Airports and airlines will offer help to all passengers travelling with pets, service animals and what to do when taking an emotional support animal on a flight. Read on for information on taking animals on flights.
Flying with pets is a lot more common than people think. It can however be quite a complicated and pricey affair. Every airline has different pet policies, which can leave a lot of unknowns. Will your pet be able to stay in the cabin with you? What if your flight has a stopover? Will your pet need to travel in the hold as pet cargo? Is the cargo hold safe? To help, we've put together a guide, so you know exactly what airlines to fly with and exactly what to expect when you fly with your pet.
All pets crossing state borders, with the exception of guide dogs, are required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to have a rabies immunisation and valid health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian within 30 days of travel. If your pet is travelling via cargo, or if you are a breeder, dealer, or research facility transporting a dog, the health certificate should be issued no more than 10 days before departure.
The USDA requires that your pet must be: at least eight weeks old and fully weaned before travelling and in good health. Airlines will not transport animals that are violent, ill, or in physical distress.
If you're planning to bring your pet, emotional support animal or service animal to the United Kingdom from an EU or non-EU listed country, you’ll need to ensure your animal companion is:
* Since Britain left the EU on 1 January 2021, passengers are required to obtain an Animal Health Certificate (AHC), which can only be obtained within 10 days of travel and required to be renewed before every trip.
If your pet, emotional support animal or service animal is planning to fly to the United Kingdom from an unlisted country, you’ll need to ensure your animal companion is:
If your animal companion is a dog, need to be treated for Tapeworm (excluding those coming from Finland, Ireland, Norway or Malta). You must wait 3 calendar months from the date the blood sample was taken before you travel
If your pet, emotional support animal or service animal from an unlisted country enters the United Kingdom via an EU or non-EU listed country, it may enter the UK without quarantine as long as they meet EU entry requirements, listed above.
In order to travel with an emotional support animal without any additional fee or costs you must have an ESA letter. As well as this, Airlines will require that your ESA should be well-behaved in public and calm on the plane (this may mean training your ESA yourself). This will not only save money but also ensure you have a pleasant experience flying with your dog.
If you think you may require an emotional support animal, you must fill out a particular ESA questionnaire. The result of this questionnaire will determine whether or not you are eligible for an emotional support animal (and cost you a fee if you are). If you have any questions please contact Alternative Airlines and we can assist you with your enquiries.
Take a look below at the best airlines from around the world for flying with pets:
There are many restrictions that airlines place on flying with pets, including breeds, destinations and carriers/storage. These restrictions often comply with government regulations and aviation safety procedures. Policies can also be subject to change at any time.
American Airlines is known as being one of the most pet-friendly airlines and has loads of positive reviews. On shorter flights, small pets are allowed to fly in the cabin with their owners, as long as they are kept in a small carrier under the seat. On long-haul flights, pets need to be checked as cargo to ensure they’re properly cared for while flying long distances.
The airline offers pets their own pet perks program, provides pet-parent travelers with a carrier bag, a list of tips for managing your pet while traveling, and 300 TrueBlue points. If you’re touring the north or south of the USA with your furry friend, Jetblue is the purrrfect option.
Air Canada flies to almost every major city across the world and is extremely accommodating when it comes to traveling with animals, so it offers a worldwide option! Small pets in a carrier are allowed to travel with you in the cabin. Prices vary depending on the route and animal; bigger animals will need to travel in the cargo hold (there’s a dedicated and safe animal transportation area).
Delta flies to 60 countries across the world. If you’re traveling domestically, household birds are also welcome! As with most other pet-friendly airlines, small pets (cats and small dogs) are welcome to fly with their owners in the cabin, while larger dogs will need to ride in the cargo hold.
Pets are required to have their own documents, as well as valid vaccinations, but are welcome to fly with Air India. There are a few restrictions, however: pets cannot be taken as carry-on luggage, and must be taken in the hold. An additional fee will need to be paid, which varies depending on the country you are flying to.
