Traveling with pets can be a thrilling adventure for both pets and their owners. It not only allows pets to explore the world, but it also allows their humans to create lasting memories with their pets.
However, friendly skies aren’t always that way. Even the most seasoned travelers can find flying daunting, what with navigating crowded airports, cramming into tiny seats, and paying exorbitant fares. Consider how stressful this can be for your dog. We will go through some pre-steps to follow your dog to the plane comfortably. Let’s check out how!
Steps to Follow Before Taking Your Dog on Airplane
There are different pet policies by different airlines to follow. You will need to see the guidelines before taking your pet with you.
Before Flying with Your Dog, Choose the Best Options
All airline pet policies are not the same. While some airlines provide luxurious options such as “Cuddle Class” in first class, others may not allow your dog to fly at all. It’s not just a matter of space—for liability reasons, some airlines refuse to fly dogs in the cargo hold. You can take your dog for airplane travel as cargo or in the cabin as per Lufthansa Airlines pet policy. However, some airlines restrict breeds, primarily those with shortened airways which may have difficulty breathing aboard the plane in cargo, especially under stress.
Prevent the Dog’s Comfort
Each airline has its own policies, but in general, you can bring an animal weighing up to 20 pounds into the cabin, and their carrier must fit under the seat in front of you without impeding your seatmates’ access to the aisle. If it is a large dog, it will most likely need to be transported in a hard-sided carrier in the cargo hold. This can be accomplished by having pets practice placing in the carrier at home, rewarding them with high-value treats (cheese, pieces of meat, etc.), and familiarizing them with the flying sound or by playing the sounds through your phone or speaker. As per Alaska Pet Travel policy, for instance, you will get the best comfort from the attendants for your pet.
Consider Whether to Take Your Pet on Vacation
Before you even think about bringing your dog on a flight, you should think about whether it’s worth it. While you may enjoy having your companion with you at home and prefer that they always be by your side, this is not the case when moving by air. Unluckily, not all destinations welcome dogs, and carrying a dog with you while traveling can be a burden on you as well as very stressful for your pet. And this is after a particularly tense flight!
Can you bring your pet along on your outings? How much time will they have to spend at your place if you are not there? Is it even permissible for them to be alone in your hotel room or short-term rental? How much will it cost to bring them along or have them obstruct your enjoyment of your trip? All of these are very real considerations that must be made. Check out Lufthansa Dog Policy here.
Also read: How You Can Avail of the Air Canada Unaccompanied Minor Deals
Travel in Cabin with Your Pet
Some of the dogs are over-pampered and don’t want to stay aloof. Make sure for such pets you book in cabin class and be there with them. It’s also not a good idea to take out your pet from the carrier unless it is actually needed, so put some pee pads and change them as soon as your pet needs to go. When you bring the dog into the cabin, the other passengers may become uneasy.
Wrap Up
Ready to take your dog on the next flight? Consider these tips when you are flying with your dog; it will help them travel in comfort too. Make your dog acclimatize with the flight milieu before traveling. Happy Travel with your fur friend!
