How to travel with a dog by plane

We will endeavor to maintain the temperature in the cargo hold to be consistent to the temperature experienced in the passenger cabin, lighting will dim lit this is to maximise your pet’s level of comfort.

Your pet maybe be exposed to high levels of airport operation noise whilst waiting to be loaded into the aircraft hold, please take this into consideration when organising your pet’s journey.

What happens to my pet during a disruption?

Our priority is to safely and securely transport your pet from Point A to Point B.

However, due to the complex environment surrounding airport operations, there may be instances where our flight operation is subjected to unforeseen disruptions e.g. adverse weather activity.

Your pet will be moved to a shaded, well ventilated area and frequently monitored if disruptions do occur.

If the delay exceeds greater than 2 hours or if we are unable to accommodate your pet on another service on the same day (including but not limited to cancellations and or connection flights missed at a transit port), our team will contact you to organise an alternative option of travel.

Should I sedate my pet?

No, Virgin Australia does not recommend sedating your pet for travel. If you wish to sedate your pet for travel, please contact your vet for expert advice. A vet certificate will be required for pets sedated for travel. Virgin Australia does not take responsibility for any consequences as a result of sedation.

What can be included in my pet’s container?

We understand that your pet may have a favorite toy/blanket/bed, however to keep free from hazards we will only accept an absorbent mat and water container to be included in the container.

Are there weight limitations?

If the combined weight of your pet and its container exceeds 65kgs please contact our Guest Contact Centre 13 67 89 (if calling from Australia) to discuss availability of travel. For contact numbers for outside of Australia view the Contact Us page. 

Can I change my pet’s flight?

Yes, you able to change your pet’s flight up to two hours prior to scheduled departure (subject to pet space availability and the Fare Rules of your ticket. Please contact our Guest Contact Centre on 13 67 89 (if calling from Australia) if you have any questions on changing your pet’s travel itinerary. For contact numbers for outside of Australia see our Contact Us page.

Let’s face it, having to fly internationally with a dog is not fun, it’s a lot of work, and it’s stressful for both human and the furry friend.

But flying with a dog doesn’t have to be painful. While this article focuses specifically on flying internationally with a dog, a lot of the information can be useful for flying domestically with cats and dogs. 

I’ll never understand why the sub-two-year-old behind me screaming itself into exorcism can travel for free, yet I have to pay $300 to put my dog in a box and travel at the bottom of a plane, but that’s the way it is.

Sora flew with us on many occasions, both domestically and internationally (both in the cargo hold and cabin), and we’ve cataloged our helpful hints into a single blog post.

Please keep in mind, since each airline has different rules (like Delta who made changes in March of 2018 and Alaska Airlines in May 2018), we are unable to provide detailed information for each individual airline, however, the guidelines below should help get you started and cover most of the planning.

Now, if you’re planning to fly with your dog, you have no doubt heard about the stories involving United Airlines and pets, leaving you to wonder whether it is safe to fly with a dog.

We think it is safe to bring your pet (both in cabin and as cargo), so long as you do extensive homework beforehand.

Do Your Research and Talk to Your Vet

Before booking your flight, check with your vet to ensure that your dog is in good enough health to fly. You will be required to present health documentation multiple times throughout your journey proving that you dog is in good health and is up-to-date on their vaccinations (more about this below).

Also know that some dog breeds, like pugs and other snub-nosed breed are not permitted to fly due to their body mechanics that cause respiratory failures.

Before booking your appointment with your veterinarian, check with your local USDA (if you’re in the US, otherwise your local national agriculture government arm) to check that your vet is an accredited veterinarian.

The Vet must be endorsed by the USDA or the paperwork is not valid. 

Ask whether they have worked with individuals traveling abroad with their pets. It can be quite complicated and working with a knowledgeable veterinarian will make for a smoother process.

Will I Have to Quarantine My Dog?

The most frequently asked question we receive from people about traveling with a dog internationally is whether we had to place her in quarantine, and for how long. It seems a common misconception that when one travels with a dog that it must face a quarantine period. 

Fortunately, for those of us who wish to take their pups along on their travels, only a handful countries require quarantine. Rabies-free nations generally impose the quarantine period.

Depending on the origin of the country (meaning the country from which your dog enters, not the country where your dog resides with you pre-travel), rabies-free nations may deny entry if you enter from a nation with high incidents of rabies.

Double check which zone your current country resides in before traveling. We’ve been surprised to learn a country we are in is considered high risk rabies (like Turkey!).

This requires a titer test from a certified location and then you must wait 3 months after the results come back. Essentially, your dog may need a rabies booster. 

