5 Pet Cargo Myths Exposed: Is the Airplane Cargo Hold Safe for Your Pet?

Traveling as cargo is statistically safe for most pets. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 404,556 animals were transported by U.S. airlines in 2019, with 11 deaths and 8 injuries — an incident rate of 0.47 per 10,000 animals. However, certain breeds, health conditions, and airline choices significantly affect that risk. Below, we separate five common pet cargo myths from the facts, and explain when ground transport with a dedicated driver is the safer choice.

Myth #1: It’s Unsafe to Travel in the Plane’s Cargo Hold

This myth is not valid, but you should take all safety precautions. Usually, the cargo area is ventilated, pressurized, and temperature-controlled, so your pet should be safe, but occasionally pets get injured on flights. One central factor is the airline you choose. For example, United Airlines had in 2016 a much higher rate of pet deaths in comparison to other airlines, but still, the risks are very low. The U.S. Department of Transportation announced that in 2019 404,556 animals were transported by airlines. 11 animals died, eight animals got injured, 0 animals got lost. This means there is a rate of 0.47 incidents by 10,000 animals transported. 

Still, travel is always a stressful experience for a pet, no matter if it’s ground travel or air travel, so you should work with high-quality carriers and specialized airlines. Check that your pet is a good candidate to fly. Talk to your vet if your four-legged friend has chronic health problems, is already a senior, or a snub-nosed breed. Snub-nosed breeds like Bulldogs or Chow Chow’s are especially vulnerable to air travel because of their limited respiratory system. For this reason, many airlines have special rules for the shipping of these breeds or don’t allow them to travel at all.

Working with a professional pet carrier can be very helpful because they know which airline is pet-friendly and are familiar with finding the most comfortable routes for your pet. Mainly when you have a dog vulnerable to flying, the experience of a professional carrier can be necessary for organizing the trip in the safest possible way.

Myth #2: The Cargo Area is Too Hot, Too Cold and Non-Pressurized

This myth is not true, but you should be careful about which airline you use. Most pet accepting airlines use large, wide-bodied aircraft with a cargo area with the same climate-control and -pressure as the passenger area. Many airlines have temperature restrictions during the summer and winter months as pets may need to spend some time waiting outside of the plane in the heat or the cold before getting on board. This can be very dangerous for pets, so some airlines just don’t allow pets to travel during the more extreme weather months. If your pet is already physically vulnerable, it is crucial to work with an airline with experience in pet safety. Pet-friendly airlines provide climate-controlled vehicles for your pets for on- and off-boarding and create a safe environment on the plane.

If air cargo feels too risky for your pet, ground transport with a dedicated driver avoids cargo hold stress entirely. Get free ground transport quotes →

Myth #3: Pets Has to be Sedated Before the Flight

This myth is not true. It is dangerous for your pet to be tranquilized before the flight because it may suppress the respiratory system, making it harder for an animal to cope with pressure and temperature changes. The influence on blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing comes with many health risks. Animals react very differently to sedating drugs, and the effect of the drugs is also influenced by altitude and other environmental factors. It can be difficult, even for a professional vet to know exactly how your pet would react to a dose of sedating drugs. 

It can be more stressful than calming for your pet when it loses its ability to focus or feels unexpectedly sleepy. Professional airlines and pet shippers don’t usually accept drugged pets.

What do instead? The best way to keep your pet calm is crate training. The more your pet is familiar with its carrier, the more comfortable it feels in it, and the less stressed it will feel when flying. 

Myth #4: All Pets Can Join You in the Cabin

This is partially true but comes with strict rules. Most airlines allow small cats and small dogs in the cabin with you, but your pet needs to fit into an approved carrier, which fits under the seat in front of you. This means no snuggling! Your pet has to stay in the carrier for the whole time, but you can reach them and accompany them with your calming presence.

You should keep in mind that you might need an extra reservation for your pet, which you should book asap because there are often a limited number of pets allowed in the cabin. Another reason to book early is that some airlines which generally offer in-cabin pet travels don’t allow it for every route. Make sure to contact your airline early about the specifics, so you still have enough time to think about alternatives if an in-cabin pet journey doesn’t work out.

Myth #5: You Should Put Food and Water Into the Carrier

This myth is not true, but you must provide empty water and food dishes attached to the inside of the carrier’s door and that are reachable from the outside. The airline may ask you to provide a small amount of food, that you will have to tape on the outside of the carrier. The rest is the job of the airline personnel, which will take care of your pet’s food and water needs if necessary. Within 2-4 hours before the departure, you should give your pet water and a small meal. Different airlines have different protocols they follow regarding the feeding before and during the flight. Inform yourself well before the flight!

