Flying with Pets
Cheap international flights have changed the way that people travel and the veritable multitude of carriers, airlines and flight routes available have given us options that mean even our wildest travel dreams can become reality.
For many people though one of the drawbacks of planning a holiday is arranging to have somebody look after their pet(s) while they are soaking up the sun in a far flung corner of the world.
However the nuisance of finding a pet carer, and the anguish of being away from Fido for two weeks, need no longer bother the intrepid traveller.
The Department for Environment, Foods and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has spent a great deal of time perfecting its Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) which was first introduced in 2000.
The scheme has gone from strength to strength and allows pet owners to travel with their dog, cat, ferret or other animal to and from European Union (EU) countries as well as countries such as Canada, the US, Cyprus, Malta and Bahrain.
Since PETS was launched over 60,000 animals have enjoyed holidays with their owners by using the Pet Passport System which owners can apply for through the European Union website, to see what it looks like click here.
Other destinations which have qualified for the Pet Travel Scheme include: Latvia, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Estonia, Chile, Hong Kong, Aruba, French Guyana, Greenland, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Malaysia and Trinidad and Tobago. For a full list of countries which have joined and/or qualified for the scheme visit the DEFRA website.
Once you have a Pet Passport and have confirmed that your travel destination is a member of the PETS scheme the next step is to find out which airline carriers allow pets onboard flights.
Virgin Atlantic is one of the best airlines for travelling with pets and they even have a Flying Paws Club for owners and frequent flyer pets. Virgin transports pets in a secure and comfortable cargo hold and has a team of staff committed to ensuring a safe, hassle free trip.
British Airways also allows pets to travel on its World Cargo services and on passenger services smaller animals like birds, dogs, cats and fish can also be transported.
Air France allows cats and dogs that weigh under 6kgs to travel in the cabin with their owners provided they are kept in a container that meets specific transport standards. The pet container will be considered a hand bagged item.
Budget Airlines are trickier when it comes to travelling with pets; Easyjet’s flight policy forbids all pets from travelling with the exception of service dogs for those with disabilities, Aer Lingus carries pets only on certain routes in the cargo hold although this must be confirmed when booking.
Lufthansa is probably the best bet for pet travel on a budget airline as they allow cats and dogs up to 8kg to travel in the cabin with owners and even provide a special “Pet Box” at no extra cost.
Before flying with your pet always make sure to check with the airline as well as discussing the regulations of your chosen destination with your travel agent.