Many, but not all countries require the following:

• ISO microchip (which is a different frequency than the chips used in the United States)
• Recent rabies vaccination (most countries do not recognize the 3-year vaccine like in the US, we’ve found that most countries require annual shots)
• Blood titer test in some cases (if coming from a high risk rabies country)
• Tick and tapeworm treatments administered a certain number of hours prior to entry (Norway required this, but most countries do not require this)
• Health certificates administered by your veterinarian no more than 10 days prior to entry
• Government export paperwork from the country of origin (Department of Agriculture or USDA equivalent)
• Pet Passport, if available otherwise paper certificates/documentation like rabies shot.

This all sounds like a lot, and initially it is, but once you’ve gone through the process once, you have most of what you need to take your pup to other countries.

The most important thing to remember is to look ahead at where you will be traveling and understand the entry requirements for each individual country.

Finding Specific Pet Import Requirements by Country 

Pet Travel is a great place to start to find out requirements, but always supplement the information by going to the destination country’s pet import policies and emailing the right contacts.

Occasionally, we cannot find anyone to email and we assume the information on the destination government website is correct.

If you’re in the US, go to the USDA APHIS – Pet Travel page and select your destination travel country. This has the most information on what you’ll need to get your export papers approved.

For example, if you’re traveling to Germany, you’ll be able to select the country and view the EU Pet Requirements and download the forms. 

Some countries will give you a phone and fax number to call and fax your notice of entry to the airport veterinarians who will check your dog’s credentials after the flight. Make this phone call 24 hours before you land.

Majority of the time we have had no contact before our arrival and it really depends on the destination. Norway, for example was particularly specific on their rules of calling in advance.

The USDA – APHIS has a great resources page you can use to find more information about what you exactly need for traveling to another country with your dog. 

Booking Your Flight

Call your airline before booking your flight to understand their rules about pets and ensure that your dog will be allowed on that particular leg.

Airlines can only accommodate a few animals per flight, so you want to get your request in early. If your dog is flying in the cargo, ask if the cargo area is air-conditioned. This is essential to your dog’s health.

Keep in mind that airlines enforce temperature restrictions and will not fly with a dog if the forecasted temperature exceeds 85℉ or drops below 45℉. It’s best to find a flight that arrives early in the morning or late at night. 

Many airlines require a minimum three-hour layover for those traveling with dogs as cargo. Be sure to check your individual airline’s rules about dogs and layovers.

During the layover, the staff sometimes takes the animals to a dog area where they are walked, fed, given water, and go to the bathroom in between flights. Confirm this is the case with your airline (we can confirm that Lufthansa offers this service).

If flying cabin, you can let your pet stretch it’s legs while in a layover. When Sora has flown in the cabin with us, we make sure we have puppy pads ready to go so she can pee in the airport with quick clean up.

Most airports in the US now have pet relief areas, so just check with staff once you exit the gate to inquire the nearest location.

Once you’ve booked your flight, call again and make sure they know that you will be bringing a dog on your flight. You can never call them too often.

Before booking your flight for your large dog who will be flying in cargo, be sure to ask these 14 questions. 

Where do Dogs go to the Bathroom on Planes?

To ensure she doesn’t get uncomfortable if she has pee during the flight, we line the kennel with her favorite dog bed and top it with with puppy pads.

We like the basic no-frills puppy pads (no need to spend a lot of money as they’re all the same) and highly recommend the Kurgo Loft Wander bed or Ruffwear Highlands Bed as they fit well inside the kennel.

Which Dog Kennel is Needed to Fly Internationally with a Dog?

Airlines have very specific requirements for kennels for dog travel internationally. Generally, the kennel or crate size needs to be larger. 

It depends on the size of your dog.

Make sure to follow these guidelines exactly. They can refuse your dog if the kennel does not meet their guidelines. Go to your airlines website and find their pet policy.

It will have the exact rules for flying with your dog. Make sure to go over this a few times before and leading up to your departure. You can and should check with the airline to make sure you have the correct size. 

Most airlines require water and feeding bowls attached to the inside of the kennel. We like the MidWest Homes for Pets Snap’y Fit Stainless Steel Food Bowl / Pet Bowl mounted to the inside with wing nuts. This ensures the bowls will stay attached.

We also ensured Sora felt safe in her kennel leading up to our flight. We purchased the kennel a week before departure, and fed her inside the kennel so she would associate the kennel with being a positive place. It’s not much different than crate training.

As for the kennel itself, make sure to purchase one that is International Air Transport Association (IATA) certified.

These kennels are designed for flying with a dog and met all the criteria. Don’t purchase a random kennel off Craigslist and think you can fly with it.

The kennel must meet specific rules to ensure the dog’s safety. We found IATA to be the best place for helpful information on kennels and country-specific rules.

When purchasing the kennel, measure your dog according to the IATA sizes and choose the kennel size that best fits your dog.

The kennel sizes run in 4 categories and are standardized based on size. You can find the size needed by using the Guidance for Dimensions of Container at IATA.

