Travel Advantage | Airline Regulations – Commuting & Wilderness Travel

When planning to fly for a vacation or business trip it is a good idea to check the airline regulations.  All airlines may not be the same.  This article will cover baggage requirements and animal carriers if you’re planning to fly with your pet.

Carry-Ons or Checked Baggage

When measuring your luggage, take the length + width + height = total inches.  The standard dimension that is allowed for a carry-on is 45 inches.  Some bags have an odd shape but may be within the total inches allowed but the airline may still reject that item.

When shopping for a duffel bag, suitcase or any type of carry-on beware that some stores may advertise these as carry-ons but when measured they are not what is accepted, sometimes they are larger.  Also measure your carry-on from the outside not the inside dimensions.  It is also a good idea to take your measurements when the bag is fully packed for your trip.  This will give you accurate measurements when the outside pockets are filled and if your luggage is expandable.  Measuring your luggage when it is empty to fully packed could add inches to your dimensions.

If you have ever taken a carry-on with you on the plane and try to stuff it in the overhead compartment and it doesn’t fit most chances are that it will not fit under the seat in front of you.  So before you fly always measure your carry-ons.  It is alot easier to check the bag when checking in for your flight than having the problem after you have boarded on the plane.

Did You Know

The space under the seats in front of you are not made the same.  Some airlines have made this space smaller due to electronic devices that were installed.  Did you also know that the space under the aisle seat is smaller than the space under the wing seat, leaving the center seat with the most space.  The amount of space is due to the braces and frames of the seats.

It’ not a bad idea to take a smaller carry-on instead of a larger one, you won’t have the headache of trying to stuff the bag under the seat when it doesn’t fit and annoy the passenger in front of you. 

Most airlines will allow one carry-on bag and one personal item per passenger.  The personal item which is allowed cannot be no more than 36 inches when you add the length + width + height so that it fits in an overhead bin or under the seat.  Carry-on items do not have extra charges, but the airlines are strict with these rules.  If you items are not allowed as carry-ons you will have to have these checked and most times they will incur extra charges.

Not all domestic and international carry-on policies are the same.  Even the weight limits vary depending on the size of the plane and where you may fly.  Remember to check with your airline.

Checked Baggage

Most of the checked baggage policies have changed and airlines are tighting up.  Most airlines are now restricting passengers to one piece of luggage weighing no more than 50 lbs.  Some airlines are even charging an extra fee for the first checked bag. 

When booking in coach or first class the weight limit will vary.  When flying inside the US you will have a maxium weight allowance but flying international the weight limit will be different.  Make sure you know what is the maxium weight allowance traveling from one country to another.  

Any airline can charge an outragious amount for luggage being over weight.  Many luggage pieces may weight 10 – 20 lbs. depending on the size so always weigh your luggage once you are fully packed.  Purchasing a luggage scale to weigh your bag would be a good investment.  They are small enough to pack and take with you.  Most people buy souveniors to bring home to friends and family which could add to the weight on your return trip.  So pack being under weight before leaving and this will allow you for alittle extras on return home.

Airline Regulations for Pet Travel

Most airlines require you make a reservation when traveling with your pet.  There are only a certain number of pets allowed on a single flight.

Pet are allow on domestic flights within the 48 contiguous United States, Alaska, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. Croix.  From the U.S. to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean provided the country of arrival permits entry.  Carry-on pets are NOT ALLOWED to/from Hawaii or Transatlantic/Transpacific or Central and South America.

Airlines have applicable charges for pets.  Certain guidelines must be followed to permit a pet when flying.

Pets are NOT allowed outside their carrier at any time during flight.

Pets may only travel upon payment of the applicable charges.
 
Pet Carrier Guidelines

The maximum size for cabin pet carriers is 19″ long x 13″ wide x 9″ high. Soft-sided pet carriers such as Sherpa bags may exceed these dimensions slightly because they are collapsible. Animals must be able to stand up, turn around and lie down in a natural position in the kennel. Soft-sided pet carriers are accepted as long as they are constructed of water-repellent, padded nylon with mesh ventilation on two or more sides.

A pet kennel counts as either a passenger’s one carry-on bag or personal item – a cabin pet charge still applies.

Number of Pets Allowed

Only one pet kennel per ticketed passenger may be accepted for travel in the cabin. The kennel may contain two (2) dogs or two (2) cats but they must be the same species, at least 8-weeks old, and the pet and container can weigh no more than 20 lbs. combined.

Pets Traveling As Checked Baggage

Checked pets do not need a reservation for most airlines. Participants of dog shows should be aware that capacity is sometimes reached and checked pets are accepted on a first come basis.

Kennels must be constructed of wood, metal, plastic or a similar material, leak-proof, escape proof and door must fasten securely and need ventilation on 2-sides in addition to the door. Kennels must also have a water container with outside access for filling, in case a delay occurs.  Collapsible Kennels (those which can fold down flat) can not be accepted due to the risk of collapse during transport.  The maximum weight of a checked pet and kennel (combined) cannot exceed 100 lbs.

Temperature Restrictions have been established by some airlines to ensure animals are not exposed to extreme heat or cold in the animal holding areas, terminal facilities, when moving the animals between terminal and aircraft or on an aircraft awaiting departure.

Always check with your airline for their regulations when flying with your pet.

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