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Travel with your Pet

Many airlines will not allow carriage of live animals, including pets, insects, reptiles, or any other form of livestock, under any circumstances, with the exception of service animals, for transportation in the cabin of the aircraft or in the cargo hold. Others may have restrictions based on time of year or aircraft type. Contact the airline to make sure that restrictions do not apply before you book!

Service Animals

Carrier will permit dogs and other service animals used by persons with a disability to accompany the persons on a flight at no charge.

Carrier will accept as evidence that an animal is a service animal by presentation of identification cards, other written documentation, presence of harnesses or markings on harnesses, tags, or the credible verbal assurances of the qualified individual with a disability using the animal.

Carrier will permit a service animal to accompany a qualified individual with a disability in any seat in which the person sits unless the animal obstructs an aisle or other area that must remain unobstructed in order to facilitate an emergency evacuation. Service animal may not occupy a seat.

A trained service animal being delivered to the owner's domicile by a trainer will be permitted to travel at no charge. Animals in training will not be transported.

Domestic flights

Traveling domestically with your pet is relatively straightforward. For the airlines that do carry pets it is important that you advise the airline as far in advance as possible, because there is a limited amount of pets that can be transported, even on a larger aircraft. Some airlines do not allow for the transport of pets, so if you’d like your pet to travel with you, make sure that the airline allows it before you buy your ticket. If you are using more than one airline, it is imperative that you check the rules for each of the airlines, as well as whether there are separate fees for each airline, or if it is simply one fee. In the instance of carry on kennels, the airlines that permit this will likely charge the same fee for the carriage of your pet as if it was in the cargo hold.

There are two types of travel for a pet: in cabin (or carry on) and in the cargo hold. Kennels that are over 9 or 10 inches (22.8 to 25.4 cm) in height are meant for the cargo hold. Carry on dimensions for pets require that the height be no greater than 9 to 10 inches (22.8 to 25.4 cm) in order that it may fit under the seat in front of you. This means that your pet must be able to stand up comfortably within this height frame. Airlines that do allow for pets to be brought as carry on will also require that you keep your pet inside the kennel for the duration of the flight. The pet may not be strapped in a Passenger seat. In the event the animal becomes offensive or causes a disturbance during transit, at the Captain’s discretion, the pet can be removed at the first en route stop and placed on an alternate carrier at the customer’s expense.

Regardless of whether your pet is in the cabin or in the cargo hold, the kennel must be up to standard. In effect, a cardboard box with breathing holes will not cut it. There are hard shell carry on kennels, and soft sided ones which are meant for carry on use. Soft sided carry on kennels are becoming increasingly popular because they often come with shoulder straps, allowing for easier transport of the kennel.

Acceptance for carriage of the animals is subject to the condition that the Passenger assumes full responsibility for such animal. The Carrier shall not be liable for injury to or loss, delay, sickness or death of such animal in the event that it is refused entry into or passage through any country, state or territory.

The time of year that you travel is also affects whether your pet can travel with you. For example, Airbus A320 aircraft often have winter restrictions because the cargo hold can hover around the freezing mark temperature wise. If you have a pet that is comfortable in such temperatures, the airline may consider transporting your pet if you sign a waiver, releasing the airline of any responsibility. This is a rather frightening prospect to most pet owners, so again, contact the airline and make sure that there are no such restrictions on the aircraft type you will be flying on.

International flights

Traveling internationally can prove to be cruel for your pet if the country you are going to imposes a quarantine. It is important to note that a number of countries have quarantines for pets.

Australia is known for this because as an island nation, it has been able to remain free of rabies, and a number of other illnesses and diseases. It is therefore a good idea to call the consulate or embassy of the country you are traveling to if you are taking your pets for travel with you internationally. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry – Australia (AFFA) has a website with useful and detailed information on what pet owners and vets must do, contacts, rules & procedures, tips, required certificates, treatments, lists of quarantine premises, links to other sites, and much more.