We found that buying one in advance online saved nearly 50% than going to the corner pet store. Just make sure to measure your pet in advance to know the correct size.

Buying Recommendation: Buy a kennel that is well known for quality and make sure it is approved for airlines. We like the following kennels depending on the size of your dog.

After a lot of research, we put together a list of the best dog kennels for flying.

Our picks for kennels for flying with a dog:

Extra Large Dogs (> 70 lbs):

The SportPet Designs Plastic Kennel

This is what we use as it has wheels on the bottom which are fantastic for pushing the kennel through the airport. This is helpful for when it’s impossible to carry the kennel yourself.

Medium/Large Dogs (20 lbs to 70 lbs):

The Petmate Sky Kennel

People love this kennel. The easy-to-use color coding system to makes sure you have the right size kennel for your dog. Plus, Petmate is well known for designing high quality kennels.

Small Dogs (< 20 lbs):

AmazonBasics Soft-Sided Pet Travel Carrier

Inexpensive and highly reviewed by Amazon Basics. This no frills carrier gets the job done and goes light on the wallet.

SLEEKO Pet Carrier Under Seat for Dogs and Cats

Fantastic under seat kennel for dogs and cats. It has a side section that zips open to create more space for the furry friend and has a hard case to protect the animal as well.

The Sherpa Deluxe Pet Carriers

Nearly 4.5/5 stars an Amazon and people seem to love them. Loads of ventilation and shoulder strap add versatility to this kennel.

PETS GO2 Pet Carrier for Dogs & Cats

Highly rated and fully collapsible for storage. The kennel also has a removable comfort pad, and is expandable on the sides for extra space.

Destructive and Escape Artist Dogs (All sizes):

Collapsible, Durable Aluminum Dog Crate from Grain Valley

This is the kennel to use if your dog likes to chew, is anxious nervous, or destructive. It’s made from aluminium in the USA, folds down easily, and is as secure as it gets. It’s not cheap, but is worth it if your dog has a history of difficult travel.

Important, do not forget the cable ties!

You must also have the airline secure the kennel door with cable ties, you cannot do this task. This is a requirement and in our experience, the airport staff insist on having the cable ties done themselves.

These Helping Hand FQ50214 Cable Ties 8′ Quick Release 15 are reusable and highly recommended.

Food and Water

Flying on a full stomach might upset your dog, so it is recommended not to feed your dog more than four hours prior to the flight.

Continue to give your dog water leading up to takeoff, and make sure to give him a walk outside the terminal before heading through security to make sure he’s eliminated as much as possible. We also give Sora a bit of water when the captain announces that we’ll be landing in 20 minutes.

Buying Recommendation: Bring along a small portable water bowl so your pup has access to water at any time. We love both the Kurgo Zippy Bowl and the Dexas Collapsible Travel Bowl.

Checking on Your Dog before, during, and after the Flight

Don’t be afraid to ask the airline staff at the gate to check on the status of your dog. We asked before each flight to ensure Sora made it onto the plane. You can also ask during a layover with any attendant from your airline.

Be sure to let the captain and the flight attendants know that you are traveling with your dog in cargo, so they are aware in case anything goes wrong with equipment like air conditioning or cabin pressure during the flight.

Part of being a pet owner, is to worry about our fur babies. Don’t shy away from asking about your dog or cat because you don’t want to come across as a nervous Nancy. Especially since international pet travel can be long and stressful. 

Landing

On one particular flight, Sora came out on the conveyor belt with the rest of the luggage. Resist the urge to let your dog out until you have cleared customs, airport staff will tell you to just put her back in the kennel.

Your dog will likely be scared, overwhelmed, and disoriented.

Give the dog some calming verbal praise and if your dog is food motivated, a few dog treats through their kennel.

At customs clearance, they will ask for all of your paperwork, stamp it, and then hopefully you’ll be on your way. Once outside of the airport doors, let that pup out to go potty and do some down dogs!

Buying Recommendation: Have a treat pouch ready to reward your dog. We like the Kurgo Go Stuff-It Dog Treat Bag.

Kurgo Loft(TM) Travel Dog BedDexas Snack DuO Dual Bottle and Snack ContainerSimple Solution Large Washable Training and Travel Dog PadDexas Collapsible Travel Cup

PIN FOR LATER!

FAQ – Flying with a Dog Internationally

Can my dog fly on a plane internationally?

Yes, of course you can fly with your dog. When flying abroad, your dog can fly in cabin or in the cargo hold. Cabin is reserved for small dogs that can fit in a travel carrier under the seat. Cargo is for bigger dogs that fly in an airline approved pet carrier or kennel. Many airlines will not let your dog fly in cabin if the flight is over 8 hours.

Which airlines are the best for flying with a dog internationally?

