Flying with Fido or Fluffy?

According to the U.S. government, more than 2 million pets and live animals are transported by air every year within the United States. If your cat or dog is a frequent flier, you no doubt know the rules. However, if your pet has been grounded for most of its life, and you are now planning a summer trip by air with Harley or Fifi as your traveling companion, there are all kinds of rules and regulations that suggest you need to plan ahead — really plan ahead.

One of the first things that comes to mind before you book flights are the temperature restrictions if your pet will be traveling as checked baggage or cargo. Most airlines state that between May 15 and Sept. 15, if the temperature will be above 85 degrees Fahrenheit at any point during the trip (above 70 for snub and pug nose breeds and certain cat breeds), pets will not be accepted as checked baggage or cargo. You should apply this rule yourself if temperatures are high before and after those designated dates. Among the breeds considered to be pug or snub nose dogs are the American bulldog, Boston terrier, boxer, chow, Lhasa apso, Shih Tzu and Tibetan spaniel to name a few. Cats not accepted include the exotic, Persian, Burmese and Himalayan.

Airlines with hub cities in warm climates like Phoenix or Las Vegas where temperatures regularly exceed 100 degrees will not accept pets in cargo compartments. This includes America West.

If your little one is traveling as checked baggage or cargo, most airlines have temperature-controlled and pressurized cargo compartments. Before choosing the airline and the flight, double-check that and everything else. If you arrive at the airport to board your plane and the temperatures are too high or you don't have the right kind of carrier or papers, your pet will not be allowed to board and you are totally responsible. That means you might have to miss your flight.

If your pet is small enough to fit comfortably in a kennel under the seat directly in front of you, that carrier will be considered one of your carry-on pieces of luggage and your best friend can travel with you. Accepted kennel sizes vary from airline to airline and sometimes even from flight to flight, so contact your airline's reservation department. Keep in mind that your traveling pet must be at least 8 weeks old and you cannot have more than one pet on board in the cabin. There is usually a limit of one pet per person and a fee of around $80, more or less, when traveling within the United States. American Airlines allows two dogs or cats in a kennel but they must be the same species, between 8 weeks and 6 months old and weigh less than 20 pounds. The types of pets that are OK for carry-on include small dogs, cats and usually household pet birds — no poultry or wild birds.