Size Matters
In this blog, I focus on small to medium-sized dogs that fulfill the requirements for traveling on board. I provide an overview of the requirements and offer insights as a frequent flyer experienced traveling with my dog in cabin.
Size absolutely matters when it comes to traveling with your dog. If I had to dispatch my dog in the cargo hold every time, I wouldn’t bring her along as frequently as I do. If you are a frequent flyer and contemplating adopting a pup to accompany you on your adventures, take my advice: the smaller, the better!
I agree that embarking on an epic hike with a chihuahua may not sound overly exciting. However, you don’t necessarily have to go that small. There are numerous medium-sized breeds and mixes that adore the outdoors and make fantastic travel companions.
Making the Reservation
Once you have decided to bring your dog along, you must contact your airline immediately to reserve their spot. Most flights have a limit of two live animals per flight, so if there are already other pets booked, you might be out of luck. To be on the safe side, I recommend making this call even before booking your own flight.
It’s important to note that bringing a pet on board incurs a fee, which varies depending on the airline and the travel route. Keep in mind that these fees can be quite high. For instance, I recently inquired about taking my dog from Turkey to Brazil with Turkish Airlines, the cost is 250 EUR each way.
Lara won’t be joining me in Brazil.
However, I have flown with her across Europe, and the usual fee amounts to approximately 50 EUR.
Documentation
Your dog’s vaccination card serves as their passport. For international flights, it is essential to ensure the following:
- All your dog’s vaccines are up to date.
- Most countries require the Rabies shot as a mandatory vaccination.
- Your dog should have an International 15-digit Microchip.
- Obtain a recent letter from a veterinarian confirming your dog’s good health.
Additionally, it is crucial to check the requirements of both the country you are departing from and the country you are flying into. Even for layovers, where you may not be leaving the airport, there might be additional requirements imposed by that particular country. Typically, this entails printing specific forms for each country, filling them out, and sometimes submitting them for approval before your flight.
The sooner you clarify the necessary preparations for your trip, the better. I advise you to start the process as early as possible.
Weight
Lara, my 3-year-old Standard Schnauzer, weighs between 8 and 9.5 kg, depending on the season. The weight limit for dogs varies among airlines, but the majority require a maximum weight of 8 kg, including the weight of the carrier. Despite Lara being slightly over the limit, I have managed to make it work every time.
If your dog is slightly over the weight limit, my recommendation is to always write down 8 kg when filling out the forms. In most instances when I have flown with Lara, nobody has bothered to weigh her. They assume that if she fits comfortably in the carrier, she must be the appropriate weight. In the rare occasion that she has been weighed, most airline attendants do not make an issue if the carrier is 1 kg over. So far, I have been fortunate to travel with my dog in cabin every time, and I plan to test my luck for as long as possible.
The best carry on duffle backpack
Carrier
Finding the right carrier for your dog can be a time-consuming task, depending on their size. For very small dogs like chihuahuas or pomeranians, almost any carrier will suffice. However, for medium-sized dogs like Schnauzers, Poodles, or Shiba Inus, different carrier shapes will fit differently.
I conducted extensive research before making a purchase, and I’m grateful that I did because it has turned out to be one of the best investments I’ve ever made. Each airline has its own guidelines, but all of them require the carrier to be spacious enough for the dog to comfortably stand up and turn around. Additionally, the carrier must fit properly under the seat in front of you. During my search, I took Lara to several pet shops to try out different carriers, but none of them worked. I needed a carrier that had a slightly taller height in the middle so she could stand comfortably.
Ultimately, I chose an L size carrier from Sturdi Products, and it has been the perfect travel bag for my dog. True to its name, it is sturdy and provides excellent ventilation. It also features easy access zippers, allowing me to keep a close eye on my pet at all times.
K9 Sport Sack
Another product that has been really great to have during trips has been the K9 Sport Sack. I use this bag mostly when I want to bring Lara along on a biking trip, and when we are traveling to places with large crowds. Our recent trip to Turkey would not have been the same without this bag. It just made it so much easier to navigate the crowded markets without worrying Lara would get stepped on.
PetMate Sky Kennel
Fortunately, I have not encountered a situation where I had to send Lara in the cargo hold. However, I am aware that many airlines only allow pets to travel in the cabin on flights up to 6 hours in duration. Anything longer than 6 hours typically requires pets to be dispatched in the cargo hold, with Turkish Airlines being an exception. As I anticipate the possibility of needing to bring Lara on a trans-Atlantic flight again in the future, and due to my paranoia about her potentially exceeding the weight limit for the cabin, I have one of these asa backup.
This is the type of kennel you need if your dog will travel in the cargo hold, no matter what size they are.
To some, traveling with a pet may seem like a daunting and complicated process. However, when you share a strong bond with your dog like I do with Lara, all the bureaucratic requirements become worth it to bring them along on the adventure. Traveling with my dog in cabin has enhanced my own travel experiences. It’s simply a matter of being organized and efficiently ticking off the checklist. Although it can be a bit of a headache, once you understand the process, it gets easier every time. Good luck!
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