There is a lot involved in planning your pet’s flight overseas. Take it from someone who knows – it can be pretty stressful. If you are fortunate enough to fly with your pet as Excess Baggage (vs Cargo), you will save some money but there is still a lot to be done before Fluffy or Fido can embark on the journey. Below is information to help you navigate the process.
Timeline: Flying with a pet generally needs to be planned months in advance. Every flight is limited as to the number of pets allowed in the hold. This number varies depending on the airline and the aircraft, but the number is small, so start searching for a flight as soon as possible. Since the number of pets allowed per flight is extremely limited, you may need to be flexible on the days you will be flying.
Trip Length: Pay attention to the length of the trip. Some airlines will not allow your pet to be on a trip that takes over a certain number of hours. If this applies to you, you will either have to pay for ground transportation to a larger airport that will shorten their flight time or drive them there yourself.
The Weather: Some airlines refuse to fly any pets at certain times of the year, depending on the location of departure, layovers & arrival airports. If the hold of the airplane where the pets are kept is climate-controlled, why the embargo? It is not the temperature on the plane that is the issue, it is the temperature on the tarmac. That baggage area can get very hot when the airplane is just sitting at the gate, but not running. Airlines do not want Fido or Fluffy to suffer any weather-related injuries on their watch, so they take the safety of the animals very seriously. Be strategic on where you are flying from/to, including layovers. If you are flying in July and are changing planes in Dallas, there is a good chance your pet will not be allowed on the flight. It’s not just the beginning and end of the journey, it is also the stops along the way. Direct flights are best, but when that is not possible, plan plane changes in weather-friendly areas depending on the time of the year. You may need to be willing to accept a sub-optimal departure point in order to obtain a slot for your pet. For instance, you want to fly from the South but can only get a pet slot leaving out of Baltimore.
The Route: Plan the most direct route possible. Flying is stressful for pets and limiting the time in their crate is crucial. I cannot stress this enough. Many pets are unwilling to relieve themselves in their crate, so the longer they are confined, the more uncomfortable they will be.
The Crate: Crate requirements for dogs and cats are strict, but these crates are easy to find. Crates must be:
- Big enough for your pet with room to spare. Your pet must be able stand and sit upright without their ears touching the top of the crate. They must also be able to turn around and lie comfortably.
- Made of sturdy material (think rigid plastic, wood, metal, etc). Crates made of wire, fabric or cardboard are not allowed.
- Have metal nuts and bolts to hold the crate together. Keep in mind, some of the plastic bolts that are on crates are actually metal with a plastic covering over the head. These are allowed. If in doubt, grab a few all-metal bolts from a hardware store to have on your person just in case you run into an airline representative that is not aware of this. Even though I’ve never needed them, I always bring extra nuts and bolts. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!
- Have ventilation on three sides in addition to the door opening. Ventilation can only be on the top 2/3 of the crate.
- Close securely. Zip ties will be used at the airport to reinforce the door.
- Have ripped paper or a potty pad, towels, etc. to mop up accidents.
- Have two dishes, one for food and one for water, attached to the inside of the crate door.
- Cannot be on wheels.
- Must have a handle/handles. Larger crate handles are built into the frame of the crates.
Know the size of your crate before you call the airline, in height, length, and width. This example sounds crazy, but I swear it happened to us: We were flying from PA to Germany. We had our flight booked, and I had already spoken with the airline multiple times about our pets flying as Excess Baggage. All seemed well. Then I started hearing of families being told, at check-in, that their pet crates were too big to fit through the airliner’s baggage door. What were these families supposed to do with their pets who were suddenly not allowed on the flight? It was a trickle-down of disasters for all of them. Hearing the rumors, I called the airline to confirm this…again. Once more, they reviewed the dimensions and, this time, confirmed that our dog’s crate would not fit through the door. I assume this was because we were planning a connecting flight out of a regional airport on a small commuter jet. One person’s previous lack of attention almost proved very costly to us. If I had not heard the rumors, this would have been a nightmare in the moment for us. So, how did we end up getting ourselves and our crated cat and dog to Germany? With little notice, we were fortunate to find flights out of Newark, New Jersey. You may be thinking: “wow, that must have been one huge dog.” Nope. He was 50 lbs at the time. But remember, the crate must be big enough for him to sit and stand in without his ears (which didn’t even point up!) touching the top of the crate. So, our medium-size dog travels in a large crate.
