Flying with your pet: everything you need to know
It is a fact that every time more people travel on a plane , we fly more and fit more thanks to the new ultra light seats and shrinking legroom but, it is also true, and here comes the positive part, that every time we see more pets traveling with their owners aboard a airplane . This is due, among other factors, to the fact that airlines are becoming more flexible in their pet transport policy , something to which they have had to adapt practically due to market demands, since the demand is increasing (to which is added that more and more holiday establishments allow pets). We are on the right way.
One of the factors that matters most to pet owners who have to catch a plane is the fact that being able to travel with your animal on board the plane , right next to it. The truth is that here each airline has its own size and weight restrictions , so the ideal is to look for this information before even buying the ticket in order to be able to fly with the airline that offers the most favorable conditions for our needs.
And although we all prefer to fly accompanied by our pet, if it exceeds the size or weight allowed, it must fly in the hold of the plane . In the case of Iberia , although there are not many differences between airlines either, accept flying in the cabin with dogs, cats, fish, turtles and birds (except birds of prey) if they do not exceed 8 kg in weight (including its transport bag).
The ideal photo (although almost impossible)
THE CELLAR
Does this mean that if my pet travels in the hold, it will be treated as just another suitcase? Of course not. There are many myths regarding this topic. Pets do not travel in the same compartment as suitcases , or other cargo items carried by an aircraft, but in a special section adapted to animals that also has a regulated temperature.
A plane at 12,000 meters altitude , the outdoor air temperature can reach -50ºC Hence, while in the passenger cabin we do not notice an iota of cold or lack of oxygen thanks to the pressurization, neither do pets , whose compartment is also conditioned. So it doesn't matter if it's a morning or afternoon or even a night flight, the compartment where the pets travel will always be at the same temperature and not because it is sunny it will be hotter.
FLY WHEREVER YOU FLY, IT'S NOT FREE
And precisely because said warehouse is equipped for the transport of animals , like everything on a plane, here space is also limited . Hence, when traveling with a pet, the ideal is to call the airline directly to make the necessary arrangements. procedures by phone , since it may be that more animals travel on that flight and space is already complete ; It's fundamental book both tickets (pet and passenger) at the same time.
Carrier with dog under the seat
And no, you cannot buy a ticket for the animal to travel in the seat next to you , but if you fly in the cabin it must be under the seat Y if flying loaded, in the assigned compartment . Regarding fares, wherever you fly, each company has your own pet fee , which also depends on size, weight and duration of the flight. Service animals, such as guide dogs always go in the cabin and travel for free.
IN PERFECT HEALTH
Once the tickets have been purchased, the next condition is that the animal is healthy, is older than 2 months of age and the most important, keep the vaccination record up to date . It is worthwhile, when traveling to a foreign country, to find out if that country imposes entry sanitary conditions , like a specific vaccine that is not mandatory in our country of origin or restrictions of some kind.
The container in which they travel must comply with IATA regulations and only those dogs of large or dangerous breeds must wear a muzzle.
Experts in the field confirm that if it is not a too long flight, it is better than animals travel on an empty stomach in case they have a tendency to suffer from dizziness. And no matter how healthy our animal is, we must bear in mind which countries United Kingdom, Ireland, Malta, Galapagos Islands, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa, they do not accept the entry of animals , or they do it under very strict conditions, so it is best to discuss this point with the airline as well.
Security controls, as if it were just another person (because it is :)
ARE ANIMALS ALLOWED IN THE AIRPORT?
Usually dogs are allowed in arrival terminals of passengers as long as it is tied and also in other points of the airport, although in the departure terminals they usually force the animal to travel already in a carrier.
In the event that the animal has to travel in the hold , the ideal is to perform billing as late as possible , so you'll spend less time just waiting for it to be loaded into the warehouse. In that case, at the check-in counter they will tell us where we should deliver the animal , as does not travel on the same conveyor belts as suitcases . Goodness.
And since it is worth being cautious, it is recommended provide the animal with some food or drink that can be used in the event of a long flight delay . If the animal travels in the passenger cabin, it must pass the same safety regulations that any passenger, showing first passport with boarding pass and then passing through the security arch, outside the carrier.
Upon landing, it is advisable to ask the flight attendants by what tape will the animal come out , they can do it by talking to the coordinator, since they don't deliver it on the same carousel as the suitcases, but it is usually on another intended for special or delicate goods.