Booking Qantas Pet Travel
Moving a pet to Australia or within Australia will most likely lead you to Qantas as a recommended air travel option. Qantas offers a high level of care to traveling pets with their dedicated staff and facilities, which is why it isn’t surprising that it often appears as a safe option for unsure owners.
Because booking pet travel can be confusing, especially with international regulations, we’ve put together an easy guide on how to book pet travel with Qantas. Read on below and feel free to let us know if you need extra guidance on your pet’s travels.
Accompanied Pets
Pets Traveling In-Cabin
1) First, it’s important to determine whether your pet can travel in-cabin. Qantas only allows service dogs to be carried in the passenger cabin. Qantas specifically identifies a service dog as “a dog that has been trained to assist a person with a disability to alleviate the effects of that disability.” You can find further clarifications on what service dogs are approved for in-cabin travel on the Qantas website here. If you have a dog or another type of pet who is not certified (this includes Emotional Support Dogs), please go to step 3.
2) To book your service dog in-cabin, you’ll need to give advance notice (at least 14 days is recommended for travel to countries other than to/from the US and 7 days is recommended for traveling to/from the US) to Qantas with this information:
- Name of handler
- Name of service dog
- Type of service dog (i.e. Guide dog or Assistance dog)
- Weight of dog
- Length of dog (neck to base of tail)
- Name of Training Organization or trainer (i.e. Guide Dogs Queensland)
- Intended class of travel
Keep in mind that even though your dog will be traveling with you in the cabin, you’ll still need to follow the pet import requirements for your destination country.
Theo moved to Australia on Qantas
Accompanied Cargo Pet Travel
3) If you’re traveling domestically in Australia, you may be able to book your pet on the same flight as you for a discounted price. Dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, reptiles, domestic fish, and domestic birds can travel this way (if they do not require a special permit to transport). A list of exceptions to the above can be found on the Qantas website here.
Your pet will need a proper travel crate in order to fly accompanied with your ticket. Keep in mind that your pet’s travel crate and pet must weigh less than 65kg together as well. If your pets are the same breed, similar in size and can stand up and turn around comfortably in one crate, they are allowed to travel together.
Should your pet meet these conditions, it is recommended that you book with Qantas online for accompanied travel. If your pet does not meet these requirements or if you are traveling internationally with Qantas, go to step 4.
Unaccompanied Pets or Pets Traveling as Cargo
4) As with accompanied travel, your pet will need an approved travel crate to fly on its own. If your pet is traveling domestically and your pet and the kennel weigh less than 65kg combined, you’re encouraged to book online. If your pet weighs more than this, you’ll need to call Qantas Freight directly at 13 12 13. Should you need to book an international flight for your pet, proceed to step 5.
5) To book your pet for international travel on your own, you’ll need to email this booking request form to qfexportlivestock[at]qantas[dot]com[dot]au at least 10 days prior to departure. However, Qantas strongly recommends working with a professional pet-shipping company, like PetRelocation, to ensure your pet is meeting necessary import regulations, travel crate requirements, and more.