Pets are allowed on both international and domestic flights. Approved (flexible) pet containers are required, and for safety reasons, containers are not allowed in the cabin and will need to travel in the hold, along with larger pets (dogs). Price depends on the animal and destination.
Pets are allowed on any route, and passengers can travel with up to two pets. Pets must be in approved travel containers. Rabbits are also allowed to travel, as long as they are in the hold.
Traveling with pets is easy with Turkish Airlines. It is important to have the right documentations and ensure vaccines are up to date. Small dogs, cats, and even house birds are allowed in the cabin, as long as they remain in their container. Fees depend on the pet, route, and container.
Frontier is dedicated to going the extra mile to ensure pets travel comfortably, and in the cabin with their owners. On domestic flights, most household pets are allowed to travel, including hamsters and rabbits. On international flights, dogs and cats are welcome.
Lufthansa flies across the globe and is dedicated to accommodating you and your pet. As long as they are comfortable with each other, two pets are welcome to travel in the same carrier without any additional fee. For safety, dogs will need to be tucked into the cargo hold.
The list is extensive, and depends on the route and destination. It could be argued that Aeroflot has the most inclusive policy for flying with pets. Depending on their size, cats, dogs, and birds are allowed to fly both in either the cabin and cargo. The list of additional animals includes: polecats, ferrets, meerkats, lorises, pygmy hedgehogs, and marmosets, as long as they are tame and contained.
If you plan on visiting Lisbon with your pet, TAP is the best option! Dogs can fly in either the cabin or hold, as long as they have the right documentation and carrier. The fee is 35 Euros for domestic flights, upwards for international destinations. Passengers will also need to arrive earlier at the airport for check-in.
Small dogs and cats are welcome to travel in the cabin; larger dogs will need to travel in the hold. Airline staff have the right to reject pets if they are deemed too uncomfortable in their carrier, so ensure your pet has plenty of space.
Unlike other airlines, the airline’s pet policy is dependent on your furry friend’s weight. To travel in the cabin, your cat or small dog must be under 13.2 pounds; if they are heavier, they will need to travel in the hold. Medical and travel certificates that deem your pet safe to fly will also need to be provided.
KLM offers a range of travel options to accommodate pets; details will need to be sorted prior to take-off, and KLM recommends that this be done over the phone. Typically, if your pet weighs more than 18 pounds they will need to travel in cargo. Prices vary depending on route and pet; KLM offers a calculator on their website.
Air Lingus might be a smaller airline, but they have a great pet policy. Accommodations can be made no matter whether you are flying domestically or internationally; they will need to travel in the hold, in a dedicated and comfortable pet transportation area.
Pets are not allowed to travel in the cabin, but great care is taken to ensure the cargo hold offers a comfortable and safe environment. You will need to arrive earlier and with the correct paperwork.
Rome with your best buddy? Made possible with Alitalia! Pets are allowed on both domestic and international flights, and allowed in either the cabin or hold depending on their size. Specifications for carriers are laid out by the airline, including requiring a blanket in the carrier (clearly your pet’s comfort is in mind!)
Like many of the above airlines, cats and small dogs are welcome in either the cabin and cargo hold, as long as they have the proper documentation and an approved pet carrier. A health certificate is required on international flights.
Iberia will fly you and your pet to a number of destinations both inside and outside of Europe. Tortoises are also welcome! When booking your flight, you will need to contact the booking office to pre-book your pet. Container requirements are set by the airline.
If you can fly direct, it’s probably best for your pet to not have to many disturbances. If there are no direct flights between your point of departure and destination, keep layovers quite short and avoid going through the UK or Japan to cut costs. If you change airlines when travelling with a pet you will have to claim and re-check your pet.
