As you know, flying with big dogs can be slightly complicated. Although small dog owners can skip a decent portion of this struggle while traveling, large dog owners cannot. After all, squeezing a 5lb Pomeranian into a carry-on-sized crate is possible, unlike a 150lb Great Dane.
So, how do you go about traveling with your sizeable furry companion? You’ll need lots of planning to start. Don’t leave your pup’s travel plans to the last minute! Find airlines that can fly larger dogs and check out their policies well before your travel date.
I know that navigating airline and country regulations around traveling with your dog and their size and weight restrictions can be confusing. But you’re not alone – I’m here to help! In this article, I’ll go over everything you need to know about flying with big dogs. After reading this, you and your big, best bud will be ready to take on the skies!
Can You Fly with Big Dogs on Planes?
First thing’s first, can big dogs even fly on airplanes?
The good news here is, yes, many airlines cater to flying large dogs one way or another. The aircraft type and the airline’s regulations will ultimately determine whether your pup can come along for the ride.
Dogs allowed to fly in an airplane’s cabin must be contained in a carrier under a passenger seat, meaning the weight limit is usually 20 pounds. Unfortunately, this rules out large dogs, unless they have specific approval to fly (like service dogs).
But don’t give up! There are still options available for flying with big dogs (like checked baggage or cargo). We’ll get into these options shortly.
Wherever your pup ends up flying, he or she will need to be in an airline-approved crate. You can consult your airline’s specific guidelines on those rules, dimensions, etc. – every airline is different.
I also recommend checking with your airline of choice to ensure your dog is old enough to fly since many airlines require canines to be at least eight weeks old, while some countries require sixteen weeks of age. This is because younger dogs generally face stress-related issues with long flights and are not fully potty trained and vaccinated.
Where Do Dogs Stay During Flights?
It’s always best to understand where your dog will stay during your flight in order to make the best choice for them. The provided options for flying with your dog are in the cabin as a carry-on or in the cargo hold, either as checked baggage or cargo.
The best option for flying with your dog is usually in the cabin. This way, you could keep an eye on them, and they likely wouldn’t be as stressed since they would remain close to you throughout your flight.
Unfortunately, airlines do not allow large dogs in the cabin (unless they are service dogs), so this would not be an option for you. The next best bet is flying with big dogs as cargo.
It’s worth mentioning that flying with large dogs as cargo costs more than having them fly in the cabin. So, if cargo is the air travel method that works for your canine companion, make sure you’re prepared to pay the price difference.
Flying with Large Dogs in Cabin
If flying with big dogs in the cabin were an option, I’m sure that’s what many pet parents would choose. I know I would!
Unfortunately, cabin-carrying is usually only allowed for small dogs whose crate is carry-on sized and can fit underneath the seat of the person in front of you, and working dogs. If your non-working dog is heavier than 20 pounds, including its carrier, you must choose between checking your him or her in as checked baggage or cargo.
Airlines also permit cabin-carrying for working service dogs or emotional support dogs (on some international-based airlines) for disabled passengers.
As of March 21, 2021, United States-based airlines no longer accept emotional support animals on flights.
Flying with Big Dogs in the Cargo Hold as Checked Baggage
The second option people often consider is flying their large dog as checked baggage. With this, the dogs are stowed in the baggage compartment in the belly of the plane. Big dogs flown as checked baggage must share the same flight as their owner.
Your dog will travel with other checked bags in the plane’s cargo hold. This means you will pick up your pooch using the same baggage conveyor belt holding the other checked luggage from your flight, or sometimes within the large baggage pickup area nearby.
Flying with Big Dogs in the Cargo Hold as Cargo
If your large dog is over the weight limit to fly in the cabin, don’t worry! There’s still hope – most airlines will let you fly with your dog as cargo. Cargo is always required if your dog weighs over 75 pounds.
Although flying your large dog in the cargo hold is similar to flying them as checked baggage, the difference between the two is mainly the holding and shipping protocols.
Choosing to fly your canine as cargo means you’ll have to drop off and pick up your dog at the airport’s cargo facility rather than at the luggage drop or tarmac.
According to some industry experts, flying your large dog as cargo is a better option than as checked baggage.
