Tips for bringing a dog or cat onboard
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I travel with my pets all the time on both road trips and flights. Road trips are easier to navigate because I can plan time for their bathroom and water breaks, but in-cabin air travel tends to be trickier. Depending on how long flights are, it can be stressful for both owner and pet.
However, I’ve discovered a few hacks for smoother travel. First, I have found it more convenient to commute with a soft-sided carrying case, as they are easier to stow underneath the seat in front of you. Most airlines recommend these types of pet carriers because they are more pliant than hard-sided carriers. For some pets, flying is stressful and the trip may be long; I line my carrier with a puppy training pad in case my dog needs to go and cannot hold it the entire time. This also makes for easy clean-up in case of accidents.
Alaska Airlines spokesperson Tricia Bruckbauer said via email that the airline saw about 180,000 guests traveling with pets in the cabin in 2022 compared to approximately 70,000 in 2020. (Nearly one in five American households have acquired a pet amid the pandemic.) With pet travel on the rise and many airlines maintaining different rules and procedures, we reached out to additional experts for more tips on how to best travel with animals.
Confirm with the airline in advance.
Many airlines require advance notice when planning to bring a pet on the flight. Bruckbauer stressed the importance of confirming there is space available to accommodate a pet. Most airlines designate a certain number of pets allowed on an aircraft.
Make sure your pet fits in the kennel, and the kennel meets the airline’s requirements.
Bruckbauer also stresses the need to “ensure your pet fits in the kennel/carrier and is comfortable being in the kennel/carrier.” The last thing you want is to arrive at the airport and realize the carrier is too large to meet the designated dimension requirements.
Pro tip: Travelers flying JetBlue can order a compliant carrier that meets the airline’s requirements for $40.
Locate each airport’s pet relief stations ahead of time.
Another great tip from Bruckbauer is to check ahead of time to locate where the pet relief stations are in the airports you are traveling to and from. “Guests should check their local airport’s website for information about the location of relief areas in their airport,” Bruckbauer wrote via email. San Francisco International Airport, for example, has both indoor and outdoor areas.
Train for the flight in crowded areas.
Dr. Zac Pilossoph, a consulting veterinarian at Healthy Paws Pet Insurance, recommends preparing for a flight by “training your pet to be used to crowded areas with louder sounds than normal.” This can “help to desensitize them to this situation,” Pilossoph wrote in an emailed statement provided by a publicist.
Purchase a ThunderShirt for your pet.
The ThunderShirt is a calming wrap that applies pressure to your pet’s body, which is meant to help them feel safe. Pilossoph said pet parents have reported success when using ThunderShirts for situational anxiety. Additionally, the veterinarian recommends crate training ahead of time.
Feed your pet a small pre-flight meal.
Feeding your dog at least four hours before boarding is recommended by Pilossoph, because this allows for digestion time.
Consider flying private.
VistaJet, a private jet charter service, launched VistaPet in 2019 to offer pets and their owners a luxury private flying experience. The airline provides such amenities as organic food and treats, and fur wipes. While this over-the-top experience might not be accessible to everyone, it does indicate the lengths to which owners can go to ensure pets travel safely.
Make sure you have the proper paperwork.
Having proper paperwork is essential; for example, rabies certification. United Airlines, for one, requires rabies and health certificates if you and your dog or cat are traveling abroad and also encourages you to bring a health certificate from a veterinarian within 28 days or more of a trip. Each airline has their own set of rules, so it is vital to do your research ahead of time. I usually take call the airline ahead of a flight to verify any questions I have.
For international travel, there may be different requirements along with mandatory documents that need to be submitted. For instance, pet transport to Hawaii requires proof of two rabies vaccinations, among other requirements, as well as fees, according to the state.
Be aware of current restrictions.
Check for any restrictions beforehand and allow yourself plenty of time to collect the information you need. For example, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control currently has a temporary suspension in place through July 31 on dogs entering the country “from high-risk countries for rabies.”
Which airlines allow pets?
- Types of pets allowed: small dogs, cats, rabbits and household birds
- Cost: $100 per way
- Dimensions of pet carrier: soft-sided 17 x 11 x 9.5 inches; hard-sided 17 x 11 x 7.5 inches
- Instructions: The pet carrier must be stowed underneath the seat in front of you and they must stay inside the carrier the entire time.
- Restrictions: Travelers must be at least 18 years of age when transporting a pet and cannot be seated in the emergency exit or bulkhead row for safety precautions.
- Good to know: You can bring “a pet carrier and a personal item” or “a pet carrier and a standard size carry-on bag,” according to Alaska. The airline allows two animals of the same species to travel in the same carrier if there are no signs of distress but you have to “purchase a second ticket with an adjacent seat.”
