When Kokito, a French bulldog, died on a plane in March 2018, the incident left many pet parents and animal lovers concerned. The dog's owner, Catalina Robredo, was traveling with her daughter and her young son, Kokito, on a United Airlines flight from Houston to New York.
The family was sitting with Kokito in a carrier under the seat in front of Robredo, but flight attendants insisted they put the dog's carrier (which the flight attendants claimed was blocking the aisle) in the overhead bin.
“And we said, 'It's a dog, it's a dog,' and she said, 'It doesn't matter, it still needs to be there,'” Robredo said. daughter Said Good morning, America. “She helped put it up, but she just closed it like a bag.”
“Our flight attendants did not hear her, did not understand her, and intentionally did not place the dog in the overhead bin,” United Airlines spokeswoman Maggie Schmelin told PEOPLE.
Kokito ended up being kept in an overhead bin for the entire three-hour flight, and was barking from the bin at least 30 minutes after departure. When Roberto picked up the dog at the end of the trip, he found it dead.
Fellow passenger Maggie Gremminger said, “A stranger offered to hold her newborn baby who was sitting on the floor in the aisle of the plane. She was holding the dog and rocking her body back and forth. Her daughter was also crying. '' she told PEOPLE about the heartbreaking moment.
Kokito's death and the subsequent criminal investigation sparked a huge debate about dog owners' rights when traveling with their pets, and the rules regarding air travel and dogs.
Depending on your dog's weight, temperament, carrier, etc., the rules you must follow during air travel may change. Before you fly with your dog, be sure to find out what to expect and what restrictions the airline has in place.
To make it easier for dog owners to travel anywhere, PEOPLE has compiled everything you need to know before hopping on a plane with your dog.
Traveling with a small dog
Most domestic dogs weighing less than 20 pounds are allowed on planes with their owners. Pet owners are not allowed to bring their pets on board. In order to obtain permission to bring a small dog on board, there are several rules and restrictions that dog owners must follow before traveling.
Registration
Most flights only allow a limited number of pets on board. Also, most major airlines (with the exception of JetBlue, which allows online registration) require you to call the airline in advance and let them know you'll be traveling with a small dog. If all pet spots on your flight are occupied at the time you call, we recommend contacting the airline as soon as possible, as dogs will not be allowed on that flight. This restriction does not apply if the dog you are traveling with is a service or emotional support animal.
Fee
As part of the registration process, you must pay a fee to bring your pet on board. These fees typically range from $95 to $150 each way and apply to pets, but not emotional support or service animals.
career
If you bring your dog on board, they must travel in a TSA-approved pet carrier (soft or hard-sided) that is well-ventilated and fits perfectly under the airplane seat in front of you. Each airline has its own size restrictions for pet carriers. Please check in advance whether the carrier you plan to use is compatible.
Pre-flight paperwork
Pet policies are changing, but many airlines don't require dog owners to submit their pet's health records before flying. In March 2018, Delta Air Lines began requiring people traveling with animals to provide health and vaccination records at least 48 hours before their flight. Pet owners traveling on Delta must sign a behavior statement documenting their animal's behavior during the flight. Regardless of whether your airline requires documentation, it's always wise to travel with your dog's medical records and license in case something goes wrong during your trip. Before you travel, be sure to find out what documents your airline requires and whether the destination you're traveling to (especially tropical destinations) also requires records.
age limit
Some airlines may not allow young dogs on board with their owners. If you're traveling with a dog under 16 weeks old, check with your airline to see if there are any age restrictions.
baggage
Pet carriers are considered carry-on baggage or personal items, so please pack accordingly. If you wish to bring carry-on baggage or personal items on board in addition to your pet's carrier bag, you will need to pay an additional baggage fee. Some airlines allow up to two pets to travel on one carrier, provided the combined weight of carrier and animal does not exceed 20 pounds.
international travel
Most airlines prohibit small pets from traveling on board international flights or connecting flights to international flights. In these cases, small dogs should travel in the hold. However, there are some exceptions, so check with your airline to see which international trips allow pets on board.
check-in
If you're traveling with a pet on board, you'll need to check in with your pet at the airport. Pets cannot be checked in online or at a kiosk, so it's important to schedule a time in your travel schedule to check your pet in at the counter.
