Traveling with animals on a plane: what you should know

What are the basic rules for transporting pets on an airplane?

Pet travel on board is regulated by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and all airlines work with it, so the rules for transporting pets do not vary much from airline to airline.

The first thing you need to do is to make sure that the airline you choose can transport animals. This is spelled out on the airline's official website along with the transportation requirements. Very often low-cost carriers (e.g. Wizz Air, Ryan Air, etc.) do not allow you to bring animals on board unless they are guide dogs.

Also, make sure that your beloved doggie is not one of the breeds of dogs that are not allowed to be transported. For example, some fighting dog breeds, or so-called brachycephals (dog breeds that have a flattened nose, causing them to have some breathing problems at altitude). A detailed list of breeds can be found on the carrier's website.

If you are sure that your chosen airline allows you to transport your pet, then here are a few rules to follow when planning a trip with your four-legged friend:

• The cost of transporting your pet is paid separately. You can buy a ticket online or at check-in. But you must reserve your ticket in advance! You can do this by calling the airline's contact center. It is desirable to book a ticket as early as possible, but not later than 48 hours before departure, because the rules of some carriers limit the number of animals in the cabin to 3 or 4.
• Animals weighing up to 8 kg are allowed in the cabin, but the animal must be in a special bag or container. The container can be hard or soft, special baskets, cages and travel bags for animals are allowed. You can buy such a container in any pet store. The only important condition is that the animal should not be able to run away from there, had the opportunity to do the need there without the risk of spoiling the cabin of the airplane. There must also be access to fresh air and drinking water.
• It is necessary to take into account the dimensions of the container, regulated by the carrier — they should be no more than 55x40x20 cm.
• During the entire flight, the animal must stay in the container, it is forbidden to take it on your hands.
• If your pet weighs more than 10 kilograms, he will have to overcome the flight in the luggage compartment of the plane. There you can transport animals up to 75 kilograms, but they must also be in special containers or cages.
• During transportation in a container in the baggage compartment, the animal must be able to stand and turn around, ventilation must be provided on three sides, and the container itself must not slide on the floor, but must stand securely. Two bowls for water and food should be well secured in it.

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How much does it cost to transport a pet on an airplane?

As already mentioned, the cost of transportation of a pet in an airplane is paid separately. You can buy a ticket online or at check-in. As a rule, the prices for transportation of an animal vary greatly. For example, the Dutch company KLM states that to take a cat or dog with you, you will pay a fee from 75 to 400 euros one way. Of course, this is a large price range, but it is explained by the fact that the fee differs depending on the airport of departure and destination. You can see the exact price for transporting your pet when booking.

Guide dogs are transported free of charge.

What documents should I have for my pet?

For animals it is necessary to prepare certain international documents:

• International Veterinary Passport, which must include all the data about the animal, its chip number, notes on vaccinations (they must be carried out at least 30 days and not more than 1 year before departure) and carrying out treatment against parasites.
• Chip. The chip number must match the mark in the passport. If the animal has a special tattoo, it must also be recorded in the veterinary passport.
• Certificate of blood test for titration of antibodies to the rabies virus. This testing is done once and is valid for life.

It's also worth finding out what animal entry regulations apply to your destination — additional certificates may be required.

Have fun traveling with your four-legged friends!

Which airlines transport animals?

Lufthansa — the German air carrier allows you to take on board cats, dogs, rabbits and hares, but no more than two animals. Animals can be taken in the cabin (if their weight is not more than 8 kg together with the container) or you can put them in the luggage compartment of the airplane. Fighting breed dogs can be transported only in special cages and in the luggage compartment. It is also possible to transport pets unaccompanied by their owners.

Lufthansa does not recommend to carry cats with a flattened face, such as British Shorthair, Himalayan, Persian, Scottish lop-eared. Because of their anatomical features (they may have breathing and circulation problems during the flight).

LOT — it is possible to transport cats, dogs and ferrets on Polish airlines. You can take a small animal weighing up to 8 kg in the cabin, but in this case LOT does not provide a seat in the front rows of the service class. Larger pets can stay in the baggage compartment during the flight. Your pets must have a rabies and distemper vaccination document and a veterinarian's certificate of health. If the flight is carried out on the territory of the EU, a special passport with a description of the suit, breed, sex of the animal, where the number of microchip or tattoo is indicated.

Pegasus — this Turkish air carrier has standard requirements for transportation of animals. And also allows you to take on board cats and dogs. A pet weighing up to 8 kg can be in the cabin in a special container next to you. But Pegasus does not transport pets to the UK, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

Air Berlin — transportation of pets (cats and dogs) is allowed by Air Berlin in the cabin and in the baggage compartment. Pets must be booked in advance, at least 48 hours before departure.

AirBaitic — animals are only allowed in the cargo hold (as checked baggage) or as declared cargo.

KLM — a maximum of 3 pets are allowed in the hold. They may be placed in one cage if each pet weighs no more than 14 kg. At the same time, they are allowed: 2 adult pets of the same size.

Qatar Airways — Pet dogs, cats and birds are accepted as checked baggage only if the animal is healthy and all transportation requirements are met. At least 48 hours prior to departure, you must register the animal and, when boarding the plane, you must bring a health certificate (signed by a veterinarian confirming that there are no contraindications for the transportation of the animal by air) and the animal's certificate or passport.

Ernest — Italian air carrier also allows you to take two cats or dogs in the cabin. But there are restrictions: the weight of the animals together with the container should not exceed 10 kg, the age of the pet should not be younger than 8 weeks. For the flight you need to provide: two copies of the certificate on the state of health of animals, issued not earlier than 10 days before the flight with the signature of a veterinarian and a certificate of vaccination against rabies (it is valid for a year).