Flying with Pets: Steal this Step by Step Guide for Stress-Free Air Travel with Your Furry Friend (Best Tips)

Whether you’re traveling for work, going on a vacation, or moving, we want our furry friends with us. But, flying with pets can be tricky and you might not know where to start.

No worries, that’s why I created this guide! I’m going to show you how to travel with your pet step by step, from pre-trip prep to post-flight care. 

Recently, I had my own first-time experience flying with my brother’s cat, Poppy. I’ll admit, I had no clue where to begin. But after going through the process, I learned a lot.

Whether you’re planning a short domestic flight or a long-haul journey, let’s make your trip as paws-itively perfect as possible! 🐾✈️

In this blog, I share… (Jump to a section below)

Your Complete Guide to Flying with Pets

We love our furry friends like family and want them to have everything they need for a smooth trip. But how do we navigate the airport with our pets and travel with them on a plane?

From vet check-ups and choosing the ideal pet carrier to navigating the airport with your pet and caring for them on the flight, read on for my tips for a smooth and pet-friendly flight. 

A lot of the same situations apply to cats and dogs, so I included general pet tips as well as tips specifically for cats and dogs.

My Experience Flying with a Cat

Alright, let me spill the tea on my experience. My brother, sister, and I decided to test the waters and move to Las Vegas, and of course, my brother’s cat, Poppy, was coming along too. 

We could’ve driven cross country from New England, but let’s be real… Poppy wasn’t about that life. She’s a sensitive soul, so we decided flying was the lesser of two evils.

This decision came with its challenges:

• Managing 6 large suitcases, 3 carry-ons, and Poppy’s carrier.
• Navigating airport security with a pet.
• Facing a 6+ hour flight without prior experience flying with a pet.

Let’s just say, I learned a lot. 

Before Your Trip

Before flying with your pet, there are a few important things to do that’ll make all the difference for a smooth flight.

Visit the Vet

Schedule a vet appointment to make sure they’re fit for travel, up to date on their vaccines and meet airline requirements. Also, just to be safe, get a certificate for the flight, which some airlines ask for. 

If your pet is prone to anxiety (like Poppy), talk about stress management options with your vet. They can prescribe calming meds like Trazodone, Gabapentin, and Alprazolam to help reduce the pet’s anxiety. We did a trial run at home first with Poppy’s medication to see how she reacted. You can do this with your pet too.

Vet-Recommended Calming Treats: Try a calming supplement like this one by VetriScience, which has natural ingredients like L-Theanine and Thiamine to help ease your pet’s anxiety. 

Booking a Flight with Your Pet

Before you book your flight, it’s important to know some things first so you can prepare.

• How much does it cost to fly with my pet? 

Fees vary but expect a $95-$200 fee one-way for in-cabin pets flying domestically. 

• Can I take my pet on the plane?

Some airlines have restrictions on pet size, breed, and the number of animals allowed on board. Check with your airline first. Availability for pets is limited and operates on a first come, first serve basis. They might also refuse to let your pet fly during busy holiday seasons. Secure your pet’s spot with your airline first when booking your own flight.

• What documents do I need to fly with my pet?

You might be asked for a Health Certificate, Vaccination Records, Airline-Specific Forms, ID Tags and Microchip Info. Check with your airline and destination for any additional requirements. 

Choose the Right Pet Carrier for Air Travel

Okay, so you’ve booked your flight, now you need to choose the right pet carrier.

In addition to being airline and TSA approved, it should be comfortable and well-ventilated. If your carrier is too small, your pet will feel cramped, too big, and it might not fit under the seat.

Like most airlines, your pet carrier also counts toward your carry-on bag allotment, so plan to check bags or pack light.

The Best Airline Approved Pet Carriers

Poppy turned a lot of heads with this one. So many people asked where I got it and now I can share.

Essentials to Pack for Your Pet 

Packing for your pet is almost as important as packing for yourself!

• Calming Remedies: Some things to help calm your pet are vet prescribed medication, calming supplements, and pheromone sprays like Feliway (for cats) or Adaptil (for dogs), which mimic the natural calming pheromones animals produce, making them feel more secure in stressful situations.
• Collapsible Water Bowl: You can grab a collapsible water bowl like this #1 top rated best seller to keep your pet hydrated. 
• Snacks & Food: Bring enough for the flight and some extra for delays.
• Leash & Harness: You’ll need these when going through security.
• Pet Wipes: Accidents happen. Pet wipes like these are great for quick cleanups.
• Pee Pads: You never know when your pet is going to have a little accident in their carrier.
• Pet Carrier: I chose this compact, extendable backpack with ventilation. It was airline-approved and fit under the seat and on my lap perfectly.
• Pet Comfort Kit: A small blanket that smells like home, a familiar toy, or their favorite treats helps to ease your pet’s anxiety.

