Flying With Your Pet
Air travel for animals can be tricky and dangerous business, so it is important to know what the law, the airlines, and veterinarians recommend.
How do I know if air travel is appropriate for my pet?
What steps should I take prior to a flight to make sure my pet's trip goes smoothly and safely?
» Can my pet travel in the cabin of the airplane, rather than in the cargo hold?
What does the law require me to do if my pet is going to travel in the plane's cargo hold?
Can my pet travel in the cabin of the airplane, rather than in the cargo hold?
Most likely. When a pet travels in the cabin, the airlines call the pet "accompanied baggage." If you want your pet to travel in the cabin as accompanied baggage, you must be a passenger traveling on the same flight as your pet. Most airlines place a limit on the number of pets allowed in the cabin, so make sure you inform the airline when you make your reservation that you want to bring your pet on board with you. At that time, ask for the airline's rules on pet travel, including the recommended dimensions of your pet's carrier and the types of pets the airline will allow in the cabin.
Just because the airline allows you to travel with your pet, that doesn't mean that you can spend the flight playing fetch. Federal law prohibits you from taking your pet out of the carrier while you are in the plane's cabin.
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