Traditional airline pet travel rules and regulations

While each traditional airline has a specific pet policy, there are some trends and rules that most follow.

Carry-on

• Pets small enough to fit in a crate under a seat can be considered carry-on luggage
• Pets must remain in the crate in the boarding area and during the flight
• There are limits to how many animals are allowed on a flight, so book early
• One pet is allowed per person at no extra charge
• Some areas in the world have strict pet regulations, such as Hawaii and South Africa. Check before leaving
• Pets permitted in the cabin include dogs, cats and household birds

Check-in

• Cats, dogs, household birds, guinea pigs, rabbits and hamsters are accepted as checked baggage
• Airlines will not accept animals as checked baggage during extreme weather
• Two pets of the same type may be allowed in one kennel, for example two dogs or two cats of the same breed
• The one-way fare for a pet on a domestic flight is usually around $200

Cargo

• This service is used to ship a pet that is traveling without an owner
• Only warm-blooded mammals and birds considered to be personal pets or show/exhibition animals will be accepted
• Animals must be considered non-offensive and not dangerous to passengers or baggage handlers