A new Washington Lottery commercial [1] shows a hang glider taking to the air with first a penguin strapped to his chest, and then a chicken. The tagline of the touching ad: "Every bird should get to fly." But what about cats, dogs and other pets? Well, they have the option of flying commercial.
Pet policies differ between airlines, so it's important to check your specific carrier's rules before buying your tickets. Some airlines, like Southwest, don't even allow pets (with the exception of service animals). But for airlines that do, there are generally two options: pets as carry-ons and pets as checked baggage.
Pets as carry-ons
Delta [2] allows dogs, cats, birds, ferrets, rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs to travel in the cabin for a one-way, $100 fee, as long as your pet is small enough to fit comfortably in a kennel under the seat in front of you, is at least eight weeks old and remains in the kennel at all times. The total number of pets on a flight is limited to one in first class and two for the main cabin, and the weight limit is 20 pounds for the pet and carrier.
Alaska Airlines [3] allows dogs, cats, rabbits, household birds and tropical fish in the cabin, with a maximum per flight of one pet in first class and five in the main cabin. The airline charges a one-way, per-pet fee of $100. As on Delta flights, in-cabin pets must remain in their carriers and fit comfortably underneath your seat; however, the limit for the pet and carrier combined is 150 pounds.
It's a good idea to have dishes attached to the inside of the carrier door that are easily accessible to you in case you need to slip your pet some food or water during a longer flight. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) requires that food and water are given to puppies and kittens less than 16 weeks old every 12 hours. Mature animals must be given water every 12 hours and food every 24 hours.
The SturdiBag [4] ($94 for small, $102 for large at Urban Beast [4] from Gig Harbor-based SturdiProducts Inc. is an excellent option for in-cabin pets like cats and small dogs. The flexible top conforms to the small under-seat space without collapsing on your pet. Urban Beast owner Katie Rockwell uses the SturdiBag for her Mexican hairless Chihuahua mix, Blue, who loves to fly. In sizing up your own pet for a carrier, make sure that he can stand up and turn around inside.
For the fashionista flying with her pets, Railey's Leash & Treat [4] in Fremont has carriers from Kwigy-bo [5] and Creature Couture [6] that look more like handbags, but are airline approved ($140-$240).
Pets as checked baggage
If your pet is too large to fit under your seat, Delta and Alaska Airlines both give you the option of checking him as baggage, except when temperatures are too extreme -- for Delta, that's between May 15 and Sept. 15, and year-round when temperatures exceed 85 degrees or go below 20 degrees in either your departing city, arrival destination or any stops in between.
The fee for checked animals is $200 one way on Delta and $100 on Alaska Airlines. A 500-size kennel, which measures approximately 40 inches by 27 inches by 30 inches and fits large dogs like Labradors, is the largest both airlines will accept as checked baggage. Some airlines also have weight limitations for pets and carriers; for Delta, the limit is 100 pounds and for Alaska it is 150. Any pets over these limits can be shipped via cargo.
All airlines require that kennels for checked animals meet USDA requirements, which include sturdy, rigid construction with a solid roof; a door that closes securely but doesn't lock; and a lining of litter, bedding, newspaper or other absorbent materials. The kennel must also have two dishes attached to the inside of the door -- easily accessible to personnel without opening the door -- and feeding instructions and food, if applicable, attached to the outside of the carrier.
Alaska Airlines says personnel will give the pet food or water at the passenger's request. According to Delta, pets can be fed prior to the flight with food provided by the passengers. However, once loaded into the baggage compartment, pets cannot be fed during the flight. For other kennel regulations, or feeding and watering policies, visit the USDA Web site [7] or check with individual airlines.
The durable Petmate Vari Kennel Ultra [8] is a good standard kennel for checking animals up to 90 pounds ($129.99 for large and $149.99 for extra-large) and is available at most Petco [8] locations.
Preparing for the flight
Dr. Jeb Mortimer, veterinarian at Green Lake Animal Hospital and a partner with Seattle Veterinary Associates, recommends that you take your dog for a long walk -- not a run, as some pups tend to get hyped up -- before kenneling him so that he can express his bladder and burn some excess energy. Dr. Mortimer also suggests you do a trial run with your pet in the kennel at home to get him used to the process and comfortable with his surroundings.
After his flight, your pet will probably be thirsty, so you'll want to have an easily accessible, compact bowl on hand when you arrive at your destination. The silicone Aqua-fur bowl [9] from Oregon-based Tazlab ($23 at Urban Beast) holds a liter of water or food, and folds up to fit perfectly in your carry-on.
More critical, though, your furry pal may be anxious to relieve himself, so make sure you know the potty situation at the airport to which you are flying.
After arriving at Sea-Tac with her English cocker spaniel, Rocky, Seattle resident Jen Leahy said her pup was ecstatic to be released from his crate. "He promptly peed all over the floor as I hustled to get him outside," she says. At Sea-Tac, there's a small area outside baggage claim in the main terminal to serve as a pet potty station, equipped with absorbent sand, bags and a trash can.
Of course, having to clean up after your pet might not be the most embarrassing consequence of flying with him, according to local political consultant Bill Dunbar, who flew from Baltimore to Seattle with his two cats and two Labradors in tow. "The dogs just seemed really happy to be at the airport, where there were so many people there who must have been there solely to throw tennis balls to them," he says. "They goosed everyone in baggage claim."
Way to fly the friendly skies, pups.
Check with individual airlines on health documentation, quarantine rules, additional kennel requirements and other rules and regulations for flying with your pets.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
