What Airlines Fly Pets Internationally in Cargo?

Whether it’s for a move abroad or a vacation to another country, you may find yourself in a situation where you need international pet shipping. While flying a pet in cargo is a quick way to transport pets, understand that it’s the least humane. It’s cruel to leave a pet alone in an unknown space for hours at a time. That’s why flying a pet in the cargo area should be considered a last resort, when there are no other options available.

If you do decide to move your pet internationally by air, you should choose an experienced transportation company like Starwood Pet Travel — the #1 international pet relocation company. There is no international pet travel option that comes close to the experience, reliability and customer service that Starwood offers.

There are only a few airlines that allow pets in the cargo area. Let’s explore some of these airlines and discuss their pet cargo policies.

What to Expect When Flying a Pet Internationally in Cargo

The Process

When flying your pet in cargo, you’ll need to work with an animal transport company that’s certified and experienced in the process — like Starwood Pet Travel. Every country has specific vaccine and quarantine guidelines to follow, and every airline has its own set of rules you’ll need to comply with. If you work with Starwood or other international pet transportation companies, here’s the process:

1. Obtain paperwork
2. Arrange permits and quarantine
3. Book a flight and purchase a carrier
4. Receive your travel itinerary
5. Pick up at your home
6. Get updates about your pet’s trip
7. Home delivery

Keep in mind that most pet transport companies charge a premium for door-to-door service. If you’re on a tighter budget, you can bring your pet to the airport for drop-off and have someone at the airport to pick them up.

Type of Crate Needed for International Cargo Transport

The travel kennel you purchase for international pet transportation must be IATA-compliant. IATA stands for International Air Transport Association and it’s the trade association for the world’s airports. The requirements for a IATA-compliant travel kennel include:

• The dog or cat must be able to stand up and turn around inside of the kennel.
• IATA provides a diagram so you can understand how big the kennel needs to be:

A = length of animal from tip of nose to base/root of tail.
B = height from ground to elbow joint.
C = width across shoulders or widest point (whichever is the greater).
D = height of animal in natural standing position from top of the head or the ear tip to the floor (whichever is higher).

The minimum internal kennel dimensions for a single animal are as follows:

• Container length = A + ½ B
• Container width = C x 2
• Container height = D + bedding

If you’re transporting two or three animals in the same container, it will need to be wider. For two animals, the kennel must be three times as wide; for three animals, it must be four times as wide.

Two animals that are used to cohabitating may be transported together as long as each animal is under 30.86 pounds (14 kilograms) and are of comparable size. Any animal over that size must be transported alone. Adult animals may become stressed and aggravated during transport — even if they’re used to living together. That’s why it’s not recommended to transport any adult animals together — only puppies or kittens should be transported in the same kennel.

Other Crate Requirements

• Has secure locking with pins that extend past the extrusions above and below the door.
• The pins should be hardware instead of plastic fasteners.
• Ventilated on all sides.
• Has your pet’s name and your contact information.
• Water and food bowls need to be attached to the door and accessible from outside the crate.

Health Requirements

Make an appointment to visit your pet’s veterinarian. Ensure the veterinarian is accredited by the USDA. Veterinarians will provide you with a CVI (Certificate of Veterinary Inspection). The health certificate must be completed with the veterinarian 10 days before travel in order for them to be up-to-date. You will be asked at the gate for this health certificate and the immunization paperwork.

All pets have to have the required vaccinations in order to be allowed to travel to another state. There is a list of vaccines your pet should be immunized with no more than 21 days before travel. Put a microchip in your pet, as well. You should also have an import permit ready to hand in to customs and immigration officials. Your pet will not be allowed to enter without one. Check with your destination country for additional requirements.

Breed and Size Requirements

Airlines have size and breed requirements that may impact your pet travel. When it comes to breed, about 99% of breeds are accepted by all airlines, but if you are the unlucky 1% that have brachycephalic (or snub-nosed) dogs, like boxers, bulldogs or pugs, they are not allowed on flights at all. The flight poses a significant health risk to your dog.

In terms of size, if a pet is small, they may go in the main cabin. If you have a larger dog, it will go in the cargo hold of the airplane.

Available Amenities

Most airlines that offer cargo flights for pets will also provide amenities such as climate-controlled cargo holds, specialized care and additional insurance. Some airlines may also provide additional amenities such as food and water, additional space and even the option of tracking your pet’s progress during the flight.

Airlines That Offer International Cargo Flights

Major Airlines

Several major airlines offer international cargo flights for pets. These include:

• American Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• United Airlines
• Air Canada
• British Airways
• Qatar Airways

Regional Airlines

In addition to the major airlines, there are also several regional airlines that offer international cargo flights for pets. These include:

• Alaska Airlines
• Hawaiian Airlines
• WestJet
• AirAsia
• Tigerair
• Air India

Specialty Airlines

Finally, there are several specialty airlines that offer international cargo flights for pets. These include:

• PetSafe
• Air Animal
• Pet Air Carrier
• Animal Transportation Worldwide

New CDC Rule

The CDC recently passed new laws regarding flying with pets. These new rules are intended to limit the exposure of rabies in the United States. Due to these new rules, airlines have embargoed pets from flying into the United States from countries or territories considered “high risk” for rabies, or if the pet has been in a high risk location within the past six months.

Bottom Line

Flying a pet in cargo can be a safe and reliable way for international travel, but it’s important to find the right airline to fly with. With this comprehensive guide, you can easily find airlines and pet shipping companies that offer international cargo flights for your pet.