TIPS FOR AIR TRAVEL WITH PETS

If you plan to take your pet with you on a trip and you're traveling by airplane, a lot of consideration and careful planning is needed.  I'd like to talk specifically about those pet travel requirements that are particularly troublesome and can potentially ruin your trip. 

There are two ways to travel with your pet by air; either bring your pet on board with you or check them as cargo, where they fly in the belly of the plane.  Each airline has it's own set of rules for pets and if you don't familiarize yourself with the rules of your chosen airline it can be disastrous. (Note: this post applies to companion pets, not certified service animals)




Phoebe in her Sherpa carrier, ready to travel!

Personally I do not fly my dogs as cargo because for me it's just too risky.  My smaller dog, Phoebe is small enough to travel on board the plane with me but my Husky isn't, which is why we drive 98% of the time.  We travel extensively across the U. S. and road trips are our thing now.  However, there are times when Phoebe and I travel by air, just the two of us, and I bring her on board with me. 

Let's talk first about pet carriers since that's what people think of first when wondering whether or not they can bring their pet along on a flight.  The rule is that the carrier must fit under the seat in front of you, but every airline has their own requirements for what the maximum size of a carrier can be. 

When you're shopping for a carrier at the pet supply store, they'll probably all say "Airline Approved" but that pretty much means nothing.  It won't do you any good if that carrier doesn't meet the specific size and other requirements for the airline YOU plan to travel on.  To show you what I mean, here are a few carrier size (for in cabin carriers) requirements for different airlines:

Jet Blue:
The pet carrier cannot exceed 17"L x 12.5"W x 8.5"H and the combined weight of your pet and the carrier must not exceed 20 pounds.  As of 9/2017 the price to fly your pet in the cabin with you on Jet Blue is $100 Each Way.

More information on JetBlue Airlines Pet Travel.

Delta Airlines:
The pet carrier on Delta flights is actually based on the specific plane you will be flying on.  You have to select your flights first, then contact Delta Reservations directly to find out what the pet carrier size requirements are.  Example; if I were to fly from New York's Kennedy airport to Phoenix Arizona's Sky Harbor airport this week, the plane would likely be either a Delta 737 or Delta 757 aircraft.  The maximum pet carrier dimensions on the 737 are 18"L x 13"W x 11"H, and on the 757 it would be 13"L x 15"W x 10"H.  As of 9/2017 the price to fly your pet in the cabin with you is $125 Each Way.

More information on Pet Travel Requirements for Delta Airlines.

American Airlines:
Pet carriers on American Airlines flights can be up to 19"L x 13"W x 9"H.  Soft sided collapsible pet carriers may exceed these dimensions slightly.  Call the airline directly to verify maximum size for your particular aircraft.   As of 9/2017 the price to fly your pet in the cabin with you is $125 Each Way.

More information on Pet Travel Requirements for American Airlines.

US Airways operates under American Airlines.  US Air had the same requirements for maximum pet carrier size of 19" L x 13" W x 9" H for most of their aircraft.  Soft sided collapsible pet carriers could exceed these dimensions slightly.  

WARNING!
In March, 2018 a United Airlines flight attendant demanded that a family traveling with their puppy put the pet carrier in the overhead bin!!   Apparently, the carrier didn't fit properly under the seat and the ignorant stewardess insisted their dog be locked in the bin, despite the family pleading with her not to do so.  Their French Bulldog puppy cried and whimpered through the first part of the flight.  The crying eventually stopped and by the time the plane landed the puppy was DEAD!  Here is a link to one of the many articles written about the tragic death of a puppy locked in an overhead bin on a United Airlines flight.

The lesson learned in this tragic incident is this: YOU are your pet's advocate in all instances.  Never, ever let anyone convince you to lock your beloved pet in a closet, bin, or anywhere else their breathing could be limited or obstructed.  I don't care who they are, you must stand up for the safety of your furry family member and for what you know is right.  United airlines apologized for the death of the dog and called it a "tragic accident".  Accident?!  I don't think so.  More like complete negligence, stupidity, and cruelty.  What kind of person locks a live animal in an airplane overhead bin!?  There's very limited air circulation in there!  No pet should ever be locked in an overhead bin.  Would you lock your pet in a small closet or bin for 3 hours or more!?

