NEW YORK — We dress them up. We feed them gourmet foods. We treat them like members of the family. So when we have to fly — whether on a beach vacation or to Grandma’s house — our pets are often a first-class priority.
Bringing animals on flights has become more commonplace in recent years, but some airlines now have strict regulations — and even stricter prices — for packing a pooch or carrying a cat.
With increasing concern for the welfare of canine and feline alike, however, there are a growing number of options to transport pets in the friendly skies.
As soon as this July, one of them will include pets’ own airline.
Pet Airways, set to launch in just a few weeks, will send your pet between major cities including New York, Washington, Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles for $250 one- way (an introductory fare of $150).
Dogs and cats will fly in a main cabin where seats have been replaced by kennels, and pets will be escorted to the four-legged-passengers-only flight by attendants who will monitor the pets during flight.
Until then, though, some airlines can be more pet-friendly than others.
AirTran, Spirit and JetBlue allow pets to fly only in the cabin. That’s great for animal lovers who argue that precious pets shouldn’t be relegated to the cargo hold, but not so great for owners with medium or large dogs. Pups in the cabin must be able to fit (read: stand up and turn around) in a carrier small enough to slide under the seat in front of you during flight. Generally, this maxes out at about 20 pounds.
US Airways allows pets only in the cabin on most flights, but will permit them as checked baggage for nonstop US Airways Shuttle flights between Boston, New York and Washington.
Though pets are allowed in the cabin on these airlines, there are limits on the number of pets that can be aboard a flight, ranging from three to seven, depending on the airline and size of the jet. So it’s best to book early and call the airline as soon as possible to tell it you’re traveling with a pet.
JetBlue is the only U.S. airline that allows animals in the cabin on international flights. As a bonus, you’ll earn extra frequent-flier points for traveling with your pet.
For pets traveling in the cabin, AirTran charges the least among big carriers at $69. Most U.S. airlines charge between $100 and $125, but bringing a pet in the cabin on Delta and Northwest flights costs $150.
Traveling as cargo
For pets traveling as checked baggage, Delta and Northwest are the most expensive at $275. The least expensive in this category are Alaska Airlines and Midwest at $100, and Frontier, which prices its checked-pets fees between $100 and $200.
Frontier allows pets only as checked baggage. Southwest doesn’t allow pets at all, except for service animals.
In all cases, the airlines won’t charge you a first or second-bag fee for your dog on top of the pet fee. But some airlines will count the kennel as a piece of checked luggage, so if you have more than two bags, you might get slammed with another fee.
But aside from the fees, traveling with a pet can sometimes be a frustrating and even scary experience. Although it’s rare, a handful of pets get lost or killed each year when traveling on airlines.
Bon voyage tips
While some incidents can’t be avoided, preparation, experts say, is the key to having a safe and uneventful flight.
Here are some basic tips to ensure happy trails in the air:
• Make sure your pet is fit to fly. Have a veterinarian examine your pet and give a clean bill of health before the flight. Most airlines require health certificates. You may also have to bring along vaccination records.
• If you have a snub-nosed dog or cat, like a pug or Persian, check with your vet to make sure they can fly. Some of these types of animals have breathing troubles that could be complicated at high altitudes.
• Consider microchipping your pet. The device, about the size of a grain of rice, can be implanted for less than $100. And because the process gives the pet a unique ID that can be accessed if your cat or dog gets lost, chances of finding them can grow exponentially. Also make sure all tags and licenses are up-to-date with your most recent address and contact number.
• Try to choose a less hectic time to travel to avoid stress on your animal. Weekdays are ideal.
• Choose a nonstop flight if possible.
• If you are flying during the summer and your pet is traveling in cargo, try to schedule the flight in the early morning or evening, when temperatures are lowest. If you’re heading out in the winter, aim for a midday flight. Because the temperature in the cargo areas can be extreme, most carriers allow pets on board only if the air temperature is below 45 degrees or over 85.
• Let the airline know you are traveling with a pet when you book, so you can make sure there is room for your dog or cat onboard.
• Don’t feed your pet two hours before departure to ensure it will be comfortable with the lack of potty breaks ahead. Try freezing water in a dish to fit in the carrier, so it will melt gradually during flight and avoid spillage.
• Exercise with your pet a couple of hours before flight to tire them out and help them relax. Adam Goldfarb, director of Pets at Risk program at the Humane Society, recommends against the use of sedatives because the pet won’t be able to protect itself if the carrier shifts during flight.
• Secure pertinent information to your pet carrier such as the flight number, destination and your pet’s name and age if they are traveling below deck. “Live Animal” and “This End Up” stickers are recommended by the American Humane Association. Carry a photo to show if your pet gets lost.
• Consider putting a harness on your cat if it won’t be with you in the cabin. If security personnel remove the cat from the carrier, it will lessen the chance the cat will get loose.
