When deciding to take a trip, whether for work, tourism or even as a change of country, you may have many doubts about how to travel with your dog by plane for the first time.
Thinking about it, the matter can really be confusing, since there is no specific Brazilian legislation, each country has its own health requirements and each airline has its own rules that usually vary between national or international flights.
And, no matter how hard it is, each measure is very important as a precaution to maintain your pet’s well-being throughout the journey.
With that in mind, at a time when pet tourism is a trend, ensuring that your best friend doesn’t get left behind is our obligation.
And for that reason, PETFriendly Turismo has prepared this content for you to know step by step how to travel with your dog by plane.
Basic rules for traveling with a dog by plane
The first thing you need to keep in mind is that the rules for traveling with a dog on a plane are completely different from guide dogs or emotional support dogs. In this article, for example, we will only focus on pets.
As we have seen before, the rules vary between companies, however some measures are permanent.
When deciding to travel by plane, it is very important that you book your pet’s space on the flight, as spaces are usually limited and may take a while to be confirmed, depending on the company.
To reserve space, companies charge a one-way fee, which may vary from one company to another such as:
- Place of Transport (cabin or hold)
- Flight model (if national or international);
- Size of animal (Small, medium or large) .
In addition, your dog must remain inside the kennel (pet transport crates) for the entire trip, even if he is allowed to go in the cabin with you.
What are the main companies to travel with your dog by plane
To make your choice easier, PETFriendly Turismo has separated the main airlines and what the rules of each one are so you know exactly how to travel with your dog by plane , whether this is a domestic or international flight.
Also, be aware that the airline may change your seat, this may be to give you more space if you have your pet in the cabin or if another passenger is allergic to dogs and needs to keep their distance.
Domestic flight
On domestic flights, most companies allow you to travel with your pet, however some are limited to small animals. For you to decide more freely, we list the ones that accept dogs of the most varied sizes:
- Gol: to travel with the animal in the cabin it must be at least 4 months old and the maximum weight is 10 kg, in the aircraft hold the weight is from 10 kg to 30 kg .
- < strong>Latam: your pet must be at least 8 weeks old and in the cabin the maximum weight is 7 kg and in the hold the accepted weight is up to 45 kg .
In both companies the maximum weight of the animals is the result of the weight of the animal added to the weight of the kennel.
International Flight
On international flights, so you don’t have doubts about how to travel with your dog by plane, we’ve divided the list into flights to Europe and the United States.
See the European airlines that accept animals:
- Tap Air Portugal: here it is possible to travel in the cabin and in the hold, however the company does not make reservations for the hold in brachycephalic animals, that is short and flat muzzled dogs and cats. This is because many of them have respiratory problems which can endanger the life of the pet;
- Lufthansa: to go in the cabin it must weigh up to 8 kg, in the hold there is no maximum weight, so any animal over 8 kg can travel. Flat-nosed dogs should consult the company;
- Iberia: pets up to 8 kg are allowed in the cabin, above that the pets go to the plane’s hold. The company has special conditions for brachycephalic and considered a dangerous breed.
The good news about traveling with dogs to the United States is that some airlines such as Latam and Lufthansa allow two dogs to travel per passenger, as long as they are in the same kennel and are of the same species.
So, see which companies accept animals on trips to the USA.
- Delta: to travel in the cabin there is no maximum weight, however your dog must fit comfortably in a kennel that is compatible below the seat. The company does not allow animals to travel in the hold, instead they offer the option to send your pet with Delta Cargo;
- American Airlines : Last year the company temporarily stopped allowing the transport of animals in the plane’s hold, on the other hand, transport in the cabin is still allowed and without maximum weight. The animal must fit comfortably in a kennel that fits under the seat in front of it;
- Latam and Gol: these companies use the same standard of domestic flights mentioned in the topic above.
In all cases of international flights, your dog must be at least 4 months old, the weight is the sum of the animal plus the kennel and the pet reservation request can be approved up to 48 hours before the trip, so don’t leave it to the last minute.
