Airline Carrier Pet Acceptance and Accommodation Costs
Although pet acceptance and accommodation costs are not part of the City Pair Program, government travelers still may need to travel with a family, pet, or service animal. Below are some fast facts and guidelines to consider when traveling with a pet or service animal followed by direct links to each of the City Pair Program’s participating airline carrier’s pet and service animal policies for your convenience.
Trans States Airlines was a regional airline owned by Trans States Holdings and headquartered in Bridgeton, Missouri. At the time of its closing, the airline operated flights for United Airlines under the United Express brand. Trans States Airlines ceased all operations on April 1, 2020. On US Airways Express flights, pet carriers must not be more than 15' L x 17' W x 8' H on CRJ aircraft, 16' L x 17' W x 8' H on DH3 aircraft, and not more than 15' L x 14' W x 8' H on BH1 aircraft. Pet travel carriers must be leak proof and ventilated on at least 2 sides plus the door. Pet must be fully contained in carrier. On US Airways Express flights, pet carriers must not be more than 15' L x 17' W x 8' H on CRJ aircraft, 16' L x 17' W x 8' H on DH3 aircraft, and not more than 15' L x 14' W x 8' H on BH1 aircraft. Pet travel carriers must be leak proof and ventilated on at least 2 sides plus the door. Pet must be fully contained in carrier.
- US Airways can refuse to transport an animal due to illness, aggressive behavior, poor kenneling, or extreme temperatures at origin, transfer, or destination airports. Please contact the airline directly for information about traveling with a service animal.
- I will be flying US Airways Express (a little 34-person jet plane) on Friday. The carry on rule says: '1 small carry-on bag. Your carry-on bag will be tagged, placed in the cargo bin and returned plane-side or in the jetway when you arrive.'
Fast Facts about Traveling with Pets
- Reservations for pets must be made ahead of time directly with the airline’s reservation agent (not a part of the City Pair Program). Non refundable fees apply per segment (fee varies with each airline). There is a pet capacity on each flight first booked first served;
- In most cases the costs for pet carriage is not a reimbursable travel expense. You should check with your government agency’s travel policy official to determine if pet travel is reimbursable;
- Pets are conditionally accepted and must not pose a threat or hazard;
- There are size, age, and weight restrictions - not all breed of animals are accepted;
- Kennel size requirements must be met to be allowed on the flight;
- Travelers should acclimate the pet in the kennel so the pet is comfortable with the surroundings prior to traveling;
- Certain vaccinations and health certificates are required;
- Certain counties and/or airports have quarantine restrictions upon entry;
- Pets are not accepted when in extreme weather forecasts (i.e. under or over certain temperatures);
- Many times it is a traumatic experience for pets that are checked as baggage/cargo. Travelers should check with your veterinarian to see if a tranquilizer is a good option and what dosage is appropriate, if any;
- Pets of an appropriate size/weight may be able to travel in cabin on (most) non-stop domestic flights only with certain carriers. Pets may not be able to travel on connect flights. On international flights pets may have to be shipped as cargo; and
- International Travel: If travel is on an international flight with a code share partner of the airline, you must check the operating airline’s pet policy and fees.
- Other helpful tips:
Fast Facts about Traveling with Service Animals
- Passengers may need to notify disability counter prior to traveling;
- Passengers must provide current documentation prior to traveling;
- Service animals are allowed on domestic and international flights with some restrictions that vary per airline;
- Animal size restrictions do exist and vary per airline; and
- There is no extra charge to travel with service dogs.
Military Working Dogs
Us Airways Express Flights
Please refer to OPR: AF/A4SP
Airline Specific Policies
The links below lead to non-government websites:
- Alaska Cabin/Checked Pet, Service Animals
- American Cabin/Checked Pet, Service Animals,Cargo
- Delta Cabin/Check Pet, Service Animal,Military Pet Travel
- Hawaiian Cabin/Checked Pet, Service Animals,Cargo
- JetBlue Cabin/Check Pet, Service Animals
- Southwest Cabin/Checked Pet, PET FAQ, Service Animals & Emotional Support Animals
- United Cabin/Checked Pet, Service Animals, Military and State Department Pet Exceptions, PetSafe® or Military and State Department pet exception Request Form [PDF - 67 KB]
- Silver Airways Cabin/Checked Pet, Service Animals
Remember If travel is on an international flight with a code share partner of the airline, you must check the operating airline’s pet policy and fees.
Fly Your Pet In Safety
Main Cabin Travel for your pet on Pet Airways aircraft, monitored by our On-Board Pet Attendants.
We make sure your pet is safe, comfortable, has plenty of fresh cool air, food, and water along the way, and of course, potty breaks.
Flights to commence post- Covid, hopefully Summer 2021
Over 5,000 pets are injured or killed flying in the cargo holds of the human airlines
.
1. Very Hot Temperatures, Very Cold Temperatures
Your pet can experience life-threatening temperature extremes. The cargo hold temperature can reach up to 140 degrees on the ground before takeoff causing heat prostration. In the air, it can easily be below freezing.
2. Not Very Much Fresh Air
In an unknown stressful environment, your pet breaths faster to counter the stress. There is very little fresh air circulating in the cargo hold for your pet, adding to their stress.
3. Complete Darkness
Your pet is in complete darkness with lots of strange, unfamiliar and loud noises in the cargo hold, . In the darkness, your pet can get scared. Not knowing or seeing what is going on will add more stress for them.
Notice our On-Board Pet Attendant coming down the aisle to check on our pawsengers! Yes, that’s him all the way in the front in the white shirt.
Avoid the Danger of Cargo.
Fly Your Pet in the
Main Cabin!
On Pet Airways, our pawsengers fly in the main cabinof a Pet Airways’ aircraft.
Our On-Board Pet Attendant continuously monitors them, making sure they are comfortable, safe, and have plenty of fresh cool air to breathe.
Flights to commence post- Covid, hopefully Summer 2021
I WISH PET AIRWAYS FLEW IN EVERY CITY!
In 2010 I rescued a beautiful girl from a high kill shelter in NY. I had to get her to the west coast, so I contacted Pet Airways to help me. I had heard the dogs flew inside cabin, not in cargo, which I was ecstatic about. Mia of Manhattan arrived in excellent condition at LAX with a note on her crate saying she was a pleasure to walk in Chicago. I wish Pet Airways flew in every city.
BRODIE, OUR DEAF AMBULLDOG WAS IN GOOD HANDS
Pet Airway just flew Brodie, a deaf AmBulldog from Chicago to Denver today. Brodie is a rescue dog going to a new forever home. And this was the least stressful way to get him most of the way there. The foster at the Chicago end said the check in counter was clean, the staff were friendly, and the pilot even allowed himself to get kissed by a large AmBulldog tongue. On the Denver end, the newest foster noted how clean, and friendly everyone was. They even had a dog out in a play area, and seemed to rotate the dogs through. Thank you Pet Airway for a stress free trip for Brodie.
Us Airways Account
PET AIRWAYS GIVES ME PEACH OF MIND
Pet Airways Cost
Pet Airways believes that pets deserve to travel with the utmost comfort and safety, as respected and valued passengers, not as ‘cargo’ in the way that commercial airlines handle them. Pet Airways gives me peace of mind that my pets will arrive safe and sound — and alive — at our destination. You can’t put a price on that!
Due to the uncertainty of the Covid Pandemic, we cannot predict when we will be able to get back in the sky. We hope that the pandemic will be over soon and we can be in the air Summer 2021.
Us Airways Express Pet Policy Status
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