safety
Pets will not pass through the X-ray screen at baggage inspection. Once you arrive at the security checkpoint, remove your pet from the carrier and pass the carrier through her x-ray machine. You and your pet can go through security together and then be returned to the carrier.
at the airport
Dogs must be kept in a carrier bag inside the airport, unless using the pet rescue area. If the airport does not have a pet rescue area, you and your dog will need to exit the airport and return through security.
on board
Small pets must always be kept in a carrier bag on a plane. Animals cannot be removed from their carriers on airplanes. A dog carrier can only fit under the seat in front of you. The carrier may not be stored on your lap or in an overhead bin. During travel, your dog must be kept in a carrier bag under the seat in front of you.
behavioral rules
The airline reserves the right to remove you and your pet from the plane or refuse your pet boarding if your dog behaves aggressively towards airline staff or other travelers.
Traveling with a large pet dog
Dogs weighing more than 20 pounds must travel in the hold of an airplane unless they are emotional support or service dogs. Not all airlines offer this option, as the cargo hold must be pressurized to allow pets to travel. If you plan on traveling with a large dog, make sure your airline offers travel options for large dogs. Traveling in the hold is different from traveling in a plane in many ways, the biggest being that you can't get close to your pet during the flight. Your dog will spend the entire flight, including delays on the runway, in the cargo hold, where temperatures can fluctuate.
Cargo hold travel reservations
Most airlines do not allow pets to be booked in cargo until 10 days before travel. Find out when airlines allow pets to travel as cargo and make travel plans for your pet as early as possible to avoid stress in the future.
Crate requirements
Large dogs should be placed in a crate large enough to allow them to move and stand freely, including turning their necks. It should also be large enough for the cat to stand or sit without the top of its head or ears touching the roof of the crate. The crate must have a solid roof with no holes and one metal door that closes securely. The crate must be made of a rigid material that does not bend under pressure. For cargo transport, you will likely need to purchase a different carrier than the one you currently have, as most pet carriers contain materials or design elements that are not allowed for cargo transport.
documentation
The documents required for pet travel vary depending on your origin and destination. Contact both the consulate and veterinarian of the country you're traveling to to make sure your dog has all the necessary travel documents. Airlines will require all travelers sending pets in cargo to fill out an airline form and provide a health certificate from their dog's veterinarian. This health certificate must be issued immediately before your pet travels (usually within his 10 days). If you are going on an extended trip with your dog, you may need to obtain a new health certificate upon your return.
age limit
There are age restrictions for pets traveling in cargo. If your dog is under her 16 weeks of age, please check with the airline you are traveling with to see if you can fly with your pet in the hold.
Variety restrictions
Each airline that transports pets as cargo has different breed restrictions. Some dog breeds (such as English bulldogs) may be prohibited from flying as they may develop respiratory problems during travel. Other breeds are only allowed to fly during certain months, certain carriers, and certain ages. These restrictions are for your pet's safety. Always check with your airline to see if you can fly with your dog in the hold.
Fee
Prices vary depending on destination and pet size. Travel rates for pets traveling in cargo typically start around $200 each way.
Pick-up and drop-off
To transport your dog as cargo, you must drop off your dog at a special location at least 2-3 hours before your flight and pick it up at the cargo location at your destination. This is usually different from where you pick up your package. . Check with your airline to find out when you need to check your pet in cargo and where the cargo pick-up and drop-off points are for your trip. Please leave some time in your travel schedule to make your stay as stress-free as possible.
Traveling with an emotional support animal
If you have an emotional support dog, you can often travel with your animal for free as long as you have the proper documentation and your dog fits comfortably on your lap or in the space in front of your seat. . Exact size limits vary from airline to airline, as do document requirements. Most airlines require a letter from your doctor (with some requirements) stating that your dog will be traveling with you on the plane to help with a mental or emotional condition (with some requirements). will be needed. If your emotional support animal exhibits aggressive behavior towards passengers or airline staff, you may be denied boarding or removed from the plane. Contact the airline you're traveling with to understand the specific documentation required and let them know you'll be traveling with an emotional support animal.
Traveling with a service dog
Service dogs are allowed free of charge. Since 2018, Delta has required service dog owners to provide health records at least 48 hours before a flight. To avoid problems at the gate, check with your airline to see if you have the required documents before boarding. Service dogs can sit on their owner's lap or in the space in front of the seat.