The DOT lists the following big airlines as best to worse in terms of incidents per 10k animals transported: Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and United Airlines (*by far the worst statistically). This doesn’t take into account the overall travel experience, only incidents reported in 2018. Internationally, it really depends on your destination. We’ve flown Lufthansa with a dog and they were fantastic. Alternatively, Delta was the worst for us by far and I would recommend avoiding them like the plague.

How much does it cost to fly with a dog?

It depends on the airline and the prices change frequently. In cabin costs can be as little as $200 one way. In cargo, the prices rise considerably and can be as high as $500 one way. Look up the prices directly on the airline website prior to booking to avoid any surprises. When flying internationally, the prices will be higher.

Can I buy my dog a seat on a flight?

No. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to directly buy a seat on a plane. You can fly them in cabin only under the seat or a support animal like a registered guide dog or emotional support animal (ESA), which fly for free. Note that ESAs are only recognized when flying directly to and from the USA.

Is it safe for dogs to fly in cargo?

Generally speaking, yes, it is safe for dogs to fly as cargo. In 2018, the United States Department of Transportation reported 0.79 deaths or injuries per 10,000 animals on US carriers.

Can my dog sit on my lap during flight?

Generally no, the pet must remain below the seat in front of you. In reality, many airlines turn a blind eye when the plane is in route. You can ask the stewardess if your “well behaved lap dog” can sit in your lap for a portion of the flight, assuming they’re under control and not bothering passengers.

Where does my dog go to the bathroom on a flight?

Your dog is supposed to remain in its carrier for the duration of the flight. This includes when it needs to go potty. Always travel with puppy pads that you can put into the carrier to ensure you can easily throw them away if your dog goes in their carrier. This is one reason airlines have started implementing an 8 hour rule to minimize the number of potty accidents while flying.

Can my support animal accompany me into the toilet on a flight?

Dogs and cats are not permitted to enter the toilet. Even if you want them to use the space for their own business, the cabin crew will stop you.

How to do I add a pet to my flight ticket?

Call the airlines immediately after booking your ticket and tell them you’re flying with your dog. There are limited spaces for pets on each flight. The early you reserve your space, the less likely you’ll run into any issues. This is very important when flying internationally as the rules are much more strict.

Should I sedate my dog while flying?

Generally speaking, it’s best to avoid giving your pet any drugs while in flight. If you must, work with your vet on which medication is appropriate and only do this with your pet when they’re flying in the cabin. You are not permitted to give any medication to pets while they’re flying in cargo as they can’t be treated in the event of a medication emergency.

What size dog or cat can fly below my seat?

For pet traveling under the seat in the cabin, the carrier size should be a maximum of 18.5″ x 8.5″ x 13.5″ (47 cm x 22 cm x 34 cm). The carrier must be well ventilated and be able to fit under the seat in front. We’ve got a list of our favorite kennels and carriers for flying.

Which dog breeds cannot fly as cargo?

Many airlines no longer accept short-nosed breeds like: Affenpinscher, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bulldog, Cane Corso, Chow Chow, Dogue De Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff, Pekingese, Pit Bull, Presa Canario, Pug, Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and Tibetan Spaniel.

Which countries can I not fly to with my dog in cabin?

Many airlines do not permit flying in cabin to the following countries due to import regulations: Australia, Barbados, Dakar, Dubai, Hong Kong, Iceland, Jamaica, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland,
Hawaii, South Africa, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates.

How To – Steps for Flying Internationally with a Dog

Do Your Research and Talk to Your Veterinarian

Find out if your dog is healthy enough to fly and what type of documentation you’ll need to bring your furry companion along. Make sure to learn about any potential quarantines with your desired destination.

Find Specific Pet Import Requirements by Country

If flying internationally, find what the requirements are for bringing your dog with you. Your pet may need some updated vaccinations or other medication to travel to your destination.

Book Your Flight

Once you know that your dog is healthy and can travel to your destination country, book the flight with your desired airline.

Contact Airlines

Let the airlines know you’ll be flying with your dog and to note this on your ticket. The airline may ask you about your like dog like the breed, size, and age.

Schedule an Appointment with Your Veterinarian

Before importing your dog to your destination country you’ll need to get your certificate of health and any vaccinations updated. Your vet may also give your dog additional medications per the import requirements of your destination country. For example, tape worm treatment for importing to Norway or England.

Schedule the APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) and Make an Appointment

Contact the USDA APHIS and schedule an appointment for them to review of your pet’s documentation for travel. These documents will be produced by your private/local veterinarian. There are APHIS centers around the USA based on your location. You may also be able to overnight the documentation if going in person isn’t an option.

How can I take my dog on a plane?

Which airline is the most pet

How much does it cost to carry on a dog on a plane?

Can my dog sit on my lap during a flight?