How to Travel with Your Pet on a Plane in 2022 (2024)

FAQs

How to Travel with Your Pet on a Plane in 2022? ›

It is best to purchase an approved crate prior to travel (at the airline or local pet store) so you have time to let your pet get used to the crate and be comfortable. If your pet is small and can fit comfortably in an airline approved carrier, your pet may be able to travel with you in the cabin.

While there are no weight or breed limitations for pets, they must travel in either a hard-sided or soft-sided carrier. This carrier must fit under the seat in front of you or you cannot fly with your pet. The only animals allowed on planes without a pet carrier are service animals.

It is natural and normal for your pet to relieve themselves in the crate during the flight. Make sure you line the crate with an absorbent mat or puppy pads to soak up the urine. All Petraveller crates are lined with super absorbent and washable Petraveller Sky Beds to ensure your pet's flight is comfortable.

Now American is letting passengers bring a pet in the cabin and also bring either a regular carry-on bag or a personal item — just not both bags. The old policy struck some pet owners as unfair, since they were already paying a pet fee. Passengers must still pay a fee, but their pet no longer counts as a carry-on.

Most airlines only let travelers carry on small dogs and cats, and you'll generally have to pay for the privilege of storing them under the seat in front of you. If you want more space, some airlines let you buy an extra seat that you might be able to use to place your pet's carrier on during the flight.

Most airlines also require a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (health certificate) issued within 10 days of travel. Federal regulations require pets to be at least 8 weeks old and they should be weaned at least 5 days before flying. Talk to your veterinarian about feeding schedules.

Generally, airlines charge a pet fee of $100 to $200 each way, but prices will vary depending on where you're traveling and your airline. Check the airline's pet policy before purchasing a ticket to make sure your pet meets the airline's breed and size requirements.

The X-ray at the security checkpoint is used to screen passengers' personal property and carry-on luggage only. If possible, carry the pet through the walk-through metal detector during the screening process. Alternately, a pet can walk through the screening process if the owner has the pet on a leash.

Line the carrier with an absorbent “puppy potty pad” in case your cat needs to urinate or defecate during travel.

What if a service dog has to pee on a plane? ›

A service dog can be barred from a flight if it is out of control, barking or growling repeatedly at other passengers or animals, biting, jumping on, or causing injury to others, or urinating or defecating in the cabin or gate area.

Have a stubborn pup whose willing to hold their bladder until you find them a familiar patch of grass or concrete? Try this: take a napkin or pee pad and an extra plastic bag on your next walk. Take your dog to a spot that they will relieve themselves and use your “go potty” command.

After exercising your dog, offer her fresh clean water and food. Never deny a dog of fresh clean water, but do be strategic when providing water right before and during the flight since you cannot easily relieve your dog on the plane (unless you have pee pads in the carrier).

Be aware of the dangers of flying your pet in a cargo hold

While most animals flown in the cargo area of airplanes are fine, you should be aware that some animals are killed, injured or lost on commercial flights each year. Excessively hot or cold temperatures, poor ventilation and rough handling are often to blame.

You can't buy an extra seat for your dog unless you're flying JSX or JetBlue Airways. Generally speaking, traveling with a dog as a "carry-on luggage" item usually incurs a lower fee than if it travels in the belly of the plane as cargo. And by the way, a pet in its carrier counts as your carry-on bag.

So long as your dog is crated, many airlines, such as Alaskan or American Airlines, allow large dogs to be checked baggage. As the pet owner, you will bring your dog to check in as you would normally with your other bags, and then they will be weighed and moved like the rest of your bags.

Generally, airlines charge a pet fee of $100 to $200 each way, but prices will vary depending on where you're traveling and your airline. Check the airline's pet policy before purchasing a ticket to make sure your pet meets the airline's breed and size requirements.

A dog cannot travel in the cabin alone and must have a human accompanying their journey. Most major airlines, like Delta, United, and American, will charge around $125 per pet each way.