Traveling by plane with pets has always raised some questions in relation to the ways you are allowed to conduct your trip. When it comes to flying with your dog, there are a lot of rules and regulations that need to be followed in order to enable your dog to fly in the same plane as you. However, is it possible to fly with your dog in the cabin, and what are the requirements that will allow you to do that?
Although rules are different from airline to airline, most companies allow you to take your dog in the cabin. However, the carrier in which you carry your dog must fit under the seat in front of you, meaning that your dog cannot be very big. Otherwise, your pet will need to fly in the cargo hold.
In this article, you will find everything that is required for your dog to fly with you in the cabin. You will learn all about the possibilities you have on board for your pet from booking your flight to the needed paperwork. It is always good to be prepared for everything beforehand, so you will not get any surprises at the time of your flight.
Can I Buy A Seat For My Dog On An Airplane?
The first thing that comes to mind when you plan to travel with your dog is whether there is a possibility for you to buy a seat for your pet. If your dog is large and not suitable for a regular carrier the only option to not get separated from your furry friend is by having a seat for them right next to you. Unfortunately, in general, airline companies do not allow this on planes, meaning that you do not have this option at your disposal.
There might be some smaller airlines that allow you to buy a seat for your pet, but here we are talking about planes that usually have a really small number of seats and are not so common. Also, there might be some airline companies that might make an exception, however, that would be dependent on other factors, such as the number of passengers on a particular plane. In other words, if your dog is quite large, you do not have the option to buy a seat on a plane for them.
Is It Possible To Fly With My Dog In A Cabin?
The only way you will be able to fly with your dog in the cabin is by taking them in a pet carrier that will fit under the seat in front of you. This is allowed almost by all airline companies, even though sometimes rules can vary. Therefore, it is better that you check with the airline before you proceed with booking arrangements and other stuff related to your trip.
However, if your dog is small enough to fit in a regular carrier, then you will probably be allowed to take them with you in the same way you carry your hand luggage. Nonetheless, if your dog is large and cannot fit the carrier, it must go in the cargo hold. This might be unpleasant for both you and your pet since you will be separated, and your dog might not handle it well.
Even though airlines assure you that they take good care of the pets in the cargo hold, and they try to make the flight as comfortable as they can, you should be aware that it is not always like that. You should take into consideration that the cargo hold is full of suitcases that might fall or shift during the flight, and this might cause stress and anxiety for your pet. It is well-known that numberless animals travel by plane throughout the whole year without any issues, however, you do not have control over your pet once you hand them over to the staff at the airport.
You will not have access to your pet until the end of the flight, and that might cause additional worries for you. Although most likely nothing serious is going to happen, your dog might be traumatized after the trip. However, this depends on the dog and its personality.
What Size Of A Dog Can Fly In A Cabin?
If you tend to take your dog with you in the cabin, you must make sure that you check all of the boxes when it comes to the airline requirements. Firstly, you must make sure that your dog is well-behaved, and it will not disrupt the flight in any way. You should know that not all breeds are allowed to travel in-cabin since some are considered dangerous, such as pit bulls.
When it comes to sizes, you need to make sure that your dog can fit in the proper hard or soft-sided kennel. The maximum allowed kennel dimensions are 17.5 inches long x 12 inches wide x 7.5 inches high (44 cm x 30 cm x 19 cm) for hard-sided kennels, while the soft-sided ones are 18 inches long x 11 inches wide x 11 inches high (46 cm x 28 cm x 28 cm). If your dog can fit these dimensions, then you will not have a problem with the in-cabin flying.
What Airlines Allow Pets In The Cabin?
Even though most airlines have similar rules and regulations related to traveling with dogs, these airlines will certainly allow your dog to fly with you in the cabin:
- JetBlue
- Lufthansa
- Southwest
- Aegean Airlines
- Air Canada
- Air Europa
- American Airlines
- Delta
- Air France
- Alaska Air
- Vueling
- United Airlines
If you are planning to take your dog on a trip with you, make sure that you are well familiarized with the given requirements and regulations by your chosen airline. If you intend to take your pet in the cabin, make sure that they are the right size, and your air company allows this option.
