Tips for Flying with Pets: How to Make Airport Travel Easier for You and Your Pet

Many pet owners prefer to drive when traveling with a dog or cat. But sometimes flying is the best or only option. Whether you are moving, taking a long-distance trip, visiting family, or traveling for an extended stay, flying with a pet takes extra planning.

Pet travel can feel stressful for both pets and owners. You may worry about your pet’s comfort, safety, airline requirements, airport security, and how your pet will handle the trip. The good news is that preparing early can make the process much easier.

This guide covers practical tips for flying with pets, including how to book your flight, prepare your pet carrier, visit the veterinarian, pack pet travel essentials, go through airport security, find pet relief areas, and make your airport parking experience easier with PreFlight Airport Parking.

Quick Answer: What Are the Best Tips for Flying with Pets?

The best tips for flying with pets are:

• Book your flight early because airlines may limit the number of pets per flight.
• Check your airline’s pet policy before booking.
• Choose a nonstop flight when possible.
• Use an airline-approved pet carrier.
• Help your pet get comfortable with the carrier before travel.
• Visit your veterinarian before flying.
• Pack food, water, treats, medication, and comfort items.
• Locate airport pet relief areas before you arrive.
• Know what to expect at TSA security.
• Ask the gate agent about early boarding when available.
• Reserve airport parking ahead of time.
• Choose a pet-friendly airport parking option like PreFlight.

1. Check Airline Pet Policies

Before booking your flight, review your airline’s pet travel policy carefully. Each airline has its own rules for pets, and those rules can vary based on the route, aircraft, destination, pet size, carrier size, and whether your pet is traveling in the cabin or another approved travel area.

Some airlines allow small pets in the cabin if they fit in an approved carrier under the seat. Others may have limits on the number of pets per flight, pet age, breed restrictions, destination restrictions, or seasonal rules.

• What to Check Before Booking a Pet-Friendly Flight
• Does the airline allow pets in the cabin?
• Is your pet type allowed?
• What size carrier is required?
• Does the carrier count as your carry-on item?
• How much is the pet travel fee?
• Are there breed, age, or weight restrictions?
• Are there destination or international travel restrictions?
• Do you need a health certificate?
• How many pets are allowed per passenger?
• How many pets are allowed per flight?

2. Book Your Flight in Advance

Since airlines may limit the number of pets allowed on each flight, book your flight as early as possible. Booking early gives you a better chance of securing a spot for your pet and choosing a flight that works well for your schedule.

After booking your own ticket, contact the airline directly to add your pet to the reservation. Do not assume your pet is automatically included just because you bought your ticket online.

Booking early also gives you more time to meet airline requirements, gather paperwork, schedule a veterinarian appointment, and get your pet comfortable with the carrier.

3. Choose the Best Flight Time for Your Pet

When flying with pets, the “best” flight is not always the cheapest flight. Think about your pet’s comfort and routine.

If possible, choose a nonstop flight to reduce transfers, delays, and time in the airport. Early morning or evening flights may be more comfortable during hot weather. Midday flights may be better during cold weather, depending on your route and season.

Pet-Friendly Flight Booking Tips

• Choose nonstop flights when possible.
• Avoid tight layovers.
• Avoid peak heat or cold when possible.
• Consider your pet’s normal feeding and bathroom schedule.
• Give yourself extra time at the airport.
• Avoid booking the last flight of the day if delays would create problems.

4. Get Your Pet Familiar with the Carrier

If your pet is not used to being in a carrier, begin carrier training well before the flight. Flying can be stressful, and a familiar carrier can help your pet feel safer.

Place the carrier in a common area at home with the door open. Add a comfortable blanket or soft liner. Let your pet explore it naturally. You can place treats, toys, or meals near the carrier to create more positivity around it.

Over time, encourage your pet to spend short periods inside the carrier. Gradually increase the time so they become more comfortable before travel day.

Carrier Training Tips

• Start carrier training several weeks before your flight.
• Keep the carrier open at home.
• Add a familiar blanket or soft liner.
• Reward your pet with treats or praise.
• Practice short car rides in the carrier.
• Avoid using the carrier only for stressful events.

5. Make Sure the Carrier Is Airline-Approved

Not all pet carriers are approved for airline travel. Your airline may have specific carrier size, ventilation, leak-proofing, and under-seat requirements.

Measure your carrier before your trip and compare it with your airline’s current pet carrier rules. Soft-sided carriers are often used for in-cabin pet travel because they can be easier to fit under the seat, but you should always follow your airline’s requirements.

