Our pet's travel carrier should be as comfortable and spacious as possible, that is clear. When we choose a pet carrier, we are essentially deciding in which class our beloved pet will fly. Will it be a seat with legroom, cramped like in a charter flight's economy class, Or will it be luxurious and plush like in the first class of a sophisticated Boeing?
However, beyond comfort, the pet carrier must be as safe as possible. To ensure this, airlines have established standards that every dog or cat travel crate must meet. Failure to comply with these conditions may result in our pet's flight not being approved.
The good news is that there is no need to panic. On the contrary, these guidelines help us understand the minimum requirements for flying with a dog or cat and how to choose a travel crate that ensures boarding the aircraft with our beloved pet and a safe flight for them.
Like any process involving pet air travel, all we need is appropriate knowledge and wise advice.
Pet travel crates are divided into many types, but airline guidelines teach us that the best ones are made of rigid and non-collapsible plastic, with three ventilation holes - one on each side of the crate and an additional one on the rear panel. For domestic flights, it is possible that two ventilation holes will suffice, but it is advisable to check with your airline in advance. During the summer season, especially in the Israeli summer. It is recommended to choose a pet travel crate with three ventilation holes, so it is preferable to select a crate with such specifications in any case.
According to airline guidelines, the door of the pet travel crate should be made of metal, and it should be equipped with food and water containers.
The body of the pet travel crate is usually made up of two parts that are connected and secured by some type of lock. We adhere to the airline's instruction to choose a securely fastened crate using bolts and pins, rather than a lock that spins or clicks into place.
In addition to the airline guidelines, we recommend purchasing an absorbent mat and placing it inside the pet travel crate, both for comfort and in case your pet needs to use it. On top of the mat, you can place a blanket that is around two to three centimeters thick to provide a familiar and comforting feeling for your pet and help alleviate any anxiety.
Please note that in the event of any mess inside the pet travel crate, the airline reserves the right to remove and discard the blanket, so it is not advisable to use something of high value.
Before the flight, it is important to remove any toys, bones, or objects that could pose a choking hazard from the pet travel crate. Remember that during the flight, the airline crew does not have access to the cargo hold where the crates and our pets are located, and they cannot provide any medical treatment until the aircraft is on the ground.
Finally, it should be noted that each airline has slightly different requirements, and it is always advisable to consult and clarify with the airline you are flying with before purchasing a travel crate.
Pet Passport wishes you a pleasant and safe flight.
