Looking forward to vacation may not be as enjoyable as you’d prefer it to be if you have to leave your dog at home. You miss their company and you worrying if they are being correctly cared for. Rest easy, you can take your dog with you on vacation, even if you’re flying, domestic or abroad. You should know these things to make the journey easier on you and your beloved pooch.
Domestic Air Travel Guidelines for Dogs Traveling in the Cabin
You should make your travel arrangements early. While all of the major airlines permit four legged friends in the cabin, they do limit the number of dogs per flight. The number of dogs permitted on board the plane per flight varies from airline to airline with some only permitting one dog per flight and others allowing up to seven; however, that may change depending on the season. Securing your dog’s space on the flight can be helped by making your travel arrangements early.
Fees. Holding a pet on your lap in their carrier or in the floor in front of you might require , as you might suppose, an added charge . Only one pet carrier per ticketed passenger is permitted, and depending on the airline, the costs range from 50 dollars to 250 dollars each way. The pet carrier counts as a carry-on bag, so other than one additional bag, don’t plan on taking more onto the plane with you.
Take along the appropriate carrier. Adequate ventilation is necessary for your dog, and the airline approved dog kennel must be leak proof. The crate must provide ample room to stand up, turn around and lie down. Handles on the carrier are also helpful so you can tote them easily. A maximum size of 19″ long x 13″ wide x 9″ high is permitted for cabin pet carriers.
Providing the total weight does not exceed airline limits, which are generally no more than 20 pounds combined, you are permitted to actually have two dogs per carrier. So, for example , two Chihuahuas would meet the regulations. You must also carry two pets of the same specie, meaning two dogs; you can’t sneak a cat and a dog inside the same crate .
Regulations – Health. Dogs must be at least eight weeks old for travel either inside the cabin. Unless you are traveling to Hawaii, there are no health regulations; however, they do have rigid regulations that do not allow pets to fly via non-stop flights into Maui, Hawaii, or Kauai. Until you are ready to board your next flight, you will have to take your pet to a sterile area, if you are flying through Hawaii and have a layover or have to change planes. Before making your travel arrangement, it is always cautioned that you have your dog checked by a veterinarian and cleared for air travel. Some dogs, older dogs in particular, may not be equipped to stand the stress and atmospheric changes of airline travel.
Domestic Air Travel Guidelines for Dogs Traveling as Checked Baggage
You may need to check your dog as baggage if they are too big to travel in the cabin with you. Below are a few restrictions and guidelines when checking your dog .
If the flight is longer than 12 hours, you can’t check your dog as luggage, and on top of standard checked baggage fees, you will be charged and additional fee. These fees vary depending on the airline and the size of the dog and kennel but can be quite expensive.
Solid materials such as wood, metal, or plastic must make up the carrier. They must be leak proof. In addition to the door, they must have proper ventilation on two sides of the kennel. They must have a door that attaches tightly and be escape proof. Additionally, kennels should have handles on them for easy transport by the luggage attendants. A water container must be attached to the kennel with access from the outside so that, in case there is a flight delay, attendants may need to give your dog additional water. The maximum weight of the dog and kennel combined cannot surpass 100 pounds, and the maximum size is 40″ long x 27″ wide x 30″ high, a series 500.
Temperature restrictions. Because it can become amazingly hot and amazingly cold in the cargo area of a plane there are temperature restrictions to keep your dog safe. The restrictions include:
If the present or forecasted temperature is above 85 degrees Fahrenheit, or the ground temperature falls below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, dogs will not be accepted.
Traveling Abroad – On Board or as Checked Baggage
Internationally, all of the above restrictions apply however there are a few restrictions depending on where you are traveling. Checking your International destination is important , to be sure you are permitted to bring your pet into the country.
For instance, the United Kingdom does not permit you to bring your dog into the country unless it is a service animal.
Other small dogs, as well as snub-nosed breeds such as Pugs, are not allowed in cargo due to their breathing problems on many airlines.United Airlines, as an example, does not allow the following breeds to be checked as baggage
* Boston Terrier
* Boxer
* English or French Bulldog
* King Charles Spaniel
* Lhasa Apso
* Pug
* Shar-Pei
* Shih Tzu
In Japan, you must notify their Animal Quarantine Service at least 40 days prior to your scheduled arrival, and in both Europe and Japan, your dog must be micro chipped. You must also meet additional documents and certifications.
You will find that taking your pooch on vacation with you is a wonderful and generally easy process. The trick is to make your reservations in advance and to know the restrictions in advance so you’re ready.
Completing some basic dog obedience training prior to the flight is also a good idea to ensure your dog behaves.
Mail this post
Technorati Tags: airline guidelines for dogs, dogs on airplanes, Flying with dogs, traveling with dogs