Pet Travel Question: Choosing a Pet-Friendly Airline

Name: Silvana
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Miniature Schnauzer
From: Charleston, SC
To: Santiago, Chile

We have a miniature Schnauzer (3 years, 15 pounds). From the information that we already read, he is too big for travel in the cabin with us and we are terrified of the safety issues surrounding pet cargo travel. What is the safest option for traveling with our dog? How do we choose an airline?

Thank You,

Silvana

 

Hi Silvana,

Thank you for contacting us -- you're not the first person to have such concerns. Choosing a pet-friendly airline is one of the most important parts of safe pet travel, and you're right to focus on this decision.

Many people are initially terrified at the thought of their pet traveling in the cargo area of the plane, but when handled correctly this is a safe option. United has a Pet Safe program, for example, and other airlines are following suit in order to minimize the risk of incident.

We often choose United for our own flights as well as international carriers like Lufthansa or KLM. Check out the carriers with routes that will work for you, and then call to ask about pet policies, as well. You're welcome to fill out our free quote form or give our office a call for more advice, but ultimately it comes down to choosing an airline that values pet safety and has provisions in place for various situations.

Good luck and thanks again for reaching out to us!