Traveling with pets: airline rules and tips

More and more people decide to travel with their dog, cat or pet. For this, it is important to know which airlines allow animals on board, as well as the rules of the rest of the means of transport. On the other hand, know the best destinations to go with your partner.

Below you have an index with all the points that we are going to deal with in this article.

By plane

Each airline has specific requirements when it comes to transporting your pet on the plane. These are the ones with two different options:

• Argentinian airlines: dogs and cats allowed. In the cabin they will have to be more than 45 days old and weigh less than 9 kg. If they exceed this weight, they can go in the cellar.
• Aeromexico: in the cabin they can go a maximum of six hours and must weigh less than 9 kg. Up to 45 kg are accepted in the cellar.
• Air Europa: dogs, cats, birds, fish, aquarium turtles and some rodents are accepted in the cabin. The maximum weight is 8 kg. The other animals, such as ferrets, can go in the cellar.
• Air France: dogs and cats up to 10 weeks. In the cabin if they weigh less than 8 kg. In the hold, up to 75 kg and three animals per passenger are allowed.
• Avianca (TACA): on non-transoceanic flights, cats and dogs are allowed in the cabin. In the cellar, they can weigh up to 20 kg and can go a maximum of 5 hours. They must be older than 8 months.
• Binter Canarias: in the cabin up to 8 kg. The rest must go in the cellar.
• Copa Airlines: dogs and cats older than 8 weeks, in the cabin those of less than 9 kg. Small birds only within Colombia.
• Iberia: any type of animal. If you go in the cabin, you can weigh up to 8 kg, the rest in the hold of the plane. The conditions of Air Nostrum are the same.

Conditions for taking a dog in the airplane cabin

• Interjet: the maximum weight in the cabin is 5 kg. In the cellar they can reach 50 kg. Only cats and dogs are allowed.
• KLM: in the cabin up to 8 kg. As checked baggage, the maximum is 75 kg.
• LATAM (LAN and TAM): dogs and cats that, if they go in the cabin, do not exceed 7 kg. In the cellar, up to 45 kg. Children under 8 months are not allowed.
• Lufthansa: up to 8 kg in the cabin, the rest in the hold.
• norwegian: in the cabin, cats and dogs of at least 8 weeks and up to 8 kg. The rest, along with checked luggage.
• Swiss: in the cabin, dogs and cats under 8 kg. In the cellar, the rest.
• TAP Portugal: dogs and cats up to 8 kg in the cabin. In the hold, maximum 45 kg, except for flights that stop in the US, Hungary, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands (maximum weight of 32 kg).
• Volaris: dogs and cats older than 4 months. In the cabin if they weigh less than 10 kg, in the hold up to 45 kg.

All companies require that the animal go in a cage in which it has enough space. This must be closed throughout the journey. If it is in the cabin, it is placed under the seat in front. The maximum weight indicated includes both the animal and the carrier.

Various veterinary documents are requested and an extra fee must be paid which varies depending on the company. Some of them have a transfer service for animals of any weight. However, they may not be on the same plane as the owner.

Transport of animals by plane

On the other hand, some companies only give one option for most of their flights:

• Avior: in the cellar with a maximum weight of 20 kg. In the cabin they can only go on flights to or from the United States.
• British Airways: only guide dogs in the cabin. In the cellar, the animals are managed by the IAG World Cargo company.
• Conviasa: Only cats and dogs are allowed, they must go in the cellar.
• Delta Air Lines: in the cabin, dogs and cats for a minimum of 10 weeks for national trips, 16 for international and 15 for within the European Union. Domestic birds only within the US. Forbidden to go in the cellar during the summer.
• jet blue: no wine cellar option. In the cabin, cats dogs up to 9 kg.
• Singapore Airlines: they can only go in the cellar. Dogs and cats older than 6 months.
• Sky Airline: dogs and cats can go in the hold, but sedated.
• United Airlines: Within the US, cats, small dogs, rabbits and domesticated birds are allowed in the cabin. On international flights it varies.
• Viva Aerobus: only cats and dogs up to 32 kg can go in the cabin. Guide dogs in the cabin.
• Vueling: dogs, cats, bird, fish and aquarium turtles allowed. The maximum weight is 8 kg and they go in the cabin. They do not move in the warehouse.

Airlines with restrictions on the transport of animals

As for the companies that they do not allow Animals on board, with the exception of guide dogs, are the following:

• the easy family of brands.
• Ryanair
• Wizzair

By train

In the case of Spain, the main railway operator is Renfe. The conditions for traveling with animals depend on the type of train:

• AVE and Long Distance- Dogs, cats, ferrets, and non-poultry are allowed. The maximum weight is 10 kg. Each traveler can bring only one animal. This must be inside a cage whose dimensions do not exceed 60x35x35 cm. Depending on the rate, it will be free or with a charge.
• Media Distancia and Avant: the requirements of the animals are the same. If one is transported, an extra 25% must be paid with respect to the General Rate.
• Suburban Rail: known in Catalonia as Rodalies. It is not necessary to carry the animal in a cage, but it will have to be on a leash and muzzle. Also, you don't have to pay more.

