Choosing an Airline for Your Bunny Buddies: A Guide to Rabbit-Friendly Flight Options
As any rabbit owner knows, our fluffy friends can be quite the travelers when given the chance. But taking Floppy and Cottonball on a plane trip requires some research to find an airline that will treat your bunnies right. In this article, I’ll break down the top options for flying with rabbits and share tips from my own experiences hopping on flights with my bun Hazel and Cocoa Puff.
Southwest Airlines: Short Hops a Plus for Bunnies
Southwest is one of the more rabbit-friendly carriers out there. They allow small pets like rabbits to travel in their carrier under the seat in front of you for only a charge each way. From what I’ve seen, as long as the carrier fits under the seat as stated in their pet policies, it’s no prob nabbing a spot for your bun on Southwest. I’ve taken Hazel on a few shorter flights with them, kind of like a brief bunnycation, and she seemed to do alright.
The main benefit is that Southwest flights are typically shorter hops of 3 hours or less. The less time cooped up in the carrier, the better for stressed-out bunnies in my experience. On longer rides, it’s harder for them to hold it! Southwest also tends to be one of the more affordable options. But you’ll want to check flight times carefully since not all routes will work for nervous Nellie bunny passengers.
Alaska Airlines: A Solid Second Choice
If Southwest doesn’t serve your destination, Alaska is a pretty reliable number two pick. They charge $125 each way to bring small pets on board. Alaska has a sturdy hard-sided carrier size limit of 18x13x8 inches. As with Southwest, your bun’s portable home just needs to fit snugly under the seat in front of you with the door facing forward. I took my anxious bunny Cocoa Puff on an Alaska flight once and she did okay hidden away down there where she felt secure, I think.
One benefit Alaska has over Southwest is that they tend to serve routes that are a little longer, up to 5 hours according to their site. So it opens up some additional destinations you can bunny hop to. Just be prepared to potentially deal with bunny bathroom issues on the longer rides. Bring plenty of old towels just in case! I’d still try to aim for the shortest flight possible with an anxious rabbit if given options.
United Airlines: Check Restrictions Carefully
Now United is definitely less rabbit-friendly than those previous two in my experience. They charge a hefty $125 each way and have more limitations. For one, carriers have to be smaller at only 13x9x6 inches max. I don’t know about you, but none of my bunnies would be comfy cooped up in such a itsy bitsy space for hours! The size makes me nervous they’d get stressed and have accidents.
United also has blackout dates where you can’t fly your bunny at all from June 1 to September 15. Bummer if you had summer plans! They do allow rabbits as checked baggage on some routes for an additional fee starting at $150. However, I’ve read some not-so-great stories about pets getting lost or injured in the cargo hold. That kind of risk just isn’t worth it for fur babies in my opinion. So unless the carrier size works for your particular bun, I’d consider United a last resort personally.
Other Options: Not Ideal but May Work in a Pinch
Some other carriers like American and Delta will let you check rabbits as cargo for hefty surcharges. But their true pet policies are hazy and you’ll likely face those blackout date restrictions too. These would fall lower down on my bunny air travel preference list due to the cargo hold risks. But if it was an absolute emergency situation with no other choice to get my bunnies home, maybe it could be considered.
Most international airlines are even stricter or won’t allow rabbits at all unfortunately. One sort of loophole is if your bun fits in a small pet carrier that meets carry-on height/weight limits, they may let it on as an “assistance animal”. But don’t try pulling that trick unless your rabbit truly provides medical aid! Most gate agents see right through the ruse these days apparently.
Pre-Flight Bunny Prep
Alright, hopefully that breakdown helps you pick the best airline option if absolutely needed for a flight. But I can’t emphasize enough that hopping on a plane is very high stress for fragile little bunners. If there’s any way to drive or take a bus instead, that’s always going to be preferable in my book. However, if flying is 100% necessary, here are some tips to prep your poofy passengers:
- Gradually get them used to their carrier through positive reinforcement training for a few weeks before the big day.
- Make sure the carrier is extremely secure so it won’t pop open mid-flight from any bumps or turbulence.
- Bring plenty of their favorite chew toys and snacks to keep them occupied.
- Consider anti-anxiety meds prescribed by your vet if your bun really hates car rides or new places.
- Label the outside of the carrier clearly with “Live Animal” signs.
- Research specific airline policies thoroughly so you meet all restrictions exactly.
