How to travel with a pet in airplane?

You're probably considering the best option for your pet during your trip abroad. You would've thought about leaving your pet at a pet boarding facility and thought immediately that there's not a chance that you're going to leave your pet at some unknown place, no matter how good their ratings are. So that leaves you with one option – flying with your pet, which can be a costly and complicated process. Here's a comprehensive guide on how you should approach flying with your pet.

Be mindful of airline regulations

The size of your pet will have a significant impact on whether or not you can bring it in-cabin with you. Airlines usually have strict guidelines when it comes to the size of pet carriers, such as being able to fit right underneath an airline seat. If your pet is around 15 pounds or less, it would be able to fit in an airline-approved size pet carrier. However, if you're travelling with a therapy or service dog, they would be exempted from this rule. Another thing upon which you should focus on is whether travelling long distances are stressful for your pet. Dogs with high-anxiety levels may not be suitable for long plane rides and are better off at a pet boarding facility. This kind of stress is simply not worth for your pet. Some airplanes would also require your pet to be well-trained and quiet for the complete journey. A pet that constantly whines would not only make the trip stressful for you but other passengers and the crew as well. If you think that your pet would be scarred for life after flying with you, it's more than enough reason to leave your pet with one of the pet boarding facilities that would take great care of it.

Think of your pet's comfort

Make sure that you look up your airline's rules and regulations on flying with pets to find out the size and type of pet carrier in which you can bring the pet. While each airline may provide differing measurements, you can look forward to purchasing a carrier between 16-19 inches long and about 10 inches in height. However, don't try to fit in your pet into a carrier that is a size too small for it, which would lead to claustrophobic feelings and may cause your pet to be stressed or anxious. Since baggage is often lost during transition, it is important that you keep a small carryon with you that should include a non-spill water carrier, enough food, and toys to keep your furry companion occupied throughout the journey. There's no need to be alarmed if your pet refuses to play with its toys, as it can happen due to travel anxiety that pets and even people are bound to experience at times. Supposing you are flying long distances to a country like Zambia in Africa and hoping to spend your holiday at luxury hotels like Royal Livingstone Hotel by Anantara, it would be better to leave your pet with a pet-caring facility back home in order to avoid any discomfort they may feel during the journey.

Pre-arrangements before the flight

Most airlines allow only a limited number of pets at a time to fly in-cabin. Therefore you need to make some calls way ahead of time to book the right spot for your furry friend. When you're flying with pets, it would be best to go for the middle seats as there's much leg space there to keep the carrier. And you should also find out about any additional expenses associated with getting your pet to fly in-cabin. Depending on your preferred airline, it can cost somewhere around $100. One thing you shouldn't forget to do is research on pet-friendly accommodation in your target destination. For example, if you're travelling to Zambia, you may find hotels in Livingstone Zambia that offer ultimate pet-friendly atmospheres.

On the day of the flight

On the day of your flight, take your pup for a long walk before leaving for the airport. This sudden change of routine and the long stretch of exercise would leave your pet exhausted enough to sleep for most of your journey. It will make your pet less fretful and help it to spend all those energies before being cooped up inside its carrier for the journey ahead. Also, you should not give any food or water before the flight. This may sound cruel, but it actually helps to avoid upset stomachs due to nerves associated with travelling.