Airlines that Permit Dogs as Cargo – Which Carriers Accept Pets in the Hold

Your Guide to Flying With Dogs in the Cargo Hold

If you need to travel by air with your furry friend but don’t want to pay extra baggage fees for your dog to sit in the cabin, you may be considering checking them in the cargo hold. While this option is cheaper, you’ll want to make sure your pup is as comfortable as possible. In this article, I’ll address all the important questions pet owners have about flying dogs in the cargo section and provide tips from my own experience to help ensure a safe and stress-free journey for man’s best friend.

Which Airlines Allow Dogs in Cargo?

Many major airlines like Delta, American, United, and Alaska will accept dogs (and cats) as cargo, provided they meet certain requirements. Always check directly with the airline for their specific policies, restrictions, and documentation needs well in advance of your trip. Most will require health/vaccination paperwork and that pets travel in an IATA-approved hard-sided crate. Thankfully, online resources make it easy to quickly scan policies for multiple carriers.

1. Delta – Allows up to 100 pounds per crate, maximum 2 crates per passenger in the cargo hold.
2. American – Maximum kennel size of 24″, weight limit of 100 pounds total for a checked pet.
3. United – Kennels up to 28″ with a total maximum size and weight of 120 linear inches.
4. Alaska – Carry pets up to 100 pounds in some aircraft. Check for your specific route.

Some budget carriers like JetBlue and Frontier actually do not take pets as cargo at all, so confirm options aboard your chosen airline well in advance of booking travel.

Checking In Your Dog As Cargo

When checking in a dog as cargo, you’ll go through a separate counter from regular baggage. Allow extra time as the agent will need to thoroughly review any health papers and kennel tags/stickers. Unfortunately, mistakes are still sometimes made during this busy check-in process. From past experience, I try to double check that all relevant info matches exactly between the paperwork, tags and reservation.

It’s also a good idea to ask the agent directly if there will be any connections involving your dog changing planes – changes always introduce more risks. The agent can alert ramp workers to look out for Fido’s crate specifically during transfers. Communication is key to reducing stress all around.

What To Consider For Your Dog’s Crate

The crate is ultra important, as it will be your dog’s safe space during the journey. Make sure to follow airline size/weight limits and use an approved plastic or metal kennel. Line it with a soft blanket or towel that smells familiar. On long trips, pack an extra bag of water just in case of delays. Consider anti-anxiety products like calming treats, but check they’re allowed by the specific airline first.

A nametag with your contact info on the outside of the crate, and a secured ID tag on your dog’s collar containing the same details, provides double protection if anything were to go wrong. When loading the crate into the handler’s cart, reassure your nervous pup with soothing voice and touch. Confidence and calmness are contagious during stressful periods!

Additional Travel Tips For Flying Dogs

Some other things to bear in mind include avoiding feeding for a few hours before the flight to prevent upset stomachs. Instead, offer water right up until boarding. Consider investing in pet health travel insurance in case of delays or emergencies. And pack an info sheet summarizing basic commands, medications, etc. and slip it into a clear pocket on the crate for handlers’ reference.

Most importantly, practice crate-training well in advance for comfort and compliance. Start small with reward-based games inside the crate, then work up to longer periods over weeks. The more positive associations your dog forms, the less fearful and anxious they’ll feel on travel day. Remember, while convenient for owners, cargo is not the ideal experience for our dogs – doing all we can to ease their discomfort makes us responsible pet parents.

What If Something Goes Wrong?

Unfortunately, mishaps can occasionally happen with pets in cargo despite airlines’ best efforts. Delays, transport errors and health issues do arise on busy travel days. That’s why it’s important to get contact info for your airline’s pet cargo department before flying. Calls are often routed through general customer service at first.

In the sad event your furry friend fails to arrive as scheduled, staying polite yet persistent will get the fastest response. Request hourly updates on their location/condition. If serious issues emerge, consider making the difficult decision to fly out yourself to be with them directly. Ultimately, safety should trump punctuality for our pets every time. With vigilance and compassion on all sides, hopefully smooth sailing prevails more often than not!

Should You Consider Flying Cabin Instead?

