A Comprehensive Guide to Breeze Airways Pet Travel Policy
Whether you’re planning a vacation or relocating with your furry friend, understanding an airline’s pet policy is crucial. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into Breeze Airways rules and restrictions for traveling with pets. By the end, you’ll have all the info you need to know if your pet can fly with you.
What Pets Are Allowed?
Breeze Airways allows dogs and cats to travel in the cabin as checked baggage. From my experience working at an animal shelter, these are the most common pets people fly with. Other animals like birds, reptiles, or rodents are restricted due to health and safety concerns. Basically, if Fido or Fluffy is a dog or cat, you’re good to go. Exotic pets are a no-go.
Size and Weight Limits
Your pet must be small enough to fit comfortably in an appropriate carrier that can slide under the seat in front of you. The carrier cannot exceed 16 inches in length x 10 inches in width x 9 inches in height. And your fur baby cannot weigh more than 20 pounds, including the carrier. That’s kinda like the size of a medium dog. Any larger and Breeze Airways won’t allow them as in-cabin pets.
Crate and Safety Requirements
- Your pet must remain inside a hard-sided carrier for the duration of the flight.
- The carrier must be labeled with your name, pet’s name, destination, and contact information.
- There must be adequate holes for ventilation and you should bring water for longer flights.
- The carrier cannot have any loose objects, food, or sharp edges inside that could endanger passengers.
From my experience, meeting carrier requirements is key to a safe flight. I’ve seen pets denied boarding for noncompliant carriers. The rules are there for everyone’s protection. Go with an airline-approved hard-sided kennel to avoid issues.
Health Regulations
All pets must have updated vaccinations. Rabies is obviously a must, but Breeze Airways also requires distemper, adenovirus, and parainfluenza vaccinations within the past year for dogs. Cats need current rabies and FVRCP vaccinations. Kind of a no-brainer if you ask me – wouldn’t want an outbreak at 30,000 feet! You’ve also gotta bring proof of vaccines.
Your pet should be in good health too. No coughing, diarrhea, open wounds, or other signs of illness. Nobody wants to catch something nasty from poor Fluffy! If they seem under the weather, it’s best to delay the trip until they feel better. A pet’s health and safety is top priority when flying.
Reserving Your Seat
When booking on Breeze, you’ll reserve a specific seat for your furry companion. Pets can only travel in designated rows at the front of the cabin for easy access. You’ll want to secure a spot early since pet spaces fill up fast – especially on popular routes. Once booked, a “Pet On Board” tag is placed on your pet’s reserved seat. No sneaking pets where they don’t belong!
By reserving in advance, you’ll know your pet has a ticket and a spot is held for them. Otherwise, Breeze Airways can’t guarantee space if you just show up to the airport with Fluffy in tow. Advance notice allows things to be organized for everyone’s comfort. Trust me, I’ve seen people show up unprepared and it never works out well.
Fees
Finally, a 5 pet fee applies per direction of travel. This covers your pet ticket and associates handling. Not too shabby compared to driving yourself if you’re traveling long distance! The fee includes travel from your departure airport all the way to your final destination – even with connections. Which brings me to…
Layovers and Transfers
If your itinerary involves a connection, Breeze Airways will transfer your pet between flights for you. They’ll be escorted directly from one plane to the next so you don’t need to collect them. How amazing is that? No worries about delays getting separated from your pet midway. Breeze takes care of the full journey.
During connections, your pet will remain in their carrier and be supervised by staff. They’ll have access to relief areas too to answer nature’s call. What a relief for anxious pet parents! Connections are seamlessly handled behind the scenes. Although I’ve heard tales of pets escaping at busy airports. Fingers crossed that doesn’t happen to you and Fluffy!
Pre-Flight Check-In
Plan to arrive at the airport extra early when flying with a pet – like 2 hours before your departure. You’ll need to check your pet in separately before luggage. Staff will want to inspect carriers and vet paperwork to ensure all is in order. And it never hurts to give yourself a buffer in case any issues crop up at check-in. Trust, it’s way better to arrive early than risk missing your flight!
