Airline Travel Essentials - Traveling with Pets

Air Travel with Pets - Pet Airline Travel Regulations

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allows each airline to decide if they will allow you to travel with your pet in the passenger cabin.

If an airline does allow you to bring your pet into the cabin, then the your pet carrier/container will be considered carry-on baggage and you must follow all standard carry on baggage rules:

• your pet container must be small enough to fit underneath the seat without blocking any person's path to the main aisle of the airplane.
• your pet container must be stowed properly before the last passenger entry door to the airplane is closed in order for the airplane to leave the gate.
• your pet container must remain properly stowed the entire time the airplane is moving on the airport surface, and for take off and landing.
• you must follow flight attendant instructions regarding the proper stowage of your pet container.

Read reviews of popular Sherpa dog carriers and cat carriers.

If an airline allows you to travel with your pet in the cabin, you must follow all FAA regulations. Usually, most airlines have additional policies and procedures for you to follow to make sure that the flight is comfortable for all passengers on the airplane. These additional procedures may include

• a limited list of the types of pets that you can bring into the cabin
• a limit on the number of pets in the cabin
• a limit on the number of pets that may accompany you on the airplane
• a requirement that your pet be harmless, inoffensive and odorless
• a requirement that you be able to produce a recently issued health certificate for your pet