Top 5 Pet-Friendly Airlines from the USA To India

Given that pets are an integral part of the family unit nowadays, it is no surprise to see services catering specifically to the needs of the modern house pet. Pet travel is one such service, with a host of airlines now offering domestic and international pet transportation services to flyers accompanied by pets. 

It has gotten to the point where a traveler has multiple pet-friendly airlines to choose from, who fly specific routes, all of whom promise a smooth journey and a hassle-free experience. 

Here Are Five of Them in No Particular Order :

Air India

Air India is extremely accommodating when it comes to pets. Not only do they let passengers fly their pets with them, but they also allow pets in the cabin, which is a rarity in India. To fly with Air India, all you need is a fit-to-fly certificate and your pet’s vaccination record. The international import requirements vary from country to country though, and you should do your research before making a booking. 

Air India does not allow pets on non-stop flights, with the only exception being made for service dogs. 

Your Pet Can Depart from These Airports in India: 

• Bangalore (BLR)
• Chennai (MAA)
• Delhi (DEL)
• Hyderabad (HYD)
• Kolkata (CCU)
• Mumbai (BOM)

Pets in Cargo: Permitted 

Pets in Cabin: Permitted 

Price: Varies 

Turkish Airlines 

Turkish Airlines fly a plethora of routes and allows pets to fly both in-cabin (as long as your pet + crate weighs under 8 KG) and in the cargo bay. They allow dogs, cats, and small birds to fly onboard. Passengers are allowed two pet crates per plane, but only one is permitted inside the cabin. 

1. Pets in Cargo: Permitted 
2. Pets in Cabin: Permitted 
3. Price: $70 USD and above 

Lufthansa Airlines 

Lufthansa welcomes pet travel. Passengers are allowed to travel with their pets inside the cabin and in the cargo hold. They impose an age limit, wherein your pet needs to be at least 16 weeks/4 months old before they can travel. The airline and its customer support teams ensure your journey is as smooth as possible, so make sure to contact them when making your booking. 

They also impose an 8KG weight limit for pets travelling in-cabin, which includes the weight of the pet and the crate accompanying it. 

1. Pets in Cargo: Permitted 
2. Pets in Cabin: Permitted 
3. Price: $90 USD and above 

JetBlue 

JetBlue is recognized as one of the most pet-friendly airlines throughout the United States. They offer a program called the Jet Paws program, which is tailor-made to cater to passengers travelling with pets. Included in this program are services like reservations and travel bookings, and special areas where pets can relax and unwind. 

 

JetBlue issues specific guidelines about the size of the crate your pet can fly in-cabin in. For cabin travel, the crate should measure 43.18 centimeters long X 31.75 centimeters wide X 21.59 centimeters high (or 17 inches long X 12.5 inches wide X 8 inches high). 

1. Pets in Cargo: Permitted 
2. Pets in Cabin: Permitted 
3. Price: $100 USD

Delta Air

Delta Air continues the trend of pet-friendly North American Airline operators and allows pets to travel either as excess baggage or in the cabin with the pet parent. Your pet and approved pet carrier count as one personal item and must fit under the seat in front of you. 

 

The pet carrier cannot exceed 17" Length x 12.5" Width x 8.5" Height (43.18 cm Length x 31.75 cm Width x 21.59 cm Height). The combined weight of your pet and the carrier must not exceed 20 pounds. 

1. Pets in Cargo: Permitted 
2. Pets in Cabin: Permitted 
3. Price: $125 USD  

To Conclude 

Do remember that most airlines will offer provisions for both in-cabin travel with your pet, and pet travel in the cargo hold, but will not accept pets in the cabin when on international journeys. This rule is in place for the comfort and safety of passengers and pets. 

 

Choosing an airline for your journey, especially one with your pet, is extremely important. Thankfully, you now have options to choose from. Always choose the option which serves your trip the best, and always make your choice with the safety of your pet in mind. 

