Recently several airlines have updated their policies regarding pet travel. These new policies have resulted in increased costs related to moving your pet. In some cases, making it near impossible to bring your pet with you to some international destinations due to airline breed, size and temperature restrictions. Please contact us for more information on how to best relocate your pet.
Many airlines now require an IPATA Member to book pets that are travelling as manifested cargo for international flights. In addition, domestic airlines have recently implemented more restrictions related to breed, size and temperatures.
Countries listed below require pets to arrive as MANIFESTED CARGO and are not permitted to arrive as in-cabin or excess baggage;
Travel Options
Manifested Cargo, In Cabin with size/breed restrictions, Excess Baggage (active duty
military on PCS Orders only on the same flight, depending on aircraft and
country destination)
Breed Restrictions
Restricts all snub-nosed breeds (and mixes) and all strong jawed breeds (and mixes). Accepts Cats and Dogs only
DOG BREEDS
CAT BREEDS
Size Restrictions
The maximum crate height accepted is 30 inches.
Temperature Restrictions
Temperatures are monitored and United will decline acceptance of a pet if
transiting through extreme temperatures. They embargo shipping of all live
animals from MAY 1 – SEPT 30 at PHX, LAS, TUS, and PSP due to extreme heat.
Military PCS Orders
If your pet traveled with UNITED on PCS Orders prior to JUNE 18, 2018, they are eligible
to return home via UNITED with exceptions to the crate size and breed
restriction up until JULY 31 2019.
To see if your pet qualifies for excess baggage option for pets traveling with military members on PCS Orders, please click here.
Size Restrictions
The maximum crate height accepted is 24 inches effective
MARCH 1 2019 (MILITARY MEMBERS ON PCS ORDERS ARE EXEMPT FROM THIS EMBARGO).
Shippers should note that all breed, aircraft and safety requirements remain in place and kennels used for transport must comply with IATA’s Live Animal Regulations (LAR). Acceptance Agents will continue to verify that animals placed in kennels less than 24 inches high are able to sit, stand and turn in its closed kennel without touching the sides or top.
Temperature Restrictions
Temperatures are restricted from 20 - 80 degrees for the entire time the pet is in the care and custody of Delta Airlines. This is
from the time of acceptance (2-4 hours prior to flight depending on itinerary)
up until 2 hours after flight lands at all ports the pet originates, transits,
or arrives. Check https://www.weather.gov/ for forecasts.
Aircraft Restrictions
767 and Airbus 330-200 do not accept live animals as excess baggage or manifested
cargo.
Military PCS Orders
Please click the link below regarding pet travel as excess baggage for Military Members on
PCS orders. Pets that require crates taller than 30 inches must be shipped as
manifested cargo. Cargo bookings are
eligible for a 10% discount with military PCS Orders and POA for the pet
shipper.
DELTA AIRLINES - CHANGES TO ESAN, SVAN, AND PETC POLICIES
https://www.delta.com/us/en/special-circumstances/military-travel/pets
Travel Options
Pets are accepted as excess baggage and in cabin. Restrictions apply. For more
information, contact AA Passenger reservations.
Breed Restrictions
Restricts all snub-nosed breeds (and mixes) and all strong jawed breeds (and mixes).
Dogs
Affenpinscher, American Bully, American
Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer (All breeds), Brussels Griffon,
Bulldog (All breeds), Cane Corso, Chow Chow, Dogue De Bordeaux, English Toy
Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (All breeds), Pekingese, Pit Bull,
Presa Canario, Pug (All breeds), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Terrier,
Tibetan Spaniel
Cats
Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, Persian
Size Restrictions: Depends on the aircraft
Temperature Restrictions: Temperature restrictions between 45- 85 degrees. If between 20-45, pet must have a letter of acclimation. Check forecast on weather.com at all stations that the pet will travel through. Example below:
AA 1200 LAX-ORD 6:55 a.m. – 1 p.m.
AE 4089 ORD-ROC 2:55 p.m. – 5:35 p.m.
First, check the hourly forecast on weather.com at LAX for the time frame of 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. Then, check the hourly forecast on weather.com at ORD for the time frame of 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Finally, check the hourly forecast on weather.com at ROC for the time of arrival, the 5 p.m. hour.
Military PCS Orders (50% military discount)
All active members of U.S. military
forces with military orders, and their dependents, receive a discount of 50
percent off of published rates for transporting pets. Proper military
identification will be required at the time you drop off your pet.
