Various Airline Policies

Updated 6/11/2001.

We recommend reading Northwest Airlines general tips for pet travel even if you are travelling another airline. See the individual airline links for complete and current information regarding transportation of pets.

Airlines:
American
American Trans Air
Delta
Midwest Express
Northwest
Southwest
TWA
United
US Airways
Vanguard

Northwest Airlines: Priority Pet Program http://www.nwa.com/services/shipping/cargo/ppet2.shtml

Northwest Airlines provides the Priority Pet Program.

  • PLEASE NOTE: For the safety and health of traveling pets, Northwest will not accept reservations for carriage of pets as checked luggage to/from:
    • All Pacific destinations between July 1, 2001 and September 15, 2001.
    • All cities in Arkansas/Arizona/Florida/Louisiana/Mississippi/ Nevada (Las Vegas only)/Texas and Monterrey, Mexico between June 1 and September 15, 2001.

The tips below are presented to make the travel experience easier on both owner and pet.

  • Your pet must be at least eight (8) weeks old and fully weaned before traveling.
  • You must obtain a health certificate issues by a licensed veterinarian for your pet, dated within 10 days prior to travel.
  • Make sure your lodging accepts pets.
  • If your pet is small enough (less than 15 lbs) and you have an airline approved carry-on kennel, it might be best to carry your pet on the plane yourself and stow it under your seat. The kennel can be considered carry-on luggage.
  • If you are traveling with a large pet, make sure its kennel is large enough to allow your pet to stand and move around.
  • If you need to purchase a kennel, contact your veterinarian or local pet supply store and get recommendations on the best kennel and kennel size for your pet. Be sure the kennel is made for air travel.
  • Try to book a trip with no connecting flights.
  • Avoid crowded flights if possible.
  • Consider the option of liability insurance.
  • Take along a leash and collar for walking your pet prior to departure, on an extended layover and upon arrival.
    Include identification tags with your home address and phone number, as well as the address and phone number of your destination.
  • Never ship an animal with a choke collar or muzzle, as both are dangerous when an animal is alone or in transit.
  • Keep your animal as calm as possible prior to the flight. A walk immediately prior to departure is a good idea. For cats, disposable litter boxes are available at pet supply shops and are easy to take along.
  • Familiarize your pet with the kennel to ease the stress of travel for your pet. Purchase the kennel as far in advance as possible.
  • Veterinarians recommend leaving the kennel door open in the house with an old sock or familiar object inside so that your pet may spend time near the kennel and perhaps venture inside on its own. Familiarization with the kennel is essential for your pet to be relaxed during the flight.

Northwest offers several ways for your animal to travel: Carry-on, Checked Luggage, VIP Same Day Package Service, Cargo, or Service Animal. When shipping your pet through Checked Luggage, VIP Same Day Package Service, or Cargo, your animal will travel in temperature controlled holds on our aircraft. You are required to obtain proper documentation for your pet for all shipping options, and service fees may apply as outlined below.

Carry-On: Small dogs, cats, and household birds may travel as Carry-on luggage, in addition to the Carry-on allowance for your flight. Cost is $75 USD / $110 CAD fee per kennel, one-way. The animal must be less than 15 pounds (with kennel), and must fit comfortably in a kennel placed under the seat.

  • Guidelines to take your pet on board the aircraft are as follows:
    • Inform Northwest when you make your reservation that you will be bringing an animal in addition to your carry-on luggage.
    • Call Northwest 24 hours prior to your flight to confirm your pet is traveling with you.
    • Your pet must be in an approved Carry-on kennel when you check in (maximum kennel size is 17″ x 12.3″ x 8″). In addition to standard Carry-on kennels, Northwest permits soft-sided animal carriers for animals traveling in the passenger cabin. Kennels are available through pet supply shops and a limited supply at select Northwest stations.

American Trans Air http://www.ata.com Search for “American Trans Air Contract of Carriage.”
Always confirm all information with the airline at the time you make reservations.

Personal pets are considered domesticated dogs, cats and small birds.

Fee (for pets): $75

General conditions of acceptance:

