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Before the departure
Find here a few tips and frequently asked questions in regards to animals traveling by plane.
How does the cargo compartment look like?
While the loading procedure & position on the aircraft will vary from airline to type of plane, in all cases the compartment is heated & pressurized.
Depending on the size of the travel crate and aircraft type, your pet(s) will be safely secured on a pallet or loaded in a separate bulk compartment. In all cases, the ground handling will arrange for the loading at the latest and offloading at the first moment possible.
Should tranquillizers be given to my dog or cat?
The airlines as well as IATA (International Air Transport Association) strongly discourage the use of tranquilizers for pets traveling in the cargo hold as well as in the cabin. In certain cases, the airline staff, ground handling or animal caretakers will stop a pet from flying if they feel their safety is at risk.
Sedation of pets can cause lower blood pressure as well inappropriate behaviors such as loss of balance – this can be fatal for elderly or stressed animals.
There’s no direct flight for my destination – is a transit for my pet safe?
While we do recommend flying non-stop with your pets, in certain cases it is simply not possible. In such cases, with our many years of experience, knowledge and personal visits to many transit stations, we will assist you with the best routing.
Some airports have invested lots of resources to provide a high level of care while others keep pets in a warehouse with the minimum care given.
Is my travel crate suitable?
IATA (International Air Transport Association) with the LAR (Live Animal Regulation) has a clear set of regulations when it comes to travel crates. The crate must be large enough for the animal to stand up in a natural position (head/ears not touching the roof), turn around easily and lie down comfortably. Apart from the size, there are many more aspects that need to be checked. At MovingAnimals, we always request pictures of the crates upfront and dimensions of the animals:
- Length from tip of nose to root of tail
- Height from floor to tip of ears/head
- Lenght of frontleg
- Weight of animals
My pet is flying on Lufthansa with a transit in Frankfurt – how are animals cared for during the layover?
The Animal Lounge in Frankfurt, Germany is a state-of-the-art animal care center, focused on species-appropriate care for any live animal. Millions of animals pass through the Animal Lounge every year – from dogs, cats, horses, insects, ornamental fish to livestock, and each time the best care is provided during the layover.
Click HERE to see a video on Lufthansa Cargo’s Animal Lounge.