Frequently Asked Questions about Flying with a Dog

In this blog, we’ll be answering some of the most frequently asked questions about flying with a dog. All information shared is based on our personal experiences and knowledge, and should be used only as a general guide. Please make sure to research the most current regulations for your specific airline and destination, as rules can change.

Background: Tofu is a 4.5 kg, 5-year-old Maltese who has taken 50+ flights. He is a trained multipurpose (caridac alert + psychiatric) assistance dog. We have experience traveling with him both as a pet (before he became an assistance dog) and as a service/assistance animal. Throughout this blog, we’ll clearly distinguish the differences between flying with a pet versus flying with a service animal.

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service animal is “a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability.” The tasks performed must be directly related to that person’s disability.

The Assistance Dogs International (ADI) further defines an assistance dog as a highly trained canine that helps mitigate a person’s disability by performing specific tasks, enhancing independence, and improving quality of life. Assistance dogs undergo extensive training and must meet strict behavioral, temperament, and public-access standards.

It’s also important to note that each country has its own regulations regarding assistance dogs, including rules for documentation, public access, and travel requirements.

Here we will answer our top 10 most asked questions!

Question 1: How do you fly with a dog on a plane? Are they allowed?

Not all airlines or routes allow animals on board, though many European and American carriers do. Generally, there are two ways for pets to travel by air: in the cabin or in the cargo hold.

To fly in the cabin, a pet must meet the airline’s specific size and weight limits and must travel inside an approved pet carrier. Most airlines also charge a pet travel fee. Detailed requirements vary by carrier, so it’s important to check the policies on the airline’s website.

Once you book your own ticket, you should contact the airline as soon as possible to reserve a spot for your pet. Flights have limited space for animals, and reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Assistance dogs must remain on the floor during the flight and are not permitted to sit on passenger seats.

Service dogs, on the other hand, are allowed to fly in the cabin without the usual pet size, weight, or carrier restrictions. However, they must be fully trained and approved by the airline in advance. Each airline has its own documentation and verification process, so be sure to review their requirements carefully.

Another option for traveling with a dog is flying them in the cargo hold. Since we have no personal experience with cargo travel, we unfortunately cannot provide advice on that option.

Question 2: What happens if the dog needs to pee and poo on the flight?

We’ve flown on routes ranging from short 2-hour trips to long-haul flights of up to 15 hours. Many people recommend limiting food and water before a flight to reduce the chance of accidents. Tofu is both outdoor-potty trained and pee-pad trained — in other words, he can potty on command. We typically have him go right before boarding (either at a pet relief area or on a pee pad in the restroom) and again immediately after landing.

For long flights (10+ hours), we believe it is unrealistic and inhumane to expect a dog — especially a small dog like Tofu — to hold their bladder or bowels for that long. When he needs to relieve himself, he lets me know, and we go to the aircraft restroom. I place a few pee pads on the floor so he can comfortably potty. Throughout long flights, we also provide water and offer his regular kibble as meals. We believe dogs should travel as normally and as comfortably as possible, even in the air.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), service dogs should “refrain from relieving themselves, or be able to relieve themselves in a way that does not create a health or sanitation issue.” This standard helps ensure safety and cleanliness while still acknowledging that dogs have biological needs.

Question 3: What are the documents you need to fly with a dog?

The required documents depend on where you are departing from and where you are traveling to. For domestic flights within the United States, federal law does not require a health certificate for pets; however, many airlines still require a recent health/vaccination certificate, so you should always check your airline’s specific policy.

For international travel, requirements become more complex. Common documentation includes:

• An ISO-compliant microchip

• An international health certificate

• A rabies vaccination certificate

• Rabies titer tests (required by some countries)

• Tapeworm/deworming treatments (required by certain destinations, such as the UK and EU)

• Country-specific forms and timelines

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If you are traveling from the United States, you can visit the USDA APHIS Pet Travel website (usda.gov → APHIS → Pet Travel) to find:• Destination-specific requirements• Required documents• Search tools for USDA-accredited veterinarians• Instructions for getting forms endorsed

Some countries have very strict regulations and long waiting periods. For example, when we traveled to Japan with Tofu, the entire preparation process took eight months. Japan requires additional paperwork, strict timelines, and a mandatory 180-day waiting period after the rabies titer test before entry is allowed.

If you’re interested in the full process, you can read our detailed Japan guide here:(https://traveldogtofu.wixsite.com/traveldogtofu/post/how-to-bring-your-dog-to-japan-from-other-country)

Question 4: How do you train your dog to be calm and cool on flights? Any tips?

There are many ways to prepare your dog for air travel. Proper preparation can help reduce stress for both you and your pet.

For Pets:

1. Get a pet carrier early and train your pet to use it. Pets are required to remain in their carrier throughout the flight, so it’s essential they feel safe and comfortable inside.

2. Simulate travel scenarios. Practice with public transportation, such as trains or buses. When Tofu was a puppy, we spent a lot of time training him at the train station and on the train.