  • American Trans Air does not furnish pet containers and a charge of $75.00 per container will be assessed each way for transportation of animals.
  • The animal must be harmless, inoffensive, odorless, and require no attention during transit.
  • The passenger must make all arrangements and assume full responsibility for complying with any applicable laws, customs, and/or all governmental regulations, requirements, or restrictions of country, state, or territory to which the animal is being transported.
  • Pets will not be carried in either the passenger cabin or cargo bins on International Flights with the exception of U.S. Territories; i.e., U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico.
  • For the animal’s protection, American Trans Air will not accept animals for transportation as checked baggage when extreme temperature conditions exist or are forecasted to exist. On the day of travel, if the temperature at the origin, transfer point or destination is currently or projected to fall below 45F (7.2C) or exceed 85F (29.4C), the animal will not be accepted for transportation, unless the customer provides a Certificate of Acclimation signed by a veterinarian.
  • For the animal’s protection, American Trans Air will not accept animals for transportation if the temperature is 10F (-12.2C) or below, or exceeds 95F (35C). Even if the customer provides a signed Certificate of Acclimation, transportation will be denied if these extreme temperature conditions exist or are forecasted to exist.
  • Animal container is counted toward the passenger’s carry-on baggage allowance.
  • Only one live animal may be transported in a travel container.
    NOTE: Two puppies or two kittens, eight weeks to six months of age, and weighing less than 20 lbs (9 kg) each may be transported in the same travel container.
  • The animal must be in a container subject to inspection and approval by American Trans Air.
  • The passenger is responsible for assuring the container meets all government requirements for safe and humane transport.
  • Dimensions of container must conform with sizes noted in Section 4, paragraph 2.
  • Animal must remain in the container at all times while on board the aircraft.

CHECKED ANIMALS

  • Container is not included in F.B.A.
  • Will be transported in pressurized cargo compartment only.
  • No more than one animal may be contained in a cage or container subject to inspection and approval by American Trans Air.
  • The passenger is responsible for assuring the container meets all government requirements for safe and humane transport.
  • Maximum outside linear dimensions 97″.
  • Container must be leak-proof.

US Airways http://www.usairways.com/customers/baggagepolicy.htm
Carry-on pets are allowed for an extra $75 charge each way and limited to small domestic dogs, cats and birds, which are considered to be traditional household pets. Carry-on pets are not allowed on transatlantic flights. Carry-on animals must be harmless, inoffensive, odorless and require no attention during the flight. They must pose no hazard to the safety of any customer and the container must pose no hazard to the safety or comfort of the animal. The animal must remain in the container under the seat in front of the customer at all times during the flight. If the animal becomes offensive or disturbing during the flight it will be removed at the first en route stop and be placed in the cargo bin. On US Airways jet flights, carry-on pet acceptance is limited to one pet in the First Class cabin and two pets in the Coach Class cabin. US Airways Express flights limit carry-on pet acceptance to one pet per flight. Only one pet is accepted per container per customer. Carry-on pets do require advance reservations.

US Airways accepts dogs, domestic cats and birds as checked baggage. All other animals must be transported as PDQ (Packages Delivered Quick) or air cargo. Customers should advise US Airways when they wish to transport a pet as checked baggage. For domestic flights, US Airways assesses a carrying charge of $75 per kennel each way for live animals as checked baggage. Customers traveling on international itineraries should contact US Airways if they wish to transport a pet, since pet charges vary for international travel. US Airways does not make reservations for pets as checked baggage. Live animals are accommodated on a first-come/first-served basis. Additionally, a limited number of kennels is permitted on each aircraft. Some kennels may not be accepted on certain US Airways Express aircraft.

United Airlines http://united.com/site/primary/0,10017,1047,00.html
Your dog or cat can travel in two ways: in the cabin with you, or unaccompanied. All options require advance reservations and are subject to a charge. If you are bringing a pet other than a dog or cat, please contact us to make sure your pet can be accepted for travel. Call United AirlinesT reservations for complete details. Carry-on A small dog, cat or domesticated household bird can travel with you in the passenger cabin if the pet is small enough to fit comfortably in a kennel that is placed under the seat. Animals are never allowed out of the kennel during flight. The charge is $75.00 for domestic travel; international rates vary by destination. Unaccompanied pets An unaccompanied pet will travel as part of the cargo system. Animals in the cargo system are transported in pressurized compartments. Fees vary based on weight and size of the kennel. United Cargo accepts live animals that are shipped as cargo only from “Known Shippers” to United Cargo, commercial animal shippers or licensed pet breeders, which must be booked in advance of the shipment. Extreme weather guidelines will apply, preventing cargo shipment of any live animal when the temperature is forecast to exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit at any point in the animal’s journey.

To make arrangements: If your pet will travel as carry-on baggage call reservations at 800-241-6522. If your pet will be unaccompanied, call United Cargo at 800-UA-CARGO or 800-822-2746.

Delta http://www.delta.com/travel/trav_serv/pet_travel/pet_carryon/index.jspPets
As Carry-On As a Delta customer, you can bring your pet into the passenger cabin as carry-on for a fee of $75 when traveling within the United States or Canada. The types of pets allowed in the cabin include dogs, cats, birds, ferrets, rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs. Reptiles, primates, or pot-bellied pigs are not allowed.

  • The following restrictions apply:
    • Your pet must be small enough to fit comfortably in a kennel under the seat directly in front of you.
    • Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old.
    • You may not carry on more than one pet.
    • Delta limits the number of pets per flight to: · one in first class, · one in BusinessEliteT, and · two in the main cabin.

Pets are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please call Delta in advance at 800-221-1212 to arrange to carry on your pet.

