What is it like for a pet to fly in cargo?

Your pet will be in his crate for the entirety of the flight in a temperature-controlled portion of the cargo hold. While some pets simply sleep or rest until the plane lands, others panic or suffer from motion sickness.



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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. During the flight, the lights are dimmed, and even the most anxious of pets tend to calm down after the plane takes off.

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On The Plane: Most likely, your pet's carrier will be one of the last things to go on board and one of the first items to be unloaded. Your pet will be in his crate for the entirety of the flight in a temperature-controlled portion of the cargo hold.

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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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How Do I Prepare My Dog For Flight Cargo? A Step-By-Step Guide
  1. Choose an IATA-Compliant Crate.
  2. Acclimate Your Dog to the Crate.
  3. Visit the Veterinarian.
  4. Review Airline Policies and Documentation Requirements.
  5. Provide Comfort Items and Essentials.
  6. Exercise Your Dog Before the Flight.
  7. Arrive Early at the Airport.


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Contrary to the myth, the cargo area on most flights that accept pets is climate-controlled, just like the passenger cabin above. Airlines have Weather Embargoes during extreme temperature months to protect pets during tarmac wait times, not because of cargo hold temperatures.

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Pets travel as cargo if they are not allowed to travel as luggage. This can be the case when they are either too large or too heavy; or because of the destination they are flying to, or because they are travelling on their own.

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According to the United States Department of transportation, over 2 million pets travel by air each year. Most often, pets that travel by air arrive safely at their final destination and are happily reunited with their owners.

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Although your pet will most likely be fine, you will ultimately have to decide if flying your pet as cargo is worth the risk or if you can pursue any other options for traveling with your pet. Some dogs are naturally better suited to fly than others depending on age, breed, and other health conditions.

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Thanks for your questions/concerns about the safest method of travel for your dog! Many other pet owners have pondered the same question, and we're happy to provide some guidance. Having your pet travel via cargo instead of checked baggage would be best.

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When it comes to flying with pets, one common question that pet owners often ask is whether they should sedate their pets during air travel. At PetRelocation, our straightforward answer is NO. Sedation carries various risks and is not recommended for pets during air travel.

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Many are surprised to hear that the cargo hold in the belly of an airliner is pressurized. Conditioned air is directed from the cabin, so the air tends to be a little cooler by the time it reaches the cargo areas, which are also less insulated than the cabin.

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You should have no concerns about temperatures in the cargo hold. According to a 1996 New York Times story, Federal Aviation Administration tests showed that temperatures inside pressurized luggage compartments ranged from 65 to 70 degrees, comparable to passenger compartments.

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Sometimes these terms, checked baggage or air cargo, create a false impression, but both describe humane ways of transporting animals. Animals traveling in the cargo hold are transported in the same pressurized and temperature controlled holds as those in the checked baggage system.

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Of the major U.S. airlines, only Alaska, American and Hawaiian will transport pets in checked baggage and/or cargo.

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Undeniably, cargo is the more dangerous option for pet travel. The safest way for any animal to fly is in the cabin as carry-on luggage, provided that's an option.

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Pets may be shipped as cargo if unaccompanied, and many airline cargo departments employ specialists in the movement of animals. Animals must always be shipped in pressurized holds. Some airlines allow the kennel to be carried in the passenger cabin as carry-on luggage if it fits under the seat.

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Airline Summer Heat Embargo During the months of May through September, your airline may not allow you to transport your pet in the cargo department. The reason for this restriction is that the heat on the tarmac can heat up the cargo hold quickly.

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Several airlines do accept large dogs by storing them in the plane's cargo. The hold is temperature-controlled and pressurized, so it is a humane way to transport them. For most airlines, pets weighing 17 pounds or more qualify as large and must travel in the hold.

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Regular Care when Handling Dogs Dogs must be cared for regularly during air travel. Dogs must be observed as regularly as possible during air transport (at least once in every 4 hours if cargo area is accessible). This includes when the dog is loaded and unloaded and whenever the animal cargo space is accessible.

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Adult dogs and cats easily make it through the night without having to relieve themselves, so your pet should also be OK on most very long flights. Regardless, you'll have to line their carrier with something absorbent - a Dry Fur pad works nicely under your pet's own crate pad or thin blanket.

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Animals can also suffer the effects of atmospheric pressure, like humans, and may present: mild ear pain; decreased hearing; tinnitus.

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