Do you love your pet and don’t want to leave it behind on vacation? That’s understandable, but air travel in particular can be extremely stressful for animals. They have to spend hours in a cramped transport box and are often separated from their beloved human. ABC Travel is happy to help you make this process as smooth as possible. It is important that you immediately state at the time of booking that you want your pet to travel with you. This will help you avoid problems during the booking process
Tip for military personnel
Exceptions also apply to animals belonging to active duty military personnel who are on orders. These animals are often the only ones allowed in the cargo hold. However, this always depends on the airline.
So traveling with animals can sometimes be a challenge, especially when it comes to taking them on the plane. It is important to find out in advance about the rules and regulations of the selected airlines, which may vary depending on the breed and size of your animal companion.
Info & restrictions
Who is actually allowed on board?
Only dogs and cats are allowed on international flights, regardless of whether they are traveling in the cabin or in the cargo compartment. Birds are sometimes allowed on short domestic flights. However, you should always clarify this in advance. Not all airlines allow dogs in every class of service. Delta Air Lines, for example, only allows dogs in economy class on international routes.
Short-snouted dog breeds such as Bulldogs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Chow Chows as well as individual cat breeds such as British Blue (long and short hair), Persians and Scottish Folds are generally excluded from air transportation, as the difference in pressure during the flight can lead to breathing difficulties or even death of the animal.
It should also be noted that animals weighing 8 kg or more must always be transported in the cargo hold of the aircraft, unless they are licensed assistance animals.
Assistance animals still enjoy special status with many airlines. But what exactly is an assistance animal? These specially trained and tested animals, usually dogs, support their owners in coping with a disability. They include guide dogs, epilepsy alert dogs and signal dogs for the deaf. In all cases, these animals have a certificate indicating their status. If you are traveling with a service animal, you should provide ABC Travel with the relevant certificate when you make your booking request and have it with you when you check in at the airport.
Emotional Support Animals (ESA) are animals, typically dogs but sometimes cats or other animals, that provide their owner with mental/psychiatric support through affection and companionship. Unlike service animals, there is training to become an ESA, but no examination. There is also no certificate that distinguishes an ESA from a “normal” pet. For this reason, these animals are not classified as service animals by airlines and therefore do not receive the special rights that are granted to assistance animals. ESAs are treated like regular pets and are subject to the same restrictions. As such, an ESA may not leave its transport box during the flight, for example.
Tipp für Militärpersonal
Ausnahmeregeln gelten auch für Tiere von aktiv dienendem Militärpersonal mit Marschbefehlen. Diese Tiere sind oft die einzigen, die noch im Frachtraum mitgenommen werden. Dies kommt jedoch auch immer auf die Airline an.
General know-how
How does it all work?
Pets, both cats and dogs, must be in a transport box during the journey and may not leave it. If traveling in the cabin, the crate must fit under the seat and must not exceed certain dimensions (length / height / width). These vary from airline to airline and from international to local flights. In general, however, the animal must be able to stand up, lie down and turn around itself comfortably. If transported in the cargo hold, sufficient water and food must be available.
Good to know
A maximum of 2 pets per adult passenger may be carried in the cabin. If the transport box complies with the airline’s size specifications and there is still enough space for more than one animal, a maximum of 2 animals can still be transported in one transport box. However, both animals must get along well and ideally be of the same breed (dog or cat).
Travel Wissen: The flight with your little companion
Airlines only accept animals in the cargo hold on flights with direct connections and then only if it is not too hot. Otherwise, the animal will stand in the sun in intense heat while waiting to be loaded. In order to avoid damage to the animal, airlines refuse to transport animals in such cases. Animals in the passenger cabin are not affected by this and can also be taken on flights with several stops.
If your pet can’t get on the same flight, there are alternatives such as Pet-Air, which specialises in transporting animals and will still take care of everything for a slightly higher fee.
Travel Tip: If a direct flight to your destination is not possible, there are of course alternative ways to get there. For example, you can book a rental car at the airport via ABC Travel and travel the rest of the way or use rail transport. We are also happy to help you with this. Just let us know when you inquire about your trip!
Booking procedure:
You can search for the ideal flight online at www.abctravel.de. Before you book, please contact us to make sure that your dog can be transported on the planned trip. ABC Travel will check the flight segments and contact the airline. A service fee of €30 will be charged for this. As soon as it has been confirmed that your dog can travel with you, you can complete the flight booking together with a member of staff
What data is required for animal registration?
