The first thing that comes to mind when you think about flying with your pet is how complicated the process is. Flying internationally is a whole nother impediment. While airlines were appeasing the complications that involved flying with a pet, Covid-19 brought the industry back to square one, and airlines were forced to apply stricter rules for passengers traveling with pets. 

Nonetheless, in this article, we’ll be delving into the difficulties of traveling with your pet, the airline policies, a list of the most pet-friendly airlines, and other important information. 

The Decision

To begin with, pet owners must make a conscious and rational decision to travel with their pet or not. It is advised to fly with your pet only if you’re relocating or traveling for 2 weeks or more. 

Flying with a pet is a tricky affair as they must be small enough to fit in a carrier that goes under your seat. Not to mention, this experience can be traumatizing for your pet as it is loud, bright, constraining, and the pressurized cabin can disturb your pet. 

If your pet is not small enough to fit in a carrier and the cabin, they’re ‘shipped’ to you, which seems traumatic in every sense of the word.

Upon carefully ticking all the boxes, the final decision is to do all the research ahead of time for your pet, as it is also an expensive affair to airlift your beloved pooch. 

The Research

Step 1 – The Breed: 

Begin your research based on the breed of the dog, in case you’re a dog owner. Pets like cats, birds, and other lighter ones are less of a hassle.

If your pet is less than 5kgs in weight, they’re usually allowed in the cabin with an extra fare that does not fall under baggage allowance. Dogs must be leashed, muzzled, and carried in a prescribed soft ventilated carriage or bag of dimensions 18” x 18” x 12”. 

With that said, breeds like pugs and Pitbulls can be banned from flying altogether. Pugs have trouble breathing the compressed air in the cabin/cargo, and Pitbulls, unfortunately, carry an unfounded reputation.

Step 2 – Vaccination & Preparation: 

Vaccinating your dog is imperative as all airlines mandate pets to be rabies & health vaccinated, which must be within 30 days of travel. Many airlines demand the certificate be not older than 10 days, so ensure it’s taken care of. 

Furthermore, crate, potty, and muzzle train your dog thoroughly as dogs that are nervous tend to act erratically, urinate, and poop on flights often. 

Ensure your pet is microchipped just in case the airline misplaces the kennel/crate during transit.

Step 3 – Destination: 

Parenthetically, traveling with your pet for more than 10 days may require you to get a travel certificate from a vet from your destination to fly back home. 

Finding a veterinarian in another city/country could be tough as many countries have enforced local animal importation laws, which are a maze to navigate. 

Always be aware of ‘pet relief areas,’ especially in airports terminals. 

Before traveling internationally, travel with your pet inside your country until you get acquainted with the ease of the process, and you’re well prepared to take on the tasks other countries put forth to allow your pet on their turf. 

Step 4 – Airlines: 

Firstly, avoid holiday occasions and even weekends if possible to travel with your pet. The less busy the airport, the cabin/cargo, and the flight is, the less hassle it is for the pet and the owner. 

You may choose to book direct flights as layovers can triple the complication of flying with a pet. 

Be steadfast about the weather you are flying in, especially if your pet is traveling in cargo. If it’s a warm day, choose to fly early or later in the evening, avoiding the afternoons, and if the weather is colder, you may choose to fly during the noon. 

Remember that airlines may refuse to ship or let you travel with your pet completely in any case of hotter or colder than usual temperatures. 

Step 5 – Airport:

Ensure to constantly keep in touch with the airlines and reach the airport at least 3 hours if you’re traveling nationally, and 5 hours early for international flights. 

International flights have extensive paperwork to sort through if you’re traveling with your pet. This includes your paperwork as well. The Covid situation has added to the delay, so do not be complacent during these processes. 

Ensure to take the latest photo of your pet and attach a copy to the crate and save a soft/hard copy just to eliminate chances of a mishap. 

If your pet is traveling via cargo, you’ll most likely have to drop off their crate at a separate cargo drop-off location before boarding yourself. Pick up your pet at the destination from the cargo unloading dock just like you boarded. 

Top 10 Pet-Friendly International Airlines

These 10 international airlines make it easy for you to travel with your pet in no particular order. 

