How to Prepare Your Pet for Air Travel Safely
Want to travel with your furry companion?
Air travel with pets is more popular than ever. Recent surveys show that 33% of pet owners take their dogs on plane rides. But there’s a problem…
Flying with pets isn’t like purchasing an extra seat.
Most pet owners think they can just drive up to the airport and everything will work out fine. What they don’t realize is that air travel with pets requires careful preparation if you want to keep your four-legged family member safe.
Here’s why that preparation is important…
Without the proper planning, your pet could experience serious health issues during the flight. Temperature fluctuations, stress-related events, and more can all be problems at 30,000 feet. Smart pet owners also find airport pet relief areas well in advance so they don’t have to scramble at busy airport terminals when nature calls.
What you’ll discover:
- Air Travel Pet Safety: The Facts
- Picking The Safest Airlines for Pets
- Pre-Flight Preparation: The Make-or-Break Step
- Airport Procedures Made Simple
- In-Flight Safety Management
Air Travel Pet Safety: The Facts
Let’s start with some straight talk…
Flying with pets is generally safe but problems do happen. In 2021, airlines flew more than 255,000 animals without incident rates of 0.82 out of 10,000 animals transported. While those numbers may sound good, each incident represents a beloved pet.
The truth is this:
Most pet air travel incidents are preventable. The problem is they occur because pet owners skip vital preparation steps or simply choose the wrong airline for their situation.
By far, the safest airline is Alaska Airlines. They flew more than 107,000 pets in 2020 without a single reported incident. For comparison, other major carriers have drastically higher incident rates.
Why such a huge difference?
The best airlines take pet safety seriously. The worst treat pets as cargo first and living creatures second.
Picking The Safest Airlines for Pets
Believe it or not, not all airlines are the same when it comes to pet safety.
Some carriers have stellar safety records while others… let’s just say your pet doesn’t want to get anywhere near their baggage holds.
Check pet incident reports first. The Department of Transportation requires all airlines to report injuries, deaths, and losses involving pets. This information is public and should be the first thing you look at.
Read airline pet policies closely. Some carriers won’t transport specific breeds during certain months. Others have severe limits on the size and weight of pets in the cabin.
Don’t just choose the cheapest flight. Your pet’s safety is worth spending a few extra bucks on a reputable carrier.
Pre-Flight Preparation: The Make-or-Break Step
For many pet owners, this is where things go wrong…
Pet owners believe preparation means buying a travel carrier and calling it good. But proper preparation happens several weeks before your flight departs.
Visit The Veterinarian
Schedule a vet appointment 4-6 weeks before travel. Your pet will need a clean bill of health and up-to-date vaccinations. Some destinations may even require a health certificate issued within 10 days of travel.
Choose The Right Carrier
Your pet’s carrier is their lifeline during travel. It must be airline-approved, correctly sized, and comfortable enough for a long journey.
In-cabin carriers must fit under the seat in front of you. There should be room for your pet to stand up and turn around. Cargo carriers should be a sturdy hard-side carrier that meets IATA standards.
Training For The Carrier
Don’t wait until the day of travel to introduce the carrier. Training should start immediately after you book your flight. Put treats and meals inside the carrier. Encourage your pet to sleep in it. The goal is to make the carrier feel like home rather than a prison.
Airport Procedures Made Simple
Airports can be an extremely stressful experience for pets and owners.
Avoid as much stress as possible by knowing what to expect and where to go at the airport.
Pet check-in can take an hour or more. Arrive 3 hours early for domestic flights and 4 hours early for international travel.
During security screening, you will be asked to remove your pet from the carrier. The carrier will go through the X-ray machine while you walk through the metal detector with your pet.
Pro tip: Bring a spare leash or harness. Scared pets sometimes bolt during the security process.
In-Flight Safety Management
At this point, your pet’s safety is in your hands and those of the flight crew.
Keep your pet safe by using preparation you did before the flight.
For pets in the cabin, the carrier should always remain under the seat in front of you. Do not open the carrier during the flight unless it is an emergency. Cabin noise and a new environment can cause even normally calm pets to panic.
Cargo Pets:
Not much you can do once your pet is loaded for cargo travel. This is why choosing the right airline and proper pre-flight preparation is so critical.
Don’t sedate your pet without veterinary direction. Sedation can lead to breathing problems at high altitudes.
The Post-Flight Recovery Process
Touchdown doesn’t mean your pet is out of the woods…
Pets are usually stressed, dehydrated, and disoriented after a flight. The first few hours after landing are critical for pet recovery.
Get your pet to a quiet room or space as soon as possible. Offer small sips of water but do not allow your pet to gulp down a lot of liquid too quickly. Wait at least one hour before offering food.
Look for signs of travel stress such as heavy panting, drooling, and lethargy. Most pets make a full recovery in a few hours.
The Pet Travel Safety Kit
Don’t leave home without it…
The pet travel safety kit should include:
- Recent photos of your pet (in case they get lost)
- Copies of health certificates and vaccination records
- Emergency vet contact information at your destination
- Familiar toys or blankets for comfort
- Collapsible food and water bowls
- Any required pet medications
- Backup leash and collar with ID tags
Weather and Temperature Issues
Weather can make or break your pet’s travel experience.
Airlines take temperature policies very seriously for a reason. Temperature extremes are the leading cause of pet travel incidents.
Hot temperatures: Airlines will not transport pets in the cargo hold when ground temperatures are expected to exceed 85°F. Even with climate-controlled cargo holds, the time spent on the tarmac during loading and unloading expose pets to extreme heat.
Cold weather can be equally problematic. Short-haired dogs and senior pets are particularly at risk from cold weather.
If possible, plan travel dates for moderate weather.
Before You Get On The Plane
Air travel with pets is not as stressful or dangerous as you might think.
The line between a safe flight and a disaster usually comes down to preparation. Pet owners who take the time to research, train their pets, and plan for contingencies almost never experience serious issues.
Don’t just pick an airline based on price. Investigate safety records.
Invest in the proper safety equipment and don’t skimp on carrier training.
Most importantly, if your pet looks or acts too stressed or sick to travel, reschedule your trip. No vacation is worth risking your pet’s life.
Wrapping Up Air Travel Pet Safety
Preparing your pet for safe air travel is possible.
It takes planning, patience, and the proper methods. From picking the safest airline to navigating airport procedures, every step is important when you pet’s wellbeing is on the line.
Pet travel statistics show that air travel with pets is relatively safe when done right. “Relatively” isn’t good enough when it’s your best buddy in that carrier.
Take the time to get it right. Your pet’s safety is worth every minute of preparation.
