Product Search

Pets on Planes:

It’s no secret: more and more pet owners are traveling with their pets. And, to accommodate them, airline regulations are changing. As a result, people need to be more flexible with their vacation schedules and/or book more in advance because other pets may be booking on the same flight.

Here are a few things you need to know:

  • Pets can travel in a plane's main cabin, as checked baggage or in the cargo hold, or you can use a service that will ship animals separately.
  • Pets traveling in cabins must fit in an under-seat carrier. (The most fashionable carriers in the world can be found on www.thedogbowl.com.)
  • On most airlines, two to five pets are allowed in the main cabin (Delta, for instance, allows two, JetBlue accepts three) and one or two in first and business class.
  • Certain breeds of dogs are banned.
  • Federal restrictions state that dogs and cats must be at least 8 weeks old to fly.
  • Most airlines charge $50 to $80 one way to bring a pet in the cabin on domestic flights and $100 to $200 to book them as cargo.  International costs vary by destination.
  • Not every carrier is pet-friendly. Southwest, Ryanair and EasyJet do not allow pets in the cabin or as cargo. American Airlines does not allow carry-on pets on transatlantic, transpacific or Central and South American flights, but they may be able to travel as baggage, depending on the destination country. Many airlines only allow pets on domestic flights.
  • Dogs and cats entering European Union countries must have an implanted microchip or tattoo.
  • Most airlines have weather-related restrictions. For instance, Delta and Aeromexico do not allow pets checked as baggage from May 15 to Sept. 15. America West never allows pets in the cargo hold because of extreme temperatures in its Phoenix and Las Vegas hubs.

Most airlines require proof of a rabies vaccination and, depending on destination, a health certificate. When traveling internationally, contact the airline, and the embassy or consulate of the destination country to determine what you'll need to bring a pet into the country. For instance, some destinations, like Hawaii and Britain, quarantine dogs, cats and ferrets.

The bottom line here is do your homework. Make the necessary contacts well in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises and travel happy!

At The Dog Bowl, nothing is more important than your pets’ health.  If you have questions or want more information about dog travel click here.