- Check with your airline to see if they allow pets on board. Some airlines allow small pets to travel in the cabin with you, while some only allow pets in the cargo area of the plane.
- Make sure your pet has a valid health certificate issued by your veterinarian within 10 days of the flight.
- Purchase an approved pet carrier that meets the airline’s size and weight regulations.
- Make sure your pet has a collar with an ID tag and is wearing a leash.
- Arrive at the airport early. Check-in at the ticket counter and obtain a boarding pass for your pet.
- Go through security with your pet and proceed to the gate.
- Once at the gate, inform the gate agent that you are traveling with a pet. They will give you a pet tag and board your pet in the cargo area of the plane.
- Once the flight lands, pick up your pet from the cargo area.
Requirements to transport a dog on the plane:
Updated vaccination certificate
Letter of good health or animal health
Letter of good behavior of the animal (only in some cases)
Have more than 8 weeks of life
In the event that your dog or cat exceeds the measurements allowed in the cabin, these are the requirements that you must meet to transport it in the aircraft hold:
Weight: Maximum 45 kilos (cage included)
Cage: You must maintain a space that allows your pet to move freely in it.
Traveling by plane with pets and service dogs
Service and emotional support pets can normally travel with you, even without cages, at no additional cost in the cabins of most airlines.
However, it is necessary that you present the documentation that supports your pet as emotional support or service.
Brachycephalic and small breeds
For the safety of pets, air travel is not recommended for brachycephalic or small breeds, since due to their physiognomy they are susceptible to problems during the flight.
Small Dogs: Australian Silky Terrier, Beagle, Bichon Frize, Maltese, all varieties of Chihuahua, Toy Fox Terrier, French Poodle, Schnauzer, Yorkshire Terrier, and Dachshund.
Flying with cats: rules, tips
1. Do all airlines allow cats to fly?
Luckily, almost all airlines allow cats to fly, but not all. Important: Just because an airline allows cats on the plane, it does not mean that all cats can fly on their planes. Some airlines do not allow certain breeds of cats on their flights.
That your cat has a chip (which it should have, whether it flies or not).
That your cat has a passport (not to be confused with a vaccination card, although both documents are issued to you by a veterinarian. They usually give you the passport when you put the chip).
That your cat has the rabies vaccine given a certain time in advance (it is not worth giving the vaccine the day before leaving).
Brachycephalic cats: Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, and Persian.
However, if the move will be permanent for you and your pet, it is recommended that you inform yourself in advance of the conditions of the destination, as well as if the property where you will stay or buy abroad is pet friendly.
Make sure that the property meets the security you need for your pet, as well as; that is in the rental or sale contract.