher altitudes are unpredictable.Never sedate pets for airline travel. Most pet transporters will not accept your pet for transport if they feel that the animal has been sedated. The airlines will not accept the your pet if they are suspicious that your pet has been sedated. Return Home from Air Travel to World Pet Travel
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