So, how much does it cost to fly your best friend?You can leave the bureaucracy and planning for us, and let’s dive into all the financial details of pet air travel you’ll need to consider:
Bureaucracy and Approvals:
Before your dog or cat takes off, you’ll have to deal with bureaucracy in the country of origin. Import permits, health certificates and other paperwork can add up to the total.
Preparation and Veterinary Care:
A dog or a cat entering a country must undergo veterinary treatments and checks. Vaccinations, microchipping, and blood tests are required and can increase the costs.
Flight and Handling:
The majority of cost: flying your pet! It depends on the country of origin, the airline, the kennel size and additional handling fees, which, like with human flights, can become costly.
Successfully navigating the process requires thorough budget planning. With the right information and tools, you can fly your dog calmly and safely.
There are 3 options for flying dogs and cats:
Please note that the airline is responsible for the final price for adding a pet to your ticket, and the payment for the tickets, for you and your pet, will be made directly to the airline.
How much does it cost to fly a dog or a cat in the passenger cabin?
For the smaller pets there is an option for flying with you in the passenger cabin.The prices for flying a pet in the passenger cabin will vary depending on the destination and the airline. Generally, the process can cost between $50 and $150.
For example, El Al will increase your bill by $100 for flying a pet in the passenger cabin. In contrast, United will charge you $125 for the service, and that’s just the beginning. If the flight includes a stopover of more than 4 hours within the United States or more than 24 hours outside the United States, you’ll need to add another $125.
How much does it cost to fly a pet in the cargo hold as excess baggage?
If you have the option to fly your pet as excess baggage, the cost of the service may vary between $100 and $450, depending on the destination and the airline. Don’t worry, Most airlines have designated areas in the cargo hold where pets, including dogs, are transported. This area is specially designed to ensure the safety and comfort of the animals during the flight..
Major airlines charge based on the weight of the dog and the crate. For example, El Al will limit the payment to $200 for a dog weighing up to 50 kg (including crate weight) and $400 for a dog weighing over 51 kg (including crate weight). Similarly, Lufthansa will determine the price based on the size of the crate and the flight distance. For a small crate, the payment will be between $150 and $200, and for a larger crate, you will need to pay between $300 and $450. Other airlines may charge higher amounts by requiring an additional fee per kilogram. For specific destinations, the cost may reach up to $1,000 euros for flying a dog as excess baggage.People who two pets or more sometimes presented with an option to fly them in the same crate, wich can reduce the cost of the process.The option will depend on the airline, the size of the pets and how well they get along.
How much does it cost to fly a pet as cargo?
Flying a pet as cargo refers to the process of transporting a dog on an aircraft in the cargo hold without the owner accompanying the pet. The airport customs staff handles the transportation, and it takes several hours before and after the flight at the airport.
Why fly a dog as cargo? Some countries allow the entry and exit of animals only as cargo, some airlines allow flying animals only as cargo, and sometimes the owner wants to fly the dog without accompaniment.
Flying a dog as cargo is always more expensive than the other options, and the main reason is that it requires the involvement of much more airport personnel than the alternative.The cost is usually determined based on the volume of the crate, and, of course, it will vary depending on the destination and the airline.
For example, if you need to fly a dog to England, the cost will start from $2000 for a large crate.
How much does it cost to fly a therapy or emotional support dog?
Flying a therapy or emotional support dog provides you with the advantage that there is no need to purchase a flight crate (a significant saving). In addition, with most airlines, you will not have to pay for the dog’s flight ticket!
It is important to emphasize: if your dog is defined as a therapy dog or serves emotional support, it does not mean that you are not required to submit import/export documents. The only difference is in the area of the flight, meaning you can fly without the need for special documents!
