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CostHelper > Pets & Pet Care  > Pet Air Travel

Pet Air Travel Cost


How Much Does Pet Air Travel Cost?

 
average costSmall Pet Under the Seat: $70-$175high costMedium to Large Dogs: $225-$1,000

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[1] charges $75 each way for pets under the seat and $150 for pets flying as cargo.
  • At the high end, Pet Air[2] 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.
Related articles: Shipping a Pet, Pet Carrier, Owning a Dog, Owning a Cat

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[3] 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[4] 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[5] , offer mileage points for pet travel.
Shopping for pet air travel:
  • Tips[6] 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[7] 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[8] 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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Flight from Atlanta, Ga to London UK. 8 hours exactly and cost $800 as cargo. No cabin/cargo only.
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We want to ship a small cat from toronto canada to Taiwan Taoyuan airport some time after October 8th 2018.
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External Resources:
  1.  www.flyfrontier.com/timeout
  2.  www.flypets.com/price.asp
  3.  www.airlines.org/PassengersCargo/PassengerInfo/Pages/AirTravelforYourPet.aspx
  4.  www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_pets/cabin_pets/
  5.  www.jetblue.com/travel/pets/
  6.  www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-care-tips/air-travel-tips.aspx
  7.  www.petfinder.com/dogs/dog-care
  8.  www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/Traveling-with-Your-Pet-FAQs.aspx
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