1. American Airlines

It has received a flood of positive reviews from pet owners who have traveled or shipped their pets. The airline is known as one of the most pet-friendly in the world for a reason. Allowing your smaller pets in a crate in the cabin for shorter flights and safely transporting various pets in cargo, the fee structure won’t burn a hole in your pocket either. 

Pets Allowed: Dogs, cats, and service animals. 

Cargo: Allowed

Cabin: Allowed

Flight Fare: $125 per carrier.

2. Air India

One of the most animal-friendly airlines from India, Air India allows both crates and cabin pet traveling. The price and policies may change, so visit the official website for the latest update. 

Pets Allowed: Dogs, cats, birds, and service animals.

Cargo: Allowed

Cabin: Allowed (small animals)

Flight Fare: Varies

3. Lufthansa Airlines

One of the most popular airlines in the world, Lufthansa, has your pet covered. Not often seen, Lufthansa allows two pets to travel in the same crate if they comfortably fit, without any added fare. The airline is also known for flying big dogs comfortably in cargo. 

Pets Allowed: Dogs, rabbits, hares, cats, and service animals

Cargo: Allowed

Cabin: Allowed

Flight Fare: $100-$200

4. Air Canada

This Canadian airline has a prominent presence even in Asia and Europe. Providing an economical option for people traveling with pets, Air Canada offers similar cabin and cargo flights for pets from cities across the globe. 

Pets Allowed: Dogs, cats, and service dogs.

Cargo: Allowed 

Cabin: Allowed

Flight Fare: Between $100-$118

5. Jetblue

One of the few airlines with a specific program to fly your pets, Jetblue offers the JetPaws program, provides a carrier bag, and adds TrueBlue points to your flights. With a predominant presence in the north and competitive in the south, JetBlue sweetens the pot if you’re a regular traveler with a pet. 

Pets Allowed: Dogs, cats, and service animals

Cargo: No

Cabin: Yes

Flight Fare: $125 each way

6. OpenSkies (British Airways)

OpenSkies allows your furry friend to travel with you with an excellent reputation to uphold as long as they are under 6kgs. The owner must also provide medical reports stating the pet is healthy and is vaccinated to have a safe flight. Anywhere above 6kgs, OpenSkies has a welcoming cargo dock for your pet to travel safely. 

Pets Allowed: Dogs, cats, and service animals. 

Cargo: Allowed

Cabin: Allowed

Flight Fare: Ranges from $196 to over $1,000 per pet

7. Air France

One of the best airlines if you’re traveling to Europe, Air France allows your pet to travel in the cabin as long as you carry them in a soft recommended bag. Regardless of the size of your pet, Air France is equipped with either allowing them in the cabin or the cargo, and the fare depends on this and the destination you’re headed to. 

Pets Allowed: Dogs, cats, and service animals. 

Cargo: Allowed

Cabin: Allowed 

Flight Fare: 125 EUR to 200 EUR

8. Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines allows you to travel with two pets in the cabin as long as they’re friendly. Allowing birds of all kinds, Turkish Airlines is one of the few service providers to operate across Europe, enabling pets of various kinds to get from one place to the other with their owners. 

Pets Allowed: Dogs, cats, birds, and service animals. 

Cargo: Allowed

Cabin: Allowed

Flight Fare: $75 and $150

9. Japan Airlines

Japan Airlines has its priorities straight as it provides your pets with a secure & comfortable air-conditioned cargo dock. A designated agent post landing also hand-delivers your pets, and this royal treatment makes it completely fine not to allow pets in its cabins. 

Pets Allowed: Dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, ferrets, squirrels, and many more. 

Cargo: Allowed

Cabin: Not allowed

Flight Fare: Contact officials for the range

10. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

The KLM Royal Dutch Airlines offers a variety of booking options for your pet and recommends the process begins over a phone call. You may plan everything required over this phone call, and the airlines allow pets up to 8kgs to travel in the cabin. 

Pets Allowed: Dogs, cats, and service animals. 

Cargo: Allowed

Cabin: Allowed

Flight Fare: EUR 30 to EUR 200 as per the destination

Fly with Your Pets without a Worry! 

Pet-friendly airlines are no more few & far between. Almost all the international airlines allow your pets to travel with them, but the process is easier with some than the others. Right from the decision-making phase to traveling with your pet, take every step wisely as your pet is one of a kind, and nobody loves them more than you do.