The American Veterinary Medical Association has guidelines for air travel with pets (https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/traveling-your-pet-faq#plane). Before flying, get a complete vet check to ensure your pet is healthy enough for travel.
Contact your airline early to learn about their pet travel rules. Most airlines provide information on their websites about traveling with animals.
To avoid losing your pet during transit, book direct flights or those with minimal stops. Midweek flights are often less crowded, making travel easier for both you and your pet. Consider your pet's age, size, and feeding schedule when booking flights. During hot months, if your pet must travel beneath the plane, in the cargo area, choose early morning or late evening flights to so your pet doesn't become overheated.
Arrive at the airport early, exercise your pet lightly, and place it in a secure carrier approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Label the carrier with "LIVE ANIMAL" in large letters, and include your contact information.
Avoid tranquilizing your pet before flying. Ask your veterinarian for specific advice on ways to keep your pet calm during the flight, such as putting a favorite toy in its carrier or giving it a small snack during the flight. Many vets do not recommend giving a pet a sedative before flying in case the animal has a bad reaction to the drug while on the plane, such as collapse or difficulty breathing. If your pet is very stressed by traveling and must have a sedative, see how your pet reacts to the drug before you travel, so that you can adjust the dose if necessary.
Feed your pet a light meal at least 6 hours before departure. Freeze water in your pet’s bowl right before the trip to keep it cool during the flight. For trips over 24 hours, attach a bag of dry food to the crate for flight staff to use if needed.
Pick up your pet promptly upon arrival, but wait to let it out of the carrier until you're in a secure area to prevent escape.
If traveling to another country, translate important information on the carrier into the language of that country. Keep copies of your pet's medical records attached to the carrier, and carry additional copies with you. Include contact information for your vet and photos of your pet.
Microchips are a popular way to identify pets, and veterinarians generally have scanners to read them but may not in all countries. In addition to having standard ID tags, your pet’s collar should include a travel tag with your destination information.
For transporting horses by plane, contact a company that specializes in this type of transport and that can handle the paperwork and arrangements for you.