The United Kingdom, for example, keeps pets in quarantine for six months depending on where you are coming from. The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has a website with very useful and detailed information on what pet owners must do, what vets must do, useful contacts, country rules & procedures, recommendations for your journey, required certificates, treatments, lists & maps of quarantine premises, links to other sites, and much more.

For countries where there is no such quarantine, make sure that the veterinarian provides you with documentation that demonstrates your pet’s good health.

Make your pet comfortable

So now that all the background work is done, think of what will make your pet comfortable. A familiar blanket or play toy will help, as will lining the bottom of the kennel just in case the experience of travel causes unexpected accidents. Food and water for longer flights is a must, and if you have connecting flights do ask an airline representative (particularly one at a connecting baggage or transfer baggage area) whether your pet has made the connection as well. There is no worse feeling for a pet owner to discover that your pet has misconnected and the next flight is not for hours or days later!

On arrival

Upon arrival, proceed to the baggage claim area, where there will usually be a separate area for fragile and oversized items. If not, enquire with the airline representative as to where they will be bringing your pet. In short:

Because each airline establishes its own policy, it is important to check with the air carrier you intend to use. Make sure to call the airline in advance to confirm availability, the cost of bringing your pet aboard, and what type of carrier or kennel you'll need. Also, if you want to transport an unusual or exotic animal, check with the airline to be sure they will carry it.
Choose your flights with your pet’s well being in mind. Non-stop flights are the best, since they disturb pets less and minimize the risk of their being lost. Also, try to avoid traveling in extreme weather conditions to minimize discomfort for your pet.
Be sure to reserve a space for your pet in advance, and inquire about time and location for drop-off and pick-up.
Airlines generally require health certificates from all shippers. So it's a good idea to have a licensed veterinarian examine animals within ten days prior to shipment and issue a certificate stating that the animal is in good health.
For overseas travel (including Hawaii), inquire about any special health requirements such as quarantine.
Cages and other shipping containers must meet the minimum standard for size, ventilation, strength, sanitation and design for safe handling. (Sky kennels furnished by the airlines meet these requirements.)
An excess baggage charge for acceptance of an animal in cabin may be charged one-way per container (see Carrier for details). Payment of the charge may only be available at the Carrier's ticketing facility.
Cats and dogs must be at least eight weeks old, weaned, and healthy. (Many airlines require a health certificate from a vet dated no more than 10 days prior to your departure date.)
Before traveling, accustom your pet to the kennel in which it will be shipped. Make sure that the door latches securely.
Do not give your pet solid food in the six hours prior to the flight, although a moderate amount of water and a walk before and after the flight are advised.
Do not administer sedation to your pet without the approval of a veterinarian, and provide a test dose before the trip to gauge how the pet will react.
If puppies or kittens less than 16 weeks of age are in transit more than 12 hours, food and water must be provided. Older animals must have food at least every 24 hours and water at least every 12 hours. Written instructions for food and water must accompany all animals shipped regardless of the scheduled time in transit.
Dogs and cats must not be brought to the airline for shipping more than four hours before departure. (Six hours is permitted if shipping arrangements are made in advance.)
When you board, try to tell a pilot and a flight attendant that there is a pet in the cargo hold. The airlines have a system for providing such notification, but it doesn't hurt to mention it yourself.
Write your name, address and phone number on the kennel, and make sure your pet is wearing a tag with the same information. Consider purchasing a temporary tag showing your destination address and phone number. Bring a photo of your pet, in case it is lost.
Animals may not be exposed to temperatures less than 45F unless they are accompanied by a certificate signed by a veterinarian stating that they are acclimated to lower temperatures.
Animals cannot be shipped COD unless the shipper guarantees the return freight should the animals be refused at destination.
Be aware that if your animal is lost or harmed during a flight, the same rules and restrictions that apply to baggage will most likely apply to your pet. (Generally, the cap on damaged or missing luggage is about $1250 domestically and half that amount for international flights.) In other words, in terms of airline liability, your pet is worth the same amount as any other cargo.

With careful planning, your pet will arrive safely at its destination.<

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