Tips to keep your pet safe on a flight

We’ve just learnt from our little birdy that you are all set to fly with your pet. Whether it’s a vacation you both are headed to or moving to a new place, we are sure it’s an excitement you two cannot contain. And, because we want that nothing should come in the way of your happiness, we would like you to go that extra mile to ensure the safety of your pet on a flight. With certain tried and tested tips, a smooth flying experience is assured. So, be with us for a little while and find out what measures you can take on your part to watch over your pet’s safety while flying.

Scheduling a flight

When a plan to travel is shaping in your head, take a small pause to ascertain when should you schedule the flight? Seasons play a vital role when your pet is flying with you. Whether it is summer or winter, pick the mildest time of the day to schedule your flight. When you are scheduled to fly during summer, a morning flight is the best. On the other hand, when it is a winter travel plan, fly during the warmest time of the day and strictly avoid scheduling your flight for morning or night. Also, choose a flight with the shortest flying duration. For that a direct flight with no layovers is recommended when a pet is your co-traveler. Choosing to fly with a direct connectivity reduces the chance of your pet being lost or being exposed to rough conditions on the tarmac during transfers.

Keep the flight crew informed

As soon as you board the flight, reach out to the appointed cabin crew and inform that a pet is traveling with you in the cargo. This piece of information is helpful because the cabin crew lets the pilot know about a pet being flown in the cargo who can then regulate the temperature in the cargo hold keeping in mind your pet’s comfort. Also, right at the time of boarding, request the flight attendants to connect with the loading crew and find out if your pet has made it on the airplane.

Secure the crate

While you may have bought the right crate for your pet that meets the airline’s requirement, your job doesn’t end there. You need to label the crate with “LIVE ANIMAL” and an arrow pointing upwards. Also, do not lock the cage in a way that at the time of any emergency, a flight attendant cannot open it. To secure the cage, use a plastic luggage tie to close the door of the crate so that it does not open up accidently during the flight’s duration.

Set your pet free in the crate

Before you put your pet in the crate, make sure that you remove the leash. Your pet is going to be inside the crate for as long as it takes for a flight to reach its destination. With the fixed time that your pet is required to spend in a crate, s/he will want to make some movements inside. However, with a leash intact, chances are that your pet may tangle himself/herself while doing that and get choked. So, as soon as you place your pet in the crate, be quick to detach the leash.

Take note pet parent and have a safe and amazing time flying with your pet.