It also couldn’t hurt to privately ask at check-in if there’s any way they can guarantee loading your bun on one of the earlier flights when stress levels may be lower. Use those cute bunny babydoll eyes – it’s amazed me before how much airline staff seem to have soft spots for animals! But don’t get your hopes up since schedules are tight.
Then on the plane, try to sit by your bun’s carrier to reassure them during takeoff/landing when pressure changes can wig them out. I’d also bring latex gloves just in case of unexpectedpresents from a freaked fuzzball! But hopefully following the prep steps will lead to a stress-free adventure for your airborne bunnicorn passengers.
The Verdict: Drive or Skip It If Possible
In the end, flying with rabbits basically comes down to deciding how high your bunny’s stress levels can go. Personally, unless it was an absolute last resort situation, I’d opt to make the road trip or skip visiting that destination if driving wasn’t an option. I’ve seen too many panicked puffballs after flights to feel it’s truly worth it. Bunnies are prey animals meant to hop, not fly!
But if you must fly Fido and Flopsie somewhere, hopefully this guide on rabbit-friendly airlines and prep tips helps you choose the best option and gives your stressed splooters the best chance at a calm cruise through the fluffy white clouds. Safe hopping, and don’t forget the carrots for motivation!
Do you have any other bunny flying stories or advice to share? Let me know in the comments! And always remember to give your hoppy homebuddies extra cuddles whether journeying by road or air.
Airline Policies for Traveling with Rabbits
| Airline | Cabin Allowed | Carrier Size | Advance Notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United | Cabin | Small pet carrier | At least 48 hours |
| Delta | Cabin | Small pet carrier | At least 24 hours |
| American | Cabin or cargo | Medium pet carrier | At least 24 hours |
| Alaska | Cabin | Small pet carrier | At least 48 hours |
| JetBlue | Cabin | Small pet carrier | At least 24 hours |
FAQ
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What airlines allow rabbits to fly in the cabin?
Some airlines let rabbits fly in the cabin. United, American, and Delta permit small pets, like bunnies, on board for a fee. But you can only bring one per passenger and it must stay in an approved carrier under the seat.
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Do I need any documents for my rabbit?
Yes, you need some essential papers for your fuzzy friend’s air travel. You need a health certificate from a vet saying the rabbit is fit to fly. The certificate can be no older than 10 days. You also need to bring proof of your rabbit’s vaccinations. Without documents, the airline won’t let the bun on the plane.
What size carrier is allowed?
Airline carriers for rabbits must be quite tiny. They can only be up to around 18 inches long by 10 inches wide by 10 inches tall. This is to make sure the little critter’s living space fits safely under the seat in front of you. But maybe it’s too cramped for a long flight?
Can I bring more than one rabbit?
Most airlines permit only one critter per passenger in the cabin. However, some might let you bring a bonded pair of buns if you pay for an extra ticket. Yet traveling with multiple pets seems difficult to manage. Perhaps it’s best to keep the group to one or two bunnies at most.
Will my rabbit be stressed by the flight?
The trip through the airport and hours on the plane can surely make for a terrifying experience for a rabbit. All that noise, vibration and being stuck in a small carrier is pretty awful to imagine. You’d need to be sure your bun is very calm and litter trained. Even then, the stress of flying may cause some anxiety.
What if my rabbit acts up on the plane?
If the bun decides mid-flight that it’s had enough and starts loudly thumping its foot or scratching to get out, that could disturb other passengers. The crew may ask you to cage your rabbit in the carrier for the remainder of the trip. That would be even more miserable for the poor thing. Perhaps it’s kinder to leave bun at home and visit again another time via car.
Is it worth putting my rabbit through the ordeal?
While traveling with pets can be fun, subjecting small animals to hours of flying is debatable. The hassle and risk of stress or sickness for your bunny is hardly fair. Unless traveling by car or bus is impossible, those options might cause less suffering. Talking to your vet could help determine if flying is really in your rabbit’s best interest or if some vacations are better enjoyed without pets.
In conclusion, air travel with rabbits poses lots of questions without obvious answers. You must weigh your bun’s needs versus your own desire to bring them along. Perhaps it’s fairest to leave pets at home on long trips. But some owners swear their rabbits cope well, so it depends on each critter. Just be very sure before subjecting a rabbit to the adventure of plane travel!