It use to be the case that pets were only allowed to travel on airplanes if they were in secured, sometimes windowless cages stored beneath the plane with the luggage. Over the years though the extreme changes in cabin pressure and temperature have made airlines (as well as pet owners) re-think how they handle pets during long flights. For some airlines that meant insulating the storage area beneath the plane to properly shield extreme cases of cold or heat due to traveling at 30,000 feet, others that meant training both flight attendant as well as baggage crews on how to handle both well-behaved and ill-behaved pets. Most of the major airlines won’t even let you fly with animals if its during the more hotter months in the summer for fear that the animal may be aversely affected by it.

If your travel companion is a small pet then it’s much easier to take them with you in a soft dog carrier. The majority of airlines will allow passengers to bring a small dog, cat or other pet into the passenger cabin as long as it is quiet, odorless and and above all restrained in their carrier for the duration of the flight. While you might cringe at the thought of keeping them in their dog carrier for a long flight, it is worlds better than the alternative they would have faced traveling with your toothbrush and shoes downstairs. Now in order for you and your pet to qualify for passage on an airline the pet and carrier must have a combined weight of no more than 40 pounds and must also fit underneath the seat in front of you. Because a lot of the airlines have a limit to the number of pets that they’ll allow in the cabin for any given flight, if you’d like to take your four-legged friend with you on the plane make sure to notify the airline as soon as possible so that you can be guaranteed one of those slots.

Every airline tends to have different policies towards people traveling with their pets which include both pets traveling in pet carriers as well as larger dogs who have to travel in kennels beneath the plane. To be on the safe side, always contact your airline ahead of time to learn what their policies and conditions are so that you won’t run the risk of endangering your pet. Airline personnel can also help you find the best flight time available to keep any changes in temperature to a minimal. For instance flights in the early morning or late evening are the best during the summer seasons.

In order to safeguard the health of your pet, there are various precautions you need to take before leaving for the airport. The AAHA suggests that you have your pet examined by a veterinarian no more than ten days before you first round of travel plans. It’s also good to note that you will be required by law to provide proof that your pet has all the necessary rabies vaccines/shots when you first arrive at the airport, so don’t forget your paperwork! Federal Law also prohibits any animals younger than eight weeks old to fly in an airplane, regardless of whether they’re in the cabin or not. Don’t forget now, there are no late pickups when it comes to traveling with your pet.

A sturdy pet carrier or kennel, available from most airline or pet shops, is another important precaution to ensure a safe flight. The carrier should have all hard sides-with the exception of soft-carriers for pets small enough to travel in the cabin, those are specifically designed for airline travel and will help keep your pet calm and content during the trip. These pet carriers or dog kennels should be ventilated on at least two opposite sides (to allow for a steady flow of air), with exterior rims or knobs to prevent blocked airflow, and its also very important that the carrier or kennel is large enough for the pet to stand up, turn around and lie down in. This more so applies to dogs traveling in the luggage compartment but it also will keep your small cabin-traveling dog comfortable as well. Both the kennels and dog carriers should have water resistant bottoms with plenty of soft material at the base, this will help contain any potential accidents due to your pet getting startled during flight. Your kennel should also be marked with a large, highly visible label reading “Live Animal,” at least one inch tall, including arrows indicating the carrier’s upright position. Finally, both the pet and the carrier should be well marked with the owner’s name, address, and phone number, and the pet’s updated health certificate and the feeding plan from the veterinarian should be posted on the carrier.

At the end of the day you need to remember that not all pets can handle the experience of traveling on a plane at high-altitude. Anything from sudden changes in cabin pressure to being in a confined space can result in your pet having a negative reaction to the whole experience. If your pet is the type that is sensitive to loud noises or other environmental changes then you might want to talk it over with your vet before committing to any travel plans.

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