Understandably, horror stories of animal deaths and injuries on airlines have made some owners hesitant to transport their pets on planes, but in many cases, there is no other option.
While it is preferable to travel with a pet in the cabin, most airlines only allow pets in a crate that can fit under the seat in front of you. Because of this, larger animals will need to be checked.
However, service dogs are allowed on aircraft without needing a carrier, but emotional support animals will need to be kept in a crate. Moreover, most airlines will charge for an emotional support animal, costing over $100 on airlines like United.
To give travelers peace of mind, Insider talked to airline cargo handlers to get the scoop on how pets are loaded into the belly of planes and tips on how to keep them comfortable during the journey.
Only a handful of US carriers offer pet transport via cargo, including Hawaiian Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Alaska Airlines, meaning the pets will ride in the belly of the plane.
Allegiant Air, Avelo Airlines, Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Spirit Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, and United Airlines only allow pets in the cabin.
The process of shipping a pet via cargo is simple as long as pet owners understand the industry's strict rules, like ensuring the pet's crate size is acceptable, making sure the pet is not a restricted breed, and checking the outside temperature is within safe margins.
According to the US Department of Agriculture, pets must be eight weeks or older to travel and brachycephalic, snub-nosed, or mixed breeds of snub-nosed animals are typically not allowed to fly due to health concerns.
Most airlines have a separate check-in area for pet owners shipping their animals via cargo. Owners are expected to provide two bowls for their pets, including one for water and one for food.
Once pets are checked in, cargo handlers deliver the animals to the aircraft where they are loaded into the belly of the plane. A former Delta cargo agent told Insider that pets are placed in a separate section of the cargo hold and secured for stability.
Most aircraft cargo compartments are temperature-controlled, meaning the pets will not overheat or freeze en route. However, some cargo areas do not have air conditioning, so pets may fly on a different flight from their owner.
It is also possible pets won't fly with their owner if the outside temperature is too hot or cold. Airlines will not accept pets for cargo if the temperature drops below 20 degrees Fahrenheit or above 80 or 85 degrees, depending on the carrier.
To make your pet as comfortable as possible, cargo handlers have offered advice based on experience, including using the biggest possible kennel to give them more space...
...providing a water bottle that attaches to the inside of the crate so it doesn't spill...
...giving them extra blankets in case they get cold...
...leaving a shirt or item with a familiar smell in the kennel...
...and strapping extra food and water to the crate so employees can water or feed them when handling between flights.
The DOT has also outlined tips for pet owners, including not giving them solid food within six hours of their flight and only putting them on nonstop journeys.
The travel service company said JetBlue and Alaska are the highest-ranked airlines for transporting animals.
"There are many reasons why travelers choose to take their furry companion with them on their flight, whether they're traveling for business, vacation, or visiting family over the holidays." Next Vacay CEO Naveen Dittakavi said. "Traveling with pets is more common than ever before."
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