How to Ship a Dog to Another State by Plane and What Does it Cost

When you want to transport a dog long distances, there are two typical options: ground transport and air transport. While ground transportation typically takes longer, it doesn’t require as much pre-trip planning as air travel with a pet. However, air transport is a much faster option. And many people use air travel as a means to transport their pets. In fact, according to IPATA, over 4 million pets are transported via plane. Here’s a guide on how to ship a dog to another state by plane, detailing the preparation, paperwork, airline fees, and potential health hazards.

The guidelines for how to transport a dog by plane vary by airline. However, there are a few general rules that apply in every circumstance.

Can You Ship a Dog on a Plane?

Federal and commercial regulations determine if an animal can travel by air. Here are the conditions your dog must meet:

• The dog must be at least eight weeks old — for international flights, airlines increase the age minimum to 15 weeks.
• Animals with debilitating injuries or illnesses cannot fly.
• No serious behavioral issues are allowed.
• Airlines don’t allow cats and dogs of a brachycephalic breed.

Unfortunately, many pets don’t meet these standards. If this is the case with your dog, you’ll have to go with ground transportation.

If your pet meets these requirements, the next step is collecting all the necessary documentation.

This typically includes the following:

• Certificate of veterinary inspection
• Vaccination certifications
• Import permit or pet passport (for international travel)

These documents must be issued by a licensed veterinarian within the specific time period prescribed by your airline. Depending on the destination, additional documents or immunizations may be required.

In Cabin Transport

If you have a smaller breed of dog, it can fly in the cabin of the airplane as a carry on. If you go this route, you’ll need to buy a pet ticket for your dog. The cost of this ticket varies greatly, ranging from $50 all the way up to $500. The requirements for pets to fly in the cabin are:

• The carrier has to be large enough for the dog to stand up and move around comfortably. You can’t simply stuff a medium-size dog into a carrier for a small dog.
• A carrier must be able to fit under the seat and not block the aisle.

Cargo Transport

If you have a large dog that needs to be transported via airplane, it’ll need to travel in the cargo area. There are horror stories about animal mistreatment in the cargo area of a plane, but it’s actually pretty safe. In 2024 Total.Vet released a report highlighting the safest and most dangerous airlines for pets.

• Alaskan Airlines transported the most pets in the period between January 2015 and December 2020 and had an average incident rate of .26 per 10,000 pets transported. In 2020, the airline transported over 100,000 pets with no incidents. Incidents could be lost, injured or deceased pets.
• Horizon Air, Skywest Airlines and Envoy Air are three more airlines to transport over 10,000 pets with no incidents.
• United Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines have the highest incident rates, with United averaging an incident rate of 2.03 and Hawaiian a rate of 1.6.
• Delta averages an incident rate of 1.05 and American Airlines has an average rate of 0.71.

One important aspect that helps answer the question of how to transport a pet by plane is selecting the right carrier. If you don’t use the correct carrier, the airline may refuse to accept your pet. These requirements include:

• The carrier has to be large enough for your dog to stand up and turn around.
• A locking system that keeps the pet secure is required.
• A water bowl and food bowl that is attached to the carrier is required. The bowls must be accessible from outside the carrier.
• All four sides of the carrier must have ventilation.
• The fasteners have to be made out of metal and not plastic.
• Be sure to include the pets name and your contact info in a highly visible location on the carrier.

Choosing an Airline-Approved Travel Crate (IATA Compliant)

Your dog’s travel crate is their safety capsule during the flight, and airlines have strict, non-negotiable requirements. To avoid being turned away at check-in, ensure your crate is IATA (International Air Transport Association) compliant.

• The crate must be constructed of rigid plastic or wood with a solid roof; wire-top or collapsible kennels are not permitted for cargo.
• All fastening hardware, including the pins that hold the two halves together, must be metal nuts and bolts—plastic clips are universally banned.
• The door must be made of welded metal and securely lock.
• Proper sizing is vital: your dog must have enough space to stand up straight, turn around completely, and lie down in a natural position.
• The carrier must have ventilation openings on at least three sides (four is recommended for international travel).
• Finally, affix ‘Live Animal’ stickers and clearly label the crate with your name, address, and phone number. Attachable food and water dishes are also mandatory for cargo travel.

