Experience of flying with dogs: What documents are needed? What kind of crate is required?

Dogs are known as lovable and loyal pets. During many trips, everyone wishes their pets could join them. When traveling by air, many people often wonder if they can bring their dogs on the plane. To learn about the guidelines and experiences for flying with dogs, check out this article with Vietjet!

Experience in taking dogs on planes: What documents are needed? What kind of cage?

Many people want to take their dogs on planes when traveling or returning to their hometowns.

1. Can you bring a dog on a plane?

Due to its specific nature, the aviation industry has strict regulations for transporting passengers, luggage, and pets. Many wonder if dogs are allowed on planes. The answer is yes, but it depends on the airline’s policy.

To bring a dog on a plane, passengers must comply with the conditions and regulations regarding documents and the dog crate. Currently, there are three forms of transporting dogs on planes:

As carry-on luggage with a crate.
As checked luggage.
As cargo shipment.

2. Things to know when bringing a dog on a plane

2.1 What documents are required to bring a dog on a plane?

Before flying with your dog, you need to take your pet to the vet for a health check, vaccination certificate, and health record. You also need to visit the Veterinary Department where you live to get a quarantine certificate. Depending on whether the flight is international or domestic and the regulations of the destination country, the procedures and documents required will vary.

In general, the necessary documents to bring your pet on a flight include:

Quarantine Certificate: Obtain this from the Veterinary Department where you reside.
Vaccination Certificate and Health Record: Get these from a reputable veterinary clinic, ensuring your dog is in good health and vaccinated against rabies. The dog must be over 10 weeks old and vaccinated at least 30 days prior.
Export-Import or Transit Permit (for international flights).

For more information about the pet import regulations of your destination country, refer to their specific requirements to ensure you have all necessary documents. Some countries may also require a blood test for dogs with a validity of up to 6 months. You should also prepare notarized photocopies of your passport or a copy of the passport page with your personal details.

2.2 What are the requirements for a dog crate on a plane?

In addition to the necessary documents, preparing a suitable dog crate is crucial when bringing your pet on a flight. Depending on the method of transport, you will need to prepare the appropriate crate.

For carry-on luggage where the dog can travel with you in the cabin, the crate must meet the following requirements:

Maximum weight (including the crate): 7kg.
Crate dimensions: 35cm (length) x 30cm (width) x 20cm (height). The crate must be made from materials like plastic, metal, hard plastic, welded metal mesh, solid wood, or plywood; smooth with no sharp edges, and strong enough to prevent injury to the dog.
The crate must be securely locked throughout the flight, with a solid, waterproof base, and a good absorbent liner. It must allow ventilation and have securely attached containers for water and food.
If the crate has wheels, they must be removed or folded before the flight.
The crate should be placed under the seat in front of the passenger.

For passengers wishing to check their dog as luggage or ship it as cargo, attention should also be given to crate size and weight. If the dog exceeds the weight limits, it must be transported as cargo.

For checked luggage, the combined weight of the dog and the crate must not exceed the airline's baggage allowance. If the weight is too high, the dog must be transported as cargo.
The crate should be at least 30% larger than the dog to ensure it has enough space to stand, lie down, and move comfortably inside.

Dog cages for flying must be large enough for the dog to stand, lie down, and walk comfortably.

3. Procedures for Bringing Dogs on a Plane

3.1 Necessary Conditions for Bringing Dogs on a Plane

When flying with a dog, it’s important to check your dog’s health to meet the airline's requirements. Typically, the health conditions for dogs as specified by many airlines include:

The dog must be over 10 weeks old and not pregnant.
The dog must have been vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days before the flight, with a health check to ensure the dog is fit for the journey.
The dog must not have an unpleasant odor. It is recommended to use a muzzle to avoid noise disturbances and bad odors affecting other passengers.
Each passenger is allowed to bring only one dog on the flight.
Prepare water and food in the crate, ensuring enough for the dog during the flight.
Absolutely avoid giving the dog sedatives or sleeping pills to prevent any unexpected risks during the flight.

3.2 Necessary Procedures for Dogs on a Plane

Step 1: Prepare the crate according to the airline’s requirements and regulations along with the necessary documents. Note that the dog’s health check certificate is only valid for 24 hours.

Step 2: Depending on the dog's size and weight, the passenger can register for an appropriate transport method: carry-on, checked baggage, or cargo shipment. It's important to register for the service 24–48 hours before the flight departure.

Step 3: Enter the required information into the registration form and wait for approval from the airline.

Step 4: Arrive at the airport 2–3 hours before departure with your dog, flight ticket, luggage, and necessary documents to complete check-in procedures. Note that you will be required to sign a “Liability Waiver,” accepting all risks, including potential injury or death of the dog during the flight.

Step 5: For carry-on transport, bring your dog onto the plane and off as usual. For checked baggage and cargo, go to the baggage claim area to pick up your dog after the flight.

Step 6: For international flights, after arriving at the destination, you must complete the customs clearance/transit procedures for your dog.

Dogs on planes must be locked in their crates throughout the journey and placed under the passenger seat.

4. Experience of Flying with Dogs

Besides knowing the rules and procedures for flying with dogs, you can also refer to some tips for the first time traveling with your pet:

Feed your pet 4-6 hours before the flight.
Since the procedures for dogs on flights can be complicated, it’s best to arrive at the airport early to allow enough time to complete the steps.
In the two days leading up to the flight, frequently check to ensure your pet is healthy enough for the trip.
Be prepared for potential risks during the flight.
For passengers wanting to take their dogs abroad, you need to contact the embassy for advice on obtaining a visa for international flights with pets.

Passengers should feed their dogs at home 4-5 hours before the flight.

With the experiences and tips compiled by Vietjet, we hope your upcoming flights will be more complete and enjoyable with your pet. If you're looking for an airline that allows dogs on board, Vietjet is one of the few airlines that offer this service.

Specifically, Vietjet’s pet transport service allows you and your dog to travel together in the cabin:

Routes: Domestic flights.
Ticket Classes: All except Business Class.
Service Fee: 4,000,000 VND per crate (each crate may contain only one pet), excluding VAT.
Service Booking Time: Over 24 hours before departure. For bookings made less than 24 hours before departure, passengers must go to the last-minute ticket office or book at the airport.

See more: Procedures for transporting pets by plane: Things to know & Notes

Don't forget to check out the 0 VND promotional fares for domestic and international flights daily from 12 PM to 2 PM for the best deals.

For more information on pet transport procedures by plane, including important considerations, visit: