Sometimes a holiday just isn't a holiday without Rover coming too, but how can you fly him out, what's it going to cost and what do you need to do to arrange it? Since the introduction of the PETS passport scheme, flying with animals has become much easier. Read on for all you need to know to get your beloved pooch safely into the air.
Which airlines can you take pets on?
If you're flying internationally, you've got a good choice of airlines. British Airways carries pets not in the cabin but on British Airways World Cargo (call 08457 222 777). Virgin Atlantic allows cats, dogs and, bizarrely, ferrets to travel in the cargo hold to and from Barbados, Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York-JFK and Newark, Orlando, San Francisco and Washington. For an excess baggage charge, KLM will carry cats and dogs onboard its aircraft. Lufthansa carries pets as hand luggage or cargo, depending on their size and weight. Whichever airline you choose to fly with, you will always need to call and reserve your pet's travel. While some airlines allow pets in the cabin, others do not and though there is always an administrative charge for transportation of animals, these can vary hugely by airline. Research all these factors before you decide with whom to fly.
Low-cost airlines
The UK-based low-cost carriers will not allow pets to travel in the cabin. Flybe transports pets in the hold as cargo (details: Globe Air Cargo 00 44 (0)208 757 4776). Some European discount airlines have different rules, however, so if you flying within Europe, try and arrange your route with one of these airlines:
- Germanwings transports pets up to 8kg (17lbs) in a suitable container.
- The Scandinavian low-cost carrier Sterling.dk allows cats and dogs to travel in the cabin instead of a hand luggage baggage as long as the dimensions do not exceed 50x40x25cm and the weight does not exceed 10kg (22lbs). Pets can also be carried in the hold for a cost of €8 (£5) per kilo. If the weight and dimensions of the carrier are greater than 50x40x25cm / 10kg, the pet will be transported in the cargo hold. The cost of this is €67 (£45) one way. Forms must be filled out online to reserve pet transport. Click here for more details
Pet's Passport
The DEFRA Pet Travel Scheme (commonly known as pet's passport) allows animals from certain countries enter the UK without undergoing the six-month quarantine period. This means that you can bring your pet back into the UK as well, without them having to undergo quarantine. To meet the rules of the scheme, your pet needs to be fitted with a microchip, vaccinated against rabies and then blood-tested. You then have to wait for six months after the animal has been blood-tested to check that the vaccine was successful to get the documentation from the vet that will allow it to travel and your pet will be issued with an EU passport. The scheme applies to dogs, cats and the ever-popular ferret. Other domestic animals such as birds, rabbits, rodents and fish can also be transported under the scheme, though, obviously, they do not have to be microchipped or given rabies vaccinations. The scheme is excellent for providing easy transportation of animals in the UK, but it does take time to follow the procedures, so make sure you start at least seven months before you're due to fly - it's no good turning up at the passport office with a mugshot of your moggy…
Frequent Flyers
Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Paws frequent-flyer programme allows animals to win gifts for themselves and air miles for their owner. On their first flight, the animals will receive a "welcome onboard pet pack" complete with doggy t-shirts, toy mouse or, for the ferrets, a flying jacket and collar tag. All pets will receive their own passport, which gives them paw prints that they can redeem for gifts. Sir Richard Branson calls it "pawtastic".
Sabrina Wolfe
© Cheapflights Ltd
Updated September 2008
