Ultimate Guide to Traveling With Pets

Our cat, Otto, is no stranger to long travel days. Between military moves, a long-distance relationship, and now living in an RV, he does pretty well adapting to new situations.

But this year, we really put things to the test with his first international flight. My fiancé and I dreamed of traveling to Mexico to enroll in a Spanish language school, and after we exhausted all of our pet sitters state-side, we figured, “Why not take him with us?”

After the planning that went into international pet travel, coming home to this face made it all completely worth it.

Basics of Traveling With a Pet

Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all list for pet travel. What you will need for traveling with your pet will depend on:

• The species and breed

• Your destination country’s import rules

• The airline’s policies for pet travel

Small dogs and cats usually qualify to fly in the cabin if they can fit comfortably in a carrier that slides under the seat in front of you. If you have a larger pet joining your vacation, they’ll typically need to fly as cargo, which means a whole different set of rules, regulations, and fees.

Other things to know:

• First class or business class may not be an option (and each airline has different rules for pets flying in these classes)

• Pets cannot sit in exit rows

• Pets must stay in their carrier for the entire flight (unless otherwise instructed)

So, before you start planning Sparky’s morning walk through the streets of Paris, it’s worth getting familiar with the paperwork and policies that will be needed to make your trip possible.

Documentation Needed For Pet Travel

Now, here’s where most people get tripped up. The country you’re flying to has one set of rules, and the airline has another — and they don’t always match. Depending on your destination and travel details, you may need to provide:

• Certificate of good health

• Vaccination records

• Microchip information

• Import permit

When we were prepping for our trip to Mérida, we saw that Mexico did not require a health certificate. “Great!” we thought, “that makes things easy!”

Wrong.

After double-checking with our airline, we learned that the airlines we would be traveling on (in this case, American Airlines and Aeromexico) required a certificate of good health issued within 10 days of our departure.

If you’re flying to multiple destinations on your trip, you may need a new health certificate for each flight that you take, depending on the length of your stays.

For our trip to Mexico, we spent nine weeks in Mérida, followed by three weeks in Mexico City, which meant we needed:

• A vet appointment and certificate from our vet in Baltimore before flying to Mérida

• A vet appointment and certificate from a vet in Mérida, so that we could fly to Mexico City

• A vet appointment and certificate from a vet in Mexico City, so that we could fly back to the U.S.

As you can imagine, our veterinary vocabulary en español got pretty good during this trip.

Booking Flights For Your Pet

Just like you, your pet will need a ticket to fly.

Each plane only allows for a certain number of pets on board, so before officially booking your flight, contact the airline to ensure there is room for your pet in the cabin.

During this conversation, be sure to confirm any additional requirements the airline may have, including documentation and carrier specifications.

Confirming these details early will save you from any surprises when you get to the check-in counter. It’s always smart to double-check and plan ahead where you can!

What to Pack

While my fiancé and I are primarily backpack-only travelers, trips with our cat are different. We like being prepared for any scenario to keep Otto as comfortable as possible.

Here is a starter packing list to keep your travel day as smooth as possible:

• Soft-sided carrier (verify with your airline for dimension requirements)

• Collapsible water bowl

• Extra food and treats, and be sure to review the import rules of the country you’re flying to (some products, such as beef and pork, may not be permitted for import)

• Leash and harness/collar

• Travel litter box and spare litter, if applicable

• Pet-friendly wipes (accidents can happen mid-flight… ask us how we know 💩)

• Ziplock bags and waste bags for dirty wipes or pet poop

• Familiar item for comfort (favorite toy, blanket, sock, etc.)

• Extra copies of your paperwork

And because I used them as a previous example, with AA, if you’re bringing your pet in the cabin, your carrier counts as your carry-on. You’ll need to pay the pet fee, and your pet must stay in the carrier under the seat for the whole flight.

You can also bring one other item — either a small personal item, like a purse or handbag, or a standard carry-on bag for the overhead bin. Not both.

If you’re using a pet stroller, it has to be checked at the counter, and regular bag fees apply. Again, these rules vary airline to airline, so it’s always good to do your research.

What To Expect On The Day of Travel

The day is here, and it’s time to fly! ✈️

You may notice that you were not able to check in for your flight in advance. When you arrive at the airport, head to the check-in counter to have an agent weigh your pet, tag the carrier, and process payment for the pet fee.

When you get to security, let them know you’re traveling with a pet, and they’ll direct you through their process. Typically, this will involve taking your pet out of their carrier and holding them as you walk through the scanner.

Once we pass security, we always like finding a relatively quiet corner at a gate to sit down, stretch out, and take a breather before boarding.

What to Expect When You Land

You’re almost there, friend — just one more step before you can truly start your vacation: customs and immigration.

This is where the import rules for your destination are going to come into play. Of course, they will vary depending on what country you traveled to, but at a minimum, you can expect:

• Hand inspection of your pet

• Inspection of the pet supplies and food you’ve traveled with

• Review of the documents you’ve prepared

As with all things in travel, the exact process will look slightly different depending on the country. Pack your patience and allow yourself ample time to get through the procedures. 

Bonus Tips From a Seasoned Pet-Traveler

Minute Suites

Minute Suites have become our saving grace on long travel days where we have a U.S. layover.

Minute Suites are pet-friendly and are a quiet, safe, and comfortable environment for your pet to stretch their legs and get away from the noise of a busy airport.

This has been especially helpful for us, given our cat doesn’t love to use the airport’s pet relief areas. We can book a few hours in a Minute Suite, set up Otto’s travel litter box, and we humans can stretch out and relax, too. Of course, be sure to dispose of any pet waste in the appropriate areas, and know that if there is any damage to the Minute Suite, you will be charged to the card on file.

Pre-Arrange Your Airport Pick Up

You just conquered traveling internationally with your pet, and the last thing you want to expend brain power on is figuring out how to get to your hotel.

We’ve been pre-arranging pet-friendly rides from the airport, and it has been a true game-changer. We’ve used Booking.com and Welcome Pickups to arrange our transportation in advance, but any transportation service that offers pet-friendly rides will suffice.

Check International Requirements

Before you book your flight, double-check the rules for your destination. The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has a super helpful “Pet Travel” portal that lists export and import requirements for each country.

You can also browse PetTravel.com, which keeps an updated database of pet passport and entry regulations for more than 200 countries — a great way to make sure you’re not missing any forms, vaccines, or steps before takeoff.

Final Thoughts

Flying internationally with your pet is absolutely doable, but it does take patience and planning. Start early and triple-check everything. 

The best travel tip for flying with a pet? Preparation. Once you've done that, everything else will fall into place. 

Safe travels to you and your favorite travel buddy. 🐾