When we took Sora on her first flight, we knew to ask a few crucial questions about traveling with a big dog, but since then, we’ve learned there are a few more we should find out before we reserve a flight with her.
Some of the questions on the following list can be quickly answered by visiting an airline’s pet policy page on their website, but other inquiries need to be made by calling the airline. The following inquiries should be answered accurately to guarantee your pet has the safest flight possible.
Costs of Flying Large Dogs on Airlines
Air travel with pets certainly isn’t cheap. Major American airlines typically charge between $95 and $125 for a pet to fly with you in the cabin on a one-way trip. The fees are paid at the airport rather than when you book your flights because you are essentially taking your pet with you as carry-on luggage.
An international one-way flight with a sizable dog costs about $200 in cargo holding fees. Other airlines may charge based on the weight of your pet and the kennel, which could result in much higher fees. You should prepare to pay more money if your trip involves layovers.
You would also need to spend money on documents that you would need to present to the airlines or when you arrive at customs as you get ready to take your large dog on an airplane trip. These fees would typically cover veterinary certification fees. You would also need to purchase a carrier that complies with the requirements set forth by the airline you are flying with.
Get your dog microchipped.
Airlines rarely lose track of dogs in cargo, so this rarely happens. But if you haven’t already, it won’t hurt to have your pet microchipped. Knowing that you are better equipped in the event that your pet gets lost in a strange location gives you more peace of mind. The effort would be useless if you didn’t register with the microchip company, either online or over the phone.
Do you have staff members specifically trained in handling pets as cargo?
The more pet friendly airlines, like Alaska, have pet travel programs that include staff specifically trained to work with animals. Alaska also happens to have the best record out of all the major US airlines for transporting animals in terms number of incidents, making them one of the safest airlines to fly with a pet.
FAQ
Can I buy a seat for my large dog on an airplane?
You can’t buy an extra seat for your dog. The cost of flying with a dog in this way, essentially as carry-on luggage, is typically less expensive than flying it in the plane’s belly. In addition, a pet in a carrier counts as one of your carry-on bags.
How can I get my large dog to fly with me?
Flying with Large Dogs Several airlines accept large dogs and store them in the cargo hold of the aircraft. It is a kind way to transport them because the hold is pressurized and has a temperature control. Most airlines consider animals weighing 17 pounds or more to be large and require them to travel in the hold.