How to transport a dog on an airplane?

Traveling with animals is allowed by almost all airlines. However, there are exceptions, which are best known in advance. So, if you are a happy owner of a pug, bulldog or Pekingese, you will not be able to use the services of Aeroflot, since the company does not take dogs of brachycephalic breeds on board. This is due to the peculiarities of the structure of the respiratory organs of these animals, due to which, with a pressure drop in a dog, asphyxia can begin and suffocation can occur.

In addition, some airlines generally do not allow animals to be transported either in the cabin or in the luggage compartment – for example, AirAsia. A number of companies have banned the transport of dogs in the cabin. These include China Airlines, Emirates Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and a few others. Information about the transport of animals should be clarified before booking a ticket.

Booking and buying a ticket

Once you have booked your flight, you must notify the airline that you are traveling with a dog. To do this, you need to call the hotline and get permission to transport a pet. Only after official permission can you pay for your ticket.

The notification of the transport of a dog is a necessary step, since airlines have quotas for transporting animals not only in the cabin, but even in the luggage compartment. Often, carriers do not allow a joint flight in the cabin of a cat and a dog. Therefore, if a cat is already flying in the cabin on your chosen flight, then the dog will have to travel in the luggage compartment.

Traveling in the cabin or in the luggage compartment

Unfortunately, not all pets can travel in the cabin. Airlines have different requirements. Most often, a pet can fly in the cabin, whose weight with carrying is no more than 5-8 kg. Larger dogs will have to travel in the luggage compartment.

Application documents

When preparing documents, first of all, you should contact the consulate of the country where you plan to travel. Specify exactly what documents are needed to transport an animal into the territory of the state.

For domestic flights and for crossing the Russian border, you will need:

• International veterinary passport;
• Veterinary certificate form No. 1, which must be obtained at the state veterinary clinic;
• Certificate of the Customs Union form No. 1 for the transportation of an animal to Belarus and Kazakhstan.

In addition, the dog must be vaccinated against rabies and microchipped. Many countries also require proof that the dog is free from worms, fleas and ticks.

Buying a ticket for a dog and checking in for a flight

When buying a ticket online, you only pay for your own document. A ticket for a dog is issued already at the airport at the check-in desk. Most often, the price for it is fixed and depends on the particular air carrier.

Before registration, the dog is weighed and all necessary documents are checked. After that, you are given a boarding pass, and the dog is issued a ticket.

What is needed to transport a dog?

• Carrying

The type of carrier and its dimensions depend on the air carrier. Check this information on the airline’s website. Most often, for a flight in the cabin, a soft carrier is suitable, for traveling in the luggage compartment, a firm one made of impact-resistant rigid material. Make sure your dog is comfortable in the container beforehand: he can stand up and roll over. The carrier must be well ventilated.

• Medicine chest

You should not take the entire contents of the home first aid kit, it is better to limit yourself to first aid in case of injury, poisoning and allergies. The names of the drugs should be clarified with a veterinarian, who will advise in detail on the dosage and method of using the drugs.

• Mobile drinker and food bowl

A mobile drinker may be needed on long flights, as well as on trips with transfers. But it is best to refuse feeding 4 hours before departure, so that the dog does not vomit from stress or pressure drop on board the aircraft.

• Pouches for excrement

Before the flight, it is recommended to walk the dog well. However, it will not be superfluous to play it safe and take a few bags with you in case the pet goes to the toilet.

To make the flight easy, it is advisable to play with the dog so that it gets tired. Then, perhaps, the pet will be able to fall asleep on board the aircraft.

18 September 2017

Updated: December 21, 2017