Aircraft Restrictions
Airbus 319,320 no live animals. Airbus 330 max size #200
Itinerary Restrictions
Live Animals are only accepted on flights with maximum of one connection. No code shares accepted
If you plan to travel with your pets, Lufthansa Airlines allows pets either in the cabin or in the cargo hold of its passenger aircraft, depending on the pet's weight and size. Your pet can travel unaccompanied via Lufthansa Cargo. If your pet cannot travel in cabin due to size or weight restrictions, or if you have a pet other than a dog or a cat, your pet can travel underneath the plane in the temperature-controlled and pressurized cargo hold.
Travel Crates for Pets as
Lufthansa Cargo
Your pet's travel crate will need to meet IATA (International
Air Transport Association) standards. Lufthansa also requires pet travel crates to
be equipped with two bowls that attach to the door. Lufthansa requires that
your pet can stand without touching the top.
Temperature and Environment
Lufthansa uses climate-controlled vans at all major airports and
many other locations, and keeps animals in holding areas within a temperature
range of 45-85°F.
All Lufthansa flights will connect at the Frankfurt Station where pets have the luxury of staying at the Animal Lounge during their connection. Visit the link below to view a video of the Frankfurt Animal Lounge. Click below to read more and watch a video about the Frankfurt Animal Lounge.
Restricted Breeds
Please note that bringing the following breeds into Germany is
forbidden (exceptions depending on state and permit):
Export and transit are not affected by this ban
Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) dog breeds
Restricted for travel at temperatures of 80 degrees or less at all ports
Dog breeds requiring reinforced crates (IATA 82 Crate)
Lufthansa Airlines In-Cabin
Pets
You may take a dog or cat into the cabin if the weight of the
animal (including transport container) does not exceed eight kilograms. Travel
Carrier for In-Cabin Pets: Your pet will need to be kept in an
appropriate travel carrier measuring not more than 55 x 40 x 23 cm. You may use
your own carrier if it has the necessary measurement and is watertight and
bite-proof. Pets must remain inside the travel container throughout the entire
flight.
British Airways requires that all pets are booked as cargo and travel in the cargo hold of the aircraft. Excess baggage and in cabin pets are not accepted. Exceptions: Assistance Dogs.
Travel Crates for Pets as British Airways Cargo
Your pet's travel crate will need to meet IATA
(International Air Transport Association) standards. British Airways also
requires pet travel crates to be equipped with two bowls that attach to the
door.
Container Requirement 1 – Internal size
Each animal contained in the container must have enough space to turn around
normally while standing, to stand and sit erect, and to lie in a natural
position. To determine the correct ‘internal’ kennel dimensions, the kennel
length is the distance from the root of tail to tip of nose plus half the elbow to ground measurement.
The kennel width is twice the width of the widest point of the dog. The kennel height is
the distance from floor to tip of ears.
RESTRICTED BREEDS
The following breeds will not be acceptable for carriage:
Snub nosed dogs (pure breeds): All Bulldogs, Pugs and Pekinese.
Cross breeds: A cross breed with another brachycephalic dog from the above list is still not acceptable for carriage.
Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) dog breeds
Cross breeds or pure breeds not listed above that have less
restrictive brachycephalic features are acceptable for carriage provided the
kennel size is larger than the minimum BA size requirements:
There are breeds of domestic cats with brachycephalic features and currently these animals are not restricted on BA aircraft. The cat kennel size similarly should be slightly larger in order to provide additional ventilation for the cat during the flight. Species include Exotic, Himalayan and Persian.
Dangerous Dog breeds prohibited from travel
Pets in the cabin
You can take a small cat or dog with you into the Economy Class cabin of most KLM flights, and in Business
Class on most KLM flights within Europe. Make sure to meet these requirements:
Pets in the hold
Your cat or dog may travel in a ventilated part of the hold on all
KLM flights. Make sure to meet these requirements:
*During winter, your pet may not travel in the hold on KLM City hopper flights longer than 2 hours.
Please note that during the flight, we are not able to give pets travelling in the hold any food or water. Snub-nosed animals such as pugs, boxers, bulldogs, Pekinese and Persian cats can have trouble breathing during the flight, due to high temperatures and stress. To ensure their well-being, most snub-nosed animals may therefore only be transported in the cabin or as cargo. Unfortunately, we cannot transport English and French bulldogs, Boston terriers and pugs either in the cabin, in the hold or as cargo.
Pets as cargo
Do you want to take more than 3 pets with you? Above that number, pets must be shipped as cargo. Your
pet should also be transported as cargo by Air France-KLM Cargo if:
To transport your pet as cargo, you will need an IPATA agent. Contact us for a quote to ship your pet as manifested cargo.