How do I take my pet through airport security?

All pets should be brought to a security checkpoint in a hand-held travel carrier. Remove the pet from the carrier just prior to the beginning of the screening process. Place the empty travel carrier on the checkpoint conveyor belt so it can be X-rayed. Never place a pet in the X-ray tunnel.



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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.

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You will need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection to travel and some airlines require an acclimation certificate. Both of these certificates can only be completed and signed by a federally accredited veterinarian.

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Dogs must stay in their carriers while at the airport unless they are using a pet relief area. If the airport does not have pet relief areas, you and your dog will have to leave the airport and return through security.

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Once your dog's flight reservation is made, schedule a visit with your veterinarian close to the date of travel. Most airlines require a valid health certificate for travel completed by your veterinarian in order for your dog to fly with you.

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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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Depending on the airline, your pet may be able to travel on your flight either in the cabin or in the cargo hold. Confirm this ahead of time with your airline. On airlines that allow pets to travel, only small dogs and cats that can fit in special carriers under the seat are allowed in the cabin.

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Your pet dog or cat is secured inside their IATA-compliant crate before boarding the flight. Most airlines ensure your pet boards and disembarks the aircraft on priority. The cargo hold has a special area for pets, and your pet's crate is secured in the plane in its designated space.

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You will need to check your pet in and pick it up at the cargo facility of your airline which is typically located on airport grounds but not in the airport terminal. Sometimes these terms, checked baggage or air cargo, create a false impression, but both describe humane ways of transporting animals.

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Pets must be checked in at the airport ticket counter, however Customers can still secure their boarding pass online, at curbside check-in, the airport kiosk, or the ticket counter. A pet that engages in disruptive behavior may be denied boarding.

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Place the empty travel carrier on the checkpoint conveyor belt so it can be X-rayed. Never place a pet in the X-ray tunnel. The X-ray at the security checkpoint is used to screen passengers' personal property and carry-on luggage only.

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Proper identification is essential when shipping your pet. To travel by air, your pet must have a health certificate, rabies vaccination certificate and other import paperwork specific to the destination country. Their unique microchip number must be recorded on all of these documents.

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Your pet can travel on the plane with you (either in-cabin, as accompanied baggage, or as cargo). Your pet will be charged accordingly. Some airlines no longer offer this option and some countries do not allow pets to enter the country in-cabin.

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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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Pets traveling in the cabin need to stay inside a carrier. Carrier requirements may change from airline to airline, but dogs should be able to stand naturally and turn around inside it without touching the sides or top. Can my cat or dog sit on my lap? No.

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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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Pets are flown as baggage when you are on the same flight and they are traveling in the cargo hold beneath. This is usually applicable for pets that are medium sized. At all the time during the duration of the flight, your pet will be kept inside the kennel that meets the airline approved size limitation.

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