PET AIR TRAVEL

Pet travel and booking your furry family member with the airlines can be a confusing process and often people are misinformed, resulting in foiled plans and frustration. Add to this process the complex requirements for pets entering foreign countries and it can become overwhelming. We would like to offer a brief overview for booking with just a few of the pet friendly airlines. All airlines require an IATA approved travel crate for pets traveling as cargo and all airlines refuse any pets who have been sedated or appear to have been sedated.

Importance of travel crate acclimation

We strongly advocate for pets to have time to become acclimated to their travel crate well in advance of travel. To ensure your pet becomes accustomed to being in a crate designed for airline travel, it is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that you obtain the crate as far in advance of travel as possible. To reduce stress during travel, it is crucial that your pet is comfortable and feels secure in their crate. This process is called “crate acclimation,” and you should ask your veterinarian or a trainer, or conduct research online, for tips on how to acclimate your pet. We recommend setting the crate up in your home with an open door, comfortable bedding (ideally the same bedding that they will travel with) and offer treats and food in the crate. This will allow them to become acclimated to the crate while encouraging a positive association with their travel crate.

 

PET FRIENDLY AIRLINES

 

LUFTHANSA AIRLINES

If you plan to travel with your pets, Lufthansa Airlines allows pets either in the cabin or in the cargo hold of its passenger aircraft, depending on the pet’s weight and size. Your pet can travel unaccompanied via Lufthansa Cargo. If your pet cannot travel in cabin due to size or weight restrictions, or if you have a pet other than a dog or a cat, your pet can travel underneath the plane in the temperature-controlled and pressurized cargo hold.

Lufthansa Airlines Pets in the Cargo Hold

 

Travel Crates for Pets as Lufthansa Cargo

Your pet’s travel crate will need to meet IATA (International Air Transport Association) standards. Lufthansa also requires pet travel crates to be equipped with two bowls that attach to the door. Lufthansa requires that your pet can stand without touching the top.

Visit our site for a guide to MEASURING YOUR PET

Temperature and Environment

Lufthansa uses climate-controlled vans at all major airports and many other locations, and keeps animals in holding areas within a temperature range of 45-85°F.

All Lufthansa flights will connect at the Frankfurt Station where pets have the luxury of staying at the Animal Lounge during their connection. Visit the link below to view a video of the Frankfurt Animal Lounge. CLICK HERE to watch the video

 

Breed Restrictions

Restricted Breeds:

Please note that bringing the following breeds into Germany is forbidden:

• Pit Bull Terrier
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• Bull Terrier

Export and transit are not affected by this ban

 Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) dog breeds

Restricted for travel at temperatures of 80 degrees or less at all ports

• Boston Terrier
• Boxer
• Bull Dog (all breeds except the American Bulldog)
• Chow Chow
• Brussels Griffon
• Japanese Chin
• English Toy Spaniel
• Pugs
• Pekinese
• Shih Tzu

Dog breeds requiring reinforced crates (IATA 82 Crate)

• American Pit Bull Terrier
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• Bull Terrier (Miniature Bull Terriers are not considered fighting dogs)
• American Bulldog
• Caucasian Ovcharka (Caucasian Shepherd Dog)
• Dogo Argentino
• Karabash (Kangal Dog) (Anatolian Shepherd Dog)
• Rottweiler

 

Lufthansa Airlines In Cabin Pets

You may take a dog or cat into the cabin if the weight of the animal (including transport container) does not exceed eight kilograms. Travel Carrier for In-Cabin Pets:  Your pet will need to be kept in an appropriate travel carrier measuring not more than 55 x 40 x 23 cm. You may use your own carrier if it has the necessary measurement and is watertight and bite-proof. Pets must remain inside the travel container throughout the entire flight.

 

 

UNITED AIRLINES

If you plan to travel with your pets, United Airlines allows pets either in the cabin or in the cargo hold of its passenger aircraft, depending on the pet’s weight and size. For US Domestic flights (excluding Hawaii), you can contact United Pet Safe to schedule your booking. Requirements for domestic travel is a health certificate within 10 days and an appropriate sized IATA approved travel crate.

United Airlines Pets in the Cargo Hold

Pets too large to travel in cabin or pets traveling to UK, Hawaii or Micronesia are required to travel in the cargo hold. 

Travel Crates for Pets as United Cargo

Your pet’s travel crate will need to meet IATA (International Air Transport Association) standards. United also requires pet travel crates to be equipped with two bowls that attach to the door. These bowls or one divided dish must be firmly attached to the inside of the crate and accessible from the outside so the dishes can be filled without opening the door. Dishes must be sturdy, durable, commercially made and specifically designed to attach securely to the crate. Metal bowls are acceptable, provided that the bowl does not slide out of a ring.

International Travel: 3” clearance when standing and ventilated on all 4 sides. Pets should be able to lay down naturally and turn around comfortably.

Domestic US Travel: 1” clearance when standing. Pets should be able to lay down naturally and turn around comfortably.

Please visit our page on HOW TO MEASURE YOUR PET

With International flight bookings, United requires bookings to be made by a Professional Pet Shipping Company for some countries, such as Australia, New Zealand, Italy, and Singapore. The UK requires that your pet travel unaccompanied.  Some countries require an import permit and United will require the import permit number at the time of the airline booking. It’s imperative that you review all import requirements for pets entering the country that you are relocating to in order to avoid any issues with the flight booking, check in, or customs clearance at the destination. Continental Pet Relocation has all of the current and updated information for every country that we import pets to which ensures a smooth travel process for your pet.

