Four-legged friends are equal members of the family, so why leave your pet behind when travelling? Although some destinations can be reached by car, others much further afield such as Thailand are obviously only reached by plane! If you're worried that the procedures are too complicated or that your pet will get on a bumpy flight, Villanovo will be able to advise on how to travel with a pet by plane!
Travelling with your pet in the cabin
If you want your pet to travel with you on the plane, please note that prices vary depending on the airline and that some airlines prohibit pets in the cabin, such as Air Asia, whereas if you travel by Air Canada, your pet can follow you. Other airlines, such as Alitalia, if you wish to travel to Italy, require certain identity documents for the animal and require that it be chipped with a microchip or visibly marked with a tattoo.
Airlines impose a maximum size of the animal which is generally around 8 kg and must travel in a travel bag of 45 cm length x 30 cm width x 24 cm height most of the time, other companies also require a minimum age of the animal between 8 and 15 weeks depending on the destination.
Please also check the price of your pet's flight, which can vary between 20 and 260 euros. Some airlines have stricter regulations, such as Emirates if you are planning a longer trip to Dubai, where the airline prohibits the transport of animals in the cabin, such as dogs and cats, which must travel in the hold, but allows the presence of a falcon cage on board!
You will surely be more reassured if your pet travels with you in the cabin because you will be able to keep an eye on it and will not have to worry about its conditions in the hold.
On some long-haul flights, a pet's journey in the hold is almost inevitable. Be sure to consider its behaviour, whether it is a shy dog or not, and adapt your decision accordingly. When pets travel in the hold, they must be placed in a special crate called an IATA (International Air Transport) approved crate. The transport crate must meet several standards, including the fact that your pet must be able to stand up, turn around and lie down without discomfort. If you don't have this crate, you will have to pay an additional fee once you arrive at the airport, so it's best to get it beforehand and ensure your pet has a good flight.
