Traveling to the U.S. with dogs and cats on board: which airlines to choose
Carrying a dog or cat by air is now a common practice. Almost all airlines-except [...]
United States of America
Carrying a dog or cat on an airplane is now a widespread practice. In fact, almost all airlines-except some low-cost airlines-allow travelers to board with their "four-legged friend", at least for domestic flights. If we broaden the spect to international flights, however, you have to follow very different rules and regulations from country to country.
In this article:
At the same time, great care must be taken with the airlines you travel with, the regulations, and the fees that are charged.
Specifically, however, it is useful to focus on the Transatlantic flights - that is, on Europe-U.S. connections. - to check which and how many companies offer this service.
However, a premise must be made: before identifying the airline that is best suited to the needs of transporting a pet or companion animal (in English they are called pets) it is good to consult the US requirements For animal entry.
How to travel to the U.S. with a pet
The most authoritative source on the net is theEmbassy of the United States of America in Italy which has set up a Specific page with a set of Faq.
In general, it seems easier to get a dog or cat into the U.S. instead of Italy.
For the handling of Dogs and cats from Italy to the United States., the Italian government, requires that each animal be accompanied by a Health Certificate for Export Issued by the local health authority (ASL) of territorial competence.
The health certificate for the export of pets must be in both Italian and English and contain the following information:
- Information about the animal (breed, sex, date of birth, color and coat characteristics);
- Owner's name and address;
- Health condition of the animal;
- The certificate must include a mention that the animal was examined by a veterinarian on the day the certificate is issued, that its health condition is good, and that the animal underwent rabies vaccination at least 20 days before and not more than 11 months since the date of the certificate's issuance.
In addition, only one animal per person is allowed to be transported. In the case of dogs leaving or returning to the United States, the animal must have a minimum age of 12 weeks for doing the rabies vaccination, and you have to wait 21 days before it can travel after this vaccination. There is no vaccination requirement for cats.
It is not necessary not even quarantine excluding those traveling to the State of Hawaii.
The requirements for those traveling to Italy
More complex seems to be the transportation of dogs and cats from the U.S. to Europe (including Italy), as reported again by the U.S. Embassy in Italy.
Dogs and cats can traveling from the United States to Italy Provided they are accompanied by:
- An original veterinary certificate (giving the owner's details, description of the animal, identification details and indication of vaccinations).
- Certificate of rabies vaccination. If it is a first vaccination, a waiting time of 21 days is required before entry into Italian territory. There is no extension for the 'booster injection as long as it is evident that the booster was administered before the expiration of the validity of the anthrax.
- Microchip (in line with ISO-117845 standards).
- The cage or the container must be labeled and bear the name and address of the owner (or that of designated person), and telephone numbers in Italy.
- Once the animal has entered Italy, a veterinarian from the National Health Service will issue a European veterinary passport that allows the animal to move through EU countries.
- To be admitted to Italian territory the animal must be over three months old.
European pet-friendly airlines
Pets, in general, can fly in Europe, Canada and the United States in the passenger cabin of the plane. Not all airlines, however, follow this policy: in fact, some allow pets to travel only as checked baggage or on cargo planes.
In general, if an airline accepts animals in the cabin on a transatlantic flight, the weight of the cat or dog (including the so-called carrier) cannot exceed 8 kg. Finally, some carriers allow a maximum weight of 10 kg.
It is good to always read the specific pages of each individual airline to get access to the most up-to-date information and to regulations which vary according to both the destination and the type of animals (from companion animals, to those that are framed as "emotional support." or for assistance - such as guide dogs or service- to other types of animals such as turtles, birds, hamsters, ferrets,etc...).
Last but not least, each airline also reports the maximum allowable size of the carrier To be able to board pets in the cabin.
WARNING: UK does not allow pets to be carried in the cabin. In case of a direct Uk-U.S. flight or connecting flight over London (or other airports) it will be mandatory to embark in the hold One's own four-legged friend.
Ita Airways
The tricolor airline allows pets to be transported in the cabin and in the hold with additional charges ranging from 60 euros (domestic flights in the cabin) to 220 euros (intercontinental flights in the hold).
For Ita Airways, in addition, the carrier can carry the following. Up to 5 animals of the same species, provided that the total weight of the animals does not exceed 8kg, or 10kg including food and carrier same. All the useful info are available here.
Neos
The other Italian airline that also offers in-cabin pet service to the States is Neos, Alpitour Group carrier.