You might also like:

A Travel Pro’s Packing Tips for International Travel

17 Smart Travel Tips for Women: A Full-Time Traveler Shares How She Travels Safe & Smart Worldwide

Navigating the Airport with Pets

Be sure to arrive at the airport well in advance. I recommend giving yourself 2-3 hours for domestic flights and 3-4 hours for international flights. 

Personally, I gave myself an hour more to be on the safe side. You can walk your pet through the airport as long as they are vaccinated and are on a leash.

Check-in and Security with a Pet

Once you arrive at the airport, head straight to your airline’s check-in counter with your pet(s) to confirm their spot on the flight. Some airlines allow a priority line for pets, so don’t be afraid to ask!

TSA Security Process with Pets:

TSA has a process for screening you and your pet(s).

Once we arrived at security, I removed Poppy from her carrier and was told to hold her. The carrier was then put through the x-ray tunnel while I walked through security with her. Make sure your pet has a leash on (even if it’s a cat), so they don’t make a mad dash!

After the screening process, I put Poppy back in her carrier and we were on our way. 

Real Girl Tip: I recommend TSA Pre-Check, which makes the whole security process smoother when traveling with pets because you don’t have to wait in long lines or remove your shoes or jacket, making it easier to hold your pet.

VIP Treatment: The Lounge

Some clubs and lounges at the airport like Delta Sky Club, Centurion Lounge, and Admiral’s Club allow your furry friends to join you in the lounge as long as they are at least 8 weeks old, vaccinated, on a leash or in their kennel, and clean. Their rules mirror their on-board policies for service animals and pets.

How to Take Your Pet for a Bathroom Break

Most (if not all) airports have pet relief area for cats and dogs. Some are indoors, some are outdoors. Make sure you take your pet for a potty break beforehand, because if it’s outside, you will have to go out and come back through security.

A lot of them are complete with grass, a fire hydrant, and even a hose to wash away the mess on the wall.

Poppy’s Potty Break

When it was time for a potty break, I took Poppy to a family restroom, where I set up her little makeshift litter bag (essentially a big garbage bag of litter), but she didn’t go, so I had to set it up again later near the gate. You can also buy a portable litter box for your cat. 

Worst case scenario, if your pet doesn’t go, put an odor controlled pee pad in their carrier in case of accidents on the plane. Then, you can toss it in the plane’s restroom. Some pet owners have even put diapers on their pets to contain the mess and smell, although I haven’t tried this method myself.

Stress Management: Managing Pet Anxiety Before a Flight

Comforting our cute creatures is not always enough when they’re intimidated by their surroundings. Sometimes, they need that extra something to help them relax. 

Pre-Flight Prep: Getting Your Pet Ready for the Flight

There are a few things you can do to get your little buddy ready for your flight. Have your pet’s bag of essentials easily accessible so you don’t have to dig for it later on the flight. 

Exercise: Since my flight was over 6 hours, I let Poppy stretch her legs before we boarded. I put her in a harness and leash, and we walked around the gate. If you can, it’s also good to tire them out before heading to the airport to reduce nervous energy.

Calming Remedies: Give any medication or calming treats 30-45 minutes before the flight. My vet prescribed a mild sleeping aid for Poppy, which was a safe enough dose to give her up to 3x/day. At first, she wouldn’t take her meds out of my hand, so I mixed it with her soft food and gave it to her from my finger, which worked like a charm.

She started out anxious, but once it set in, she slept or was mellow for the whole 6 hour plane ride. If you’re against oral aids, you can also try giving your cat this popular pheromone calming collar to wear. 

Feed Your Pet: After walking Poppy around, we went to our gate, where I set up her food, but she was too overwhelmed to eat. However, she did enjoy her favorite treats on the plane. She also ate her regular cat food as she became more relaxed during the flight. If your pet skips a meal due to nerves, don’t stress. 

Dr. Rachel Hines suggests feeding your pet a light meal 4-6 hours before takeoff to avoid nausea or an upset stomach. “Bring along some snacks and water, but don’t overfeed your pet during the flight as it could lead to discomfort.”

Last-Minute Bathroom Breaks: Most airports have pet relief areas for pets. Make sure to time your pet’s last bathroom break before boarding, especially for long flights with possible delays. 

