Traveling with a dog on an airplane, is it possible?
Traveling with a dog on an airplane, is it possible? For some people, moving with their faithful friend and companion [...]
Vueling
Lufthansa
ITA Airways
Iberia
Traveling with a dog on an airplane, is it possible? For some people, moving with their faithful friend and life companion is really important. For others, it can even be a necessity, especially if you are talking about a move. So whether it is a nice vacation where you want to take your pet, a business trip or for personal needs, it makes little difference. Let's find out together how it works.
In this article:
Often, our devoted readers ask us whether it is possible to take their dog or cat with them on an airplane and especially what documents are required. The first important thing to clarify is. not all transportation and airlines, unfortunately, accept our four-legged friends.
It is important to keep this in mind, not to make a controversy out of it, but simply to get the right information. In this way it will be possible to make an initial skim based on the pet-friendly corporate policies of different travel carriers, whether by land, sea or sky.
We often talk about choosing one airline over another or the class in which you can travel and any benefits. In this case it should not be a privilege, however, for some companies traveling with their pets is (out of curiosity: read the story of the Dog who flew business class from Australia to Italy)
Does the dog pay for the airfare? Do companies accept dogs and pets?
Among the most searched questions, we chose these to understand the topic. First of all, our advice is to make sure your furry friend is healthy and therefore can fly.
We recommend a vet checkup just to see if he is fit for the experience of flying. Traveling by air often frightens humans, and our pet may also experience the journey via the sky in a fearful way.
Usually, scheduled airlines give you the opportunity to take your small animal with you in the cabin. While for other animals, such as large dogs, the seat is reserved in the cargo hold. Also, on low-cost airlines there is not always this option.
Which airlines allow you to carry your four-legged friends in the cabin or in the cargo hold
We want to make a small comprehensive overview in order to understand the topic and be able to deal with it from the point of view of a potential customer who will have to purchase airfare.
Beyond the roleplay we are proposing, this roundup among airlines may be useful for when you need to book a flight with your dog.
NB: we advise you in any case to find out whether the company policy is pet-friendly or not on the airline's website, before booking. It is never good to run into complications or problems when traveling with your four-legged friend.
Ita Airways
With Ita Airways, the national airline, dogs can fly with us in the cabin Up to a maximum of 10 kg (including the carrier). Costs vary depending on where you fly, for example on domestic flights there is a standard 50.00 euro per flight. However, we recommend that you consider all costs, present at the time of booking. On the other hand, regarding the flight in the hold, up to 75 kg (including carrier and food) the cost starts from 60 euros for domestic flights.
Vueling
Vueling airline, allows you to bring your dog into the cabin, as long as it does not exceed 8 kg (including the carrier). There is a list of allowed pets that may vary, however. Therefore, we recommend that you always view it before booking on the website of the company in question. You cannot take your pet in the cargo hold, only in the cabin for a maximum of 3 animals per flight, so be careful when booking to check availability.
The cost is 40.00 euros on domestic flights and 50.00 euros and up for international flights. We suggest that you carefully check the rates on the website, as they may change.
If you have any doubts or questions, it is always a good idea to contact the company's customer service department.
Iberia
As for the airline Iberia, you can bring your dog or pet with you as long as it is within 8 kg along with the carrier. In addition, the cost is 25.00 on domestic flights and can go up to 150.00 for flights to America or Asia.
On the other hand, as for hold flights, the price will be increased: from 120.00 euros and up. Again, it is advisable to contact support beforehand and understand the best solution for you and your pet.
Hold prices for flights in the U.S. can be as high as 300 euros.
Lufthansa
Lufthansa has always had a special concern for our four-legged friends. There are no special restrictions and it is a convenient company for the needs of our furry friends. The cost for our dog's ticket ranges from 50.00 euros for EU countries to 300.00 in the hold for Non-EU countries.
What other airlines allow people to bring their pets on board?
Airlines that allow us to bring our dog or pet in the cabin include:
- Air Dolomiti
- Air France
- British Airways
- Finnair
- KLM
- SAS
- Tap Portugal
- Volotea
What documents do you need to travel with your dog on an airplane?
As we said, Before booking a flight with your pet. - In this case with your own dog - it is necessary to verify the required documentation for both us and him.
With the advent of the pandemic, many things have changed. Before, we were used to showing our passport and ID and only in sporadic cases medical documentation. While later, we got used to carrying so much documentation because of the anti Covid-19 protocols.
The documentation required to travel with our dog, may vary for both us and him depending on the country of destination, of course. To fly in Italy it is necessary to have the One's dog's health record or passport.
For traveling in EU, our four-legged friend will have to have: Passport with any required vaccinations and health status if needed. And again, the microchip which is the most widely used system now after the tattoo for identifying our dog. In some countries to enter, it is necessary for the dog to have had the rabies vaccine.
To fly in the USA, the dog will have to have passport and also rabies vaccination certificate. The alternative in the case is to request a CDC online special permit (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) To authorize dogs that are not yet vaccinated.
Our advice - in any case - is that to first thoroughly assess the restrictions in the country and contact airline customer service if necessary. In cases of moving and relocating family to another state, we recommend contacting Embassy or Consulate to find out more.
NB: If you do not yet have a passport for your dog, we recommend that you get it done now, it is very important for the recognition of the animal. To do so, simply visit your veterinarian to have your dog microchipped and then registered at theRegional Registry of Pets.
In conclusion
As you may have read, there are many airlines that fortunately accept dogs and pets in the cabin. However, it is important to follow the proposed rules and especially to check the regulations listed on the website of each of the companies, before booking.
We would also like to point out that you must also adhere as with luggage to the measurements of the carrier. Your pet will not be allowed to stay with you in the cabin without a carrier. Usually the measurements are: 45x35x25 cm.
To get more information based on the country you are going to, we recommend that you first check all the rules for pets.
