For dogs and cats traveling with their owners in the airplane cabin
Traveling with your pet requires careful planning and attention to detail, especially when the trip involves air travel. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) sets international standards for the transportation of animals, ensuring their safety and well-being during the flight. In this article, we will explore the best transportation options for dogs and cats traveling with their owners in the airplane cabin, based on IATA regulations.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Transportation
Nowadays, there is a wide variety of soft carriers, backpacks, hard cases, and pet carriers made from different materials, available in various colors and shapes. For pet owners, choosing the most suitable carrier can be one of those challenging tasks. But what should be taken into consideration?
The carrier must comply with IATA standard regulations. It should meet the size, safety, and ventilation requirements set by the organization.
Dimensions: The carrier must have enough space for the animal to move around and lie down comfortably, especially when the pet is traveling in a hard case in the aircraft’s hold or is being shipped as cargo.
Safety: It should have strong fastenings and ensure the animal’s safety during the flight.
Types of Carriers for Dogs and Cats
There are various types of carriers available on the market, each with its own features and advantages. The most common ones are:
Hard carriers: Typically made of durable plastic, these provide greater security and protection for the animal.
Soft carriers: Made of fabric or lightweight, foldable materials, these are practical for storage and transportation. They typically come with a shoulder strap for easy carrying.
Backpacks: They are very practical. Ideal for the owner who travels alone and has a lot of bags to carry.
Choosing the Ideal Model
Each case is different. There are more sensitive, more fearful animals. Some adapt easily, others have a certain resistance to entering the box. Some may feel more comfortable and safe in more closed carriers. Each pet has its own preference and the owner will know what will be best for their trip.
The transport box that follows the IATA (International Air Transport Association) standard for dogs and cats is specifically designed to meet the safety and comfort requirements of animals during air transport. These crates are constructed from durable, safe materials, and are checked to IATA regulations to ensure the safety and well-being of the animals during flight.
We always travel with our pets in the aircraft hold, so we always buy rigid transport crates. If this is your case, read this article to find out the protocol.
Airlines
It’s essential to check your airline’s specific requirements before booking travel. For international travel, each airline has its own regulations. In addition to restrictions regarding the species, breed, age and weight of the animal, owners must research the specific requirements of the destination country.
The animal and the carrier together cannot exceed a maximum weight determined by the airline, which generally varies between 8 and 10 kg. Pay attention to the measurements of the soft bag, as it must fit under your seat. I have never traveled with pets in the cabin, but those who have done so say that TAP does not check the exact measurements, even if the soft bag slightly exceeds the size, the important thing is to fit in the space under the seat.
Just like the rules, the values also vary by airline and by route. From Brazil to Portugal, via TAP, the cost is €150 per cabin transport and only transport made of malleable material with measurements to fit under the seat is accepted. Azul, which also flies directly from Brazil, accepts that the rigid box be transported in the cabin.
Transporting animals in the cabin is subject to airline availability. It is recommended to book your trip in advance and make payment as soon as possible. Because booking alone does not guarantee your pet’s flight. We already had a worrying experience that I reported on video.
Buying Pet Transport
To buy transport to travel with your pet in Brazil, we recommend the biggest and best pet shop. You can make the purchase online and receive it at home. In addition to the variety of rigid boxes of different sizes, Cobasi offers other items that you will need to travel with your pet. Search the models.
Rigid transport box for dog or cat
To buy in Portugal or Spain, see the models and prices of soft bags and backpacks, Buy at Zooplus and receive at home.
If you want to know more about traveling with pets abroad, read the playlist articles here on the website and watch the tutorials on the I Love Pets channel on YouTube. Have a nice trip 🐾