According to the information page of Neos, in fact, "animals are allowed to be carried in the cabin or in the aircraft hold, Depending on their weight and size. If the weight of the animal (including the cage or carrier) does not exceed 10 kilograms, transport is authorized in the cabin; whereas if the weight is higher, transport is authorized in the hold of the aircraft."
Boarding of animals costs 100 euros one way (max 10 kg including cage) or 200 euros one way in the hold. You are allowed to board a maximum of 2 animals in the cabin and a maximum of 2 animals in the cargo hold.
Air France-Klm
Air France-Klm Group accepts dogs and cats in the cabin on travel in Europe and between UK, EU, US and Canada. The maximum weight allowed is 8Kg. On intercontinental flights, four-legged friends may travel. only in Economy (for reasons of space under the seat).
Animals of weights including. between 8 kg and 75 kg may travel in the cargo hold as "checked baggage." Each passenger may carry up to three cats or dogs in the cargo hold, and three animals of the same species may travel in the same crate, provided they weigh no more than 14 kg each.
The ticket price for a cat or dog with Air France-Klm on a transatlantic route can be as high as 200 euros. For more informaaioni are available on the dedicated pages of Klm e Air France.
Lufthansa Group
The German giant also allows pets weighing up to 8 kg to be carried in the cabin: a policy that Lufthansa also shares with carriers Star Alliance members. However, the German carrier differs from many other European airlines in that it allows the boarding of even two animals in the cabin of company; plus two more in the hold.
Fares are competitive and can go up to about 190 euros to carry four-legged friends in the cargo hold. Again, LH has a dedicated page for all information.
Also Swiss Air e Austrian offer services very similar to those of parent company Lufthansa.
Iberia
The Spanish airline Iberia also accepts dogs and cats weighing up to 8 kg including the carrier, even on transatlantic flights. If the pet weighs between 8 and 45 kg, it can fly in the cargo hold.
In the dedicated page, Iberia specifies that "dogs, cats, fish, turtles and birds (except birds of prey) will be accepted in the cabin only with the permission of our Reservation Offices."
Tap Air Portugal
Tap Air Portugal offers various options for flying with dogs and cats in the cabin or in the cargo hold on international transatlantic flights. For transportation in the hold, the fare - according to the portuguese carrier policy - Can be as high as 300 euros.
Again, cats and dogs weighing up to 8 kg (including carrier) can fly in the cabin, while animals up to 45 kg Can travel in the cargo hold of the plane.
Air Europa
Spanish airline about to be acquired by Iag (the holding company that controls Iberia, British and Aer Lingus) on flights to the U.S. allows only the transportation of dogs and cats, except in the business cabin, where animals of any kind cannot be carried.
"Pets (dogs and cats) must have all required vaccines and must be at least 3 months old to fly," specifies the dedicated page Of Air Europa. La fare to board in-cabin pets on transatlantic flights is 150 euros.
Finnair
The Finnish airline also allows pets to travel in the cabin on transatlantic flights. The total weight of the pet and its carrier is 8 kg and the "carrier must be placed under the seat in front of you," Finnair specifies.
La dedicated page to the rules for pets, finally, stresses that "the guide and service dogs can travel free of charge in the cabin On all our flights, regardless of their size."
Turkish Airlines
The Turkish airline allows you to carry your pets in the cabin,,,, but you have to follow a very detailed fare scheme that can be consulted here.
In general, even for Turkish, the rules stipulate that the total weight of the animal (including the carrier) should not exceed 8 kg and the size of the crate should not exceed 23 cm in height, 30 cm in width and 40 cm in length.
For the pets to transport in the aircraft hold, the weight of the animal with the crate must not exceed 50 kg. All specific rules are available to this page.
The rules of the U.S. airlines
In this case, especially on flights between the U.S. and Europe, not all U.S. airlines allow animals on board. American Airlines, for example, does not allow animals in the cabin on transatlantic flights, due to the duration of the flight.
Delta Air Lines, however, offers this option. For pets in the cabin, there is no maximum weight requirement, only a maximum carrier size that depends on the flight and type of aircraft. The fee is approximately US$200 and is You can bring a maximum of four animals with you domestic servants in the cabin.
Also United Airlines allows animals to be transported in the cabin on transatlantic flights for a price around $125. There is no maximum weight allowed, only a maximum carrier size.
The rules are very specific and detailed, so it is helpful to inquire through the carrier's customer service or via the dedicated.