Flight length

The duration of the journey, including flight length and connections, can increase the stress level on your pet and put him or her at a higher risk for injury or death. In the best interest of your pet(s), PetSafe requires a comfort stop for all dogs and cats booked to travel on a route that involves two or more flights and exceeds a travel time of 12 hours. This does not apply to pets traveling only on a single non-stop flight segment, such as Los Angeles-Melbourne. Comfort stops are completed at a designated kennel facility and rates are based on the city and facility.

Temperature and Environment

United has a program dedicated to unaccompanied pet travel called PetSafe. This program ensures that every pet traveling with United unaccompanied is handled properly and safely. The cargo areas are pressurized and temperature-controlled. PetSafe will also restrict pet travel to and from specific locations during extreme weather conditions. PetSafe uses climate-controlled vans at all major airports and many other locations, and keeps animals in holding areas within a temperature range of 45-85°F. However, depending on the outside temperature and PetSafe’s facility locations along the route, your pet may encounter temperature variations during their journey and / or be exposed to a noisy cargo warehouse environment while waiting to board their flight or be picked up at their destination.

Age of your pet

Older pets, as well as very young animals, are more sensitive to the effects of stress from travel conditions. We recommend you consult with your veterinarian about additional health screenings to assess the risk of injury or death during air travel to very young or old pets. Please note that puppies and kittens must be a minimum of 2 pounds or at least 10 weeks old to travel.

Breed Restrictions

Restricted Breeds:

English Bulldog, French Bulldog, Old English Bulldog, Shorty Bulls, and Spanish Bulldog – Prohibited at 20lbs or 6 months old. Adult dogs are not accepted at any time

 Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) dog breeds

• American Bulldog
• Boston Terrier
• Boxer
• Brussels Griffon
• Dutch Pug
• English Toy Spaniel
• Japanese Chin
• Japanese Pug
• King Charles Spaniel
• Lhasa Apso
• Pekingese
• Shar-Pei
• Shih Tzu
• Shorty Bull/Bulldog

* United requires customers to follow these guidelines for all snub nosed breeds over 20lbs and 6 months of age including Boxers, Lhasa Apso, Shih Tzu, Toy Spaniel

• Use a kennel that is one size larger than normally required.
• Use a kennel with ventilation on four sides

 Dog breeds requiring reinforced crates (IATA 82 Crate)

The following dog breeds and their mixes that have reached six months of age or weigh 20 pounds (9 American Bully require the IATA 82 crate

• American Staffordshire Terriers
• Ca de Bou (or Perro de Presa Mallorquin)
• Cane Corso (Italian Mastiff)
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasileiro
• Perro de Presa Canario
• Pit Bull Terriers
• Tosa (or Tosa Ken)
• Belgian Malinois
• American Bully

All American Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Pugs and breed mixes

Only accepted less than 20lbs and less than 6 months old – year round

Adults of these breeds that are older than six months of age or weigh more than 20 pounds (9 kg) are subject to the following restrictions:

• May 15 – September 15: None will be accepted.
• September 16 – May 14: These animals will be accepted as long as the forecasted temperatures along the itinerary are expected to be no higher than 85°F (29°C) at the time when the animal’s flights are scheduled to arrive and depart. Animals with connecting flights may also be kenneled during the day to avoid the heat.

 

United Airlines In-Cabin Pets

United allows some pets to travel in cabin with the passenger in cabin. Small dogs, cats, rabbits, and household birds (excluding cockatoos) can travel in-cabin with United. Your pet will need to travel in an approved hard-shelled kennel no larger than 44 cm x 30 cm x 19 cm or in an animal travel bag (soft-sided) that expands to a recommended maximum of 46 cm x 28 cm x 28 cm.  Only one pet may travel in the kennel (except birds) and your pet must be able to stand up and turn around comfortably inside the kennel.

 

 

 

BRITISH AIRWAYS

British Airways requires that all pets are booked as cargo and travel in the cargo hold of the aircraft. Excess baggage and in cabin pets are not accepted. Exceptions: Assistance Dogs

Travel Crates for Pets as British Airways Cargo

 Your pet’s travel crate will need to meet IATA (International Air Transport Association) standards. British Airways also requires pet travel crates to be equipped with two bowls that attach to the door.

Container Requirement 1 – Internal size. Each animal contained in the container must have enough space to turn around normally while standing, to stand and sit erect, and to lie in a natural position. To determine the correct ‘internal’ kennel dimensions, the kennel length is the distance from the root of tail to tip of nose plus half

the elbow to ground measurement. The kennel width is twice the width of the widest point of the dog. The

kennel height is the distance from floor to tip of ears.

Please see our guide on HOW TO MEASURE YOUR PET

 

Breed Restrictions

Restricted Breeds:

The following breeds will not be acceptable for carriage:

Snub nosed dogs (pure breeds): All Bulldogs, Pugs and Pekinese.

Note: Cross breeds. A cross breed with another brachycephalic dog from the above list is still not acceptable for carriage.

Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) dog breeds

Cross breeds or pure breeds not listed above that have less restrictive brachycephalic features are acceptable for carriage provided the kennel size is larger than the minimum BA size requirements:

• Bull Mastiff
• Boston Terrier
• Boxer
• Brussels Griffon
• Shitz Tzu
• Lhasa Apso
• Chow Chow
• Tibetan Spaniel
• SharPei
• English Toy Spaniel
• King Charles Spaniel
• Cavalier Spaniel
• Japanese Spaniel
• Japanese Chin

There are breeds of domestic cats with brachycephalic features and currently these animals are not restricted on BA aircraft. The cat kennel size similarly should be slightly larger in order to provide additional ventilation for the cat during the flight. Species include Exotic, Himalayan and Persian.

Dangerous Dog breeds prohibited from travel

• American Pit Bull
• Fila Brazileiros
• Japanese Tosa
• Pit Bull Terrier
• Togo Argentinos
• American Staffordshire Terrier