How are dogs transported on airplanes?

Pick the travel option that will keep your pet the safest and most comfortable. For instance, your dog will likely be happier staying home than joining you on your trip if you won’t be able to spend a lot of time with them. Cats almost always fare better in their own homes.

But if you’ve decided it’s best to bring your pet, heed our advice for a worry-free trip.

Shipping dogs in the cargo hold

Once you’re cleared for take-off, the fun really begins. Assuming the airline allows you to check your dog in as baggage, you’ll need to be at the airport 2-4 hours before boarding. Their staff will check if the approved container is properly secured, then load it into the cargo hold.

The hold of an aircraft is typically pressurized and climatized, though not as comfortably as passenger cabins are. Airlines that ship live animals do aim to maintain temperature and pressure within acceptable parameters. The area in which dog crates are kept is usually quiet and well-ventilated, which assures safe transportation in the vast majority of cases.

Problems can arise when environmental parameters go out of bounds. For example, sedated dogs are known to be susceptible to even slight drops in air pressure, which results in breathing difficulties. This is one of the reasons why most airlines strictly prohibit sedating animals before transport.

Similar to this, adverse weather conditions can make it uncomfortable or even dangerous inside the cargo hold. Animals are typically not allowed on airplanes when the temperature is above 85 °F or below 45 °F.

Lastly, most airlines outright refuse to fly snub-nosed (brachycephalic) dogs. Experience has taught them that these breeds easily develop cardiovascular or respiratory issues in the air. Protecting animal health (and avoiding litigation), they ban these high-risk pets from flying in the cargo hold. Speaking of which…

As previously stated, there are two ways that dogs can be transported on airplanes. Here’s why some animals are more equal than others, contrary to what you may have heard.

While shipping a pet in the cargo hold isn’t exactly cheap, there’s another option for a select few. Some dogs (and most cats) can also be brought into the passenger cabin as carry-on luggage. The fees for this type of transport range from $75 to $125 on domestic flights.

The following is a list of prerequisites for moving a dog in this manner:

The dog must be safely contained inside an airline-approved carrier/crate (see below).

This container must be small enough to fit under the seat (typically weighing 15-20 lbs.)

The container must not block access to the main plane’s aisle.

The dog must be travel-trained enough not to cause disruption to other passengers.

There is a cap on the number of “carry-on pets” that airlines will allow in the cabin at any given time. Check your reservations to make sure you weren’t mistakenly rescheduled.

Your dog should feel just as comfortable traveling there as you do in the cabin. Sedation is still not advised when flying snub-nosed breeds on some airlines. Additionally, flight attendants might have additional guidelines and requirements regarding how to behave with your dog. You’ll be required to follow directions to the best of your ability.

Whether transporting a dog in the hold or in the cabin, it’ll need to be inside a container of some kind. Every airline has its own requirements for the container types they approve, but IATA standards usually apply:

The carrier must contain no more than one adult dog or two puppies (8 weeks to 6 months, fully weaned).

The carrier must be spacious enough to let the dog stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably.

The carrier must have sufficient ventilation, including air channels on three different sides.

The carrier must be made of rigid, non-collapsible materials such as plastic or plywood.

The carrier must be secured by metal nuts and bolts, each at least half-inch in thickness.

The carrier must feature attachable food and water bowls, with written notes on feeding procedures.

The carrier must feature leak-proof flooring and absorbent lining.

The carrier must be rest steady on the supporting surface (no wheels allowed).

The carrier must have grips on the outside, allowing for safe handling.

Attached to the carrier must be the animal owner’s contact info, including home address and phone number.

It’s a lot of information to take in, we know. We hope that after processing it, you’ll have a clear idea of the best mode of transportation for your dog. Check out the other articles on our blog if you want to learn more about how dogs are transported via other means, such as air travel. Additionally, CitizenShipper’s online marketplace is available to you if you’re looking to hire a qualified transporter to manage your dog’s journey.

Last updated at December 15, 2021

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Flying with a pet can be stressful, especially when they do not fit in the cabin and owners are forced to check them into cargo.

However, service dogs are allowed on aircraft without needing a carrier, but emotional support animals will need to be kept in a crate. Moreover, most airlines will charge for an emotional support animal, costing over $100 on airlines like United.

FAQ

Is it cruel to fly a dog in cargo?

You should be aware that some animals are killed, injured, or lost on commercial flights every year, even though the majority of animals flying in the cargo hold of airplanes are fine. Extreme heat or cold, inadequate ventilation, and rough handling are frequently to blame.

How stressful is flying for dogs?

All dogs find flying to be incredibly stressful, but it can be especially upsetting for senior dogs and puppies with health or behavioral issues.

Do dogs get scared in the cargo of a plane?

Air travel is simply too stressful for the majority of animals, especially when they are kept in an airplane’s cargo hold, according to Kirsten Theisen, director of pet care issues for the Humane Society of the United States. “Flying is frightening for animals,” says Theisen.

What is it like for a dog to fly in cargo?

It is turbulent, loud, and filled with strange sights, sounds, and smells. Animals frequently hurt themselves while attempting to claw or chew their way through a carrier. Some have reportedly wandered the cargo hold after breaking free, and others have even managed to escape their carrier while the plane was still on the runway!