Planning to fly with your dog? While air travel can be a quick way to get dogs or pets from one place to another, you should always plan ahead and make sure you know airlines have different policies about transporting pets. Some allow pets to travel in the aircraft cabin as part of your carry-on luggage allowance, while others will only allow pets to travel in the cargo area, and fees can vary from at all to more than $500. Also, most airlines only allow up to 4 dogs on each flight, so always make sure it is available for your dog BEFORE buying your own ticket. And always notice the airline 48 hours ahead of your trip.
To make your travel easy, please familiarize yourself with current U.S. Travel Regulations or International Pet Travel restrictions before you go. Have a great trip!
If you wish to travel with your pet, be sure to let us know when booking or purchasing your ticket or by calling our Contact Center no later than 36 hours before the scheduled time of departure, as pets are carried only subject to the airline’s consent, and there are limitations on what animals you can carry, and how many.
Only animals (birds) whose weight together with the cage/skipper does not exceed 8 kg may be carried in the aircraft cabin.
The baggage hold can accommodate animals (birds) whose weight together with the skipper exceeds 8 kg. Potentially dangerous dog breeds (guard dogs, fighting dogs, aggressive dogs) must always be carried in the baggage hold in reinforced cages.
When checking in, the passenger must present a pet passport and a statement from a veterinarian or a veterinary control specialist that the animal is healthy, has been vaccinated, and may be transported freely. An examination by a specialist must be performed no earlier than 5 days before the scheduled departure date.
The sum of all dimensions (length/width/height) must not exceed 125 cm for rigid skippers, and 135 cm for soft pet carriers of the closed type.
If the skipper dimensions exceed the established limits, the passenger will be offered to have the pet transported in the aircraft’s baggage hold (if possible).
Only one animal per skipper may be transported in the baggage hold. If several skippers are transported by the same passenger, carriage of each skipper will be charged separately.
The skipper used for transportation of an animal (bird) in the baggage hold should be made of rigid, shock-resistant material.
Skippers made completely of welded mesh or reinforcing mesh will not be accepted for carriage.
The skipper should be of sufficient size to allow the animal to stand up, turn 360 degrees, and lie down in a natural position.
The bottom of the skipper should be solid, waterproof, and should be covered with a non-toxic absorbent material. The skipper bottom should be designed to prevent any spillage of absorbent material.
The skipper should have a solid cover.
Ventilation openings/grills should be provided near the top of the skipper sidewalls to enable air circulation.
The skipper door should be securely attached to the skipper so that the animal would not be able to knock it out. The door mesh size should not exceed 25x25 mm to prevent the animal’s paws, nose or tail to be trapped in the mesh.
The skipper should be securely locked to prevent accidental opening of the skipper by the animal or unauthorized access to the animal in flight.
The inner surface of the skipper should be smooth and rounded to prevent injury to the animal during the transportation.
The skipper should be equipped with handles so that it can be lifted and carried by two freight handlers.
If the skipper is equipped with wheels, they should be removed or secured in a retracted position during the transportation.
Check baggage Policy:The upper and lower parts of a reinforced two-piece skipper should be attached to each other using metal bolts with nuts. The skipper should have a smooth metal door.
brachycephalic dog breeds: Bulldog (English, French, American), Pug, Pekingese, Shih Tzu, Boxer, Griffon (Belgian, Brussels), Boston Terrier, Bordeaux Mastiff, Japanese Chin;
rodents (guinea pigs, rats, chinchillas, chipmunks, squirrels, gerbils, dormice, marmots, ground squirrels, jerboas, etc.);
reptiles (tortoises/turtles, iguanas, geckos, chameleons, snakes, lizards, frogs, etc.);
arthropods (insects, arachnids, crustaceans etc.);
fish and fish seed as well as other marine and river animals that must be transported in water;
wild animals or birds, large predators (not tamed pets);
sick or experimental animals;
animals whose weight together with the skipper exceeds 50 kg
When checking in, the passenger must present a pet passport and a statement from a veterinarian or a veterinary control specialist that the animal is healthy, has been vaccinated, and may be transported freely. An examination by a specialist must be performed no earlier than 5 days before the scheduled departure date.
For free-of-charge carriage of a guide dog, the passenger must present a proof of disability and a document certifying the dog’s training.
For carriage of a working dog of the Federal Executive Authority Canine Service, the passenger must present a document certifying the special training of the working dog as well as a document proving that the passenger transporting the working dog is an employee of the Federal Executive Authority Canine Service.
Animals are only accepted for carriage from Dublin airport. Animals are not accepted for carriage from Moscow. If you wish to transport animals to Ireland, we recommend contacting a freight agent.
Due to the notification received from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) we would like to note that before planning to transport your pet to the USA you should familiarize yourself with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection requirements (https://www.cbp.gov/) as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) requirements (https://www.usda.gov/) related to pets’ transportation from/to the USA. In case of non-compliance with the imposed requirements the passengers are subject to liabilities stipulated by the USA legislation.
The weight of the animal and its container is not included in your free baggage allowance and will be charged as excess baggage.
Guide dogs assisting disabled passengers are carried free of charge and may accompany minors aged above 12 years.
US 800-736-4192
