For some travelers, the notion of leaving their pets behind is too difficult to consider. Flying with your pet is certainly not the easiest thing to do, as there are many additional factors to take into account. Air travel can be very traumatic on pets, so it is vital to be well prepared if you are bringing a pet with you. Some airlines will not allow pets at all, and others may have restrictions based on time of year or aircraft type. Contact the airline to make sure that these restrictions do not apply before you book!
Traveling domestically with your pet is relatively straightforward. For the airlines that do carry pets, it is important that you advise the airline as far in advance as possible because there is a limited amount of pets that can be transported, even on a larger aircraft. Some airlines do not allow for the transport of pets, so if you'd like your pet to travel with you, make sure that the airline allows it before you buy your ticket. If you are using more than one airline, it is imperative that you check the rules for each of the airlines, as well as whether there are separate fees for each airline, or if it is simply one fee. In the instance of carry-on kennels, the airlines that permit this will likely charge the same fee for the carriage of your pet as if it was in the cargo hold.
There are two types of travel for a pet: in cabin (or carry-on) and in the cargo hold. Kennels that are over 9 or 10 inches in height are meant for the cargo hold. Carry-on dimensions for pets require that the height be no greater than 9 to 10 inches in order that it may fit under the seat in front of you. This means that your pet must be able to stand up comfortably within this height frame. Airlines that do allow for pets to be brought as carry-on will also require that you keep your pet inside the kennel for the duration of the flight. Regardless of whether your pet is in the cabin or in the cargo hold, the kennel must be up to standard. In effect, a cardboard box with breathing holes will not cut it. There are hard-shell carry-on kennels, and soft-sided ones which are meant for carry-on use. Soft-sided carry-on kennels are becoming increasingly popular because they often come with shoulder straps, allowing for easier transport of the kennel.
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