Dear Sky Steward,

I am planning on traveling with my toy poodle in the next month and then periodically for the rest of the year. To be completely honest, I am a bit nervous about it. What do airlines charge for pets to travel and what are the policies? BTW, the last time I traveled with my pet, I was barked at by a flight attendant because I took my pet out for a little bit of “togetherness” during a long flight. Do you think this is right?

Regards,

Animal Lover from Anaheim

Dear Animal Lover,

The Sky Steward loves pets and would prefer they roam freely about the aircraft, but that could cause a “messy” situation. On one flight a passenger decided to let her miniature poodle poke its head out of its carrier. Moments later the pet escaped from the carrier and somehow ended up in the cockpit (true story). Although the pet was looking for food rather than a chance to commandeer the plane, these regulations are in place to keep things safe and comfortable for everyone. He would suggest placing your hand into the carrier to pet your furry friend if necessary. The Sky Steward has seen more and more emotional support animals on board which requires documentation*, but hopefully this option would not apply to most passengers.

The Sky Steward applauds your proactive approach to traveling with your small pet and maintaining proper Jetiquette when it comes to pet travel.  He recommends that you check the website of the airline you intend to fly with since each airline maintains its own policies and they are subject to change. The table below provides airline pet fees for pets traveling in the aircraft cabin and provides a link to airline pet travel pages on each airline’s site. If you are traveling with a larger pet (which must travel as “checked” in the cargo compartment), these guidelines are also displayed on these pages.  Also remember to make a reservation for your pet since there are limits to the number of pets that may be accommodated in the cabin.

	The Jet List Podcast
Jetiquette with The Sky Steward on Upgrd.com	Jetiquette with The Sky Steward on Upgrd Network

Additionally, here are a few tips to make your flight with you pet a pleasant one:

• Make sure you have the right carrier that appeals to your pet’s comfort and your taste. (remember not to embarrass your pet)
• Place a familiar blanket and/or soft toy in the pet carrier for extra comfort
• Make sure that you allow extra time at the airport to take your pet outside for a rest-stop just before proceeding to the gate
• If your pet gets anxious when traveling, check with your veterinarian for advice
• Bring a leash but do not leave it on your pet when in carrier
• Do not feed your pet the of travel to avoid motion sickness
• If your pet has short fur, make sure that your pet is wearing clothing since aircraft floor can be drafty
• Have small treats available for a light snack en route (very limited amount)
• Make sure you have napkins and a plastic bag in the event of an in-flight mishap (dispose of in lavatory)
• Be discreet since you will not be allowed to remove pet from its carrier to meet-and-greet its many airport fans (people just love pets on planes!)

*Traveling with a pet as an emotional support animal requires that the passenger have a letter on the letterhead of a licensed mental health professional stating that the passenger has a mental health disability and that the emotional support animal is essential to the passenger’s mental health. The airline may not ask for details regarding the type of mental illness. Emotional support animals may be out of their carriers during the flight just as service animals are allowed.

Do you have a pet travel tip you’d like to share with the world? Post your comments below!

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