Summer Pet Travel: Airline Embargoes

This blog post was updated on March 3, 2020, to reflect the most recent information we have on summer airline embargoes.

Transporting pets during the summer can be a little extra challenging due to the possibility of high temperatures and resulting airline embargoes.

Some carriers limit their hours and impose restrictions when it comes to shipping pets in the summer, so if you're planning to move during this busier than average season, it's important to be aware of these possible changes.

Here's a look at this year's summer airline embargoes. We'll keep you updated if any changes occur, and remember you're always welcome to contact us if you have questions about how to plan your move!

Note: this list is not comprehensive and policies may change going forward. Please contact your PetRelocation Specialist if you have questions about your pet's trip.

Aer Lingus

Summer Embargoes: No pets when the temperature exceeds 86°F (30°C). If temperatures are equal to or exceed 86°F (30°C) at any of the stations in the routing, pets may not be accepted and will therefore be rebooked for the next available flight(s).

Air New Zealand

Until further notice: No live animals can depart from Houston (only LAX, HNL and SFO)

British Airways

• 3/1 - 10/31: No Pets in or out of PHX

• 6/1 - 9/15: No pets in or out of AUS, DFW, IAH, DEN, AUS

• LAS: No pets until further notice

KLM

Always:

• No import or export of pets from DFW

• No English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers or Pugs

• No pet ferrets

Lufthansa

• IAH: From 6/1 to 9/1, no pet imports. Exports are okay.

• All airports (if greater than 80°F): No Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffin, Bulldog (all breeds except America Bulldog), Chow Chow, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Pekinese, Pug (all breeds), or Shih Tzu.

• DFW: summer embargo on certain aircraft from 06/16 - 09/15

Swiss Air

• Always: No snub-nosed breeds
• No heat embargo during the summer.

United

• The following breeds are never permitted on United: Affenpinscher, American bully, American pit bull terrier, pit bull, American Staffordshire terrier, Belgian malinois, Boston terrier, boxer, Brussels griffon, all types of bulldogs, Cavalier king Charles spaniel, chow chow, English toy spaniel, Japanese chin, lhasa apso, all types of mastiffs, pekingese, pug, shar-pei, shih-tzu, Staffordshire bull terrier, and Tibetan spaniel. 

• Travel crate: United does not allow travel crates taller than 34 inches tall. 

• 5/1 - 9/30: No pets to/from the following ports: LAS, PSP, PHX, TUS

Additional Details Regarding US Pet Imports: Note that various airports may operate with restrictions. Please contact a PetRelocation Consultant to learn more.