How do I keep my dog safe on a plane?

How to keep your pet safe on a flight
  1. Ask your vet if your pet is high-risk. ...
  2. Talk to your airline ahead of time. ...
  3. Prep your carrier. ...
  4. Assemble a “pet kit” ...
  5. Consider your collar. ...
  6. The night before your flight. ...
  7. Road tripping with cats and dogs. ...
  8. More for pet lovers.




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Get a Carrier for Dog Travel Hard-plastic carriers with ventilation holes are required for cargo hold travel and will help your dog travel in safety. Whatever carrier you choose must be big enough for your dog to stand, turn around and lie down in comfortably — if not, the airline may refuse to allow it on board.

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Usually dogs are only allowed to fly in the cabin—known as carry-on pets—if they can comfortably fit in a carrier that you can stow under the seat in front of you. A small number of airlines, including JetBlue, Alaska Airlines, and Etihad Airways, allow passengers flying with dogs to buy an extra seat for their pet.

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The whole process of flying can be stressful for a dog, but those levels of stress can be greatly reduced with a few simple home comforts and reassurances. Ensuring your flight is a non-stop flight rather than one with changeovers can be a huge benefit to your dog, as can looking to travel at a suitable time.

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THE WEEKS AND DAYS BEFORE YOUR TRIP At least a month before your flight, introduce your dog to his pet travel carrier. Place it in the busiest area of your home with the door open. Encourage your dog to explore, play, relax, and rest in the carrier during the day.

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Diphenhydramine may help relieve symptoms of mild-to-moderate travel anxiety in pets. It also may help relieve motion sickness. Although Benadryl may sometimes relieve anxiety, it's best to talk to your veterinarian or an animal behaviorist to determine and treat what's causing the anxiety.

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A 40-pound dog is indeed too large to travel in-cabin on most (if not all) airlines and will have to ride as cargo. Besides very small pets, only trained and certified service or support dogs with legitimate documentation can sometimes accompany their owners in-cabin.

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Dogs' ears can be sensitive to changes in air pressure during flights, which can cause discomfort or pain. Providing your dog with plenty of water and a comfortable carrier can help alleviate these symptoms.

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Understanding Your Dog's Ear Anatomy This tube helps even out pressure between the outside environment and the inside of the ear. So, when the air pressure changes rapidly, such as during take-off or landing of an airplane, your dog's ears can also experience a 'popping' sensation.

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In general, if your pet carrier (with your pet inside) can fit under the seat in front of you, your dog can ride in the cabin on flights that permit it. Typically, this would be a dog weighing up to about 20 pounds.

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Choosing the Right Pet Carrier Allowed in Cabin In general, if your pet carrier (with your pet inside) can fit under the seat in front of you, your dog can ride in the cabin on flights that permit it. Typically, this would be a dog weighing up to about 20 pounds.

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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.

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It's best to avoid popular travel times when possible if your dog is along for the adventure. Most airports are least busy in the early morning or late evening hours, making those windows a good time to book air travel with dogs.

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Take a potty break before you board the aircraft. As with little kids, let your dog have a potty break immediately before boarding. “I've had a dog poop on my plane and it wasn't good,” Ballone says.

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But for some owners, travel sickness can be a real problem for their pooch. Much like us, dogs and cats can experience motion sickness when travelling and it can occur with any form of transport be it boat, car, train or plane.

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Traveling can be stressful, but a calm owner usually has a calm pet. Our animals pick up on our stress, so if you're nervous and uptight, your dog may show stress and anxiety, too. Don't forget that some dogs don't enjoy traveling, and your dog may prefer to stay home with a dog sitter.

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Once you are through the screening with your dog, find the carrier and safely reposition your dog inside before gathering your belongings. The Federal Aviation Administration requires that pets in the airplane cabin remain secured in their carriers throughout the duration of the flight.

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Pee pads in the carrier or in the bathroom are pretty much your only solution for a dog who needs to go while on a flight.

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A 40-pound dog is indeed too large to travel in-cabin on most (if not all) airlines and will have to ride as cargo. Besides very small pets, only trained and certified service or support dogs with legitimate documentation can sometimes accompany their owners in-cabin.

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Are pets allowed in first class?
  • Delta Airlines permits no more than 2 pets in Domestic First Class and Domestic Business Class. ...
  • United Airlines similarly permits 2 pets per flight in premium cabins, although there are certain restrictions. ...
  • American Airlines offers First Class Pet Cabinson A321T aircraft.


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Yes, you can fly with large dogs so long as they are properly crated and prepared to fly. Many airlines require your pet to be at least 8-weeks old before flying. Any younger and dogs are thought to be too fragile for long flights. Your pet must also be free of fleas, ticks, and or infectious diseases.

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Medication prescribed by your veterinarian: trazodone (brand name Desyrel®), gabapentin (brand name Neurontin®), and alprazolam (brand names: Xanax® and Niravam®) are sometimes used to reduce the anxiety that some dogs experience when traveling.

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