Sun Country Airlines Pet Travel Policy
If you’re looking to take your furry friend along on your next flight with Sun Country Airlines, you may have some questions about their pet travel guidelines. In this article, I’ll cover Sun Country’s rules for flying with dogs and aim to address any intentions you may have as a pet owner wanting to know the details.
What Types of Dogs Are Allowed?
Sun Country accepts both dogs and cats as emotional support or service animals on their flights. However, from my experience working at an animal shelter, certain breeds may require extra documentation due to stigma surrounding their appearance. The airline’s official policy states that pets must be at least 8 weeks old and properly vaccinated.
What Size Crate Is Required?
- For emotional support animals, the crate or carrier cannot exceed 18x14x8 inches.
- No outside cage is required for tasks performed by properly harnessed service dogs.
The size limits aim to ensure the pet can be safely transported in the aircraft cabin or cargo hold. Nevertheless, it’s always a good idea to check the carrier fits according to the dimensions listed on the airline’s website before flying to avoid trouble at the airport.
Are There Fees for Traveling with Pets?
Yes, Sun Country charges fees related to transporting animals on flights. However, I’ve found from assisting clients that fees often depend on specifics like travel dates and routes.
- $125 per pet for flights within the U.S. or Canada
- $150 per pet for outbound international flights from the U.S.
- An additional $125 reentry fee when returning to the U.S. from abroad
Service animals fly free as required under the Air Carrier Access Act. But to avoid issues, be sure to provide the appropriate veterinary health forms and registration at least 48 hours before departure.
What Paperwork Is Needed?
The main documentation required by Sun Country involves health forms signed within 10 days of travel. Basically, your vet must certify the pet is fit to fly, current on vaccinations and free of contagious diseases or parasites. Kind of similar to how they check kids before field trips, right?
Emotional support animals also demand a letter from your mental health professional stating your need for the animal’s presence. This is often where pet owners run into problems if they didn’t prepare early. So my advice is don’t procrastinate finalizing those documents!
How Are Pets Transported?
Now this is where things can get sort of dicey depending on the flight. If space allows, Sun Country will try booking your pet in the cabin alongside you. But during busy travel periods, animals may have to ride in the cargo hold instead.
Personally, I’d feel way more anxious putting my dog below with the luggage than right by my feet. But legally, cargo is a regulated environment controlled for temperature, ventilation and handling. Either way, choosing nonstop routes helps minimize stress on pets according to vets.
What If My Pet Becomes Distressed?
Despite our best efforts, sometimes pets just do not handle flying well no matter what. From my shelter volunteer work, I’ve seen seemingly calm dogs totally freak out in new situations. So it’s always a risk no matter how much they train.
If your pet shows signs of extreme anxiety, injury or distress, Sun Country reserves the right to deny boarding for safety reasons. Basically, they want to avoid lawsuits from poorly pets. In that case, you’d be due a full refund of pet transportation fees.
As a backup, consider boarding your pet rather than subjecting them to potential trauma. Their health and comfort should come before our travel needs, in my opinion.
Final Thoughts
With the proper precautions and paperwork in order, Sun Country aims to safely transport canine companions on most of their routes. But no rule or regulation can totally eliminate the inherent unpredictability when putting animals on planes. In the end, consider your pet’s tolerance for new experiences and act in their best interest. With patience and care, flying together can work out. But it may not be worth stressing them over either.
I hope this overview of Sun Country’s pet travel guidelines has helped answer your intentions and eased any uncertainties around the process. Please let me know if you have any other questions! Safe travels to you and your furry friend.
Sun Country Dog Travel Policy Details
| Breed Size | Cabin or Cargo | Number Allowed | Kennel Required? | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small (under 20 lbs) | Cabin | Max 2 | No | $125 each way |
| Medium (20-50 lbs) | Cabin | Max 2 | Yes | $125 each way |
| Large (over 50 lbs) | Cargo only | Max 2 | Yes | $200 each way |
| Puppy (under 1 year) | Cabin | Max 1 | Yes | $125 each way |
| Emotional support/service dog | Cabin | 1 | Paperwork required | No pet fees |
FAQ
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Can I bring my dog on a Sun Country flight?
Basically, Sun Country allows small dogs or cats in the cabin for a fee. However, they must remain in a carrier under the seat for the whole flight. Certain dog breeds are not permitted basically due to safety concerns.
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What size carrier is allowed for my dog?
The carrier must fit completely under the seat in front of you and cannot take up space needed for another person’s legs. It appears that most carriers 17 inches or less fit this description. Nevertheless, always check Sun Country’s website for the precise size limits which sometimes change a little.
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Is my dog too big to bring in the cabin?
If your dog is over 20 pounds or won’t fit in the allowed size carrier, maybe you’ll need to check them into the cargo hold instead. On the other hand, there are definitely some larger dog breeds that are small enough to ride in the cabin according to Sun Country’s rules, so be sure to verify the actual weight limits.
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How much does it cost to bring a dog on the plane?
The fee sort of depends on the size of your dog and destination. According to reputable sources, you’ll pay around $125 each way domestically when bringing a dog in the cabin. International flights can get more costly, around $200 each way. Additionally, the carrier must be approved by the airline.
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What paperwork is needed for my dog?
You’ll need proof that your dog is healthy and up-to-date on vaccines. A certificate from your vet detailing shots received in the past year seems to do the trick. Sun Country also wants you to fill out a “Pet Passenger Declaration Form” available on their site. Despite doing all this, some experts warn there may still be risks to flying pets that pet owners should consider.
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Can I sit with my dog on my lap during takeoff and landing?
Dogs must remain in carriers at all times for safety. However, it would be awesome if they let us cuddle our pets lap for takeoff and landing! The cargo hold must be kind of stressful for dogs. But airlines got to have strict rules I guess. Maybe if your dog is tiny enough to hold safely, it might fly under the radar…? Probably not worth the risk of getting in trouble though.
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What if my dog acts up on the plane?
If your furry friend won’t settle down and is disturbing other passengers, you may be asked to check them into the cargo hold for the rest of the flight. Basically, it’s important to consider your dog’s personality and make sure they can handle the plane ride before bringing them. Ask your vet for calming aid tips too. At the same time, most well-trained dogs do just fine as long as their person is there to reassure them.