Whether you’re traveling by plane with your pet or not, it’s always smart to do a little research before you book a flight. But if you are taking your furry friend on an airplane, there are some extra things to consider. In this post, we’ll cover everything from the differences between service animals and emotional support animals to how far in advance you should secure reservations for your pet.
Are you traveling with a service animal or an emotional support animal?
A service animal is a dog or other animal that has been trained to perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. The most common tasks performed by service animals are:
- Aiding blind and visually impaired persons
- Alerting deaf and hearing-impaired persons to sounds such as alarms, doorbells and phones ringing
- Pulling wheelchairs or carrying items for individuals who use wheelchairs
Are you traveling with a carry-on pet or one that must be checked?
If you are traveling with a carry-on pet, you will need to secure reservations for your pet, and if so, how far in advance should you book them?
You also want to make sure that your dog is approved for travel as an emotional support animal. Look for airlines that allow large dogs in the cabin. You may have to pay additional fees or have certain requirements met if you wish to fly with your large dog.
What are the airlines’ policies?
Most airlines will not allow pets to travel in the cabin. This is because of health and safety concerns, as well as the potential for damage to your seat.
Some airlines allow pets to travel in the cargo hold, but this can be a stressful experience for your pet. The temperature inside a plane’s cargo area can get very hot or very cold depending on the temperature outside of it, which could make it difficult for your pet to breathe if you fly somewhere very different than where you started (and vice versa).
Some airlines restrict who can bring animals onto their planes at all—for example: “Only dogs and cats are allowed” or something similar.” If this happens, then there won’t be any other options available except those two types of pets — no matter what kind(s) might otherwise meet all requirements!
Do you need to secure reservations for your pet, and if so, how far in advance should you book them?
The first thing you should do is check the airline’s website to see if they require reservations for pets. Most major carriers don’t require reservations, but some smaller airlines and those that fly only in certain regions may require them.
After you’ve checked the airline’s website for instructions and requirements, do some digging on Google as well. Most airlines have a section on their website dedicated to traveling with pets and will provide information about how far in advance you need to book your pet’s reservation and what type of health certifications are required (if any).
As per the experts at Vetster, “Even if you have a confirmed booking, the airline can deny your pet to board if they are showcasing disrupting behavior.”
We hope this article has helped you understand the process of booking a flight with your pet. It can be a little tricky, but it’s not impossible if you have clear questions and know what you’re looking for when it comes time to book your trip.