- Types of pets allowed: cats and small dogs
- Cost: $125 per way
- Dimensions of pet carrier: soft-sided (which is recommended) 18 x 11 x 11 inches; hard-sided 19 x 13 x 9 inches for mainline flights on American; for American Eagle flights, hard-sided cannot exceed 16 x 12 x 8 inches.
- Instructions: Your pet must stay in the kennel and under the seat in front of you the entire flight.
- Restrictions: Due to lack of storage space, carry-on pets are not allowed in First or Business class on the following planes: Boeing 777-200, 777-300, 787-8, 787-9. There are also certain destinations restrictions.
- Good to know: You can bring the pet carrier and a personal item, but you are “not permitted to bring a carry-on bag in addition to a pet carrier and personal item,” according to the airline. The pet carrier counts as your carry-on.
- Types of pets allowed: small dogs, cats and household birds
- Cost: Starting at $95 per way
- Dimensions of pet carrier: soft-sided is preferred, but either soft- or hard-sided carriers must be within 18 x 11 x 11 inches
- Instructions: Your pet must remain inside the kennel at all times including during boarding, in the Delta airport lounge and while on the flight.
- Restrictions: There are age requirements that vary depending on domestic and international destinations. Customers with carry-on pets may not sit in certain restricted areas, including bulkhead seats and emergency exit rows.
- Good to know: Pets in cabin kennels are considered a carry-on. In addition to the pet carrier, you can bring one personal item.
- Types of pets allowed: cats and small dogs. Mint, JetBlue’s luxury flying experience, does not allow pets on flights.
- Cost: $125 per way
- Dimensions of pet carrier: 17 x 12.5 x 8.5 inches. The total weight of your pet and the carrier cannot exceed 20 pounds. You can purchase an airline approved pet carrier from JetBlue for $40.
- Instructions: Pets must remain inside their carrier at all times. The airline “highly” recommends sitting in a window or aisle seat.
- Restrictions: One pet per carrier, up to two carriers per person (a second carrier requires another fee and purchase of a second seat). “You will not be assigned an exit row, bulkhead seat or any seat restricted for under-seat stowage,” the airline says.
- Good to know: Your pet carrier counts as one personal item. If you purchase a Blue Basic fare, you can bring another personal item but not a carry-on. TrueBlue members score 300 points for booking a pet.
United Airlines
- Types of pets allowed: cats and small dogs
- Cost: $125 each way. United Airlines also charges an additional fee of $125 for every layover that lasts more than four hours for flights within the U.S. and more than 24 hours internationally when traveling with a furry friend.
- Dimensions of pet carrier: soft-sided 18 x 11 x 11 inches; hard-sided 17.5 x 12 x 7.5 inches.
- Instructions: Your pet must stay in their carrier with the door closed, and under your seat at all times on the flight.
- Restrictions: One pet per traveler. You cannot sit in the following areas: “an emergency exit row, a United Premium Plus seat, or in the front row of each cabin.” according to the airline. There are also destination restrictions; for example, United does not allow pets on flights to Hawaii.
- Good to know: At check-in, you’ll need your pet’s confirmation number as well as your own.
What to take when flying with a pet
Here are some products to make for smoother travel with your furry friend:
Little Beast Dog Sweater – starting at $55
If you are able to bring your pet in the cabin, chances are they are small; keep them warm with a soft and comfortable knit sweater.
Natural Hound Bully Sticks – $42
These are odorless and long-lasting, perfect for keeping your dog busy on those long flights. They contain no additives or preservatives and help to keep your dog’s teeth clean and healthy as they chew.
Honey Care Dog and Puppy Training Pads – $18.99
Throw some of these in your bag for emergencies. They are super absorbent and can be placed inside your pet’s carrier as a liner in case there is a potty accident.
SLSON Collapsible Bowl with Cover – $6.99
This bowl is great for travel because it is easy to carry and takes up minimal space. Best of all, it has a lid to store your pet’s food on the go.
Portland Pet Food Company Bacon Brew Biscuits – $9.99
Portland Pet Food Company
amazon.com
$9.99
Make sure to bring treats. These all-natural, human-grade biscuits are easily digestible and not messy to store.
Macevia Fluffy Fleece Dog Blanket – $10.99
Place a blanket inside your pet’s carrier so they feel right at home. Sleep with the dog blanket a week ahead of time so that it has a familiar scent, which might help to make them feel more comfortable.
ThunderShirt for dogs – $44.95 and ThunderShirt for cats – $39.95
The patented design and compression of these shirts may help to reduce fear and anxiety, according to the website. They’re easy to put on and take off; just make sure you do several trial runs at home prior to the day of travel.
Behind the Scenes: The Mysteries of the Dogs of Instagram: The Whys, Whats & Hows Paperback – $6.99
How about a fast and fun read for the human on the flight? This hilarious book gives readers some insight into the world of Instagram and pet influencers. Author Louise Hall Reider’s own tiny shih tzu, Lady Boujee, is one of the celebrities, which is what inspired her to write the book.
