Note: only service dogs can be carried in the passenger cabin of the aircraft. All other animals and pets travel in a special area in the hold of a passenger aircraft where the temperature and noise are similar to those experienced in the cabin. Visit
Singapore Airlines:
The only way to take your pet out of Australia on the same flight as you. Cabin: Only assistance and emotional support dogs allowed on board. These can fly free of charge. In The Hold: Pets at least three months old and weighing less than 32kg (including crate) can travel as 'checked baggage'.
Their welfare is our priority. Pets include dogs (not racing greyhounds), cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, domestic fish with no aeration requirements (not intended for resale), and domestic birds that don't need a permit to travel (maximum four birds per cage).
On regular commercial flights, for now pet dogs and cats can only fly in the hold of airplanes in Australia, generally as cargo. This means that you need to make a booking with the freight division of the airline (or a pet transport company) and drop them off at the cargo terminal.
You can't buy an extra seat for your dog unless you're flying JSX or JetBlue Airways. Generally speaking, traveling with a dog as a "carry-on luggage" item usually incurs a lower fee than if it travels in the belly of the plane as cargo. And by the way, a pet in its carrier counts as your carry-on bag.
Can my cat or dog sit on my lap? No. Pets are required to stay in their carrier throughout your domestic flight, stored under the seat in front of you.
Many airlines allow pets to fly in the cabin as a carry-on, so long as they stay inside a carrier that's small enough to fit under the seat in front of you for the duration of the flight. Southwest, Alaska, United, American, Delta, Hawaiian, Spirit, and Frontier are some of the airlines that allow pets as carry-ons.
Travelling in Australia with your dog or cat is simple; if you are flying with your pet, you can check your pet in as excess baggage. Customers in Australia will need to enlist a pet relocation agent for domestic travel only if they are not travelling on the same flight as their pet dog or cat.
Flying is an incredibly stressful experience for all dogs, but it can be especially upsetting for elderly dogs, as well as pups with health or behavioral challenges.
All pets need to be at least 12 weeks old before they are able to fly. Pets older than 12 years will need to present a certificate from a vet stating that the pet is healthy enough to fly.
Small dogs, cats and household birds can travel in the cabin for a one-way fee, collected at check-in. They must be able to fit in a small ventilated pet carrier that fits under the seat in front of you.
Cleanliness. One of the top reasons for concern is the cleanliness of aeroplanes. They aren't the cleanest of places and can, therefore, carry many germs and illnesses, such as Parvo, that can be picked up by pets and can sometimes be deadly and easily transmitted to others.
Flying with a large dog in the cabin is currently not allowed by any airline, for obvious reasons. Dogs are only allowed to travel with you as carry-on luggage if they weigh not more than 20lbs. And still, they have to be carried inside an airline-approved carrier that fits under the seat.
On-board: On the plane, your small pet dog must remain in the carrier at all times. You cannot remove the animal from the carrier while on the plane. The carrier containing your dog can only go completely under the seat in front of you. Carriers cannot be stored on your lap, in an overhead bin or anywhere else.
There is a $125 fee each way for traveling with your pet. There is also a $125 fee for each layover of more than four hours for flights within the U.S. and more than 24 hours internationally. You cannot use travel credits to pay this fee.
Most airlines will allow you to take a cat or small dog in the cabin for an additional fee. But you must call the airline well in advance; there are limits to the number of animals allowed in the cabin. If you are transporting your dog, make sure they meet the size requirements.
The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) allows people to fly with their animals free of charge. Airlines have been tightening their ESA policy though, so always be sure to check out the details of the policy before em-Barking, on your journey! If you want to bring your dog on a plane, read these 25 tips and tidbits.
Pet transportation in Australia
Door-to-door pet transport is the safest way to move your furry friend, but the cost is something to consider. For shorter shipments within 300 miles, the average cost is $120 to $250. For longer-distance shipments, the average price is $270 to $500.
In general, if your pet carrier (with your pet inside) can fit under the seat in front of you, your dog can ride in the cabin on flights that permit it. Typically, this would be a dog weighing up to about 20 pounds. Check with your airline to confirm specific requirements.
American Pit Bull, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bull Mastiff, Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Chow Chow, Dutch Pug, English Bulldog, English Toy Spaniel, French Bulldog, Japanese Boxer, Japanese Pug, Japanese Spaniel, Pekingese, Pug, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
A pet may be transported as baggage if accompanied on the same flight to the same destination. Some air carriers may impose a special fee or “excess baggage” charge for this service. Pets may be shipped as cargo if unaccompanied, and many airline cargo departments employ specialists in the movement of animals.
Never place a pet in the x-ray tunnel. The x-ray at the security checkpoint is used to screen passengers' personal property and carry-on luggage only. If possible, carry the pet during the screening process. Alternately, a pet can walk through the screening process if the owner has the pet on a leash.
Unfortunately, most airlines will only allow small and light dogs in the cabin. This is because they usually must comfortably fit underneath the seat in front of you. If you are traveling with a large dog, it is likely that you will need to ship him or her in the cargo hold of the plane.