One reason for this is that large dogs flown in the cargo hold have a ticket separate from the owner, meaning you are not required to be on the same plane as your dog throughout travel.
Dogs are also more easily trackable when flown as cargo because they are not attached to your airline ticket.
But most importantly, dogs flown as cargo are not exposed to the elements (wind, rain, etc.) like they would be as checked baggage waiting outside to be loaded onto the plane with passenger luggage.
Flying with big dogs as manifest cargo is also an option. Just know this method tends to be higher priced. In my opinion, though, this would be worth the extra cost since a higher standard of care is involved.
It’s important to remember that flying with large dogs is not a one-size-fits-all scenario. Many airlines have different regulations about dog weights, so I recommend contacting the airline for specific information.
You’ll also want to find out what kind of aircraft your flight operates on. Small planes have smaller cabins and cargo holds, which means they may not allow dogs to fly at all, regardless of their size.
Medical Documents Required for Flying with Big Dogs
If you are taking your dog across state or international borders, you must provide a health certificate and other documentation. These documents may differ by airline.
A licensed veterinarian must sign and approve the paperwork after examining your dog and determining they’re not infected with any disease or parasite, including ticks and fleas.
The presentation of your pup also matters here! Keep your dog clean, and calm before taking them on an airplane for the best chances of TSA approval. Things may not go in your favor if your dog appears unclean, unstable, or a hazard to itself or other passengers.
Which Airlines are the Most Large-dog Friendly?
If you still have worries about whether your large pup can travel by plane, I’ve included a list of pet-friendly airlines – but remember to keep their weight restrictions in mind:
- American Airlines: Cabin-allowed: Yes | Cargo-allowed: No
- Delta Airlines: Cabin-allowed: Yes | Cargo-allowed: No
- Southwest Airlines: Cabin-allowed: Yes | Cargo-allowed: No
- United Airlines: Cabin-allowed: Yes | Cargo-allowed: Yes
- Frontier Airlines: Cabin-allowed: Yes | Cargo-allowed: No
- Hawaiian Airlines: Cabin-allowed: Yes | Cargo-allowed: Yes
- Alaska Airlines: Cabin-allowed: Yes | Cargo-allowed: Yes
- Allegiant Air: Cabin-allowed: Yes | Cargo-allowed: No
- Frontier Air: Cabin-allowed: Yes | Cargo-allowed: No
- JetBlue: Cabin-allowed: Yes | Cargo-allowed: No
Here are some other airlines which are large-dog friendly:
- British Airways
- Air Europa
- Air France
- Virgin Atlantic
- TUI
- Aeroflot
- Thomas Cook
- Air Canada
- Austrian Air
- Emirates
- Delta
- Turkish Airlines
- Sun Country Airlines
- Swiss International Airlines
- LATAM Airlines
- Iberia
- Qatar Airlines
- WestJet
- Etihad Airways
- Aegean Airlines
- Adria Airways
- Vueling
The Cost of Flying with Big Dogs
Multiple factors are used to determine the fees around flying with your dog, including:
- Airline policies
- Distance of travel
- Flying your dog as a carry-on (usually not an option for large dogs), checked baggage, or cargo
- The size and weight of your dog
- Flying nationally or internationally
Most airlines have a fee of $125 each way for pets that fly as a carry-on, but cargo prices for large dogs differ. Of course, costs will also vary depending on your country.
The price of flying your dog in the cargo hold is calculated using the combined weight of your dog and their crate, as well as how far they’ll be flying—most airlines provide online calculators for obtaining an estimate.
If you are traveling in the United States, you can expect to pay anywhere from $200 to over $1000 each way, depending on your large dog’s weight.
Conclusion
Flying with large dogs can be done, but it’s essential to do your research before flying with any pet. I definitely advise knowing the airline’s regulations, what medical documents are required, how much it will cost, and last but certainly not least, understanding the risks to your dog.
Remember that your pup’s weight will determine if they are eligible to fly as carry-on, checked baggage, or cargo, so make sure you know their weight before booking your plane ticket to avoid any unwanted surprises!
And always remember to keep your pup calm and clean for the best flying experience possible.
Where do you plan on flying with your dog this year? I’d love to know what airline you choose, so leave a comment below!
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