#Delta pet weight limit code
#Delta pet weight limit series

Take your pet to the veterinarian to determine whether he can handle the stress of in-cabin or baggage-compartment flying. Here are some other things to keep in mind before you travel: “And because the liability is so high, the airlines need to set strict parameters to protect themselves and their passengers.” “For every well-trained dog, there are others who can misbehave, creating a comfort and safety concern for other passengers,” says May. If your pet is small enough to travel in the cabin, be prepared for a scolding if you let your furry friend out of his carrier. Steven May, who publishes the Daily Growl blog, notes that beyond the airline and airport regulations, pet owners need to be mindful of fellow passengers, who may be allergic to animals. Department of Transportation released a report in 2010, which noted that half of the 108 dogs of known breeds that had died in transit in the previous five years were short-nosed, with the Pug and English Bulldog topping the list. Many other airlines, including American Airlines, had previously adopted such a ban. In December, Delta Air Lines - a company that had one of the most liberal policies regarding breeds - began prohibiting the transport in baggage holds of snub-nosed cats and dogs such as Persians and Pugs, which tend to be less tolerant of high temperatures. Pit Bull type dogs, for example, are banned from most carriers. Pet owners also need to keep in mind that not every airline accepts every breed. Department of Transportation, some 35 pets died on U.S.

According to statistics compiled by the U.S. In general, it’s up to the individual airline to decide how it will handle matters if a pet is lost or dies in its care. The truth is that pet owners have very limited rights, prompting animal rights groups, like the Animal Legal Defense Fund, to recommend that pets not be flown as baggage or cargo. 'This can lead to the cancellation of a dog's flight, leaving him stranded in the airport.” “In terms of dogs who are transported below deck, cross-country flights often have restrictions about temperature at takeoff, as well as the length of time that a pet can spend on the ground,' says Culp. When this happens, a pet can only be shipped as cargo, which is an entirely different process that often takes place in a separate section of an airport. The airline also sets temperature limits: If the thermometer is expected to drop below 10 degrees or rise above 85 degrees, no pets will be accepted as baggage. Seasonal restrictions on when pets can fly also exist.ĭelta Air Lines, for instance, forbids any pets from traveling in a plane’s baggage compartment between May 15 and September 15. It is also important to remember that you can't just assume you’ll be able to pick and choose which flights you and your pet will be on - even if you plan in advance. In the cargo hold: While you may not want to stow a family member in the cargo hold, if that family member happens to be a dog - and his carrier isn’t small - that’s likely where he has to go. 'There are also usually only a few dogs allowed in the cabin on any one flight, so he needs to be booked in advance,' says Diana Culp, who runs the Humane Society for Shelter Pets. But there are some exceptions: Southwest Airlines, for example, doesn’t have a weight limit, but, as with most airlines, a pet carrier has to stow beneath the seat in front of you. In the cabin: The weight limit for dogs flying in most airline cabins is 20 pounds.

#Delta pet weight limit code

Pet owners have a certain code that they need to abide by when flying, and they should know what their responsibilities are - as well as what they’re entitled to expect from an airline. Many people think of their pets as their children, which can mean bringing them on airplanes, where not everyone is as welcoming to dogs and cats. This week, he discusses the rights and responsibilities of owners who travel the friendly skies with their pets.

#Delta pet weight limit series

As part of an ongoing series for Vetstreet, award-winning consumer reporter Mitch Lipka covers what rights owners have when it comes to common legal scenarios surrounding pets.