PetGrit

Flying with a pet: airline policies and country entry rules

Calm golden retriever sitting beside a soft pet travel carrier near a sunny window

Research starts here. Every airline sets its own cabin, cargo, and breed rules. Every destination country has its own health-certificate, microchip, and quarantine requirements. We compile the key facts in one place — but always confirm with the official source before you travel.

Airline policies Country entry rules Travel checklist tool

How flying with a pet works

Four things to get right before your travel date.

1

Check your airline

Each airline sets its own rules for in-cabin pets, checked baggage, and cargo. Weight limits, breed restrictions, and fees vary widely — confirm before you book.

2

Check the destination country

Many countries require a microchip, a current rabies vaccine, a USDA-endorsed health certificate, and sometimes a titer test. Some require months of advance preparation.

3

Get the right documents

Most international destinations require a health certificate from a USDA-accredited vet, endorsed by USDA APHIS. Allow at least 2–4 weeks for endorsement; some destinations need 6–12 months of lead time.

4

Confirm before you travel

Pet-import rules change. Always verify the requirements with the official authority and your airline at the time of booking — not just when you saw this page.

Pet travel tools

Small dog in a soft pet carrier beside measuring tape and travel supplies

In-cabin eligibility checker

Enter your airline, pet's weight, and carrier dimensions — see if your pet likely qualifies for in-cabin travel.

Check eligibility
Cat beside pet travel documents, microchip scanner, and a carrier

Travel readiness checklist

Enter your destination country and travel date — get a sequenced, printable checklist with timing for microchip, vaccines, titer test, and health certificate.

Build my checklist

Airline pet policies

Cabin, cargo, weight, and breed rules for 19 major airlines.

United Airlines In-cabin up to 25 lb · $150 each way (in-cabin, U.S. domestic) American Airlines In-cabin up to 20 lb · $150 each way (in-cabin) Delta Air Lines In-cabin up to 20 lb · $150 each way (in-cabin, U.S. domestic) Alaska Airlines In-cabin up to 20 lb · $100 each way (in-cabin or checked). JetBlue Airways In-cabin up to 20 lb · $125 each way. Southwest Airlines In-cabin up to 20 lb · $125 each way.
All 19 airlines

Country entry requirements

Microchip, rabies, health certificate, titer, and quarantine for 25 destinations.

United Kingdom Microchip required · No quarantine Canada No microchip required · No quarantine Mexico No microchip required · No quarantine Japan Microchip required · Quarantine required Australia Microchip required · Quarantine required New Zealand Microchip required · Quarantine required
All 25 destinations

Pet travel guides

Small dog resting inside an airline-approved soft pet carrier

Flying with a pet: cabin vs cargo

How to decide whether your pet can travel in the cabin or must fly as cargo, and what each route means for safety and stress.

Read guide
Veterinarian gently examining a Labrador on a clean examination table

USDA health certificate, step by step

The official document required for international pet travel — what it is, who issues it, and how to get the USDA APHIS endorsement in time.

Read guide
French Bulldog resting calmly on a soft cushion in a bright home

Brachycephalic breed flight bans

Which snub-nosed dog and cat breeds are banned from airline cargo and why. And what your options are if you have a Bulldog, Pug, or Persian.

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Golden retriever on a vet table with a friendly vet holding a clipboard

Microchip and rabies rules for international pet travel

Nearly every international destination requires an ISO microchip and a current rabies vaccine. Here is exactly what that means and the order that matters.

Read guide
Tabby cat sitting beside a passport and official documents on a wooden table

How to read a country's pet-import rules

Official government pet-import pages can be dense. This guide walks you through what to look for and the questions to ask before you commit to a travel date.

Read guide