Terminology: Different airlines may use different terminology for Excess Baggage, so your best bet is to call and talk to the airline. If you are military (or State Department) on orders, it is imperative that when making your reservation, you tell them you are “military/State Department on orders”. This will be the difference of your pet flying for a few hundred dollars vs. flying for a few thousand. Often the airline will transfer your call to their Pet Cargo office. Just keep telling the representatives that you want your pet to fly excess baggage and that you are “on orders.” I can’t begin to tell you how many airline employees I have spoken to in the past that were not aware of this option for flying with pets.
Confirmation: Confirm, call back to speak to different employees, and re-confirm. Ask about heat embargos, crate sizes, and requirements for your pet to fly. Ask how payment will be made for the pet. Don’t make assumptions. Call again the day before the flight.
Top Tip: My number one tip for flying with your pet as Excess Baggage? Fly Lufthansa. Lufthansa is a German airline, and although a stereotype, it’s one I have found to be true: Germans love their dogs. They treat them well. I have never had a negative experience with Lufthansa and our pets. And no, we don’t get a kickback for saying this. I’m aware this isn’t always possible, but if you have the option, fly those fur babies Lufthansa. When the government is paying for your tickets from the United States, they legally must book you through an American company. However, Delta is often partnered with Lufthansa. What that means is that Delta pays for seats on Lufthansa flights. So, it is actually possible to get on a Lufthansa flight through Delta. That being said, our “furry beasts” have been safe on every flight they have flown overseas, regardless of the airline. However, it has always been an easier planning process when I’ve worked with Lufthansa.
The Veterinarian: Once you know when you’re flying, make your veterinarian appointments. Microchip & rabies at least 30 days prior to flying (overseas microchip, then rabies vaccine, in that order) and a health certificate dated no more than 10 days prior to your arrival. If you are military, be sure to confirm your military veterinarian will be there to sign the health certificate and you won’t be passed off to a civilian vet who is unable to sign in place of going to the USDA. Oftentimes, military members will visit family before moving overseas, and wish to fly from somewhere that is not where they were stationed. With proper planning, this is possible, just keep in mind the paperwork that must be done. Also know that you do not need to stay within your branch of service for the pet paperwork and health certificate. If you are Army and visiting family that lives near a Navy base, make your appointment there. Just call and confirm as you would at your local Army veterinarian office. Be sure the vet office knows your appointment is for a health certificate, so they have the right people and paperwork ready.
Flying Day
One would think you should check-in at the last possible minute when flying with a pet so Fido will spend as little time as possible in his crate. However, extra time is definitely needed, so plan on checking-in with plenty of time to spare. Before checking in, be sure to take your pet out of their crate so it can relieve itself one last time.
Note: many airports have become more pet friendly & have pet relieving areas inside and outside of the airport. Ask before you arrive if these areas exist at your airport and where they are located.
Look for your airline’s special check-in counter. This is usually reserved for pets and people with oversized bags. If the airline hasn’t previously told you where this counter is, ask one of their employees and they will send you in the right direction. (If you use someone from the curb-side check-in, they will not be able to check you in, but they will load up bags and pets and take you straight to the appropriate line.)
After waiting behind travelers and their ski equipment, you will present the airline employee with your flight information, a copy of your orders, and a copy of your pet’s health certificate. They will give you paperwork to fill out asking questions such as when the pet ate last, their name, breed, etc. The airline representative will then place stickers on the pet crate and if you have brought extra food in a baggie, they will tape it to the crate as well. You will pay for your pet’s transport then will be walked to a security area where you will take your pet out of its crate and security will inspect the inside of the crate. After the inspection is complete, your fur baby goes back in the crate, and you will be separated until you reach your final destination.
Picking up your pet
Your pet will not arrive on the baggage claim carousel. Once you clear customs and are able to retrieve your bags, find where the oversize bags are held. This will vary with each airport. Our first time moving our dog to Germany, we had to present copies of our paperwork to airline employees who then released our dog to us. Flying with him to Israel, we found his crate off with a pile of oversized bags, completely unattended. It’s a good idea to know how to ask “where do I find my dog?” in the language of your final destination. NOTE! It is highly likely that even your lovable, house-broken and well-trained pet will need to relieve itself immediately on exiting the crate. If you don’t want this to be in the baggage area, consider moving the desperate beast outside the airport before letting him out of the crate.
Leaving your pet in the hands of others can be stressful, but with knowledge of the process, and knowing which questions to ask, it is navigable. For more information, check out How To Fly Your Pet Overseas. I hope this helps!
