Is Flying with Pet Safe? Learn to Carry Your Pet on Flight

Planning to travel with pets can be a daunting task. As pet parents, we know that nothing matters as much as the safety and comfort of your baby while traveling, and so you may have some questions when it comes to the relocation process. Is flying with my pet safe? How do I travel with my pet? The answer is yes, it is very safe to fly with your pet. More often than not when a pet has to be transported or moved, it is via air due to the shortest travel time involved, as well as the ability to travel long distances in shorter periods when compared to road or railways. If a pet is being relocated internationally, then it is almost impossible to avoid a plane journey.

Flight Policy for Domestic Pet Transportation Flights

• Only Air India allows pets to fly domestically in India. Small pets such as dogs, cats, and birds are accepted on Air India domestic flights, in the cabin or in the cargo hold. The pet must be accompanied with a valid Health Certificate and Rabies Vaccination certificates.
• The pet must be properly carried in soft ventilated bags/kennel in the prescribed size (kennel size not to exceed 18” x 18” x 12”). The weight of the pet including the container should not exceed 5 kgs. for carriage in the cabin.
• Pets of larger size/weight will be carried in the cargo hold. Dogs and cats must be at least 8 weeks of age to travel. A maximum of two pets are permitted in cabin per flight. Pregnant pets will not be accepted.
• A label will be affixed on the container showing the name of the pet. A moisture absorbent mat must be placed in the container. The pet dog must be properly muzzled and leashed. The Pets/Guide Dogs will not be allowed to occupy a passenger seat.
• Pet animals can be carried as an accompanied baggage or shipped as Cargo. Bookings can be made for pets as Accompanied Baggage/Excess Baggage through Air India reservations.
• Pets will be carried at an additional charge and will not be included in the Free Baggage Allowance, even if the passenger has no other baggage. Normal Excess Baggage Charges will be applicable for carriage of accompanied pets on domestic shifting within India. Weight of the pet plus container as well as food carried per container will be charged.

Flight Policy for International Pet Transportation Flights

• Animals such as dogs, cats, and other pets when properly crated and accompanied by valid health and vaccination certificates, entry permits, and other documents required by countries of entry and/or transit will provisionally be accepted for carriage, with the advance agreement of carrier.
• All Passengers intending to Import/Export pets into/from India from/for all countries as baggage are required to comply with applicable regulations and to have No Objection Certificate/Pre-import Clearance from Animal Quarantine & Certification Service (AQCS) in India, before the commencement of the journey to India.
• The import/export of pets by passengers having the requisite clearance & permission from Animal Quarantine & Certification Service – India (AQCS) can only be done via 6 Airports in India presently viz. BANGALORE (BLR)/CHENNAI (MAA)/DELHI (DEL)/HYDERABAD (HYD)/KOLKATA (CCU)/MUMBAI (BOM).
• The import/export of the pets has to be done only from the port/s mentioned on the permission obtained by the passenger. For example, if the permission to import/export/relocate a pet has been granted by the AQCS office in DELHI, then the first port of arrival for this pet will only be DELHI.

Existing Air India Policy for International Flights:

• Pet must be properly carried in soft ventilated bags/kennels in the prescribed size. (Kennel size not to exceed 18″x18″x12″)
• The pet must be properly muzzled and leashed and the weight of the pet including the container should not exceed 5kgs.
• Valid health and rabies vaccination certificates.
• Entry permits and other documents required by countries of entry or transit.
• Pet accepted at owner’s risk and Air India will not be responsible in the event of such pets being refused entry into or passage through any country or territory.
• The owner will be responsible for compliance with all governmental customs and health requirements, including quarantine arrangements at destinations.
• The owner will assume all the risks of injury, sickness or death of the pet accepted for carriage.
• A declaration indemnifying the airline will be obtained from the passenger.
• The owner must ensure their pets meet the quarantine requirements. Pets may be subjected to quarantine at destination at the owner’s expense. The quarantine period may vary and would be at the discretion of the vet authorities at destination.

Important Notices:

• Pets will be accepted only when properly crated and accompanied by valid documentation e.g., Official health certificate from the country of origin certifying that the cat or dog is free from clinical sign and symptoms of all infectious and contagious diseases including Rabies, Distemper, Leptospirosis etc, entry permits and all other documents required by countries of entry for transit of Pets.
• The dog and cat (three months of age and older) must be vaccinated against Rabies more than one month prior to travel, but within 12 months prior to actual embarkation and all details shall be officially certified or mentioned in the official Health certificate. Also, all other vaccination record/detail shall be officially certified or mentioned in the official Health Certificate.
• The name of owner in the official health certificate must match with the name as mentioned in the ticket of owner to establish ownership. Passengers booking reference must include a remark indicating that he/she will travel with a pet.
• Pets will be carried at an additional charge and will not be included in the Free Baggage Allowance, even if the passenger has no other baggage, to the exception for Guide/Service Dogs. Normal excess baggage charges will be applied according to the baggage system applicable, i.e., piece or weight, for carriage of accompanied pets. Weight of the pet plus container, as well as food carried per container, will be charged.
• Carriage of Pets is not permitted either in the Hold or Cabin on Ultra Long Haul (ULH) Sectors (Direct Flights), the only exception being service dogs required to assist the blind or deaf, which may be carried in the cabin.

Look for Expert Advice

There is a lot of paperwork and planning before you can fly your dog anywhere. A lot of safety and comfort boxes have to be ticked, especially for our furry friends, so make sure you plan well and take expert help so that they can speak to an airline company and help you in arranging all the necessary services before traveling.