Flying With Your Dog

A pet owner must research the many requirements before taking a dog on an airplane. Different airlines have slightly different regulations, but most airlines follow the same basic set of rules in regards to flying with a dog.

One universal rule is that dogs cannot fly on a plane without the owner on board. Each airline that was contacted for this article has a rule that outlaws flying unaccompanied dogs from one point to another. Realize that the airline considers dogs to be cargo. Just as you are not allowed to send your luggage across the country without also being present, same thing goes when it comes to your dog. The intent of each rule is slightly different (it's unlikely that a bomb would be inside of a dog), but the bottom line is that the airlines to not want to be responsible for your dog. However, if you absolutely must transport your dog without being present, you can contact a licensed and approved pet transportation company to get the job done for you.

Before you even go to the airport, you need to make an appointment with your veterinarian. All airlines mandate that every dog that boards the plane must receive a full physical examination and be tested for various diseases (rabies is their main concern) prior to boarding. Usually the airline will want the exam certificate be dated within 30 to 60 days prior to the date of the flight, so the exam you had last year will not work for a flight you plan on taking next week.

Also, be aware of weather restrictions. These might be a big inconvenience, but they are in place to ensure the safety of your pet. The cargo area on an airplane can be incredibly hot. Because of this, there are restrictions on what times of the year dogs are allowed to travel to and from certain regions. Virtually all airlines will as well enforce weather and temperature related restrictions. For instance, if the temperature in the arrival or departure city is hotter than 85 degrees Fahrenheit, pets will not be permitted on the plane. Do not argue with the airline staff, because this is for your dog's safety.

Many airlines are currently allowing pets to be transported in the cabin of the plane, as long as they can comfortably fit into the in-cabin kennel cage (usually 22" long by 9"). The price of this service varies by airline but is usually under $100.00. This is considerably cheaper in comparison to the pets flying in the cargo hold which is not as safe and which can cost upwards of $300.00 on some airlines.

When flying internationally, be aware that the customs laws of many countries prohibit the entrance of dogs across their borders. Airlines are required to comply with these laws, and in many cases your dog will not be able to join you on an international flight at all.

Eric Shannon is a freelance author who also publishes the Dog Lovers Report, which is a biweekly newsletter with a very large readership. He also runs Beds For Doggies, which carries a large selection of Dog Beds, Dog Couches, and Dog Furniture.

---

Airport Noise Reduction

Do you live near an airport and cannot stand the... Read More

Really Cheap Airline Tickets

When you're looking for airline tickets to your specific destination,... Read More

What Causes Jet Lag?

Jet lag is a common sleep disorder suffered by many... Read More

First Class Airfare: How the Rich Travel

Have you ever wondered what all entails first class airfare,... Read More

NASA SATS for Point-to-Point Air Travel Solutions

It appears NASA's studies of the future of air travel... Read More

Find Cheap Tickets From all the Major Airlines

All of the major airlines are now associated with different... Read More

Increasing TAS in Modern Day Fighters with Expandable Wing Tips

As fighter aircraft get faster and faster there is a... Read More

Entering Business Aviation, Part IV: Crafting a Resume

Writing a résumé can be one of the most daunting... Read More

Jet Lag ? 5 In-flight Tips

The secret to combating jet lag, and arriving at your... Read More

Concorde Crash Conspiracy - It Could Have Been Prevented

In studying the Concorde crash the investigators determined it was... Read More

Flying As A Hobby

Ask a room full of people what hobby they have... Read More

Travel Tips:Tips for Safer flying

Flying can be an adventure, but like everything else in... Read More

A Look at Fractional Jet Ownership

We've all experienced it - the commercial flight. After a... Read More

China is Starting to Build Military Fighter Trainers

China is entering the jet fighter trainer business and set... Read More

Inflatable Slots for STOL

Short Take Off and Landing Aircraft are extremely valuable in... Read More

Laser Beam Guidance for Oshkosh Air Show

The Federal Aviation Administration is devising a method of alerting... Read More

FAA Intervention in Privatized Space Flight is Ridiculous

Burt Rutan and his team of designers, engineers and test... Read More

A380 Bathrooms

Bathroom seat with a view; That's right! The all-new A-380... Read More

Aluminum Cleaner for Aircraft Detailing by Alcoa

There are many choices for aircraft detailing when it comes... Read More

New Airbus A-380 Beats Out 747

The A-380 has beat out the Boeing 747 as a... Read More

Entering Business Aviation, Part II: Pay Rates for Flight Attendants

Pay. You know that aviation pays better than commercial, in... Read More

Jet Lag - You Can Suffer From It...Or You Can Do What This International Airline Captain Does

Whatever the reason for your travel, you have made a... Read More

Private Jets: 4 Leaders in Fractional Flying

Fractional flying, you say. Is that division? Well, sort of.... Read More

Diamond Twinstar

Probably one of the coolest experimental aircraft twin-engine aircraft is... Read More

Point to Point VS Spoke and Hub? Air Taxi

Boeing it is said took a big gamble in predicting... Read More

The History of the Aircraft Wash Guys, Part One

Business scholars and students throughout recent periods have studied the... Read More

Flying Blimp Walrus Could Have Assisted in Evacuations

What is a Walrus Super Blimp? It is a giant... Read More

17 Ways to Keep Safe and Secure When Flying

Here are 17 ways to keep safe and secure when... Read More

How Cheap Can You Get? Try Online for Cheap Air Tickets

Most consumers feel the airline travel is very costly. We... Read More

Flying With Your Dog

A pet owner must research the many requirements before taking... Read More

Mirrors to Redirect Mini Laser Weapons on Fighters for Vortex Airflows

Recently a new airborne laser system was announced to be... Read More

Aviation Lawyer: Whether Passenger, Pilot or Owner, You May Need an Aviation Lawyer

If you or a family member has been the victim... Read More

Airline Fuel Costs Mount

The airlines are huge users of fuel. Fuel costs are... Read More