Air Transport Guidelines

Cats & dogs can travel by air 3 ways:

  1. As carry-on in the passenger cabin – the number of animals allowed in the cabin per flight is usually limited to 2

  2. As checked baggage in the luggage compartment

  3. As unaccompanied air cargo

Kennel Requirements

Kennels must meet the minimum standards for size, strength, sanitation, and ventilation:

·         Size – The kennel must be large enough to allow the animal to stand upright, turn around, and lie down in a natural position. For animals traveling as carry-on, the animal must be small enough to fit comfortably in a kennel (max. size 17”L x 12”W x 8”H) under the seat directly in front of you. For animals traveling as baggage, the dimensions of the kennel cannot exceed 110 inches. Giant size kennels (larger than 110 inches) can only be shipped as cargo.

·         Strength – The kennel must be constructed of rigid plastic or of a material comparable in strength with a solid roof. 

·         Sanitation – The kennel must have a solid, leakproof floor covered with litter with or absorbent bedding.

·         Ventilation – The kennel must have ventilation openings on three sides in addition to the door openings. For animals traveling as baggage or cargo, the kennel must also have rims to prevent ventilation openings from being blocked by other cargo.

Kennels for baggage or cargo should also:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health Regulations

A health certificate is required by airlines for any animal shipped as cargo or internationally. The certificate must be issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of departure and contain:

 

Weather Restrictions

Weather restrictions vary according to the airline. The following are the restrictions for

Delta Airlines only:

-        From May 15 – September 15 animals are not accepted as baggage

-        Animals can be shipped as cargo during this time, providing the temperature does not exceed 85 degrees

-        Animals are not accepted as baggage or cargo for temperatures below 20 degrees F

-        Animals are accepted as baggage and cargo at temperatures between 45 degrees F and 20 degrees F, providing the shipper has a temperature acclimation certificate from a veterinarian. This certificate must be issued within 10 days of departure and contain:

 

Check-in Process

If your animal is traveling as carry-on or baggage, check-in will be in the passenger terminal at the airline counter. If you will be transferring to another airline during your trip and your pet is traveling as baggage, you will need to claim the animal at the connecting airport and re-check it with the other airline. 

If you are transporting your pet as cargo, you will need to check the animal in at the air freight terminal, which is located in a separate part of the airport (GSP 877-6900). Animals traveling as baggage or cargo must be checked-in two hours prior to departure. Animals traveling as international cargo must be transferred from a domestic flight or checked-in directly to the international flight four hours prior to departure.

When you check your pet in as baggage or cargo, you will be asked to complete a Live Animal Checklist to confirm that your pet has been offered food and water within four hours of check-in with the airline. (Do not leave food or water in the kennel dishes).  On the checklist you will also give the feeding and watering instructions for your pet.

 

Helpful Tips

·         Take a leash with you so that you can walk your pet before check-in and after arrival. DO NOT place the leash inside the kennel.

·         Do not take you pet out of its kennel inside the airport (for US airports specifically).

·         For pets traveling as baggage or cargo, include identification tags on the collar with your address and telephone number. It is also a good idea to carry a current photograph of your pet with you in the event the animal is lost during transport.

·         If you pet is traveling as cargo, remember that after arriving there is a processing period for cargo transport. Pets will usually be delivered to the destination cargo facility within 60 minutes of arrival.

·         Be sure to reconfirm with the airline 24-48 hours before departure that you will be bringing an animal. 24-48 hour notice should also be given to the airline for pets traveling as cargo.

For more information, please contact your travel agent or the airline directly:

Delta: www.delta.com/travel/trav_serv/pet_travel/index.jsp 

Lufthansa: cms.lufthansa.com/za/fly/en/gnf/0,3278,0-0-567780,00.html

US Air: www.usairways.com/customers/travel_policies/pets/index.htm

United: www.ual.com/page/middlepage/0,1454,1047,00.html

 

International Travel To the US

In order to bring your pet into the US:

For Dogs – the animal must be free of evidence of disease when examined by customs. You will need a veterinary certificate in English or accompanied by a certified English translation proving that the animal is in good health and was vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days before arriving in the US. This certificate should identify the animal, give the date of the vaccination and expiration, and be signed by a licensed veterinarian. This requirement does not apply to puppies less than three months of age.

For Cats – the animal must be free of evidence of disease when examined by customs. Although US customs does not require a rabies vaccination for cats entering the country, the state of South Carolina does require cats be vaccinated against rabies. You will need a veterinary certificate in English or accompanied by a certified English translation proving that the animal is in good health and was vaccinated against rabies within 30 days prior to arrival in South Carolina. This certificate should identify the animal, give the date of the vaccination and expiration, and be signed by a licensed veterinarian. This requirement does not apply to kittens less than three months of age. 

For more information on these regulations please contact:

United States Center for Disease Control   (404) 498-1600    www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/animal.htm

South Carolina Clemson Livestock & Poultry Diagnostic Lab   (803) 788-2260    www.clemson.edu/LPH

 

International Travel From the US

If you will be transporting your dog from the US to a foreign country it is important to contact the appropriate country’s embassy or consulate to ensure your animal meets all health requirements. Many counties have VERY strict regulations about the documentation required to bring an animal into the country. Some countries have quarantine or other health regulations that may require preparation far in advance of arrival.

In order to bring your pet from the US into Germany:

For Dogs & Cats –  the animal must be free of evidence of disease when examined by customs. You will need a veterinary certificate in German or accompanied by a certified German translation proving that the animal is in good health and was vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days, but no more than 12 months before arriving in Germany. With multilingual documents, an official translation certification is not necessary. The seal or stamp of the certificate must clearly state the agency or address of the licensed veterinarian. This certificate should identify the animal, give the date of the vaccination and expiration, and be signed by the veterinarian. Animals less than 3 months of age are not allowed into Germany.

For more information on regulations for Germany please go to:

www.germany-info.org/relaunch/info/consular_services/customs/animals.html

For a copy of a bilingual vaccination certificate go to:

www.germany-info.org/relaunch/info/consular_services/customs/vacert.html