3. Acclimate your dog to engine sounds. You can play videos of airplane or engine sounds on YouTube to help your dog get used to the noise.

4. Manage anxiety. For nervous dogs, you can try earmuffs, a thunder shirt, or discuss calming supplments with your veterinarian.
   

   For Service Dogs:

   
   

   1. Bring a blanket or mat. Service dogs must remain on the floor during the flight, not on seats. A blanket makes them more comfortable, especially if the aircraft cabin is cold.

   2. Bring a chew stick or toy. This can help relieve ear pressure or boredom during the flight.

   3. Use a soft leash. Some airlines, particularly in Europe, require the service dog’s leash to be secured to your seatbelt.

   4. Consider bringing a muzzle. While most airlines only recommend bringing a muzzle, some European carriers (e.g., Turkish Airlines) require one for boarding. Even if it’s not mandatory, having a muzzle on hand is a good precaution.

Question 5: Do all airports have pet relief area?

Unfortunately, not all. While most airports in the U.S. have designated pet relief areas, these are rare outside the U.S. There are exceptions, of course, but it’s important to check in advance whether your terminal has a pet relief area. Keep in mind that some pet relief areas are located pre-security, so plan accordingly.

For airports without pet relief areas, we usually bring a pee pad into the restroom and have Tofu relieve himself on it. For this reason, teaching your dog to potty on command is, in my opinion, an essential skill for traveling with dogs.

Question 6: How do you prepare yourselves and Tofu for any delay at the airport or on the plane?

We have couple things with us AT ALL TIMES: 1) Dog dried food- a portion or two 2) dog bowl 3) pee pads and wet wipes 4) copies of dog vaccinations/passports/medication/microchip info (either on our phone or hardcopies) 5) treats/a toy/chew 6) muzzle For service dog handlers: 1) emergency info sheet- in English and one in the language you are traveling to 2) medication and their prescription slips

Question 7: How does the pet go through the metal detector?

Definitely not through the X-ray machine! If you are traveling with a pet, most of the time TSA will ask you to remove the carrier and pet's harness and ask you to hold your pet through the metal detector.

For service dogs, you can either take off all the gear and have the dog go through the metal detector alone. OR you can choose to have the gear on and have a pat-down by the TSA. We personally choose to take off all the gear because we don't want to associate petting when Tofu's work gear is on.

I have to point out that in some countries this process may look different. For example, we were in Frankfurt airport and the TSA wanted me to hold my dog at all times when passing through TSA. In Tokyo Narita Airport, we had to wait until further instruction as the TSA there was not familiar with the protocol with dogs. In Istanbul airport, they demanded my dog to be pat down but all the TSAs there were either scared of dogs or were not allowed to touch dogs due to their religion. We waited there for 20 minutes until they found someone. Therefore, you should arrive extra early at the airport when traveling with your dog.

Question 8: What is the best pet friendly airline?

Many commercial airlines allow pets to travel in the cabin, including Delta, American Airlines, United, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, China Airlines, KLM, Air France, and Swiss Air. However, all commercial airlines require that pets remain inside their carrier at all times during the flight.

The only airlines that allow pets to move freely outside of a carrier are charter or specialized pet airlines, such as BarkAir, K9Jets, and private jets. These options are ideal for owners who want a more flexible and comfortable travel experience for their pets.

Question 9: What about larger dogs?

Dogs that exceed the airline’s weight or size limits cannot travel in the cabin on most commercial airlines. The options for larger dogs include:

1. Flying in the cargo hold on a commercial airline.

2. Special pet-friendly airlines such as K9Jets or BarkAir, which cater specifically to animals.

3. Charter flights, which can offer a more flexible and comfortable travel experience for large dogs.

Some commercial airlines do allow slightly larger pets in-cabin, with weight limits up to around 10 kg, but this varies by carrier.

If you’re looking to find charter flight options and connect with other pet owners, we recommend joining the Facebook group: “Charter Air Travel With Pets.”

Question 10: How do you find pet-friendly accommodation and restaurants?

For pet-friendly hotels, we like to search and book through Hotels.com. You can use the search filters to show only pet-friendly accommodations.

For restaurants, it’s always a good idea to call ahead or do some research on dog culture in the country you’re visiting:

• United States: Pets are generally not allowed inside restaurants that serve food, except for service animals. Some states allow pets in outdoor seating areas.

• Europe (e.g., Germany, France, Italy): Pets are often welcome in restaurants and cafes. For places that don’t allow pets, there is usually a sign on the door. When in doubt, just ask!

• Japan: This can be tricky. Most restaurants do not allow dogs, though a few do. Information is hard to find, so we rely on Instagram accounts of pet-friendly travelers or apps like WannPass to locate restaurants that allow pets.

  
  

  A helpful tip for both Europe and Japan: many cafes and restaurants have their own Instagram accounts. If you cannot call them directly, sending a direct message on Instagram is often an effective way to confirm pet policies.

Thank you for reading our blog! For questions, feel free to connect with us through instagram:)

-Tofu and Tiffany