Traveling with pets
Your best friend travels with you too
Learn the recommendations and requirements for a safe and comfortable flight for both of you.
If you want to travel with your pet on the plane, the first thing you need to do is choose a company that allows flying with dogs and cats (or another animal if your pet is different). Nowadays, airlines are not required to accept pets either in the cabin or elsewhere.
Each airline is free to decide if they accept them and sets its own rules. In cases where the airline does accept pets – and more and more airlines do – keep in mind that purchasing a ticket to travel with a pet might take longer than buying a regular ticket, usually because it requires approval or paperwork from higher authorities.
To find out if the airline you want to use allows pets on board, visit their website or call their customer service. And yes, be prepared to pay extra, because in almost all cases, your pet also pays for a ticket (even if flying in a carrier at your feet or on your lap).
Advance planning is key when traveling with pets on a plane so that you have all the documentation your pet needs to fly, especially if you are traveling outside of Mexico.
Each country may require the documentation it deems appropriate when allowing pets to enter its territory. Therefore, before flying with your dog or cat, you should find out what administrative requirements must be met.
Wherever you fly with your dog or cat, you will need a pet passport. This passport is issued by your veterinarian and is usually given when the animal is microchipped (whether you are traveling immediately or not). This passport contains the animal´s medical history (vaccinations, deworming treatments, etc.). The destination country may require other documentation in addition to the pet passport, which is why it is important to be well informed before flying.
One of the most important things when traveling with pets on a plane is choosing the right carrier. The right carrier for flying with a dog or cat is one that guarantees maximum comfort for your pet and, at the same time, complies with the regulations of the airline you are going to use. Once you find an airline that allows animals to fly, make sure you know what their requirements are in terms of carriers, as each company has its own rules, which are usually very specific.
The size and breed of the dog is an important point to consider when flying. Dogs weighing more than 8 kilograms, including the carrier, must travel in the hold.