Pet Carrier Checklist

• Airline-approved size (depends on the airline but is normally 18" x 11" x 11")
• Proper ventilation
• Secure zipper or latch
• Leak-proof bottom
• Comfortable liner
• Enough room for your pet to turn around
• ID tag attached to carrier
• Your contact information included
• No loose items that could create a hazard

 

6. Visit Your Veterinarian Before Flying

Schedule a veterinarian appointment before traveling with your pet. Your vet can help confirm that your pet is healthy enough to fly and advise you on vaccinations, medication, anxiety, feeding schedules, and travel documents.

For some trips, especially international travel, you may need a health certificate or other documentation. For international pet travel, contact your vet as soon as you decide to travel because destination countries may have specific vaccination, testing, treatment, and paperwork requirements.

Ask Your Veterinarian About

• Whether your pet is healthy enough to fly
• Required vaccinations
• Health certificate requirements
• Anxiety or motion sickness concerns
• Medication timing
• Feeding before travel
• Hydration tips
• Breed-specific concerns
• Age-related travel concerns
• International travel requirements

Some airlines and destinations require a pet health certificate, especially for international travel. Requirements vary by airline, state, country, and destination, so travelers should check with the airline and veterinarian before flying.

 

7. Understand International Pet Travel Rules

International pet travel requires extra planning. Rules can vary widely by destination country and may include vaccinations, microchips, blood tests, parasite treatments, quarantine rules, USDA endorsement, and specific health certificates.

If you are bringing a dog into the United States, CDC requirements depend on the dog’s travel history, vaccination status, and whether the dog has been in a high-risk country for dog rabies. Travelers should check CDC rules before returning to the U.S. with a dog.

International Pet Travel Tips

• Start planning months in advance.
• Check destination country rules.
• Work with a USDA-accredited veterinarian.
• Confirm microchip and vaccination requirements.
• Keep printed and digital copies of documents.
• Check U.S. re-entry rules before returning.
• Confirm airline and connecting country requirements.

 

8. Feed and Hydrate Carefully Before the Flight

A full meal right before flying may make some pets uncomfortable or increase the chance of motion sickness. Ask your veterinarian what feeding schedule is best for your pet.

Consider feeding a light meal several hours before travel and offer water in small amounts before departure. Your vet can help you decide what is safest based on your pet’s age, health, and travel time.

Helpful Feeding Tips

• Avoid a large meal right before travel.
• Offer water before arriving at the airport.
• Bring a collapsible bowl.
• Pack a small amount of food in case of delays.
• Follow your veterinarian’s advice for medication or special diets.

 

9. Exercise Your Pet Before Leaving for the Airport

Before leaving home, give your pet time to move around and use the bathroom. A short walk, play session, or calm activity can help reduce nervous energy before the airport.

A calmer pet is usually easier to manage through parking, shuttle service, check-in, security, and boarding.

 

 

10. Reserve Airport Parking Before Travel Day

Flying with a pet adds extra steps to your airport routine. Reserving airport parking ahead of time can help reduce stress because you know where you are going before you leave home.

Instead of circling for parking while managing luggage, a carrier, and a nervous pet, you can drive directly to your reserved parking location and focus on getting to the terminal safely.

PreFlight Airport Parking helps travelers make airport parking easier with parking reservations, shuttle service, and convenient airport access.

PreFlight Airport Parking understands that pets are part of the family. PreFlight is pet friendly and happy to help your pet onto the shuttle, making the airport parking experience easier for travelers flying with dogs, cats, and pets.

When you arrive at PreFlight with your pet, keep your pet secured in a carrier or on a leash, depending on your pet’s needs and airline requirements. The shuttle team can help make the transition from your vehicle to the shuttle smoother so you can get to the airport with less stress.

Why Pet Owners Like Parking with PreFlight

• Pet-friendly parking experience
• Your pet is already familiar with your vehicle
• Shuttle service to and from the airport
• Team members happy to help your pet and luggage onto the shuttle
• Convenient parking reservations
• Covered and open-air parking options at select locations
• Less stress before reaching the terminal

 

11. Arrive at the Airport Early

When traveling with a pet, give yourself more time than usual. You may need extra time for parking, shuttle service, airline check-in, pet documentation, TSA screening, a pet relief area stop, and boarding.

Arriving early helps you avoid rushing, which can make pets more anxious.