- Age of the animal (because it must be ensured that the animal is old enough to be transported legally)
- Weight of the animal including transport box (as mentioned, this weight must not exceed 8KG)
- Breed of the animal (to rule out that it is a short-snouted breed and therefore excluded from transport)
- The size (length, width and height) of the transport box (to ensure that it complies with the airline’s maximum dimensions)
Entry & requirements
What do I need to consider?
If you want to take a pet with you when traveling, whether in the cabin or in the hold, the animal must meet certain requirements in order to be allowed to travel.
The animal must be at least 3 months old and have all vaccinations.
The necessary vaccinations for dogs are rabies, DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus), Bordetella (Kennel Cough), Leptospirosis and CIV (Canine Influenza Virus)
Cats need to be vaccinated against FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia) and FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus).
However, this is not all. Many countries also require an ISO-compatible microchip. Depending on the destination, an international health certificate recognized by the USDA, a country-specific import permit and various blood tests and treatments may also be required. We will be happy to help you with the exact requirements and rules. Start planning at least 1 ½ months in advance. Vaccinations and confirmation of the dog on the desired flight can take some time.
Suitcase and dog in transport box Airport flying with dog
Tip:
Information on the import regulations for animals into the European Union can also be found on the website of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL)
For animals that are to be imported into the USA, you can find information on the website of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB). And the website of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA)
What else should I consider?
Whether other aspects need to be considered depends entirely on the trip you are planning. Are you planning to book a rental car or a camper? Then it is important to clarify in advance whether animals are allowed in the vehicle. Are you staying in a hotel during your trip? Not all hotels allow pets or have strict conditions and extra costs that need to be considered. Here too, the ABC Travel team will be happy to help you with your booking and planning.
Ok, but what does it all cost?
ABC Travel charges €30 per pet for registering the pet with the airline. This is in addition to the cost of transportation, which can vary depending on the airline and route. This transportation fee must be paid directly at the airport. Below you will find a list of the most common airlines and their prices for transporting pets from Germany to the USA:
Delta Air Lines | 200€ pro Tier pro Strecke
Frachtraumtransport nur für Militärangehörige mit Marschbefehl
KLM | zwischen 75€ und 400€ pro Tier pro Strecke, je nach
Zielflughafen
Air France | 200€ pro Tier pro Strecke in Kabine
400€ pro Tier pro Strecke im Frachtraum
American Airlines | Kein transatlantischer Tiertransport in Kabine
Frachtraumtransport nur für Militärangehörige mit Marschbefehl
British Airways | Kein Tiertransport. Nur via Pet-Air oder IAG Pets möglich.
United Airlines | 150€ pro Tier pro Strecke in Kabine
Frachtraumtransport nur für Militärangehörige mit Marschbefehl
Lufthansa | zwischen 70€ und 200€ bei internationalen Flügen
Eurowings Discover | Ab 60€ Tier in Kabine nur auf Kurz- und Mittelstrecken Kein Tiertransport im Frachtraum
Condor | 99.99€ Tier in Kabine für Flüge in Zone 5
Kein Tiertransport im Frachtraum
Final tips:
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Be sure to bring all the essentials for your pet’s care with you at the airport, including a collapsible water bowl, leash, treats and plastic bags.
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To keep your pet calm during the flight, it’s a good idea to bring their favorite toy, a blanket or a pillow that smells familiar.
Delta Air Lines | 200€ per animal each way
Cargo transportation only for military personnel with marching orders
KLM | between 75€ and 400€ per animal each way, depending on destination
destination airport
Air France | 200€ per animal per leg in cabin
400€ per animal per leg in the cargo hold
American Airlines | No transatlantic animal transport in the cabin
Cargo transportation only for military personnel with marching orders
British Airways | No animal transportation. Only possible via Pet-Air or IAG Pets.
United Airlines | 150€ per animal per route in cabin
Cargo transportation only for military personnel with marching orders
Lufthansa | between 70€ and 200€ for international flights
Eurowings Discover | From 60€ animal in cabin only on short and medium-haul routes No animal transport in the cargo hold
Condor | 99.99€ Animal in cabin for flights in zone 5
No animal transport in the cargo hold