At the Gate: Boarding the Flight

If you can, request to pre-board with children and families. It gives you more time to get your pet settled before the rush of general boarding.

Why I Love Delta

Not sponsored, Delta is my go-to airline. Loyalty has its perks. I booked this flight with Poppy less than 24 hours before the flight with no prior seat chosen. As we were boarding, the desk agent not only gave me, my mom, and my sister seats together, but also chased us down the ramp to upgrade us to Delta Comfort+ last minute! 

Pro Tip: Having Skymiles status and the Delta Amex card can also boost your chances of getting flight upgrades.

During the Flight

Tips for Flying with Cats

• Familiar Scents: Rub a small towel or blanket on your cat’s favorite spot at home and place it in their carrier to help ease their anxiety during travel.
• Quiet Time: Most cats prefer hiding when they’re stressed, so keep the carrier covered with a light blanket to help them feel safe and shielded from all the airport chaos.

Tips for Flying with Dogs

Flying with a dog is similar to flying with a cat. However, there are a few more things you need to know, such as how to travel with a large dog. Travel can stress out dogs, just like it does for us! Things like their age, health, and personality also play a role in how they handle a flight. 

Tips:

• Plan Potty Breaks: Take your dog for a walk before the flight to avoid accidents on the plane.
• Bark Control: Dogs can get barky when they’re nervous. Keep your dog busy and calm with a durable chew toy like these ones. It’s a great way to manage any barking or nervous energy.
• Stretch Those Legs: A few hours before the flight, let your dog run around and then stretch out once at the gate before boarding to burn off extra energy and keep them calm during the flight.

In-Flight Care for Pets

Once you’re on the plane, the hardest part is over! 

Can you take your pet out on the plane? Initially, for taxying, take-off, and landing, you will have to tuck your pet’s carrier under the seat in front of you. 

However, during the flight itself, you’re usually allowed to put your pet’s carrier on the empty seat next to you or on your lap. Sometimes they even let you take your pet out of their carrier. This is what I did with Poppy.

Just be aware, some flight attendants may be a little more lax than others. If you can’t put them on your lap, you can always unzip their carrier and put your hand in there to comfort your little friend. 

In-Flight Comfort Essentials:

• Familiar Items: Bring their favorite toy, blanket, or treats on the plane to make them feel at home.
• Pet Snacks: Avoid overfeeding to avoid any nausea or bathroom breaks, but a few small snacks to keep them happy won’t hurt. 
• Hydration: Offer water periodically with a collapsible bowl.
• Stay Calm: Pets pick up on our energy, so the more relaxed you are, the better they’ll feel.

Post-Flight Pet Care

Once you land, your pet might be a bit out of sorts. Hey, long flights do that to the best of us! Be sure to check in on your pet and give your furry friend a little extra love! After a long flight, they might be tired, thirsty, or just need some time to adjust. 

After-Landing Checklist

• Hydration: Offer them water right away.
• Bathroom Break: Take your dog to a pet relief area ASAP. For cats, offer them a portable litter solution.
• Comfort: Give them time to adjust after the flight. A nice cuddle session works wonders.

Real Girl Review Tip: Use SkyScanner to find pet-friendly flights at the best price. You can filter airlines that allow pets in the cabin, saving you the hassle of checking each airline individually. Delta event lets you rack up pet travel miles! Who knew your pet could be a frequent flyer too? 😉

What Are the Best Pet Friendly Airlines?

Currently, Alaska Airlines, Frontier, and Delta have the most pet-friendly policies for traveling with your pet in the main cabin. I’ve flown with all 3 airlines and the only one I cannot recommend is Frontier, whose flights are notoriously delayed, which will no doubt, complicate an already complex situation and create further stress. 

That said, I’d recommend flying with your pet on Alaska Airlines or Delta. 

Read my blog for a more in-depth guide on the best pet friendly airlines. (Coming soon)

If Your Pet is Too Big for the Main Cabin

If your pet is too big to fit under the seat, many major airlines (American, Delta, and United) let them fly in a kennel in the plane’s cargo hold, which is a specially designed, secure section of a plane meant for safely transporting pets during air travel. 

I’ll write a blog soon on traveling with larger pets.

That’s a Wrap!

I hope my guide is helpful to you when you’re flying with pets!  I’d love to hear your pet travel stories or tips! Comment below!

Going to the airport with pets doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right preparation and discussing stress management with your vet, you’ll be set for a smooth trip. 

Remember to give your fur baby plenty of love and attention before, during, and after the flight. Safe travels for you and your pet! 🐾✈️ You got this!