What is the process for flying with a pet?

Airlines typically require a health certificate—issued by an accredited veterinarian following an office visit that includes a physical examination—stating your dog is healthy and up-to-date on her vaccinations. The certificate is only good for 30 days, and you'll need it for both your departure and return.



People Also Ask

Animals count as carry-on items. The combined weight of the pet and carrier may not exceed 20 pounds. The pet must remain inside their dog or cat travel crate (17-by-8.5-by-12.5 inches) while at the airport and in the aircraft for the entire flight. Only four pets are allowed per flight.

MORE DETAILS

Place the empty travel carrier 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. If possible, carry the pet during the screening process.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

DULLES, Va. - Traveling through an airport security checkpoint with a pet can be easy when travelers know what to expect. Small pets can travel in the cabin of an aircraft with their owners after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers screen pets at the security checkpoint.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Booking pet tickets All you have to do is select “Travel with a pet” as a traveler during booking on united.com. Or, you can go to My Trips to add a pet to an existing trip. You cannot add a pet to your trip on the United app. There is a $125 fee each way for traveling with your pet.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Many airlines allow pets to fly in the cabin as a carry-on, so long as they stay inside a carrier that's small enough to fit under the seat in front of you for the duration of the flight. Southwest, Alaska, United, American, Delta, Hawaiian, Spirit, and Frontier are some of the airlines that allow pets as carry-ons.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

But no matter which airline you fly, when your pet is in-cabin, you'll be charged a pet fee, your pet must stay in its carrier, and you won't be able to bring a carry-on item (you will still be able to bring a personal item).

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

With that said, assuming your dog or cat is in very good health (as confirmed by your licensed vet) and assuming you properly prepare your pet for cargo travel (i.e. ensure he or she knows how to eat and drink from the kennel's bowls), cargo travel should be a safe travel option for your four-legged family.

MORE DETAILS