CitizenShipper connects you with background-checked drivers who transport pets door-to-door. It’s free to list your shipment — you only pay when you choose a driver. Get Quotes from Pet Transporters →

How Many Pets Die in Airplane Cargo Each Year?

Stories about pets traveling in airplane cargo can be alarming, but the available data shows that serious incidents are relatively uncommon. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requires certain U.S. domestic airlines to report animal incidents under 14 CFR Part 235, providing one of the few publicly available datasets on pet air travel safety.

According to the DOT’s reporting, airlines transport hundreds of thousands of animals each year, while reported deaths, injuries, and losses represent a very small percentage of transported pets. For example, in 2019, U.S. reporting airlines transported 404,556 animals, with 11 deaths, eight injuries, and zero losses—a rate of approximately 0.47 incidents per 10,000 animals transported.

The most recent DOT Air Travel Consumer Report should be referenced before publication to provide updated annual totals and, where available, a year-over-year comparison of transported animals, deaths, injuries, and losses.

It’s important to remember that these statistics apply only to U.S. airlines required to report under 14 CFR Part 235. They do not include foreign airlines, charter operators, or many smaller carriers, so they represent only a portion of all pets transported by air.

What Is the Temperature in an Airplane Cargo Hold?

One of the most common concerns about pet air travel is whether the cargo hold is too hot or too cold. On most modern commercial aircraft used by major airlines, the answer is no.

The compartment used for live animals is typically pressurized and climate-controlled, much like the passenger cabin. On many wide-body aircraft, temperatures are generally maintained between 50°F and 70°F (10°C–21°C) to provide a safe environment for animals traveling below the cabin.

However, not every cargo compartment is identical. The forward cargo hold is usually the section designated for live animals because it is heated, ventilated, and pressurized. Some aircraft also have bulk cargo compartments, which may not be climate-controlled on every aircraft type. For this reason, airlines carefully select where animals are loaded and may restrict pet travel on aircraft that cannot safely accommodate them.

Airlines also impose seasonal temperature embargoes to protect pets during loading and unloading. Many carriers suspend pet cargo service when temperatures exceed 85°F (29°C) or fall below 20°F (-7°C) anywhere along the travel route, including connecting airports.

These handling standards are largely based on the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animals Regulations (LAR), which establish internationally recognized requirements for transporting animals safely by air.

What Does the Cargo Hold for Pets Look Like?

Despite what many people imagine, pets are not transported alongside loose luggage in an unpressurized compartment. On aircraft approved for live animal transport, pets travel in a dark, ventilated, pressurized cargo compartment located beneath the passenger cabin.

Dogs and cats remain inside IATA-compliant travel kennels, which are securely fastened to prevent shifting during takeoff, landing, and turbulence. The kennel provides enough room for the animal to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably while allowing adequate airflow from all sides.

Although the environment is designed to keep pets safe and comfortable, it’s important to understand that flight crews generally cannot access the cargo hold during flight on most commercial aircraft. That’s why airlines require pets to be healthy, properly hydrated, and secured in an appropriately sized kennel before departure.

Ground Pet Transport: A Safer Alternative to Cargo Hold Flights

While airline cargo travel is safe for many healthy pets, it’s not the right choice for every animal. Senior pets, snub-nosed breeds, puppies, anxious dogs, and pets with medical conditions may benefit from an alternative that avoids airports and high-altitude travel altogether.

Professional ground pet transport allows pets to travel in climate-controlled vehicles with a dedicated driver who can monitor them throughout the journey. Instead of spending hours inside an airport or cargo facility, pets receive regular food and water breaks, exercise stops, and one-on-one attention during transit.

CitizenShipper connects pet owners with background-checked independent pet transporters who provide door-to-door service throughout the United States. Owners can compare multiple quotes, review driver ratings and customer feedback, communicate directly with transporters before booking, and often receive photo and message updates while their pets are en route.

Ground transport also eliminates concerns about cabin pressure changes, airline cargo handling, and many breed-specific airline restrictions that affect brachycephalic (snub-nosed) dogs and other pets.

If you’re uncomfortable with cargo hold travel—or your pet isn’t an ideal candidate for flying—ground transportation can provide a more personalized, flexible, and lower-stress travel experience.

Frequently Asked Questions