Airport Arrival Tips for Pet Owners

• Leave home earlier than you would when traveling alone.
• Keep your pet secure during parking and shuttle service.
• Have documents easy to access.
• Know where your airline check-in counter is.
• Locate pet relief areas before you arrive.
• Give yourself time to calm your pet before boarding.

 

 

Pet Relief Area Tips

• Research the airport map before travel day.
• Look for indoor and outdoor pet relief locations.
• Bring waste bags.
• Give your pet enough time to relax.
• Use the relief area before boarding when possible.

 

 

12. Know What to Expect at TSA Security

Going through airport security with a pet is easier when you know the process. TSA says small pets are allowed through the checkpoint, but travelers should remove the pet from the carrier and place the empty carrier through the X-ray machine. Pets should never go through the X-ray machine.

Maintain control of your pet with a leash or by carrying them through screening. TSA may inspect the carrier visually or physically.

 

TSA Pet Screening Tips

• Keep your pet in the carrier until screening begins.
• Remove your pet from the carrier before the carrier goes through X-ray.
• Never put your pet through the X-ray machine.
• Carry your pet or keep them on a leash through screening.
• Ask for a private screening if needed.
• Return your pet to the carrier after screening in a safe area.

At TSA security, pets are removed from their carrier. The empty carrier goes through the X-ray machine, while the traveler carries the pet or walks the pet through screening on a leash. Pets should never be placed in the X-ray machine.

 

13. Ask About Early Boarding

When you arrive at your gate, ask the gate agent if early boarding is available for travelers with pets. Policies vary, but a few extra minutes can help you get settled before the aisle becomes crowded.

Once onboard, place the carrier where the airline requires it, usually under the seat in front of you for in-cabin pet travel. Follow crew instructions and keep your pet secured during the flight.

 

 

14. Plan for Delays

Flight delays are stressful, but they can be even harder when traveling with pets. Pack extra supplies in case your trip takes longer than expected.

Bring extra food, waste bags, wipes, medication, and a backup carrier liner. Keep important documents with you, not in checked luggage.

If your flight is delayed for several hours, check whether the airport has a pet relief area after security.

 

15. Additional Tips

• If your pet is nervous, consider isolating their carrier with their favorite blanket to help with the noise of the airport. It will also help with temperature changes and give them a familiar smell.
• Consider bringing a portable litterbox/puppypad that your pet is comfortable using, so you don’t change their routines
• Be familiar with where your airport’s pet bathroom areas are. Oftentimes, they are near the bathrooms but not at each one.
• Bring plenty of treats at each stressful point of your trip (TSA, walking to the gate, getting food, etc.); give them a treat!
• When you are waiting for your plane, find a quiet corner away from people to provide them with some space to take a break.
• Remember you are your pet’s favorite person. Make sure to do check-ins while they are in their carrier so they can see and know that you are with them.
• It's better to overpack pet supplies than to be caught in a delay and not have the right items.

 

 

Flying with Pets FAQ

Can Pets Fly in the Cabin?

Some pets can fly in the cabin, but airline rules vary. The FAA allows airlines to decide whether pets are permitted in the passenger cabin. If an airline allows in-cabin pets, the pet carrier is typically treated as carry-on baggage and must fit under the seat.

How early should I book a flight with a pet?

Book as early as possible because airlines may limit the number of pets allowed on each flight.

How Do I Prepare My Pet for an Airline Carrier?

To prepare your pet for an airline carrier, introduce the carrier at home before the trip, add familiar bedding, use treats and praise, and practice short periods inside the carrier. A familiar carrier can help reduce travel stress.

Where should my pet carrier go on the plane?

For in-cabin pet travel, the carrier usually must fit under the seat in front of you. Airline rules vary, so confirm carrier size and placement before flying. Check your plane’s seat size and legroom to see if you'll fit comfortably.

Can I take my pet out of the carrier during the flight?

Most airlines require pets to stay in their carrier during the flight. Follow your airline’s rules and crew instructions.

 

 

Final Thoughts: Make Flying with Pets Easier by Planning Ahead

Flying with pets can feel overwhelming, but preparation makes a big difference. Book early, check airline policies, train your pet with the carrier, visit your veterinarian, pack the right supplies, arrive early, and understand the TSA screening process.

Your airport experience starts before you reach the terminal. PreFlight Airport Parking helps pet owners travel with less stress by offering pet-friendly airport parking, shuttle service, and team members who are happy to help your pet onto the shuttle.

Before your next trip, reserve your parking with PreFlight, give yourself extra time, and help your pet start the journey safely and comfortably.