Conditions for traveling by train with your pet

Therefore, a drawback of traveling by AVE or long and medium distance trains is that you will not be able to go with your dog if it is large.

If you plan to travel with a dog for Europe, you will not have great impediments, since most companies accept them. In the case of the ICE (InterCity Express) train, they must go either in a carrier or with a leash and muzzle. This model goes through the following countries:

• Germany
• Austria
• Belgium
• Denmark
• France
• The Netherlands
• Switzerland

By car

Another way to go on vacation with your dog is by land. The law does not include any prohibition, it only indicates that the animals do not bother or obscure the driver.

Methods to transport your pet by car

There are different methods of taking a dog in the car. The most dangerous thing is to wear it loose. With a single hitch harness or seat belt carrier, collisions can be dangerous.

The two-hook harness is more stable. On the other hand, one of the best options is to place the carrier on the floor of the vehicle, between the front and back seats.

If you want your pet to have more mobility, another alternative is to place a dividing grid between the boot and the rest of the vehicle. However, a collision could be serious for the animal.

The dividing grid for pets to travel safely

Therefore, according to the DGT (General Directorate of Traffic) the safest way for both passengers and animals is to combine the carrier with the dividing grid. The same can be applied to the van and the motorhome.

You can travel in Blablacar with your pet as long as the driver agrees. Cats are usually more nervous during transfers, so you can give them a sedative, as long as you check with your vet beforehand.

Traveling in Blablacar with your dog

By bus

The bus or omnibus is a more restrictive means of transport as far as transporting pets is concerned, although it can be ideal for a weekend getaway. Each company has its own rules: some allow you to travel with animals, while others don't.

Dogs, cats and other pets weighing up to 10 kilos can go in Alsa company vehicles. They must go in the cellar and inside a cage.

The Mexican bus company Futura also allows it. If it is a long journey, the animal must go sedated. In the case of Primera Plus, sedation is also a requirement.

When numbing an animal, it is important to heed the veterinarian's recommendations. Otherwise, it could be dangerous for the dog or cat.

The option to sedate the dog during the trip

In Argentina it is prohibited in most buses or long distance buses. As for the Chilean company Turbus, the only exception applies to the case of guide dogs.

Boat

Some animals are also welcome by boat or ferry. In Buquebus you can go a dog, cat or bird per traveler. The maximum weight allowed is 6 kilos and it has to travel in a carrier or inside the car.

As for Baleària, when making the reservation, you have to choose between a small cage (under 30 kg), a large cage or your own carrier. The price is € 10, except in the following lines, which is free:

• Ibiza-Formentera
• Algeciras-Ceuta
• Algeciras-Tangier

With Fred Olsen they can go in a cage, as long as they weigh less than 6 kg. At Grimaldi Lines, if they exceed this limit, they are accommodated in a kennel. In addition, they can take a walk on the outside of the boat.

Traveling with your pet with Grimaldi Lines

They can also go out with Naviera Armas. In this case, they can go inside if they do not weigh more than 10 kg and are inside a carrier. When taking them out, they have to wear a leash. Dogs of breeds considered dangerous must wear a muzzle.

In the Transmediterranea fleet, dogs, cats and harmless animals are allowed. They will go in a cage of 50x40x25 cm or, if they do not fit, with a strap and a muzzle. On the ferries there is a booth area set up.

Destinations

To travel to any country with your dog, it must carry a chip, have up-to-date vaccinations and have a veterinary certificate. Also, for some destinations, they need a passport. Some places are more recommendable than others.

France

France is a country that respects animals, so they support people traveling here with them. In most restaurants they let the dogs pass. However, there is usually a size limit.

Enjoy Paris with your dog

In addition, it is a place with large parks and green areas, ideal for our pet to exercise and enjoy. There are even shopping centers where they are admitted.

Panama

In recent years, Panama has begun to open up to a world more pet friendly. There are already some accommodations in which pets can sleep. Also, there are usually no problems on the terraces of the establishments.

Traveling with your dog to Panama

United States

Although it depends on each area, in the United States we find states and cities in which the dog is one of the community. In the case of New York, there are restaurants with menus for these.

However, the territory that stands out the most is San Francisco. Here you can enter with them to some attractions and monuments. In addition, as its inhabitants have so many dogs, they have many comforts.

Cross the Golden Gate of San Francisco with a dog

Portugal

In Portugal you can also eat on the restaurant terraces accompanied by your pet. Also, it is not difficult to find accommodation for both, although it depends on the area.

Dog friendly beaches in Portugal

The first Portuguese beach where dogs are allowed is that of Porto de Areia North, in Peniche. However, year after year more areas will join this initiative.

Argentina

Argentina is another Latin American country that is gradually accepting travelers with dogs to a greater extent. Especially in Buenos Aires, you will have no problem finding a pet-friendly accommodation.

Buenos Aires, increasingly pet-friendly

Other corners of the country to visit with your partner are Mendoza, Tierra del Fuego and Mar de Plata.

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