Frequently Asked Questions

• Booking a pet as Accompanied Baggage is booking the pet on the owner’s ticket itself.
• This is done by calling the Airline Reservations. It is best done at the earliest date, since every airline has a restriction on the number of pets they will carry in one flight as Accompanied Baggage.
• There are weight restrictions for carrying a pet as Accompanied Baggage, again this has to be clarified by calling the Airline reservations, since each airline has different policies.
• Pets booked as Accompanied Baggage would travel in the cargo hold of the aircraft.
• All airlines do not carry pets booked as accompanied or checked baggage, or some do not accept this method of booking of pets in long hauls. Again this has to be clarified with the respective airlines. Also note that airline policies change regularly, so always please call the airlines for clarifications.
• Pets whether booked in Cargo Mode or as Accompanied Baggage travel in the cargo hold of the aircraft.

Can I take my pet In-cabin next to me on the flight?

Very few airlines allow pets in-cabin (eg. Lufthansa Airlines). Again there are weight and size restrictions to take a pet in-cabin and each airline has their own policy for the same. As per Lufthansa Airlines policy a dog or cat may be transported in the cabin in your own carrier box (maximum dimensions: 55 x 40 x 23 cm, watertight, bite proof). Maximum weight of animal + box: 8 kg.

Airline pet policies constantly change, hence they have to be checked by calling the Airline Reservations.

Can I tranquilise or sedate my dog / cat on the flight so that he stays calm and goes to sleep through the journey?

I would suggest that you do not sedate or tranquilise your pet when travelling by air because it can increase the risk of heart and respiratory problems. Sedation, mixed with altitude, prevents the animals from using their natural ability to regulate their body temperature and to control their own stress. Also when sedated, a pet’s mouth remains closed, so if he feels airsick, he will not be able to vomit and the vomit will enter his lungs and choke him.

Most airlines may require a signed statement from the owner that their pet has not been sedated or tranquilized prior to flying.

Instead of sedation, I would suggest that you exercise your dog very well on the date of travel, so that he is tired and his excess energy is burned off and he is more inclined to rest in the crate.

How to choose flights appropriate for my pet?

• Try to book a non-stop flight and avoid plane changes when possible.
• In case you have booked your pet as Accompanied Baggage and your flight is transiting another country, you will always be stressed whether you pet will put loaded on your connecting flight.
• When possible, avoid flying during busy holidays or arrival on weekends at destination, since there might be delays due to custom hours.
• In warm weather, choose early morning or late evening flights, especially for snub nosed dogs or cats.
• In colder weather, choose mid-day flights.
• If you are booking your pet as cargo, through an agent then the agent / airlines takes care that the pet is booked on the connection. In case of dire circumstances, your pet will be put on the next earliest flight.

I have a snub nosed dog. Do I have to worry about his travel on the flight?

Brachycephalic dog breeds are more prone to respiratory problems under normal circumstances, and not just during air travel. That is because although they have shortened noses, they still have to pack all of the same anatomical structures in there that dogs with longer snouts do.

Most important that you do not allow your snub nosed breed pet dog or cat to become overweight or obese. Also make sure with your Vet that they have no underlying medical condition.

Provide snub nosed breed pets a large crate than required by another breed dog their size, so that there is enough breathing and cooling space inside the crate itself.

Avoid transporting these breeds during peak summer or during daytime when the temperatures are high.

Should I feed my pet just before the flight?

It is better to feed a pet 05 to 06 hours the flight as we do not need him to travel on a full stomach. However, make sure your pet has access to water at all times, otherwise he will get dehydrated.

What if my pet feels like peeing and pooping when on the flight?

It is usually puppies and kittens that cannot control nature’s call. Most pets on shorter journey’s control their toileting, since they would prefer not to sit in their pee and poop.