Many dog owners take their furry friends with them when they’re moving to another state, when they’re going to a dog show, and sometimes, simply for a vacation. No matter what your reason for traveling with your dog, here are a few things to know from our EWR Airport parking company:
Size Matters
Before you board the plane and take your dog with you, you’ll have to check his/her size with the regulations of the airline. If your dog is small enough to fit in a travel carrier (usually a max of 9″ high, 20″ long, and 13″ high), and doesn’t exceed the weight limit, you can likely bring him/her onto the plane with you to ride in the cabin. However, each airline has a different policy, so check before you book your flight.
When it comes to dogs that are medium- or large-sized, the airline may allow him/her to travel in the cargo area of the plane; sometimes this is a designated area of its own and sometimes this is the area where the rest of the luggage is stored. Sometimes, airlines don’t allow you to travel with a dog unless it is small enough to fit in a carrier, so again, check the policy of the airline before you book your flight.
There’s a Fee
Some travelers are under the impression that a dog small enough to fit in a carrier will count as their carry-on piece of luggage. However, this isn’t often the case. Instead, you’ll likely be charged a pet travel fee of typically $100-$200 one way, depending on where your dog is in the plane. This makes your dog’s round-trip travel fee anywhere from $200-$400.
In other circumstances, like when a dog is assisting a disabled passenger, the dog will likely be able to ride in the cabin and at no additional charge.
Things to Remember
If you’re traveling with a pet in a pet carrier, the carrier will count as your carry-on luggage and also require a fee. In addition, most airlines only allow one dog carrier per passenger and your dog must stay in the carrier at all times. Because of this, many airlines don’t allow you to travel overseas with your dog.
Before you book your flight, check the airline’s requirements for dogs – most times, dogs can only fly if they’re over a certain age and some airlines require a health certificate.
Also remember – if you’re flying out of EWR, airport parking can be a hassle. Book your parking reservation with us – we’ll get you and your dog to and from the airport with ease.