Check-in lines can also be longer with pets. Other passengers will APPRECIATE you not cutting it close and potentially delaying their flight. I mean, who wants to be late cuz some dude couldn’t show up on time with Fluffy? Have respect for others and show up with plenty of wiggle room built in. You’ll be glad you did, fam.
Should You Fly With Your Pet?
While Breeze Airways strives to safely transport pets, flying is not without risks that may cause some animals undue stress. Factors like loud noises, new environments, and being confined could potentially frighten more sensitive pets. Ultimately, you know your pet best and should carefully consider if air travel suits their temperament.
As an alternative, driving may seem less intimidating if distances allow. Or boarding your pet professionally could reduce travel-related stress. Some pets also feel more secure flying as cargo versus in-cabin. There’s no single right option. Gather pet travel intel, explore options, and choose low-stress wherever possible.
Your pet’s comfort should be the top priority when deciding how and if to fly. Trust your instincts – you know them better than any policy. With preparation and care, pet travel can be a positive experience. But their well-being comes before human convenience. Does that make sense, fam?
In conclusion, I hope this comprehensive breakdown of Breeze Airways pet policies has covered all your questions and concerns. Their rules allow many pets to fly easily and safely when paperwork and carriers meet airline standards. With advance planning, pets can enjoy vacations too. Feel free to holler if you have any other questions! Bon voyage to you and your furry friend.
Breeze Airways Pet Travel Policy Details
| Pet Type | Size Limit | Kennel Requirement | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cats | Up to 20 lbs. | Must travel in carrier under seat. | $125 each way |
| Dogs | Up to 20 lbs. | Must travel in soft-sided carrier under seat. | $125 each way |
| Dogs | Over 20 lbs. | Must travel in carrier that fits under seat or in cargo hold. | $125 each way |
| Emotional Support/Service Animals | Varies | Proper paperwork and harnessed/leashed at all times. | Fly with passenger at no charge. |
| Unaccompanied Pets | N/A | Not accepted as unaccompanied pets. | N/A |
FAQ
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Can I bring my pet on Breeze Airways?
Breeze Airways allows most cats and dogs to fly as cargo in the belly of the plane. However, pets must be at least 10 weeks old and cannot fly during summer months due to high temperatures.
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Are there any pet restrictions?
Some pet restrictions include: no snakes, farm animals, or exotic pets are allowed. Your pet must travel in an FAA-approved hard-sided kennel and have up-to-date vaccinations. Perhaps larger pets over 100 pounds may need to check with the airline first too.
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What paperwork is required?
All pets traveling on Breeze Airways need documents like: a veterinary health certificate, vaccination records, and an official kennel or travel bag. At the same time, you’ll need to share your pet’s information at least 24 hours before your flight to get approval.
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How much does it cost to travel with a pet?
Breeze Airways pet cargo fees range from about $150 to $300 depending on the size and amount of pets. Still, to be safe, you’ll want to verify the exact costs upfront and book early as space may be limited. On the other hand, you can’t leave pets unsupervised for long so plan ahead.
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What if I need to change my reservation?
If you end up needing to modify your Breeze Airways pet reservation, there is a $100 change fee per direction of travel. Reservations can usually be altered up to three days before departure pending availability. According to some travelers’ blogs though, the airline has been known to kinda waive fees now and then in unusual situations so it doesn’t hurt to ask nicely.
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How can I prepare my pet for travel?
It’s a good idea to get your pet accustomed to their kennel before flying by giving them treats in it. You’ll also want to chat with your vet about calming aids like medications if your pet gets freaked out easily. If I were you, I’d do a test kennel run around the neighborhood first too so they feel comfortable on moving vehicles. In the end, it’s all about keeping your furry friend relaxed.