Most airlines allow only two animals per flight, so reservations for humans and pet must be made well in advance. Whenever possible arrange direct flights, and when a change of planes is required, be sure to allow at least one hour for the connection. It’s far better to have a long layover than a close connection. The pet’s vaccinations must be current and a veterinary examination within ten days of the departing flight is required. Your vet will issue a special health certificate which must remain with the pet during air travel.

The charge for pet travel varies with the airline and is the same regardless of whether the pet is large or small.

A small pet may travel in the cabin if its airline-approved carrier fits under the seat. Larger pets travel in airline-approved kennels in a special pressurized section of cargo, and are always loaded after baggage and unloaded before baggage. The kennel must be the right size for the pet’s size and weight and also must provide dishes for water and food in the event of a transit delay. Your pet needs to be able to stand comfortably in his or her kennel, and there are specific requirements for dimensions that the airlines must strictly adhere to. Check with your local pet store.

If your pet is comfortable traveling by car no sedative is required; however some nervous pets require a medication which your vet will provide if necessary. Be sure to exercise your pet prior to boarding so that he or she has fully eliminated. I find that skipping a meal prior to the flight is a good idea. Arrive at the airport well in advance of the flight and know in advance where to take your pet for loading. If your pet has never flown before, be sure that it is already comfortable getting into and staying in its kennel at least several days before the flight, and doesn’t experience separation anxiety if left unattended in its kennel in a location away from home. If your pet has been loaded in cargo, you will pick him up in a separate unloading area for oversize baggage. After many trips alone with a large dog I found having a set of wheels for the kennel made my life a whole lot easier, since I always handled all baggage myself.

Attendants are generally very careful in handling pets; however a few precautions are advisable. Do not ever travel in extremely warm or extremely cold weather, since the pet may have to wait in its kennel outdoors between flights. If at all possible, watch your pet being loaded into cargo. If that is not possible, be sure that airline personnel verify that your pet has been loaded before you board, or before the flight is allowed to take off. I have always been extremely insistent upon this and have never experienced a problem. If there is a long delay announced prior to departure or between connections, ask that your pet be removed from cargo and go to the location specified to meet your pet. This only happened to me once. When flying between Denver and New York on the second segment of a transcontinental voyage there was an electrical fire in the cockpit. The plane made an emergency landing in Detroit and everyone was deplaned. I asked that my dog be immediately removed from cargo and I remained with her for the two hours until another airplane became available for boarding. Needless to say, this was scary for me although Ginger took it in stride very well and I was completely satisfied with the way United Airlines handled the situation.

I have only flown via United Airlines and its affiliates and once via Air France to and from Paris, and having followed all of the above precautions, have never experienced a problem.