9 Tips for Flying With Your Dog in Cabin

The first time I flew with Puglo, I was so nervous I barely slept the night before. But after three years of traveling to 20 countries, it’s become second nature to us! Flying with a dog for the first time is mostly a paperwork and preparation problem. If your dog fits in an airline approved carrier under the seat, you book the pet reservation by phone in advance, and you show up with the right vet documents, the flight itself is usually the easiest part of the day. This post is the guide I wish someone had handed me back on our first flight to Canada.

#1. Find a pet-friendly airline that actually works for your dog

Oh, how I wish there was consistency between airlines. But the truth is, especially when flying internationally, there just isn’t. I put together a full airline guide for this reason, but here’s a general overview to get you started. Some airlines allow pets with no weight limit at all (just carrier size restrictions). Some will only take dogs in cargo. Some don’t allow pets on board period, looking at you, Ryanair. And then there are a handful of newer airlines built specifically for flying larger dogs in cabin, which is so exciting. Here’s a rough breakdown by region: North America: Most airlines allow pets in cabin with no strict weight limit. It comes down to whether your dog can fit comfortably in an approved carrier that slides under the seat in front of you. Europe: Most airlines cap in-cabin pets at 8 kg, with a few going up to 10 kg. It’s tighter here, so this is where sizing really matters. Latin America: Weight limits are usually 9 or 10 kg, and many airlines still recognize emotional support animals, which is actually how Puglo and I fly on a lot of Latin American carriers. As an ESA he gets to ride outside the carrier, which he loves, and so do I. Asia: Generally the strictest region. Many airlines only allow very small pets in cabin, and some don’t allow in-cabin pets at all on certain routes. Whether or not to put your dog in cargo is a personal decision. I know plenty of people who have done it safely and without incident. That said, if you have a flat-faced breed, cargo simply isn’t an option. Airlines won’t allow brachycephalic dogs in the hold due to breathing risks at altitude. That’s Puglo’s situation – he has to fly in cabin, which means he has to meet the size requirements (and why we prefer to go by train while traveling in Europe). One more thing worth knowing: some destinations have their own rules about dogs flying in cabin that go beyond what the airline requires. South Africa and the UK are two examples. Always check both the airline policy and the destination country’s entry rules before you book. One thing I’ve learned after flying with Puglo across all of these regions: even when you follow every rule perfectly, a lot comes down to the individual gate agent making the call on whether your dog looks comfortable in their carrier. We were once denied boarding in Mexico City because an agent decided Puglo was too tall for his carrier. Same carrier we’d used on dozens of other flights without a single issue. It was frustrating, but it’s the reality. Do everything right, and still be prepared for the occasional curveball.

#2. Book early and call the airline

Most airlines only allow a handful of pets in the cabin per flight. This is a first-come, first-served situation, and it fills up, especially on popular routes and during peak travel periods. Here’s what to do: book your own ticket first, then call the airline to add your dog to the reservation. Some airlines let you do this online after you book, but you will often have to call. When you call, have your dog’s weight (with carrier) and carrier dimensions ready. They’ll ask. They’ll also tell you what documents you need to bring to the airport on travel day, and if they don’t bring it up, ask. Don’t assume! One thing I’ll say about calling airlines: the person on the phone doesn’t always know what they’re talking about. I’ve been given incorrect information more times than I can count. Always cross-reference whatever they tell you against the airline’s website before your travel day. Pet fees vary by airline. Some charge you over the phone when you add your dog to the booking. Others collect it at the airport after your dog has been checked and approved at the counter. Either way, budget for it, fees typically range from $50 to $200 each way depending on the airline and route.

#3. Fly nonstop when you can

Go nonstop whenever you can. The shorter the travel day, the better it is for your dog. Every connection adds stress: more transitions, more noise, more waiting, more opportunities for something to go wrong. If a nonstop isn’t available, aim for a layover of at least 2 hours. That gives you enough time to find a pet relief area, let your dog drink water and decompress, and make it to the next gate without sprinting. Watch your connection airports carefully if you’re flying internationally. If your layover is in a country with strict pet import rules, like the UK, even a quick transit can cause complications if your flight is delayed or cancelled and you’re forced to exit the airport. Consider your timing for cargo travel. If your larger dog is traveling as checked baggage in the hold, avoid flying during extreme heat or cold. During summer, book early morning or evening flights. In winter, midday tends to be the safer option for temperature management on the tarmac.