Always be aware of your pet's safety and comfort while traveling on an airplane 

Airlines often change their requirements.  Different models of aircraft within an airline often have different restrictions and requirements.  You should always call the individual airline to verify the most current requirements!  

For the most part, pet carriers you can take on board (if pets are allowed to fly in the cabin) can be soft or hard sided, must be ventilated on two sides, and must not exceed the maximum carrier size allowance.  Your pet must be able to stand up, turn around and lie down in a natural position inside the carrier.  Standing up is the tricky part, as many of the airline height requirements are small.   

Many airlines will not allow a sedated pet to fly because it could effect respiratory function, balance, and equilibrium.  Don't give your pet a sedative if they are getting on an airplane.

If your pet travels as cargo the carrier must be hard sided, and must meet the airline's other requirements for cargo travel as well.  Not all airlines accept pets as cargo and a few don't allow pets to fly in the cabin either.



Please take us with you, don't leave us behind!

As I said, I'm not a fan of my pets traveling in cargo.  However, I want to mention one requirement of flying your pet as cargo that people are often unprepared for.  That is the weather restrictions.  Nearly all airlines have restrictions around what temperatures a pet can safely travel in if they are being placed in cargo.  

I found this out the hard way when I moved from NY to Phoenix, AZ .  I left my cat Maggie back in New York with my parents until we found housing.  I hired a company to handle her flight to Phoenix for me.  It was Winter and the weather in NY was freezing.  None of the airlines would accept her as cargo until the weather warmed up. It took 5 extra days for the weather to cooperate and briefly move above 45 degrees (Fahrenheit).  The weather has to be acceptable on both ends of a flight, in both the departure and the arrival city.  That's the tricky part!  



Weather can be a concern if your pet travels in cargo, which I'm not a fan of

Here's another example I know many of you can relate to.  The BlogPaws pet bloggers conference was held in Phoenix, AZ in June in 2016.  If you wanted to fly your pet in cargo to join you at the conference, the temperature in Phoenix would need to be less than 85 degrees.  The odds of it being less than 85 degrees in Phoenix in June are near zero.  Therefore, you would either have to drive or travel with your pet on board in the cabin if you wanted to bring your pet to this wonderful, pet friendly conference.  The weather restrictions can vary with airline, so make sure you call your chosen airline first to verify current rules.

Another airline requirement may be a Health Certificate, which is in addition to required vaccinations and tags.  There are required timeframes for you to secure a Health Certificate from a Veterinarian and that can vary depending on the airline.  A certificate you got 8 months ago may not be valid by the time you travel.  Again, call your chosen airline to find out all the health related requirements and timeframes to obtain required documentation.  

International travel with pets, as well as traveling with pets to Hawaii, have a different set of requirements.  Check your airline's web site for those specifics and call the airline to verify all requirements.

Want to take your dog on that exotic vacay?  Be sure to plan ahead and know all the airline's rules & restrictions!

Traveling with your pet under your seat in her carrier can cost more than $200 Round Trip (domestic U.S. travel).  You also have to book your pet early as there are limits as to how many pets can be on board in the cabin on any given flight.  You'll need to arrive at the airport earlier than when you're traveling without pets. 

Being aware of all the rules and planning ahead will help avoid catastrophe and make for a pleasant flight and a fun trip with your pet! 

Bon Voyage!!

👉 Here's some additional helpful information from the U.S. FAA (Federal Aviation Administration)  about flying with pets. Do you travel by airplane with your pet?  What's the best advice you would give to someone planning to travel by air with a pet?  Please leave us a comment and share your experience with us, we always love to hear from you!

Let's get social!  Click on this link to connect with me on Facebook and Twitter !