Travel with pets in cars and trains can be nerve-wracking...flying with pets, even more so. However, like any other mode of transportation to get to your vacation site, next assignment, or other destination, a decent amount of preparation can go a long way toward making this a positive experience for you and your furry family members.
Air travel, with or without pets, is governed by the Department of Transportation (DoT) and its operating administration agency, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The rules and regulations you’ll find there cover almost everything you need to know about domestic and international travel with pets.
Here are the rules on using a pet container:
- It counts as carry-on luggage.
- The container must be small enough to fit underneath the seat without blocking any person’s path to the main aisle of the airplane.
- It must be stowed properly for the airplane to leave the gate.
- The container has to remain properly stowed the entire time the airplane is moving on the airport surface, and for take-off and landing.
- Passengers must follow all flight attendant instructions regarding proper stowage.
For the complete set of rules, visit these agency travel webpages: DoT Flying with a Pet and FAA Flying with Pets.
In addition to Federal regulations, each airline has its own rules for flying with pets. Before you book a flight, contact the carriers you want to use to learn their requirements and restrictions.
These include:
Restrictions on the types of pets that you can bring into the cabin
A limit on the number of pets that may accompany you on the airplane and a limit on the total number of pets in the cabin
Pets must be harmless, inoffensive, and odorless
Pets have to remain in the container for the entire flight
Be able to produce a recently issued health certificate for your pet
The only exceptions to these rules are service animals.
Finally, if you are flying internationally, you must follow the rules of your destination country. Every nation has rules regarding quarantine for pets (especially dogs), and some countries are so strict that bringing a pet may simply not be feasible because of finances or your pet’s health, especially for older animals.
Moving, vacations, and other travel are stressful, but flying with your pets doesn’t have to be a contributing factor. Prepare ahead of time, and you can find it to be a positive experience.
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