Flying With your Four-Legged Family Members

I wasn't always a "dog person". Maybe I was and just didn't know it. The rescue adoption of Mr. Kosmo the Dog, my little terrier mix, certainly removed all doubt. For a little over six years, he has become my best friend on four legs. He is quite the little aviation counterpart too, enjoying Saturday afternoon trips in our club Cessna. Let's face it; dogs love to go on trips as much as we do. I consider him family, but the FAA, in fact, considers him cargo. For this reason most pet owners are hesitant to send their pets via airline cargo. The private aircraft becomes a great option for those passengers that need or want to travel with pets.

When flying privately, most aircraft operators allow pets on board. In fact, some of my clients fly privately just so they can bring their furry little family members. There are a few things to consider before deciding to bring your pet with you on a private flight.

Regardless of the destination, you'll want to make sure to obtain your pet’s immunization records. Keep a copy of them with your own personal travel documents. Even some domestic destinations, like Hawaii, have very specific rules for pets being brought into the state. Not being able to produce the immunization documents or following the established process will land your pet in a lengthy quarantine. Not good for you or your four-legged friend. If traveling internationally, you'll need to be familiar with the destination country's immigration policies. Your charter professional should be able to assist you with this when booking.

It will also be necessary to secure your pet for takeoff and landing. There are many ways to do it, including bringing their crate or carrier. For larger pets, there are several safety harnesses available that work with the aircraft's seatbelt system. Once straight and level in the air, your little companion can roam about the cabin just like any other passenger.

If your cat or dog is a so called “snub-nose” breed (bulldog, pug, himalayan cat, Persian cat, etc) special consideration may be necessary. Be sure to consult your vet before flying with one of these breeds as some have trouble breathing at altitude. This is usually only a problem for dogs and cats traveling in airline cargo holds, and not an issue in the pressurized cabin with the human passengers. A consultation with your vet will alleviate any possible health risk concerns.

If you have specific questions about planning a charter flight with your pet, just a general private aviation question, or would like to share your experiences on this topic, please feel free to contact me directly.