 | Small Pet Under the Seat: $70-$175 |
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 | Medium to Large Dogs: $225-$1,000 |
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| Traveling with pets, especially dogs and cats, is becoming increasingly popular and airlines are increasingly accommodating to companion animals. | | |
| Typical costs: | - Shipping a pet by airplane typically costs $70 -$1,000 each way, depending on the pet's size and distance traveled.
- A small dog or cat kept under the seat costs from $70 to $175 depending on the airline.
- Medium to very large dogs cost from $225 to $1,000 to fly, depending on the weight of the animal, distance flown and airline.For example, Frontier Airlines charges $75 each way for pets under the seat and $150 for pets flying as cargo.
- At the high end, Pet Air flies very large dogs in a jumbo, 31-cubic-foot kennel for $1,000.
- The cost can increase 30% and 40% for trips outside the 48 contiguous states.
What should be included: | - Pet airline tickets should be purchased online or over the phone along with the passenger ticket.
- Preparation for traveling with a pet includes labeling the carrier it will travel in, making the carrier comfortable and providing a bag of food for handlers to feed it. The Air Transport Association provides information on preparing a pet for flight.
- Pets in the cabin must not disturb or be in the way of other passengers. The Federal Aviation Administration has a list of generally accepted airline regulations for traveling pets.
- Pet Airways is a pets-only airline available in big cities. Pets fly in the main cabin and are checked on by attendants every 15 minutes. Pet Airways tickets cost $100 to $750, depending on the pet's size and the distance traveled.
Additional costs: | - Typically, airlines require a certificate from a veterinarian deeming the pet healthy. The average veterinary visit costs about $100.
- Carriers, also called crates or kennels, cost from $50 to $200 depending on size and features. The carrier should be large enough for the pet to stand up and turn around in.
- Pet health insurance is recommended for frequent travelers. It costs from $15 to $30 per month for most pets.
- If traveling with a pet often, the car club AAA's pet travel guide could be a good investment. It costs $18.
Discounts: | - Some airlines, like JetBlue, offer mileage points for pet travel.
Shopping for pet air travel: | - Tips for traveling by airplane with a pet include booking a direct flight and considering traveling during and in mild climates when the pet is shipped by cargo.
- Petfinder.com chose JetBlue, AirTran, Frontier Airlines and Pet Airways as the most pet friendly airlines. JetBlue has the best amenities; AirTran won most budget-conscious; Frontier was best for variety of pets it allows on board.
- The American Veterinary Medical Association and several other pet organizations advise against sedating a pet for air travel. A sedated pet could face breathing or heart problems, and many airlines require a signed statement that the traveling pet has not been sedated.
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Article updated January 2011 |
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