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While each traditional airline has a specific pet policy, there are some trends and rules that most follow.
Carry-on
- Pets small enough to fit in a crate under a seat can be considered carry-on luggage
- Pets must remain in the crate in the boarding area and during the flight
- There are limits to how many animals are allowed on a flight, so book early
- One pet is allowed per person at no extra charge
- Some areas in the world have strict pet regulations, such as Hawaii and South Africa. Check before leaving
- Pets permitted in the cabin include dogs, cats and household birds
Check-in
- Cats, dogs, household birds, guinea pigs, rabbits and hamsters are accepted as checked baggage
- Airlines will not accept animals as checked baggage during extreme weather
- Two pets of the same type may be allowed in one kennel, for example two dogs or two cats of the same breed
- The one-way fare for a pet on a domestic flight is usually around $200
Cargo
- This service is used to ship a pet that is traveling without an owner
- Only warm-blooded mammals and birds considered to be personal pets or show/exhibition animals will be accepted
- Animals must be considered non-offensive and not dangerous to passengers or baggage handlers