American http://www.im.aa.com/American?BV_Operation=Dyn_AAPage&referer=index.html&form%25referrer_site=None
Note: For your pet’s safety, American Airlines/American Eagle will not accept animals as checked baggage from May 15 through September 15. Please contact an American Airlines representative at 1-800-433-7300 for additional information.

You may carry pets onboard on flights within the contiguous US, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Canada, and Mexico. Some destinations in the Caribbean also accept cats, dogs and household birds provided the country of arrival permits entry. Cabin pets are not accepted on Transatlantic, Transpacific, Central or South American flights.

One pet carrier is allowed to be carried on board per customer. The carrier may contain two dogs or cats with the following conditions:

  • same species
  • between the age of eight weeks and six months
  • less than 20 pounds each
  • small enough to fit in one carrier with room to move about
  • adequate ventilation

Multiple compatible birds of any age may be in the same carrier, provided there is adequate room to move about.

There is a maximum number of carry-on pets allowed in each aircraft. This is on a first come, first ride basis. However, you may put your pet on the list for your flight in advance by contacting an AA representative. Advance listing of your pet is recommended.

TWA http://www2.twa.com/customer_info/passenger_services/pets.html
TWA permits dogs, cats and household birds (canary, parakeet, parrot) to travel in the aircraft cabin on all domestic flights except to/from Hawaii. For international and Hawaii in-cabin pet acceptance and restrictions contact TWA reservations at 1-800 221-2000.

In cabin pets are not counted as part of the customers free baggage allowance and are subject to a $75.00 USD service charge in each direction.

TWA restricts the number of in-cabin pets per aircraft. Customers should request a reservation for their pet when booking their own travel or at least 24 hours prior to scheduled departure. Pet clearance is on a first come/first served basis.

Pets must be carried in an approved in-cabin kennel and must be able to move comfortably within that kennel. Passengers may use their own hard sided kennel or purchase one from TWA for $30.00. TWA also accepts 2 types of soft-sided cabin kennels. SHERPA pet carrier and DOGGODUDS INC are the only brands of soft-sided cabin kennel that are approved for use by TWA. They are rectangular duffles made of nylon fabric and come in 3 sizes. They have a ventilation mesh on all sides and are sold with an absorbent blanket which must be inside the kennel to be accepted for travel. TWA does not sell either of these items; however they can be purchased at most pet stores. The kennels’ dimensions may not exceed 21 inches in length/ 16 inches in width/ 8 inches in height.

The following in-cabin pet restrictions apply:

  • Passenger is responsible to determine and comply with all State entry requirements which may apply.
  • Owner must be in possession of a valid veterinary health certificate that is current within 10 days of the origin travel date. 30 days is allowed (from date of certificate) for return travel or another certificate will be required.
  • The pet must be at least 8 weeks old and fully weaned.
  • Pet must travel on same flight as the owner.
  • There are no weight restrictions provided the pet fits comfortably in the kennel. (Can stand up and turn around)
  • One pet per kennel and one kennel per passenger is accepted. (EXCEPTION: 2 birds are allowed in one kennel).
  • Unaccompanied minors are not allowed to carry a kennel onboard.
  • Seating is not permitted in the bulkhead row since the kennel must be placed under the seat in front of the passenger.
  • Pets must remain in their kennel at all times while on board the aircraft.

Pets are not allowed to be checked as baggage for a passenger. If pets are not able to be carried in-cabin in accordance with the rules above, they must be shipped as air freight. Check with air freight for current charges.

Health Certificates for all pets: The owner must be in possession of a valid veterinary health certificate that is current 10 days prior to the origin travel date. 30 days is allowed for return travel or another certificate must be issued.

The above policies do not supersede government restrictions on the importation of animals into countries that otherwise prohibit their importation. The passenger must make arrangements directly with the individual country or state government involved.

Vanguard http://www.flyvanguard.com/home.asp
Vanguard Airlines does not allow animals except those trained to assist individuals with disabilities.

Midwest Express http://www.midwestexpress.com
No pets, except those properly identified as service animals, are allowed in the cabin.

Midwest ships animals in an air-pressurized, temperature-controlled cargo bay. They’re boarded just before take-off.

You must provide roomy and safe airline-approved crates appropriate for your pet’s size. A veterinarian’s certificate of health is required and must be issued within 10 days of departure date. Health certificates are generally valid for 30 days. Therefore, if your travels go beyond 30 days, a new certificate will be needed for the return flight. Pets must have food or water within 4 hours prior to departure and separate food and water containers must be securely attached to the inside of the carrier in the event of a delay.

For more information please call Midwest Express Air Cargo at 800-892-6580 (in Milwaukee, 414-747-4532 and in Omaha, 402-422-0110).

Southwest http://www.iflyswa.com
Southwest Airlines does not accept live animals other than animals trained to assist persons with disabilities. Southwest Airlines does not accept pets for transportation in the cabin of our aircraft or in the cargo hold. Please make other arrangements for the transportation of your pets