Aviation Information

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.


MORE RESOURCES:

WA today

Chinese Aviation Industry Airborne with GE-Powered ARJ21 Regional Jet
MarketWatch - 17 hours ago
GE Aviation provides the complete propulsion system for the ARJ21, including two fuselage-mounted CF34-10A engines. COMAC plans to perform a second ...
Here’s one bright spot in the unfriendly skies of the travel industry Money and Markets
China's first homegrown airliner makes maiden flight The Age
Chinese plane makes maiden flight Aviation Record
Gadling - AsiaOne
all 21 news articles


Twin Falls Times-News

Winter weather slows travel in Midwest, Northeast
The Associated Press - Nov 30, 2008
Low visibility also caused delays of up to 90 minutes for flights, aviation officials said. National Weather Service officials said the storm could dump up ...
Flight Delays, Traffic Accidents from Season's First Snow Fall WREX-TV
Winter storm is blamed for dozens of crashes St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Around the nation Arizona Daily Star
Chicago Daily Herald - WBBM780
all 535 news articles


China Southern Builds First Olympic Flight Attendants Etiquette ...
MarketWatch - 5 hours ago
... The People's Republic of China is pleased to announce the set up the First Olympic Flight Attendant Etiquette Mission in the Chinese aviation industry. ...


NetJets(R) Supports Art Basel Miami Beach, North America's Most ...
MarketWatch - 56 minutes ago
We're proud to partner with Art Basel Miami Beach, bringing together the best of the art world and the best in aviation." Richard Santulli, Chairman of ...


MEDIA ADVISORY: Van Nuys Airport's 80th Anniversary Celebration ...
MarketWatch - 10 hours ago
The dinner event will pay special tribute to Helinet Aviation for donating a $1.7 million helicopter, six pilots on 24-hour standby, insurance and fuel to ...


Sedgwick County set to sell $43 million in bonds for aviation ...
Kansas.com, KS - 3 hours ago
Sedgwick County is expected to sell $43 million worth of bonds on Wednesday to help finance the National Center for Aviation Training. ...


Constant Aviation Hosts Birmingham Event to View Nextant Aerospace ...
MarketWatch - Dec 1, 2008
The upgrade is warranted for 24 months and is maintained by Constant Aviation Service Centers with locations at BHM and Cleveland Hopkins International ...


New ERP System for Aviation Maintenance Goes Live at Japan Airlines
MarketWatch - 22 hours ago
Also equipped with 19 standard SAP modules to serve approximately 6000 users including aircraft mechanics, the system is the largest ERP system for aviation ...
New ERP System for Aviation Maintenance Goes Live at Japan Airlines International Business Times
IBM collaborates on new ERP System active with Japan Airlines Trading Markets (press release)
all 19 news articles


US Army Aviation Selects GE for Integrated...
defpro, Germany - 1 hour ago
GE Aviation was selected by the US Army to partner with Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD) to research, develop and apply the technology behind ...


Reuters

Regions fail to fly under radar
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia - 2 hours ago
THE Federal Government's decision to include domestic aviation in its carbon emissions reduction scheme will lead to higher fares for passengers and be ...
Qantas ownership changes imminent - Aviation Green Paper extracts Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (subscription)
Qantas in merge talks with British Airways The Age
Qantas Statement on Aviation Green Paper Newswire Today (press release)
Reuters - The Associated Press
all 165 news articles

Aviation - Google News

home | site map
© 2006