 

Need help relocating your pet? With door-to-door pet relocations available domestically and internationally by our expert pet handlers, we have you covered. Contact 08908909020 or enquiry@carrymypet.com for a booking today

Medication To Carry for Your Cat When Relocating

While you may imagine carrying an entire medicine pouch while travelling internationally with your cat, the reality is far from it. You only need to carry medication with you if your cat has a chronic condition or currently on medication. You don’t need a lot of medicines to travel, but your pet will need a clean bill of health before you can embark on your journey together.

The basic requirements remain the same, regardless of the various import requirements imposed by different countries. Your cat’s vaccination record, a rabies titer test, and a health certificate are usually the basics. However, some countries require your cat to be fully immunized, which means getting the basic group of vaccinations:

• FVRCP - Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia
• FelV - Feline Leukemia Virus

Some countries also require parasite treatment, internal and external. Different kinds of worms need to be treated for shortly before departure, and you’ll need to check for and treat ticks and fleas. Treatment time depends on the country you’re visiting and the testing parameters they require you to comply with.

The validity of a vaccine is also important to remember and consider. Some countries only accept a one-year rabies vaccination, while others accept three-year vaccinations. Some are happy with a rabies vaccination recorded in your cat’s record, others require the vaccination to be within a specific timeframe before travelling, conduct a rabies titer test, and cooperate with cooling periods. Countries like Canada have relatively lenient requirements, whereas Australia requires you to prepare for half a year before you can fly.

Health and Safety Import Paperwork

As mentioned previously, your cat needs clean bill of health before it can travel anywhere overseas. The risks associated with longer-distance flights mean your pet will be grounded if in poor health or injured, so make sure your pet is healthy and fit to fly. Proof of your pet’s health is a fit to fly certificate, also known as an international health certificate. Each country has their own health certificate which you need to get signed and stamped by a vet, who will do so after a check-up.

Keep an eye out for miscellaneous requirements which may go unnoticed in the fine print and can derail your whole journey. An example? the UK requires the rabies vaccination to come from a specific manufacturer, and all other kinds of vaccinations are deemed invalid. Another example is the U.S, requiring the health certificate to be stamped by a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) accredited vet. They also require blood titer tests to be conducted at a Center for Disease Control (CDC) certified facility, failing which, your pet will be returned to the country of origin at your expense. Permits and tests can take time, so do not leave your preparations for later; the earlier you start, the better. 

Your pet can only fly in an IATA approved fiber crate, as these crates are manufactured with the safety requirements of pet transportation in mind. Buy an appropriately sized crate and crate train your cat, so it is less anxious and nervous while travelling than it otherwise would be. Account for ventilation and size your crate accordingly if you have a snub-nosed (brachycephalic) pet. The import criteria are often deemed stringent, but they are in place to safeguard the ecology of a state or country. It may seem a bit extreme, but if any import criteria are not met, a country reserves the right to return your pet at your expense.

Once you’re done with the health check-ups and paperwork, you need to comply with safety regulations. Your destination may not list it as a requirement, but a pet microchip is recommended before any travel. A microchip serves as ID proof for your pet, and your pet’s microchip number is their ID which appears on their documentation. Microchips must be of the standard, 15 Digit, non-encrypted, ISO 11784/11785 variety, which are accepted internationally.

Plan, Plan, Plan

Planning will be your best friend during a relocation. Failing to plan is planning to fail, and there’s no such thing as being too prepared for a complicated transfer which involves your pet, your pride and joy. You can take care of most of the regulations by yourself if the country you’re flying to doesn’t impose stringent import laws. You can prepare with relative ease and focus on the specifics of your new life overseas.

However, if the country you’re headed to has stringent import laws, you can prepare to meet them given enough time. If you’re struggling to meet your pet’s travel requirements, you can always hire a professional pet relocation service. Having conducted international pet relocations and being well versed with the international laws, such a company can guide you through the process and shoulder the inconvenience of having to procure numerous pieces of documentation and meet safety requirements. The fee a relocator charges goes towards guaranteeing your journey is hassle-free, and that no detail, minor or major, is overlooked in the preparation process. You may not need a bag full of medication for your cat when traveling, but you do need to fulfil the import criteria, which means a good deal of preparation beforehand you have any queries or concerns about your international pet relocation, contact us at query@carrymypet.com.