Is Your Pet Allowed or Disallowed to Board a Flight with You in the US Commercial Airliner?

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the federal regulatory authority that controls the air transportation of pets inside the territory of the USA. However individual domestic airlines follow their own additional protocols while allowing or disallowing the boarding emotional support animals or the service pets as the case may hold. Irrespective of the fact that you intend to travel anywhere between the Continental United States and Hawaii or beyond, there is a very likelihood that regulations are imposed separately at the respective destination ports, over and above the ones instituted by USDA.

Show your Deliberation with the Airlines in Advance of your Flight Booking

Booking a flight when you are traveling alone could be easy but definitely when it comes to flying as a pet parent with your adorable furry in your possession, things become quite dicey. Here is the point wise strategy to follow when reserving the space for your pet in the airline:

#1- Call the airlines and tell them that you are bringing your pet onboard and want to make the reservation.

#2 – At least 24 Hours to 48 Hours in advance of the flight just reconfirm with the airline that you will be boarding the flight with your furry pet. If your pet is around 4 or 5 Kgs, it is allowed by the airlines to travel in the cabin. However, even then there are several preconditions attached by the respective airline. Remember that the airlines have the right to allow or disallow your loving pet to board the flight with you, and the reasons could be many and any of these, inclusive of improper vaccination, poor health, or disallowing the pet out of sheer aggressive and abnormal behavior, in which case he is likely to be a threat to other passengers.

#3 – It is quite a notable fact that your pet will travel happy and hearty if he is adapted to his carrier. Therefore, make sure that you have the pet adapted to his carrier by giving him necessary training at least 3 or 4 weeks before boarding the flight.

#4 – And definitely not the least, your loving pet will not be allowed to travel just in case you want him to travel in the company of a minor, who is himself not accompanied by any adult.

USDA Protocols before your Pet Boards the Flight in Airline

The day of approaching your flight nears now; it is very obvious that you start feeling your heart beat louder. And why not! You have to make last-minute preparations with respect to your furry pet. Here are a few things that you need to keep in mind on the day you board your flight in the company of your pet. These are well guarded points issued straight from USDA manual:

According to the USDA guidelines, pets should be fed with necessary food and water four hours before boarding the flight. The reason is that the pets who board flights within minutes after having their scheduled diet, they may start feeling indigestion and bowel discomforts.
If the furry pet is in the cargo hold, leave food and water in the carrier and in this case the authorized airline executive will take the responsibility of feeding him appropriately either before the flight or after the flight has ended.
Give a good exercise to your furry pet for burning his energy and busting his qualms. And more importantly leash him such that he could make easy movements while boarding and deboarding the airplane.
Do not arrive too early at your destined airport. 4 to 5 hours is good time to be at the airport with your pet. In fact, there are many airlines who recommend being at the airport at least 2 hours before the flight. You should check in at the ticket counter with your pet. You are not allowed for curbside or any self-service check-in.

Verdict

The time is just right to scramble through the regulations delineated specifically for the US Pet Air Travel and the guidelines issued in this respect by non-other than the federal agency - United States Department of Agriculture.