Providing Food and Water During Air Travel

Proper hydration and feeding are key to your dog’s comfort, but airline procedures must be followed. It’s recommended to give your dog a light meal about four to six hours before the flight, but avoid feeding them immediately before travel to minimize the risk of an upset stomach.

For the journey itself, IATA regulations require that all crates have two bowls (one for food, one for water) clipped to the inside of the door, which must be accessible from the outside without opening the crate. A helpful tip is to freeze water in the bowl the night before. This provides a solid block of ice that will melt gradually during the trip, giving your dog access to water without the risk of major spills during loading.

For long flights or in case of delays, you can securely attach a small, clearly labeled bag of your dog’s dry food to the top of the carrier so airline personnel can provide a meal if necessary. Do not leave loose food inside the crate with your pet.

How Much Does Shipping a Dog on a Plane Cost?

Assuming you meet the requirements listed above, let’s look into the cost of pet air transport. In most cases, a fee for pet transportation is tacked onto the price of your ticket. These vary by airline and by destination — from about $75 to several hundred dollars. There are several exceptions, though. For example, service animals usually fly for free, as do emotional support animals. If your dog’s in one of these categories, you might be able to bring them on at no extra charge. The costs involved also vary depending on how you want your dog to fly. Smaller breeds (under 15 lbs, fits under a seat) can be brought into the cabin as carry-on luggage. Larger breeds can only fly inside the cargo compartment, with your luggage. The latter option is cheaper but less safe — dogs face certain health hazards on a flight.

How to Keep a Dog Safe on an Airplane

By now, most owners and breeders know the difficulties associated with safely transporting pets by air. The health of the animal is everyone’s top priority, so let’s recap some of the potential problems:

• Temperatures can vary widely in air travel, putting animals at risk of heatstroke.
• Shifts in air pressure spell trouble for pets with breathing difficulties/heart conditions.
• Short-nosed (brachycephalic) dogs are especially vulnerable to oxygen deprivation.
• Dogs with anxiety issues can find air travel containment extremely difficult.
• Sedating the animals sometimes helps, but brings its own host of potential problems.

This is why it’s strongly recommended that you consult with your vet before planning to ship a dog on a plane. Once you get the all-clear, you can board the plane with them. Optionally, you could always hire a professional air nanny to handle the trip for you. The biggest downside to hiring an air nanny is that you’ll need to buy a roundtrip ticket for them in addition to the one-way ticket for your pet.

Insuring Your Pet for Air Travel

While air travel for pets is generally safe, preparing for unexpected events provides crucial peace of mind. Getting insurance is a great way to have that!

• Start by reviewing your current pet insurance policy, as some premium plans may offer coverage for accidents or illnesses that occur during travel.
• Consider specialized pet travel insurance. These policies are designed to cover risks specific to transit, such as injury during loading, travel-related illness, or in rare cases, loss or theft.

It’s important to understand that airlines have limited liability for pets traveling as checked baggage or cargo, often treating them similarly to lost luggage, with reimbursement caps that may not cover veterinary costs. Professional pet shipping companies frequently offer more comprehensive insurance as part of their services.

When evaluating any policy, ask specifically about coverage limits, deductibles, and exclusions related to pre-existing conditions or breed-specific issues. Keep detailed records and photos of your pet’s condition before the flight to support any potential claim.

Alternatives to Pet Air Transport

Considering the prices, the paperwork, and the risks, you might be wondering what other options there are. Ground-based transportation is an obvious alternative to shipping a dog on a plane. Online marketplaces offer access to affordable, reliable pet transporters. You list a shipment, they send their quotes. You browse through their reviews until you find the right person to entrust with the responsibility of driving your furry friend.

Now You Know How to Ship a Dog to Another State by Plane

Now we hope you have all the details to know on how to ship a dog on a plane? Since pets are very close to all of us, always ensure your dog or puppy is healthy and doesn’t panic much when you are not around. Whenever you are using a service, do read the reviews as they speak volumes of how previous pet owners are satisfied with the service or not.