How to Travel with your Dog on an Airplane

Traveling on a domestic flight with your dog can be very stressful—for both of you—but these tips will hopefully help you be prepared. It's worth it once you get there!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Airline tickets for you AND your dog
• Airline-approved travel carrier or crate
• Recent pet health certificate (from a licensed veterinarian)
• Recent pictures of your pet
• Leash and ID tags with cell phone number
• ID microchip for your dog (available from vet)

1. Airlines require advanced reservations and separate tickets to travel with your dog, which usually run about fifty bucks or so. You'll want to schedule a non-stop flight if at all possible and travel at a time of day when it won't be either too hot or too cold for your pooch as they're waiting to be on- and off-loaded onto the plane, depending on the season. For example, you'll want to fly early morning if you're leaving from a warm climate like Phoenix, mid-day from a cold Northern city.
2. Very small dogs can travel in the cabin, IF they'll go in a soft-sided carrier that fits under the seat in front of you. They'll also have to stay in the carrier the entire flight, so a doggie diaper may not be a terrible idea.
3. If your dog is even slightly too large to fit under the seat, he must travel in the cargo hold in a hard-sided carrier that he can easily stand up and move around in. If your buddy isn't crate-trained, you might want to prepare him/her a few weeks before the trip by making the crate a fun place to hang out, replete with soft blankets, toys, treats and lots of positive reinforcement from you.
4. About a week before you travel, you'll need to get a health certificate from your vet, which basically tells the airline that your dog is healthy enough to travel and up-to-date on his/her vaccinations. This can set you back about ten bucks, plus the price of the office visit and any shots your dog might need. The airlines don't always check this document, but if they do ask for it, you better have it...
5. You can also ask your vet to prescribe a mild sedative to make the trip easier on your dog, though it won't be any easier on you. It's okay to worry -- it's a stressful experience. But it'll help to be prepared for any eventuality by carrying current pet pictures and vet info with you at all times.
6. When you get to the airport, make sure the crate is securely locked. Your dog should also be wearing id tags with your cell phone number at all times, in and out of the crate. The airline will provide stickers for you to attach to the crate with pertinent info, such as flight numbers, destination/hotel info, home address and the like.
7. Always tip! I usually give twenty dollars to the baggage handler that arrives to take my dog to the plane and ask that person to make sure my pet's put on the right flight. Try hard not to make a scene saying goodbye to your pal, you'll only upset him and most likely embarrass yourself.
8. When you get on the plane, tell the flight attendant you're traveling with your pet and that you'd like to make sure the heat and air are turned on in the pet compartment. Often, they'll come back to tell you that they or the pilot have checked on your animal and they're fine.
9. When your flight arrives, go to the oversize baggage area, rather than the luggage carousel. Unfortunately, animals are often unloaded last, so there might be a bit of a anxious wait. It'll be worth it, though, when your beloved arrives safe and sound and ready for some serious vacation action!

Tips & Warnings

• Freeze some water in the crate's plastic water tray overnight so your pet can have a drink on the plane.
• Put some old towels in the bottom of the crate in case there are any in-transit accidents.
• ALWAYS make sure your dog is micro chipped and wearing ID tags with your cell phone number. Your home number won't work--you're not there.