Pet-friendly airlines for you next big holiday
Dogs, Cats, Traveling, ,
Paws up! Are you planning your next big holiday but struggling to find an airline that accommodates your furry best friend? Relax, more and more airlines are becoming pet-friendly, making it easier than ever to take your pet along for the adventure.
Let’s take a look at some of the top pet-friendly airlines so you can easily plan a stress-free and fun-filled trip with your furry companion. So pack those bags and leash up Fido – it’s time to fly.
Lift
Lift knows that your four-legged friends are a part of the family which is why they created a unique offering for their passengers to fly onboard LIFT‚ with their small dogs. Your dog will now be able to travel in a pet-friendly carry bag placed under the blocked window seat allocated to your booking.
The process is straightforward; before booking your flight, you will need to fill out a Dog-in-cabin Request Form to check if there is availability which needs to be done within 7 days of your travel dates.
Their customer support team will contact you to confirm your reservation and provide you with a quote. On the cost side, it’s important to note that the cost of your dog booking is equal to your fare.
Airlink
Airlink hasn’t upped their game when it comes to your pet travelling in the cabin with you unless, of course, it is a service dog or an emotional support / psychiatric service animal. They do, however, allow your pet to travel as manifested cargo, but you must make sure to read up on the container requirements and other restrictions and the booking needs to be done in advance.
FlySafair and SAA
Both these airlines work along the same lines as Airlink and you need to book in advance and check the various restrictions. If you are flying with your pet as manifested cargo, we highly recommend chatting to your vet about travel remedies, especially when it comes to anxiety.
Petlounge
Bidair Cargo Pet Lounge is a great option if you’re looking for a one stop shop. Their goal is to make pet travel as easy and pleasant as possible for your pet. Their booking process is straightforward and you need to arrive 2.5 hours before departure. Their friendly staff will check your pet’s vet books, and documents as well as checking that your pet’s crate is compliant. And while your furry friend waits for their flight, they are given fresh water and kept in a safe area.
International Travel
Fortunately, when travelling overseas, there are quite a few airlines that allow your pet to travel with you in the cabin. Each airline has its own specific policies regarding this, but at least you can rest assured that your pet is safe with you.
So make sure to check out their pet-friendly policies – Air Canada, Air France, Alaska Air, American Airlines, Lufthansa, and United Airlines, to mention a few.
Conclusion
Pet-friendly flights are becoming more popular, and we hope that other local airlines will follow in Lift’s footsteps. Travelling with your pet is always going to be stressful to some extent, but with a bit of planning, like booking in advance, visiting the vet to update vaccinations, and grabbing a travel remedy you will be well on your way to that much deserved break.
