- Pandemic or not, flying with pets can be especially stressful without a plan..
Whether you’re planning a trip somewhere for the whole family, like a popular theme park, you’re going on a romantic getaway, or perhaps you’re thinking about an exotic foreign vacation, you may be wondering what it would be like to fly with your dog.
Some people prefer to fly with their dogs, and increasingly resorts and rental properties welcome pets. When you do travel with your pet, you don’t have to pay for boarding or worry about their well-being while you’re away.
With that in mind, the following are some of the major things to know about flying with a dog domestically and internationally.
General Things to Think About
If you’re going to fly with your dog, first you have to figure out the airline’s rules. Airline policies can differ quite a bit about cabin versus cargo rules, breed, and temperament. Their rules also vary depending on the dog’s size.
If you’re going to try and take your dog in the cabin with you, you’ll need to pay close attention to the restrictions set by the airline.
Overall, having your dog with you in the cabin whenever possible is going to be safer than putting your pet in the cargo hold.
With some airlines, there’s a restriction on the total number of pets allowed on a flight. When there are limitations, spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so booking early is critical.
Airlines will charge you a fee to bring your dog along for the flight. The fees tend to range anywhere from $75 to $200 each way. These fees can be as much as several hundred dollars if you have a bigger dog who has to be transported on a cargo plane.
Most airlines aren’t going to let your pet go in the exit row.
According to federal regulations, a pet must be at least eight weeks old to fly.
Choose Direct Flights When You Can
Whenever possible, opt for a direct flight. It’s difficult enough to travel on a plane with your dog, particularly if he’s in the cargo hold.
If you make him travel for a long time and then go through dealing with baggage handling on multiple occasions, it can be stressful for him and leave more opportunities for issues to arise.
Consider the Weather
If you’re flying in winter, try to take a flight during the day when it will be warmest in the cargo area. Alternatively, in the summer try to fly either early in the morning or late at night so it’s less hot.
What Are the Airline Policies If You Fly With a Dog?
As mentioned, there’s quite a bit of variance between different airlines and their policies regarding flying with a pet. Some airlines don’t allow dogs in the cargo hold, while others don’t let them go in the cabin. There may be weight or size restrictions for the cabin and other airlines have them for the cargo hold.
Airline policies and restrictions may also include flight lengths and your destination.
Some airlines also only transport dogs as cargo on a cargo plane, and you’ll have to pay extra for that.
Many airlines don’t allow breed with short noses. According to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, these dogs shouldn’t fly. In the past five years, more than half of all the dog deaths on planes involved short-nosed dog breeds. If you cannot bring your dog, consider visiting Best Friends Pet Care to explore other options, such as pet boarding or finding alternative arrangements that ensure your dog is safe and well cared for.
When short-nosed breeds are permitted by an airline, there can still be restrictions. For example, some bulldogs may not be allowed to fly because they can’t regulate their body temperature very well.
Visit Your Vet
You should make sure your dog is healthy enough for travel. Go to your vet at least a few weeks before you plan to fly. Ensure your dog’s vaccinations are up-to-date and he has a health certificate and proof of vaccines because you’ll likely have to show this to the airline. A health certificate is only valid for 30 days, so keep that in mind.
Cabin vs. Cargo
Before going to the vet, check with the airline to see if your dog will be allowed in the main cabin. Then you can talk to your vet about what’s best for him.
If your dog has any number of conditions including heart, breathing, or hypertension issues, your vet may say they shouldn’t fly at all.
If your dog is going in the cargo area, he’ll need to be secured in a crate he can’t escape from, with a water bottle clipped to the outside. In the main passenger cabin, a dog has to be in a carrier and placed beneath the seat in front of you. Dogs shouldn’t be placed in an overhead bin.
As an additional note, don’t use a sedative if you’re going to fly with your dog. Sedatives can increase the risk of breathing and heart issues because of changes in pressure and altitude. Then, a dog can’t thermoregulate himself as well.
Pets and International Travel
Flying internationally with your dog is more challenging than domestically, but possible.
According to the U.S. State Department, you will need to check the pet policies of your airline carrier.
The State Department says you have three main options to fly internationally with your dog, whether leaving or returning to the U.S.
Your pet can travel on the plane with you, again depending on the airline. Some airlines don’t offer this option at all anymore, however, and some countries don’t let pets enter in-cabin.
You can book your pet on a separate flight, and then you’re charged a cargo rate. Cargo rates are more expensive than excess baggage, but a lot of airlines won’t let you directly book your pet as cargo.
Finally, you can also use a commercial shipper and have your pet sent that way. Many airlines require this option now unless your pet is small enough to be in the cabin. Animals 100 pounds or larger, including the weight of their cage, are charged as cargo even if you’re on the same plane.