My family owns this big German Shepherd that has literally refused to stop growing. The happy dog is barely six months but has become too big to carry alone. I often struggle to bathe her.
However, that is a story for another day. We had this vacation in Los Angeles and we have to fly from Dubai with my family. When an airline reject our dog from joining us in the cabin, I asked, is my dog too big to fly in cabin?
Flying with a dog has to be straightforward: Get a travel crate, don’t feed your dog too much, administer a sedative from your vet, treat the dog in its crate as checked luggage, and cross your fingers.
I believe everyone knows about these rules. However, things have become more complicated, and for good reason. The old approach was not only challenging and a bit scary, but also frequently unsafe.
Further, service and emotional support pets are now far more common on airplanes, introducing another layer of complexity to the rules surrounding pet air travel.
Airline policies vary considerably by dog size, breed, temperament, and cabin vs. cargo rules; make necessary inquiries before you attempt to bring your dog on a plane with you.
General Considerations for Flying with a Dog
The choice to take your dog in the cabin with you or travel in the cargo depends on the size of the animal and the airline’s policy.
I didn’t know this until the day we had to let our dog stay in the cargo. In summary, carrying your pet into the cabin with you is safer than putting it into the cargo hold.
Some airlines strictly monitor the total number of pets allowed on any given flight, and these spots are usually parceled out on a first-come, first-served basis—so you will want to book early.
Expect to pay a fee to fly with your dog. Current standard fees range from around $75 to $200 each way and can go up to several hundred dollars for larger dogs that must be transported on cargo planes. However, I must let you know that the amount depends on the airline.
It is better to choose a direct flight. Flying can be tough on a dog, especially in the cargo hold. Most times, these dogs are subjected to even longer travel times plus multiple encounters with baggage handling can easily go sideways.
My family flew cross-country with our dog several years ago and had purchased direct flights, but due to aircraft problems on the way home had to switch to a connecting itinerary.
During our connection in St. Louis, we watched helplessly through the airport windows as a baggage handler in St. Louis let our dog’s travel crate nearly freefall onto the tarmac.
When we picked her up at our home airport, the crate was shattered and the dog was significantly traumatized.
- Most airlines do not allow pets to travel in the exit row.
- The weather conditions are important to consider, during winter, fly in the daytime to ensure the warmest possible temperatures for your dog in the cargo hold. In summer, fly early or late to avoid the midday heat.
- Arrive at the airport early enough to exercise your dog without creating a lot of time pressure.
- Federal regulations require pets to be at least eight weeks old to fly.
- Find out from your vet, if your young, senior, or fragile pet, can with-stand the rigors of air travel.
Airline Policies for Flying with a Dog
Airline policies are all over the place; some carriers do not accept dogs for travel in the cargo hold, while others do not allow dogs in the cabin.
Some have weight restrictions for travel in the cabin, others for the cabin and/or cargo hold, and they can vary tremendously.
Air France currently allows the combined weight of dogs and their carriers to be up to 75 kilograms/165 pounds(!), while others top out at 32 kilograms/70 pounds.
Other restrictions include the duration of the flight, destination, and even whether a codeshare is involved. Some other airlines will only transport dogs as official cargo—that is, on an actual cargo plane.
Expect to be charged an additional fee for transporting pets.
Make your pet easily identifiable
It’s extremely unlikely an airline will misplace your dog, but live animals do unfortunately get lost on occasion.
If you have a smaller dog, you can travel with them in the main cabin to avoid this kind of incident. You can also microchip your dog to make them easy to find no matter the circumstances.
Mark your dog carrier well.
Bring along a leak-proof approved pet carrier to your flight. Mark it with your name and contact information, and your pet’s name, and denote which side is up.
Make sure your kennel is durable and non-collapsible in case anything should fall on it during the flight in the cargo hold.
Think about your dog’s temperament.
Ask whether your canine companion has the right temperament to travel through metal detectors and X-ray machines without incident.
A wide array of airlines do not permit a dog’s sedation, so your pet will need to make it through boarding, takeoff, and landing on their own.
Consider if driving will be better than flying. This is important to keep your pet safe and comfortable.
FAQs
Is my dog too big to fly in-cabin
If your dog in its carrier can fit under the seat in front of you, it can go in the cabin. So that means a dog weighing up to about 20 pounds.
Can I fly with my large dog in the cabin?
You can fly with your large dog so long as you are properly crated and prepared to fly. Many airlines require your pet to be at least 8 weeks old before flying.
Also, young dogs are thought to be too fragile for long flights. Additionally, your pet must also be free of fleas, ticks, and or infectious diseases.
What airlines let large dogs in the cabin?
You can consider these airlines: Delta, Emirates, Hawaiian, Lufthansa, Air Canada, Air France, American, Sun Country, Swiss International, and WestJet.