Are you renting a pied-à-terre abroad for the holidays where you found the hotel of your dreams which, in addition, accepts dogs? Why not take your dog for a little trip on vacation?
Taking a plane with your dog requires first of all to be well informed about your pet's state of health.
First, be aware that dogs with snouted snouts (brachycephalic) such as bulldogs, boxers and other pugs are more likely to die during an airplane trip than their peers, and are even banned by some carriers, including American Airlines. The particular configuration of their skull has an influence on their airways and they are intolerant to heat.
If no contraindication from your veterinarian is issued, the first step will be weighing, in order to know if your animal will travel in the cabin or in the hold. Standards vary from company to company. Contact the Flynas service for more information on this subject (customer service page)
If your pet weighs less than 5 kg, you can keep it with you in the cabin, as long as it is comfortably installed in a specially designed dog carrier bag. Be careful though! It must be scheduled on the same flight as you (make sure!), And the cage or bag it will be traveling in must fit perfectly under the seat in front of you. The dimension varies by plane and airline. Weight rules may also apply. So inform yourself carefully before departure!
In the baggage hold
This mode concerns larger animals (more than 5 kg) and provided that you are on the same flight. Your dog must travel in the hold, installed in a transport cage provided for this purpose and provided by you. Check with the airline you are traveling on.
Make sure you have a leash or harness with you. Most airports require that the pet be removed from the cage at security so as not to obscure the security x-rays.
Your animal must not leave its cage during the flight. Make sure before you go that you have a compliant cage. If you have any doubts, ask the airline, they are the ones who decide whether or not to accept the transport cage model.
The cage must close with a mechanism that does not require special keys or tools to operate or unlock, and must not have wheels. Be sure the cage is not too large for your pet to reduce the risk of injury if there is a bumpy portion during the flight. Metal grid cages are prohibited.
Attach a tag to the cage with the necessary information before leaving as well as flight information, destination, name of contact on arrival, important information, as well as any special instructions for handlers. Place the words "LIVE ANIMAL" on the label.
Find out about the other cargoes on Flynas' flight to be sure there are no substances hazardous to your pet.
Before boarding the aircraft, stay near the loading area to confirm that your pet has been loaded. When you board the plane, notify the captain and flight personnel that your pet is on board and demand that they confirm that it has been loaded. If you do not have access to the captain, give a note to the flight attendant for the flight to have the captain check in and assure you of your pet on board.
When the aircraft is on the runway for a long period of time or if the aircraft has ventilation problems, tell a flight attendant that you are concerned for your pet's health, ask him or her to check with the captain if the temperature may vary and influence the cargo section where your pet is traveling. If the delay is long, insist that your pet be removed.
Request your pet as soon as possible once you have reached your destination. If your flight is not direct, get off the plane and check your pet's condition during the transfer. If the transfer is long or the temperature is high, ask for confirmation that the animal is unloaded for transfer and does not have to stay in the hold with the cargo, or out in the sun.
If the transfer is very long, ask for your pet, take him for a walk and offer him water before re-boarding. Make sure your pet is wearing an ID collar in case they escape
Paper and regulations
Your animal must have all its vaccines up to date, and since July 3, 2011, any dog or cat traveling within the European Union must be identified by means of an electronic chip. It must also be provided with a certificate of good health that your veterinarian will provide you a few days before your departure.
There is a strict quarantine in Barbados, Hawaii, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica and Saint Lucia. For trips to Ireland, Sweden, the United Kingdom or Malta, additional health conditions (such as a blood test six months before departure) are required although in recent years they have been relaxed . It is therefore recommended to check with the embassy of the country of destination in all cases.
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