Carriage of animals on the plane is subject to strict rules and requirements. Therefore, when you are going on a trip with a pet, you should stick to them. A large number of procedures must be followed in order for your animal to board safely and then be unloaded. After all, due to ignorance and violation of the rules of transportation, you can lose money and time.
How to act?
To make your trip go without unpleasant surprises? when transporting animals on an airplane, the following algorithm should be followed. To begin with, be sure to carefully study the basic requirements, which practically do not differ in most airlines.
If you fly abroad, specify what rules for transporting animals on an airplane apply in the country to which you are heading. Contact a veterinary clinic to clarify the requirements of your particular region of Russia. It is best to go to the state doctor. After that, call the airline and inform in advance that you intend to travel with the animal, receive verbal confirmation from them that no problems are expected in this regard.
In the veterinary clinic, get the appropriate certificate, and at the airport, change it to a certificate that gives the right to transport animals on an airplane. Register your pet for the flight, depending on its parameters and the rules of a particular airline, it can go in baggage or cabin baggage.
General rules
When you are planning to arrange transportation of animals on an airplane, the first thing you should decide is whether you will do it yourself or hire a special agent. There are companies on the market that provide such services.
According to the general rules for transporting animals on an airplane, you can do it yourself if you are a competent and adult citizen, while transporting a pet whose weight, taking into account the cage, does not exceed the established standards. As a rule, it is 50 kilograms.
In all other situations, it is necessary to contact transport agents who not only organize everything, but also prepare the necessary veterinary documents.
Please note that in most airlines, pets are not considered reptiles, rodents, arthropods, any creatures that need to be transported in water, untamed birds and animals. As a rule, transportation rules apply only to cats, dogs and ferrets.
Strictly forbidden
For the safety of the animals themselves, it is forbidden to transport puppies and kittens under the age of 4 months, pregnant females, old and sick individuals, animals that have problems with the respiratory organs, heart and brain activity on the plane.
Separately spelled out the requirements for the transportation of brachycephals. These are animals with flat faces and short skulls. In particular, they include the Pekingese, bulldogs, pugs, boxers and several other similar dog breeds. Among cats, the most famous brachycephalus are the Persians, there are several more exotic shorthair breeds.
On many airlines, for example, Aeroflot, the transport of animals on the plane is prohibited if they can be classified as brachycephalic dogs. But cats with the same structure of the skull can not be transported only to the United States and then at a certain time, for example, when it is too hot. This practice is due to the fact that brachycephals can have problems with pressure, because of this a fatal outcome is possible directly on board the aircraft.
Where are you taking the animal?
You must study the rules of the country where you intend to bring the animal in advance. For example, recently, quarantine has been compulsory for all animals imported into China and India, and Israel and Japan require that rabies antibody titers be presented.
It is difficult to bring an animal into an isolated state. These include Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, part of China. Some countries have certain individual restrictions. For example, you can bring a dog or cat to Ireland only through Dublin Airport. In America, animals on board are treated quite loyally, but European-style chips are simply not read there.
Required documents
If you are independently engaged in the transportation of animals on an airplane in Russia, then take care of the necessary veterinary documents. True, this is required if you are carrying an animal for commercial purposes, to another owner or to participate in exhibitions. In all other cases, no veterinary accompanying documents are required for your pets.
From this it follows that for the transportation of animals on an airplane by Aeroflot and other domestic companies on domestic routes, a veterinary passport will be sufficient, in which all necessary marks will be affixed.
Trip abroad
The requirements for transporting animals on an airplane that follows a border are more stringent. When traveling to the countries of the Customs Union, you will need to issue an appropriate certificate, and for a trip to the countries of the former USSR - a certificate from a veterinarian in form No. 1.
It will also be necessary for flying to the countries of the European Union. At the airport, you will need to exchange it for a certificate in form No. 5, as well as draw up a veterinary certificate of the European Union and submit documents that you are not carrying it for commercial use.
Please note that form No. 1 is valid for no more than 5 days from the date of removal of the animal from the country. But the form number 5 is valid only 24 hours.
If you travel through several countries at once, you will need to take into account the requirements of all of them, especially if you leave the airport building.
Airline Requirements
Never forget that individual airlines have special requirements. It is necessary to warn that you are flying with an animal at least two days in advance, and preferably even earlier. This is especially important if you carry it not in the cabin, but in the luggage compartment.
You will need to obtain appropriate permission, as well as be prepared that you will be refused without detailed explanations.
Carriage in the cabin and baggage
Transportation of animals in the cabin is allowed when the total weight of the pet and its cage is no more than 5-10 kilograms (more specific weight parameters depend on the airline). One person cannot carry more than one cell.
Moreover, in one cage there can be several animals, provided that they feel comfortable, and also do not exceed the maximum mass. Opening the cage in flight is prohibited.
There are other restrictions in the luggage compartment - the weight of the animal with the cage should not exceed 50 kilograms. Therefore, the transportation of dogs on the plane is usually carried out in this way. And here in one cage several animals can be kept.
If you fear for the health of your pets, then you can not worry in vain. In today's airplanes, flying in the luggage compartment is quite comfortable; there simply isn’t too much temperature there. And the animal will behave calmer if it does not feel your excitement nearby. Cages with pets are neatly and carefully loaded. They are sent to the compartment last, and taken out immediately after landing.
What should be the transportation?
A cage for transporting dogs on an airplane must meet certain conditions. Note that each company may have its own requirements for carrying, but they also have general provisions.
In the mandatory case, the cage for the animal must be shockproof, and also have a waterproof bottom. Special vents will also be required, however, please note that animals are not allowed in cages from rods.
The carrier must have a strong door with a secure lock. The animal should not be able to open it on its own. In the event that there are cells on the door, they should not be too large so that the pet does not get stuck in them.
At the same time, the carrying parameters should be such that the animal had the opportunity to stand up to its full height, turn around itself, and also lie comfortably. The carrying bottom should consist of an absorbent, non-toxic material.
Note that the requirements for carrying both the cabin and the luggage compartment are generally the same. At the same time, soft flights are allowed on some flights, provided that they have a waterproof bottom, and they consist of absorbent material.
Also note that the transportation parameters, if you are carrying a pet in the cabin, must fit the size of hand luggage. Enhanced transport may be required for fighting dog breeds. To do this, it is strengthened with metal bolts.
Service dogs and guide dogs are allowed without a container.