Flying with an In-Cabin Pet

Introduction

Hi everyone. Today, I wanted to talk about what it’s like to fly commercially with an in-cabin pet. I have flown with Levi five times now on multiple airlines and thought it would be fun to talk about the entire process in both an educational way and from my firsthand experience.

Preparation

When you buy your plane ticket, most airlines require that you make a reservation for an in-cabin pet and/or pay a fee. This varies by the airline but each should have the specific instructions online. United Airlines has you pay and add it to your ticket when you book, whereas Southwest has you call and then pay the fee when you check in at the airport. Each airline has their own regulations too. Typically, they specify the pet should be under 25 lbs and in a carrier that will fit under the seat. This can vary by plane but a carrier that is 11 inches height by 11 inches width by 18 inches length will typically fit most under seat spaces. They do also state that the pet must not be disruptive and require little attention.

My dog, Levi, has trazodone prescribed for anxiety which I do give him two hours before travel. I think that he could manage without it but I prefer to make the trip as easy for him as possible. Similarly, it’s important to plan your pet’s meals and activity. I make sure Levi has two hours minimum to digest before we travel and I try to get his energy out as much as possible. That means going for a long walk, playing in the park, or any form of exercise.

Lastly, it’s very important to make sure that your dog is desensitized to the crate. Leading up to any trip, I practice having him climb into the crate and sitting in it. I use treats to build a positive association with the crate so that he understands it’s not a bad thing. The crate that I use has detachable wheels so I make sure to wheel Levi around on different kinds of floor surfaces. Depending on your pet, you may also need to practice with the crate in busy public areas where there’s lots of noise.

Training Levi to climb into the travel crate on his own.

Wheeling Levi around to get him used to it.

At the Airport

On the day of the flight, I always try to arrive at the airport extra early. Most airlines require that you check in at a desk when you arrive, so the extra time is definitely needed. At this point typically they will look at your crate and have you fill out a tag for it. I have never had an issue with checking in, however this is where you’re most likely to be turned away. Airlines usually want your pet to be able to stand up, turn around, and lay back down in the crate, but in my experience I haven’t been asked this. Every airline and person helping you check in may approach it differently.

For Levi, the most stressful part of traveling comes after check in. When going through security, you have to take your pet out of the carrier and carry them through a metal detector. One of the security agents will swab both of your hands after going through the metal detector. When I go through this part, I bring a carabiner with a fabric handle attached to it. This allows me to clip it to his collar and put him down while they swab my hands. It’s also easier than carrying a leash because I can clip it to the crate when not in use. After getting through security Levi goes back in his crate. Teaching your dog a reliable sit and down so that they can settle into the crate has been very helpful for me.

The carabiner and handle for getting through security.

Once we arrive at the gate, all that’s left is to wait to board. The crate I use for Levi has expandable sides so that while we wait he can have extra space to stretch out. Many people walk their pet or carry them in their arms through the airport which is technically not allowed. You can get kicked out of the airport for this, however I have never seen anyone have an issue with this as long as the pet is behaving and not bothering anyone. For Levi, he’s actually calmer in the crate than walking around so I just leave him in it.

Waiting to board the plane.

When boarding the plane, it’s mostly the same as normal boarding, except your pet goes under the seat in front of you. When it comes to choosing a seat, any seat will work, it all comes to personal preference. The aisle seat usually has less under seat room than the other two, but it’s easier to get your stuff from the overhead during and after the flight.

After the Flight

Once you land, there‘s not much to do aside from getting your things and leaving the airport. When traveling with an in-cabin pet, I almost always have to check a bag. Since this whole process can be many hours, I try to find somewhere for Levi to go potty. Most airports have pet relief areas outside of security, so I will usually look up the map of the airport to get a general idea and then follow the signs to it. These pet relief areas are typically small fenced areas outside of the airport. Some of these areas can be pretty gross but it’s worth it to make the stop if you’ve been traveling for a long time or have a long car ride ahead of you. Levi is trained to go potty on command which is super helpful for traveling, but you can definitely let your pet walk around and sniff to find a spot they’re comfortable with.

The pet relief area at the airport.

Conclusion

So that’s my experience traveling with an in-cabin pet. I hope you enjoyed reading my blog and maybe   found it helpful when considering if you can or should travel commercially with your pet.