Flying with Your Pet - Pet Air Travel Tips

Calming Your Concerns
If your pet is at least 8 weeks old, is comfortable in his crate for extended periods, enjoys traveling by car, and is in good health, there's little reason to worry! Industry-wide, over a million pets travel by air each year, while only a very small percentage of unfortunate injuries, losses, or fatalities are reported. If you still have concerns about flying with your pet, be aware of the most common in-flight risks, and what you can do to help prevent them:

• Panic - an uncomfortable pet that panics in their kennel may injure themselves. Several weeks prior to departure, let your pet get used to spending extended time in the carrier or kennel in which he will be traveling.

• Overmedication - tranquilizers can increase the risk of heart and respiratory problems, as well as jeopardize a pet's ability to clear his own airway if he should succumb to air sickness. Always check with your pet's veterinarian before administering any medications to your pet.

• Undiagnosed heart or respiratory condition leading to high altitude fatality - this is one of the conditions your veterinarian should check for during your pet's Health Certificate exam.

• Defective kennels - only use an airline-approved crate or carrier that is new or in perfect condition. Inspect the crate or carrier thoroughly for damage or stress cracks before travel.

Those worries aside, begin planning your pet's first flight over a month before departure, and you'll have plenty of time to make all the right decisions for safe travel. The following is an overview of what considerations you'll need to make and when, from preplanning to arrival.

Part 1 Introduction: Calming Your Concerns

Part 2 Travel Planner Countdown: 1-2 Months Prior

Part 3 Travel Planner Countdown: 10 Days Prior

Part 4 Travel Planner Countdown: Travel Day

Our Veterinarians Recommend Midwest Airlines
When it comes to selecting a pet-friendly airline, one company's love for animals truly shines. Milwaukee-based Midwest Airlines is the industry leader for pet travel services. Here's a few of the reasons why our pet experts at Drs. Foster & Smith exclusively fly using Midwest Airlines Premier Pet Program when traveling with their own faithful friends:

Dog-lover Susie Kerwin, a Midwest marketing executive, developed the company's Premier Pet Program based on her own experiences flying with her national-winning English Setters for over 30 years. Pets that fly below-cabin enjoy a climate-controlled, pressurized and sound-proofed hold below the cockpit designed specifically for pets. Each kennel is individually strapped down, secured, and completely isolated from other luggage. Good air circulation and pressurization is also standard. Flying below-cabin is somewhat like traveling in the back of a cargo van: not necessarily the best view, but it's comfortable for the pet! From the ticket counter, to flight crews, to the ramp agents, Midwest Airlines trains their staff to be knowledgeable pet handlers who personally escort your pet through each step of departure and arrival. They're even trained to recognize any potential health problems should they arise. Prior to flight, at no time will your pet be left alone for more than 15 minutes. Your pet's kennel will always be lifted by two agents and never dragged. Before take-off, your flight attendant will hand you a claim ticket guaranteeing your pet is safely onboard. Upon arrival, pets are off-loaded first and placed into a comfortable area until all of the passenger bags are off-loaded and sent to the baggage carousel. When the bags are completely off-loaded, then they bring your pet up to your designated baggage area. An agent - sometimes even the pilot - won't leave her side until you're reunited. Frequent flyer miles for pets! Your pet earns one free round-trip ticket for every three round-trip or six one-way flights.