Airline Pet Policy: Essential Tips for Safe Travel with Your Pet

Don’t Guess When It Comes To Your Pet’s Care

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Help Me Protect My Pet

Don’t Guess When It Comes To Your Pet’s Care

Sign up for expert-backed reviews and safety alerts all in one place.

Help Me Protect My Pet

Airline Pet Policy Considerations

Flying is generally known to be safe for people, but what about for our pets? If you’re considering traveling with your pet, it’s essential to do thorough research before boarding the plane. Each airline has different airline pet policies regarding what they allow and don’t allow, and some may not have the best track records concerning animal injuries or deaths.

Know Your Airline’s History

With a few clicks of the mouse, you can see just how many reportable animal injuries or deaths each airline has had. The U.S. Department of Transportation publishes Air Travel Consumer Reports regularly. These reports include complaints levied against each airline as well as how many animal injuries or deaths have occurred with specific airlines.

Before choosing an airline, check out these reports:

• In 2016, there were 26 animal deaths and 22 animal injuries on flights with carriers that allow animals either in the cabin or as cargo, totaling 48 animal-related incidents.
• United Airlines reported 9 deaths and 14 injuries, accounting for 47.9% of the incidents. United Airlines incident report.
• Alaska Airlines had 2 deaths and 1 injury in the same year.

It’s a good rule of thumb to check out individual airlines’ histories with animal incidents before purchasing your tickets. This can help you make an informed decision about the safest airline for your pet.

Pets as Passengers

Some airlines allow smaller pets to travel in the main cabins. However, the FAA has specific rules that must be followed:

• Your pet container must be small enough to fit underneath the seat without blocking any person’s path to the main aisle of the airplane.
• The pet container must be stowed properly before the last passenger entry door to the airplane is closed in order for the airplane to leave the gate.
• The container must remain properly stowed the entire time the airplane is moving on the airport surface, and during takeoff and landing.
• Passengers must follow flight attendant instructions regarding the proper stowage of the pet container.

For more details, check with your chosen carrier before the day of your flight, as they may have additional requirements outlined in their airline pet policy.

It’s important to note that service animals are not required to follow these guidelines. Service animals are considered working animals and not pets. The airline pet policy does not cover emotional support or therapy animals—only service animals. For further clarification, refer to the FAA’s rules on cabin pets and the guidelines for service animals.

Watch this dog get a kick out of flying in a plane:

Pets as Cargo

Some pets cannot fly in the cabin and must be checked in as cargo or baggage. The Department of Transportation states that animals must be flown in appropriate carriers that “meet the minimum standard for size, ventilation, strength, sanitation, and design for safe handling.”

Key requirements for transporting pets as cargo include:

• Animals must be flown in pressurized holds and cannot be exposed to temperatures below 45 degrees F unless a veterinarian provides a certificate stating the animal can handle the temperature.
• Puppies and kittens must receive food and water every 12 hours, while older animals must receive water every 12 hours and food every 24 hours.

However, this is where the majority of incidents occur with our pets. According to the Humane Society (HSUS), most animal injuries or deaths are due to “excessively hot or cold temperatures, poor ventilation, and rough handling.”

HSUS also warns to consider your breed when flying—it may matter quite a bit. Air travel can be particularly dangerous for animals with ‘pushed in’ faces, such as Bulldogs, pugs, and Persian cats. Their short nasal passages leave them especially vulnerable to oxygen deprivation and heat stroke.

For more information on the risks and precautions, refer to the detailed guidelines on brachycephalic syndrome.

Preparing to Fly With Your Pet: 10 Tips Before Your Trip

When preparing to fly, take these steps to help guard against pet injuries or death:

1. Consult Your Veterinarian: You will likely need to get a health certificate for your pet before flying. This is the perfect time to discuss any health concerns, including the option of sedation and microchipping.
2. Update Vaccinations: Ensure your pet’s vaccinations are current and get a copy of any records you may need once your vet confirms your pet is safe to travel.
3. Research Airline Carriers: Evaluate the history of pet-related issues with different airlines based on their airline pet policy to make an informed choice.
4. Plan Your Travel: Try to keep the flying time to a minimum. Ideally, avoid layovers and book short, direct flights in moderate weather.
5. Familiarize Your Pet with the Carrier: Spend a few weeks at home helping your pet become accustomed to the carrier according to the airline pet policy. Let them lie in it, give them treats, etc.
6. Ensure the carrier is suitable as per the airline pet policy: Make sure the carrier is clean, safe, secure, and large enough for your pet to stand up in and turn around.
7. Day of Travel Preparation: Close the carrier to secure it, but do not lock it—airline personnel may need to open the door in an emergency. Include a favorite toy or item to provide familiar smells, and line the bottom of the crate with pee pads, covering them with a blanket or old shirt. Include an extra leash (for dogs) and snacks, and attach food dishes and water bottles if possible.
8. Label the Carrier: Write down medical and pertinent information about your pet and tape it securely to their carrier. Keep additional copies: one for you and one for airline personnel.
9. Follow ASPCA Recommendations: The ASPCA suggests taping a paper to the carrier or travel kennel with the words “Live Animal” and an arrow indicating which way the carrier should be placed (right side up).
10. Communicate with Your Airline: Call your chosen airline to discuss your concerns and ask any questions you might have about your animal’s transport under their airline pet policy. You can also view airlines’ individual animal policies on their websites.

Hundreds of thousands of animals fly every year without issues under the airline pet policy, but it never hurts to be proactive when protecting our pets. They’re our family.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)