#4. Get the right carrier and start using it now

Your carrier needs to:

1. 1. Match your airline’s dimension requirements (measure it, don’t guess)

1. 1. Fit under the seat in front of you (varies by aircraft)

1. 1. Be soft-sided (hard carriers are almost never permitted in cabin)

1. 1. Have strong ventilation on multiple sides

1. 1. Be something your dog has actually spent time in before the flight

That last point matters more than people realize. A dog that’s never been in a carrier until travel day is a stressed dog. Start putting the carrier out weeks before your trip with the door open. Put a worn T-shirt inside, something that smells like you. Toss treats in. Let them explore it on their own terms. The goal is for the carrier to feel like their spot, not a trap. For flat-faced breeds specifically: prioritize ventilation. Pugs and brachycephalic dogs need better airflow than most breeds. Look for carriers with mesh panels on at least three sides, and keep the carrier facing toward the air vent under the seat if possible during the flight. We use the Sherpa carrier for Puglo and it’s been on more flights than I can count without a single issue. It’s consistently within airline size limits, it compresses slightly when needed to fit under tighter seats, and the ventilation is good enough that I never worry about him getting too warm. For a pug, that last part matters. One practical thing: your dog’s carrier counts as your personal item or carry-on, depending on the airline. Plan your other bags accordingly. See my list of airline approved carriers here

One thing I never skip when packing is a properly fitted harness. If you travel with a snub-nosed dog, here is my guide to the best harness for pugs.

#5. Sort out the paperwork before it’s urgent

If you’re flying domestically within one country, some airlines require a health certificate and some don’t. For international travel with a dog, you almost certainly need one, as well as ensuring your dog meet’s the health requirements of the importing country (which may include an export certificate from your deparure coountry validating your dog is healthy). I teach you how to do all of this in dog travel academy. How a health certificate works (in the U.S)

• • A licensed veterinarian (in the US, they need to be USDA-accredited) examines your dog and signs a certificate confirming they’re healthy to travel

• • For most international trips, this certificate also needs to be endorsed by the USDA-APHIS, the government stamp that makes it valid at the border

• • The certificate usually must be issued within 10 days of your departure date, which means timing this right is everything.

Start the process early. If your regular vet isn’t USDA-accredited, find one who is, the USDA-APHIS website has a searchable directory. Book the appointment well before your trip so you’re not scrambling in the final days before you leave. Beyond the health cert, make sure your dog has:

• • An up-to-date rabies vaccination. Required for international travel almost everywhere. Some destinations require the vaccine to be at least 21 days old before you travel, so check timing carefully.

• • A microchip. Required for most international entry, and it should be ISO-compliant (the 15-digit international standard).

• • Any destination-specific treatments. The UK and several other countries require a tapeworm treatment given within a specific window before arrival. Some countries require a rabies titer test (a blood test confirming immunity levels), Japan and Hawaii are the big ones. These have their own timing requirements, sometimes months in advance, so look this up early.

I keep a travel folder, both physical and on my phone, with all of Puglo’s documents: vaccination history, microchip certificate, past health certificates, any treatment records. I bring it on every single trip. You don’t want to be at a border control desk without this. Paperwork is the part of dog travel that never stops being stressful, at least at first. I’m not going to pretend otherwise. But it does get easier, especially once you have certain key documents in place. The two that made the biggest difference for us were the EU Pet Passport and Puglo’s rabies titer test results. Once we had those sorted, a huge chunk of international destinations became straightforward to enter. You still need to check requirements every time, but having the foundational documents ready means you’re usually adding one or two things rather than starting from scratch.

#6. Your pre-flight routine matters

Feed your dog earlier than usual. I pull Puglo’s food a few hours before we need to leave for the airport. A full stomach increases the chances of motion sickness and discomfort mid-flight. He gets a small meal well before travel and then nothing until we land and he’s had a chance to settle. Keep water available right up until you leave, but not on the flight itself unless it’s very long, more water in means more urgency to find a relief spot, which isn’t easy when you’re on a long flight. Do a longer walk. The single most effective thing you can do to guarantee a smooth flight is make sure your dog is tired before you get to the airport. Long walk, a run if your dog runs, whatever gets them physically spent. A tired dog is a sleeping dog, and a sleeping dog is a perfect travel companion. I used to give Puglo CBD dog treats before flights when he was newer to travel and sometimes got a little anxious in new environments. These days he doesn’t need them at all. The moment we get on the plane he just goes to sleep. It took a few flights to get there, but that’s where consistent travel gets you, your dog learns that the plane means rest time, not stress time, and they start behaving accordingly.