Some airlines offer frequent flyer miles for travelling pets! At Alternative Airlines you can filter your flight search for certain airline alliances to make the most of your frequent flyer scheme. If you’re interested in finding out more about frequent flyer programs, read out article on the best rewards schemes 2018.
Airports are required to have a space for service dogs to use the bathroom. Usually it is only a small patch of fake grass, but it’ll have to do. If your layover allows you enough time, make sure that your pup has the chance to go pee before hopping on the next plane.
Despite what we just said, please be aware that not all airports have the same level of facilities, especially in terms of pet travel. Just like you may need a special airline, check the airport you are stopping/ arriving into is able to cater to any needs you may have. Call Alternative Airlines for any further information.
Most airlines will only allow a certain number of pets in the cabin. Additionally, there will be a cost to bring your pet in the cabin with you. Your pet’s ticket cannot be purchased online for any airline that we are aware of, but we can organise it for you at the same time as your plane ticket if you wish! Take a look at our guide on adding pets to your booking for more information.
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Do you need to take an animal on a flight? Alternative Airlines can help you arrange air travel for your trusted companion and for taking pets on planes. Organising air travel with pets or Emotional Support Animals can be a long, stressful process, so let Alternative Airlines do the hard work for you. Buy your flights with us and we will sort out the appropriate service for animals on planes. Please contact Alternative Airlines as soon as possible if you know you will be travelling with a pet.
Sometimes when airlines use terms such as “checked baggage” or “air cargo”, it makes it seem like your doing something inhumane to your precious pet. In actuality, both describe humane ways of transporting animals. Animals travelling in the cargo hold are transported in the same pressurised holds as those in the checked baggage system. This doesn’t mean they are treated like baggage! The areas in which your pet may be held are regulated to the same standards as the cabin you will be sat in.
Pet safe airlines are dedicated to making sure pets have a safe experience. In fact, the rate of negative incidences of pets on flights is astronomically low. Some airlines are more pet friendly than others, as airline requirements vary. See all approved flight routes for pet travel or contact Alternative Airlines. We can help you find the best airline for your pet needs.
Yes! And it is safe too. As long as the animal in question has gone through the necessary checklist and guidance provided by the airline that the pet and owner are flying with then you can. Make sure you read above on the rules of travelling with a pet and emotional service support animals on flights.
As a general rule, if you are travelling with a smaller dog or cat, generally under 13 pounds and 12″ from floor to front shoulder, you should be able to bring the pet into the cabin with you. Always check with the airlines to find out the dimensions under the seat in front of you. An airline compliant carrier is a must.
What is important to know is that you may only transport your pet as checked baggage if you are a passenger travelling on the same flight as your pet and the combined weight of your pet and its crate is under about 70 pounds. Of course, this varies airline to airline. Read some of our example airline requirements below or contact Alternative Airlines for further information.
Good question. Many airlines have different rules and regulations where emotional animals and service animals are allocated on the plane. See below of some of the airline's rules that allow for pets.
23rd August 2018
Southwest Airlines become stricter in regulations and rules on emotional support animals. The American airline Southwest Airlines has enforced stricter rules on travleing with emotional support service animals on planes. The airline is now only allowing cats and dogs. This means that pigs, hedgehogs, ferrets and spiders are now on the no-fly list. The new policy will be effective from 17th September. Added to the regulations is that the emotional service animals will be allowed to 1 per flyer. The new rules come into play due to crew and airline staff complaining about allergies, soiled cabins and biting.
21st June 2018
Delta Air Lines has changed their policy regarding support animals. From 10th July 2018, passengers flying with Delta Air Lines will only be allowed to fly with one support animal per person. In addition, Delta will no longer allow pit bull dogs on their flights either.
This comes after a number of incidents where service and support animals have attacked Delta employees, causing the airline to be stricter on their support animal policy. CEO of Delta, Gil West, stated that safety comes first for Delta regarding its passengers and employees and that Delta will continue to challenge their safety regulations to make sure it's of the absolute highest standard.
