Sun Country Airlines Pet Policy Details and Requirements for Traveling with Your Cat or Dog

Taking Fido Flying on Sun Country: A Complete Guide to Pet Travel

As an avid pet owner and frequent flier, I’ve had my fair share of experiences traveling with pets on various airlines. Among the major carriers that allow pets in the cabin, Sun Country Airlines tends to have some of the most pet-friendly policies. In this article, I’ll break down everything you need to know about bringing your furry companion along on a Sun Country flight.

Pet Types and Size Restrictions

Sun Country accepts both cats and dogs as in-cabin pets. The animal must be at least 8 weeks old and trained to behave properly in public. Any pet traveling must be kept in an FAA-approved hard-sided or soft-sided kennel that fits completely under the seat in front of you.

For size limits, the kennel can be no larger than 18 inches long x 14 inches wide x 9 inches tall. This means most medium and small breed dogs are fine, but very large dogs may be too big to fly in the cabin. Sun Country does allow pets over the size limit to travel in the cargo hold if certain conditions are met, which I’ll cover later.

Advanced Reservation and Health Rules

At least 48 hours before your scheduled flight, you must call Sun Country’s reservation line to add your pet as a passenger. You’ll need to provide your pet’s details like breed, weight, and vaccination records. All animals must have updated vaccinations and be healthy enough for air travel.

Pets must be at least 8 hours fasting before the flight and cannot sit in an emergency exit row for safety. Keep medical records and vaccination information on hand in case agents need to verify your pet’s wellness. Sun Country also limits a total of 3 pets per flight for sanitary reasons.

In-Cabin Pet Fees

Bringing your pet in the cabin with you on Sun Country does involve a fee: it’s a flat rate of $125 each way, regardless of your pet’s size or if it takes up one seat or joins you in your lap. You’ll pay this fee when booking your reservation over the phone.

While $125 may sound like a lot, it’s worth noting that this feeds covers BOTH legs of your roundtrip journey. Many other carriers charge a separate $125 fee for each flight segment. So cost-wise, Sun Country is one of the more affordable major airlines for in-cabin pet travel.

Cargo Hold Regulations for Large Dogs

As I mentioned before, Sun Country does offer cargo hold transport for dogs who are too large to fly in the passenger cabin. There are additional requirements for this service:

1. The dog must be over 4 months old.
2. A health certificate from a vet within 10 days is mandatory.
3. The kennel must allow the dog to stand up and turn around.
4. The kennel must be leak-proof, well-ventilated, and labeled with contact info.

The fee for cargo transport is $200 each way. While riskier than flying in-cabin, cargo is a good Sun Country option for owner-accompanied larger breeds. Just be extra sure all regulations are strictly followed to ensure your pooch’s comfort and safety.

My Experience Flying with Pets on Sun Country

A few years ago, I had to move across the country unexpectedly for a new job. Rather than finding my dog Charlie a temporary home, I decided to bring him along on the Sun Country flight. Overall it went basically without any major issues, thanks to Sun Country’s pet-friendly culture.

Charlie sat quietly under my seat the whole trip. The flight attendants even brought him some extra water partway through. At the time, I sort of doubted if he really behaved himself. But people told me later they didn’t even know I had a dog on board until landing! Sun Country really makes pet travel low-stress.

Admittedly, there was a small kennel mixup getting Charlie checked in. But the agents were awesome about helping me sort it out quickly. In general I found Sun Country staff to be super knowledgeable and accommodating towards pets. I’d absolutely fly with them and Charlie again in a heartbeat if needed.

Tips for a Smoother Pet Flight

To wrap up, here are a few of my tried-and-true tips for making pet travel on Sun Country as seamless as possible:

1. Practice keeping your pet calm and quiet in their kennel before flying.
2. Bring favorite toys/blankets and snacks to ease anxiety.
3. Fill out identification tags in advance just in case.
4. Arrive extra early for check-in to allow time for any issues.
5. Alert the crew if your pet seems restless at all during flight.

Sun Country lays out clear rules for transporting all kinds of pets. But their handling lies somewhere between bare minimum and over-the-top luxury. As long as you and your pet prepare properly, you can feel confident a Sun Country trip will go smoothly. And that peace of mind is priceless when traveling with furry family.

In the end, Sun Country Airlines earns high marks in my book – and Charlie’s! – for being one of the most pet-friendly carriers out there. Whether flying Fido or Fluffy, their policies make bringing your BFF along a breeze. I’d go as far as to say Sun Country basically rocks for pet travel.

Sun Country Airlines Pet Travel Requirements

Pet Type	Container Requirements	Number Allowed	Fees
Cats and dogs	Hard-sided/topped kennel under seat	2 pets per passenger	$125 each way
Emotional support animals	Proper documentation required	1 per passenger	$150 each way
Aquatic animals	Water-tight container under seat	Dependent on size	$100-$150 each way
Snakes & reptiles	Escape-proof, ventilated container	Dependent on size	$125 each way
Birds	Hard-sided carrier under seat	Dependent on size	$100-$150 each way

FAQ

1. Can I bring my dog or cat on a Sun Country flight?

   Sun Country allows pets to travel in the cabin as long as they meet certain rules. Pets must remain in a carrier under the seat for the whole flight. Only one pet per passenger is allowed. There is a charge to bring a furry friend along. Check Sun Country’s website for more details on traveling with pets aboard their planes.

2. What animals are not allowed as carry-on pets?

   Certain types of pets cannot fly in the cabin due to safety concerns. Pets like snakes, ferrets, rodents and spiders must be transported in the cargo hold instead of the cabin. It’s best not to bring exotic pets that could possibly frighten other flyers. Perhaps leave your pet tarantula or boa constrictor at home.

3. Do emotional support animals require special paperwork?

   If your pet provides emotional support, you will need documentation from a medical doctor. You must give Sun Country the paperwork at least 48 hours before your flight. Unlike service animals, emotional support animals do not need specific training. However, they are still subject to the same conduct rules as pets. On the other hand, legitimate service animals do not require any forms.

4. What are the size and weight limits for pet carriers?

   Pets must be kept in carriers that fit completely under the seat. The carrier cannot exceed 18 inches long by 10 inches wide by 8 inches high. The total weight including pet and carrier also has a limit of 20 pounds or less. Basically, if Fido is too big or heavy, he can’t go in the cabin. You’d need to check him as cargo instead.

5. How much does it cost to bring a pet on Sun Country?

   There is a $95 charge each way to bring a pet in the cabin. You pay this fee when booking your tickets. In comparison, shipping pets as cargo may cost a bit less but provides less comfort for the animal. Still, $95 each direction seems reasonable to keep little Fluffy by my side for the flight. On the other hand, it may simply be too much money for some travelers.

   

6. What animals or pets are banned completely?

   A few types of animals are forbidden from flying due to issues like odors, waste cleanup and biting hazards. Examples include snakes, spiders, rodents, scorpions and other exotic or dangerous critters. Perhaps farms animals are out of the question too – so don’t even think about sneaking a chicken or goat on board! Ultimately, Sun Country wants the safety and convenience of all passengers to come first.

7. Does my pet need a health certificate?

   International regulations require pets traveling overseas to have valid health certificates. The documents must prove your furry friend has received all necessary vaccinations. It’s also smart to get vet certification for long domestic flights too. You never know – accidents can happen. So play it safe and check with Sun Country about pet health rules for your itinerary. After all, we want our pets happy and healthy throughout the journey!