“Upset in the Skies: Flight Attendant Gives Cat Owner an Ultimatum That Turns Heads!”
“While the initial experience was frustrating, I really appreciated that level of customer service and the effort to acknowledge and address the situation,” the influencer told The New York Post.
There’s a lot of information that pet owners need to be aware of before traveling by plane
Image credits: EyeEm / freepik (not the actual photo)
According to Delta Air Lines’ website, small dogs, cats, and household birds that “meet the age, health, size, and kennel requirements” can travel in the cabin for a one-way fee that’s collected at check-in.
“Dog or cat travel outside the contiguous U.S. is permitted only if the customer possesses all required documentation for the pet to enter the destination and return to their country of origin (if applicable), and also complies with age, health, size, and kennel requirements.”
Here are the company’s safety and health requirements for small pet travel via plane as carry-on:
- Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old for domestic travel;
- Your pet dog must be 6 months old if traveling to the U.S. from another country and a pet cat must be at least 16 weeks old;
- Your pet must be at least 15 weeks old when traveling to the European Union.
Meanwhile, one pet is permitted per kennel, with these exceptions:
- 1 female cat or dog may travel with her un-weaned litter if the litter is between 8 weeks and 6 months of age. There is no limit on the number of animals in the litter as long as they can fit safely in the kennel.
- 2 pets of the same breed and size between the ages of 8 weeks and 6 months may be allowed to travel in 1 kennel, as long as they are small enough to fit into a single kennel and are compatible. If the pets are allowed to travel in 1 kennel, they will be charged as 1 pet.
As per Delta, the pet should be able to fit into a soft-sided ventilated pet kennel that then goes underneath the seat right in front of the passenger. Pets in kennels count as one item of carry-on baggage. You’re allowed to bring one personal item on board the aircraft alongside the kennel.
The New York Times notes that Delta Air Lines recommends pet carriers “no larger than 18 inches long by 11 inches tall and 11 inches wide.” The pet must be small enough to have some room to move around the carrier. Meanwhile, the kennel should have ventilation openings on three sides.
“Delta charges $95 for pets traveling as carry-on companions, and the passenger can bring only one personal item along with the pet. Certain seats cannot be booked for travel with an animal, such as those in an emergency exit row.”
Have you ever flown with your pets before, dear Pandas? What was the experience like? How did you keep your pet’s anxiety and stress under control? How did the flight attendants and other passengers treat you and your pet? We’d love to hear about your experiences. Feel free to share them in the comments.
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