If avoiding the cargo hold at any cost is preferable, check airline policies for flying small dogs or cats onboard in a carrier under the seat. However, requirements get strict regarding dimensions, health checks, behavior and fees. You’ll want to critically research if your pup meets hard size/weight constraints for your class of ticket.

Don’t forget to research prohibited dog breeds that are banned from flying in-cabin due to past incidents. Taking Rufus along might end up being not permissible or astronomically more pricey than expected. At the end of the day, each pet owner must weigh their dog’s tolerance for stress versus travel cost. Nothing about commercial air transport is guaranteed stress-free!

Final Thoughts On Flying With Dogs As Cargo

With planning and care, flying dogs in the cargo hold can be accomplished safely and smoothly. But it definitely takes more strategizing and hands-on management than regular human air travel! I hope these tips help you and your furry friend have positive flying experiences going forward. And remember – indulging them with lots of exercise, play and treats after landing always makes the whole process worthwhile.

Let me know if you need any other dog travel advice! Safe journeys to all. Between packing, paperwork and nervous pets, getting anywhere involves lot more effort when you’ve got four-legged family in tow. But they sure do make our lives more joyful.

Choosing the Right Airline for Flying Your Dog

Airline	Age and Size Restrictions	Crate Requirements	Advanced Reservation Required?
Delta	Dogs must be at least 8 weeks old and cannot weigh over 100 lbs.	Hard-sided kennel required, properly secured in the cargo hold.	Yes, at least 24 hours before the scheduled flight.
United	Dogs must be at least 8 weeks old and cannot weigh over 100 lbs.	Hard-sided kennel required, labeled and properly secured in the cargo hold.	Yes, at least 48 hours before the scheduled flight.
American	Dogs must be at least 8 weeks old and cannot weigh over 100 lbs.	Hard-sided kennel required, labeled and properly secured in the cargo hold.	Yes, at least 24 hours before the scheduled flight.
Alaska	Dogs must be at least 10 weeks old and cannot weigh over 100 lbs.	Soft- or hard-sided kennel required, properly secured in the cargo hold.	No, but recommended.

FAQ

1. Which airlines allow dogs to fly in cargo?

   Most major airlines like American, Delta, and United will allow dogs in cargo as long as certain health and vaccination requirements are met. However, it’s always best to check directly with the airline for their specific pet policies.

2. How much does it cost to fly a dog as cargo?

   Generally the price ranges from a couple hundred bucks on discount airlines up to around $1000 depending on the size of your furry friend and how far they’re flying. But you also gotta factor in things like kennels, health certificates, and pet sitters at your destination. So the total cost can add up pretty quick!

3. Is it safe for dogs to fly in cargo?

   While airlines take lots of precautions, flying cargo does come with some risks like extreme temperatures or delays. Some experts say under 2% of animals are injured but others claim the numbers are higher. If your pup is very small or has health issues, it’s probably best they don’t risk it. At the same time, many vet organizations say modern carriers do alright if it’s absolutely necessary for transporting larger dogs.

4. Can you watch your dog fly in cargo?

   Nope, sorry but federal regulations don’t allow people in the cargo area for safety reasons. You’ll need to check your pup as luggage way beforehand. Airlines try their best to handle animals with care, but not witnessing takeoff and landing gives some folks the heebie-jeebies for sure.

   

5. What paperwork is required?

   To board your canine companion cargo-style you’ll need an up-to-date health certificate from your vet, a travel kennel that fits the airline’s size specs, and possibly extra forms proving vaccinations. Better check requirements thoroughly to avoid any embarrassing snafus. Thankfully many vet offices can help navigate red tape.

6. Should you opt for cargo or not?

   It’s a personal decision that boils down to your dog’s temperament and health. Perhaps fly with your pup if they’re super chill but avoid cargo if they tend to stress. Most importantly, only choose cargo as an absolute last resort if no other transport works.

7. Any tips for making cargo as comfortable as possible?

   Pack favorite toys and treats, use pee pads, bring water and try to schedule direct flights with shorter layovers. Also make sure identification tags are secure in case the impossible happens. With a little prepwork and crossing fingers, cargo flying can go off without a hitch.