#7. Know what to expect at the airport

Arrive early. With a dog, you cannot check-in online. You need to go to the counter in person so an agent can verify your pet reservation and check your documents. Budget extra time for this, especially if you’re on an international flight. Be nice to the agent. This one sounds simple but I mean it seriously. Gate agents, check-in staff, and flight attendants have real power over your travel day. They can deny boarding, flag your paperwork, decide your carrier doesn’t meet requirements, or make your experience unnecessarily difficult. They can also wave you through, give you the benefit of the doubt, and let you pre-board. At security: Your dog comes out of the carrier and goes through with you. The carrier goes through the X-ray machine on its own. This is where a lot of first-timers get flustered, it helps to practice pulling your dog in and out of the carrier at home so they’re used to the motion. Have treats in your pocket. Getting a dog back into a carrier after security, when they’ve just had a moment of freedom, is much easier with a high-value treat waiting inside. After security: look for pet relief areas inside the terminal too. Most major international airports have them. If you can’t find one, check the airport’s website or ask a staff member. Some airports keep these near the gate areas, others near the main terminal entrances. Tell the gate agent you have a dog. Not because you have to, but because it opens the door for early boarding. On many airlines, passengers traveling with pets in the cabin can board early to get settled before the rush.

#8. On the plane

Once you’re seated, tuck the carrier under the seat in front of you. Make sure it’s fully under, not hanging out partway, to avoid a flight attendant asking you to readjust during taxi. Once you’re on the plane, your dog stays in the carrier for the entire flight. No exceptions, though in practice, how strictly this is enforced depends entirely on the flight attendant you get. On our very first flight with Puglo, I had him with his head poking out of the carrier the entire time. The flight attendants walked past him repeatedly and not one of them said a word. On other flights since, I’ve had agents come straight over the moment the zip moved an inch. There’s no way to predict which experience you’ll get. Some are completely relaxed about it. If your dog is calm and quiet, they’ll walk past without a word even if you have a hand slipped through the mesh. Others are by the book and will ask you to zip up the moment they notice. There’s no way to know which type you’ll get before you board. My advice: keep the carrier zipped during boarding and any time a flight attendant is nearby. Once you’re in the air and the aisle is quiet, use your judgment. A discreet chin scratch through the mesh is very different from unzipping the top and letting your dog come out. A few things that actually help during the flight:

• • A worn T-shirt or small blanket inside the carrier (familiar scent = comfort)

• • A frozen lickable treat or stuffed Kong, something they can work on quietly if they’re restless

• • Keeping calm yourself. Dogs pick up on your energy. If you’re tense, they’ll feel it.

On long flights: check in periodically by putting your hand near the carrier mesh so they can smell you. You don’t need to unzip. Just the presence of your hand and your scent is often enough to settle them back down.

#9. Don’t over sedate your dog

This comes up a lot, and the answer is: generally, no. Most vets and the American Veterinary Medical Association advise against sedating dogs for air travel. Sedation affects a dog’s ability to balance and regulate their breathing, which matters in the pressurized environment of a plane. It can also mask signs of distress. If your dog has significant travel anxiety, talk to your vet about alternatives. Anxiety wraps, calming sprays, and CBD dog treats milder cases. For more serious anxiety, your vet may suggest a prescription option that’s safer than over-the-counter sedatives. But that’s a conversation to have with a professional who knows your dog, not something to guess at.

More dog travel guides you might like: the Air Canada pet policy, the Aeromexico dog policy, taking your dog to Europe.

One Last Vet-Backed Reminder

I am not a vet, so on the two things that matter most for safety I defer to the experts. On sedation, the American Veterinary Medical Association is clear that sedatives are generally not recommended for air travel and can raise the risk of breathing problems at altitude, which is exactly why most airlines will not accept a sedated dog. On the security line, the TSA small pets guidance walks you through carrying your dog through the metal detector while the empty carrier goes through the X-ray, so there are no surprises with an officer. Puglo and I have done this dozens of times, and calm preparation beats any pill. When you are ready to book, my guides on airlines that allow dogs in cabin and what to pack for a dog trip are the next two I would read.

Frequently asked questions: Flying with dogs

Flying with your dog gets easier every single time. The first flight is always the most nerve-wracking, mostly because you don’t know what to expect. By the third or fourth, it starts to feel like any other travel day. Puglo has been on more flights than most people I know, and watching him curl up in his carrier and fall asleep somewhere over the Atlantic is one of my favorite things about the way we travel. He has no idea he’s doing something most people think is impossible. He’s just napping. The planning takes effort upfront, the paperwork, the airline calls, the carrier research, but once you have a system, it becomes second nature. And the payoff is getting to bring your dog to places most pet owners never even consider.

More flying-with-dogs guides: Air Canada pet policy, Volaris pet policy, airlines that allow snub-nosed dogs, all airlines that allow dogs in cabin.