What documents are required to travel with a dog by plane?
After checking the rules of each airline and making sure where you and your 4-legged child will travel, it is necessary to provide the documentation.
This way, in order not to have any doubts about how to travel with your dog by plane, write down the necessary documents to travel inside and outside the country.
Documentation on domestic flights
Traveling within Brazil, things are much simpler. You will need to provide a vaccination card and a health certificate:
- Vaccination card: Here, you will need to have proof of rabies vaccination, with the name of the producing laboratory, type of vaccine and number of the ampoule used. To be all right with your documentation, the vaccine must be applied at the veterinarian for more than 30 days and less than a year;
- Certificate of Health: this document needs to be issued by a veterinarian no later than 10 days before the flight. The certificate must state that the animal is fit for travel.
Documentation on international flights
Here things get a little complicated. To give you an idea, the whole process can take up to 8 months to complete and be complete for the trip.
Your pet must have an International Animal Health Certificate (CZI). Here in Brazil, the CZI can only be issued by a federal agricultural inspector (Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply – MAPA), with a degree in Veterinary Medicine, from the International Agricultural Surveillance.
If your destination is Mercosur countries (Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Venezuela), you can opt for the Dog and Cat Transit Passport, which certifies the same things as the documents required within Brazil.
However, this Passport does not replace the need for electronic identification of the animal (microchip), which can be done in units of the International Agricultural Surveillance System located at airports and the issuance of the CZI on each trip.
Documentation for the USA
- Have the anti-flea and vermifuge always up to date;
- It is recommended to apply the Microchip to your pet (at a recognized and reputable veterinary clinic or hospital – so that the chip is valid – ISO 11784 and ISO 11785 standard). The microchip needs to be applied before the vaccine;
- Give your pet the rabies vaccine (30 days in advance);
- Get a Health Certificate with the responsible veterinarian by your pet (with a maximum date of 10 days before the trip);
- Get the CZI (International Zoosanitary Certificate) from the Ministry of Agriculture (with a maximum date of 10 days of the trip).
Documentation for Europe
To travel to Europe with your pet, you must have all the documents required by the United States and more:
- MANDATORY application of the microchip;
- Serology for Rabies (Anti-rabies) (blood collection – 30 days after the application of the rabies vaccine);
- Send Serology for a laboratory approved by the European Commission. The only Brazilian laboratory accredited since April 2020 is the Rabies Research Center at the University of São Paulo (USP).
- Sending the material to one of the laboratories across America that still perform the exam (Chile, Mexico or the United States), or even in Europe. See the laboratories authorized by the European Union;
- Wait for the result of the Serology and Quarantine test for 90 days (3 months) to be able to travel;
Is it necessary to arrive earlier at the airport?
To board any airline, you must check in your amicão up to 3 hours before at the airport.
In fact, it is recommended that you arrive 4 hours in advance and carry out all the necessary procedures.
That way, you do the whole procedure calmly and don’t transmit anxiety to your dog.
This is also a great opportunity for you to water your pet before boarding and walk your pet outside the airport so that it does its basic needs before entering the airport’s departure area.
After all, airlines do not allow your pet to relieve themselves on the plane, and therefore, it is recommended to bathe the dog as the entry of the animal with strong odors is prohibited.
So, even if your pet does everything before boarding, a tip we give is to line the kennel with a hygienic mat in order to avoid accidents.
How to travel with your dog by plane in a simplified way?
The best solution for you to travel with your 4-legged child is to seek solutions from PETFriendly Turismo.
Our specialists aim to ensure that you have a peaceful trip with your pets, avoiding any kind of headache.
After all, it’s really boring to want to travel and have a quiet moment and find yourself lost in the midst of so many necessary documents.
Therefore, talk to one of our dispatchers and ensure that the only surprise it will be your joy to be next to your pet!
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