Travel by air with animals

Traveling with our pet can be something quite stressful but it's just a matter of being well informed. Here we offer you a list of airlines and their policies about traveling with animals.

Air France admits cats and dogs in the cabin weighing less than 5 kg (11 lbs) and service animals, such as seeing-eye dogs. During the flight the pet must stay inside its kennel near your seat.

Dogs and cats weighing more than 5 kg (11 lbs) must travel in the hold. Here you must prepare de conditions of the kennel. The Capitan is informed that the pet is traveling in the hold, so the animal can travel safely.

Other type of animals have to travel in the Air France cargo.

American Airlines advises people who travel with pets to arrive at least four hours before the flight time, so you can do the check-in with extra time. This airline only admits cats and dogs except breeds considered aggressive or dangerous.

In the cabin can travel one kennel per passenger with 23" long x 13" wide x 9" high, and the pet can’t be removed from it during the flight. You have to be sure of the well-being your pet and its documentation.

American Airlines offers a telephone number (800-433-7300) where you can call to make a reservation or check for availability in the flight.

Pets that travel in the cargo hold must be in a kennel with a maximum size 40" long x 27" wide x 30" high. Here the cat or dog must stand up and turn around in natural position and the kennel must be made from rigid plastic.

You have to be sure about the health conditions of your pet because the pressure and the heating are a little bit different in the cargo hold. Pets that travel here must not have been fed and they are not accepted in flights to the United Kingdom.

If your pet exceeds 100 lbs it has to travel in the cargo. To check information about American Airlines Cargo you can go to: https://www.aacargo.com/

British Airways has two different ways to travel with your pet. One of it is the program Accompanied Pets where you can travel with your pet in the same flight. This airline does not admit animals in the passenger’s cabin. They must travel in the cargo hold in a comfortable kennel with enough space to stand up, turn around and lie down in a natural position.This container also has to be strong enough and the door must be secured.

The other program is Unaccompanied Pets where you pet travels alone. Here the pet must be taken to the cargo terminal and should be collected by you or an authorized person at the destination airport.

In both cases you have to make the booking and have all the documentations required for the country the pet is traveling to. British Airways does not accept puppies or kittens under 10 weeks old, pregnant dogs and cats and Snub-nosed dogs like Bulldogs and Pekinese because they use to suffer respiratory problems with the pressure of the flight.

It is also prohibited the transportation of American pit bulls, Pit bull terriers, Fila Brazileiros and Dogo Argentino because they are consider dangerous and aggressive.

Continental Airlines offers PetSafe® a program where your pet can travel safely in the cargo without you. For more information you can check www.cocargo.com.

You can also take your pet with you in the passenger cabin in a comfortable kennel which can’t exceed 5 kg (11 lbs).

This airline also has QUICKPAK®, a wonderful service where your pet is delivered airport-to-airport with absolute comfort and safety.

United Airlines admits cats and dogs in the passenger cabin and in the cargo hold. If your pet exceeds 5 kg (11 lbs) it has to travel in a comfortable kennel at the cargo hold. In both cases you have to be sure about the animal's health conditions and the required documentation of the country you are traveling to.

Don’t forget to make your flight reservation at 1-800-864-8331 and to arrive 3 hours early at the airport.

United Airlines do not accept dog’s breeds and animals which demonstrate violent behavior.

Ready to travel? Make a reservation wiith your favorite airline and have a nice flight! But first, don't forget to book a pet friendly hotel with Pets Lovers Hotels!