If the drive is too far to take your puppy home, you may want to consider flying your puppy home. This is actually much easier than most think and is a low stress option for traveling with your little guy or gal!

We are always happy to meet our customers at one of our nearby airports (Peoria or Bloomington IL). Here are some tips you might need to know about flying with a puppy:

In cabin vs. cargo

Some airlines still offer cargo options for your pet’s travel. This means your puppy will ride in the cargo hold of the plane and not in the cabin with you. While most of these cargo areas are temperature controlled, they may have outside air temperature restrictions in place.

Having your pet travel in the cargo area involves a difficult process that involves many additional steps. Because the puppy will be alone in the cargo, it could be a more stressful experience. For these reasons, we do not recommend flying your puppy in cargo.

Having your puppy fly in the cabin with you means he will sit under the seat in front of you. There is a much simpler process to book and board the plane this way and you have the benefit of monitoring your puppy. Typically, you should plan to pay $100 to $150 in addition to your own plane ticket.

Booking the flight

Before booking the flight, be sure to read the airline’s pet policies very thoroughly. Some things to check for are:

The airline’s pet age policy - some airlines will not allow a puppy to fly if they are under 12 or 16 weeks old.
Weight restrictions
Breed restrictions
Kennel size
Required documents

Some airlines will allow you to add the pet online at the time of booking, other airlines require you to call after you’ve booked your flight. If in doubt, just call the airline and they’ll help you (though you might need to block off a good chunk of time to get a hold of a person who knows the answer to your pet questions).

You can find the pet rules for all the United States airlines here: https://be.chewy.com/complete-airline-pet-policy-guide-for-all-u-s-airlines/

Supplies you’ll need for the flight

The most important thing you’ll need is a TSA approved soft sided carrier for your puppy to travel in. These can be found online or at most pet stores and usually cost between $30 and $75.

Puppy pads are handy to have for bathroom breaks. I don’t recommend putting them inside the carrier with your puppy in case he tries to chew on them during the flight.

Chews such as bully sticks can help keep him entertained and can help his ears not to pop during take off and landing.

A food and water bowl are handy to have for while you are in the airport, especially if you have a long layover or a flight is delayed. Pack a quart sized bag of food just in case you have to spend more time in the airport than 6 hours.

A leash and collar might be nice to have, but since most airports don’t allow puppies out of the carrier, you may not be able to use them.

If you are getting a Joley Aire puppy, we will provide you with all the supplies you need to fly with your puppy except a carrier. We’re happy to purchase a carrier for you, but we ask that you reimburse the amount.

Checking into your flight

About 24 hours before your flight leaves, most airlines will allow you to check in using their app or a kiosk at the airport. Neither of these options will work if you have a pet. You’ll have to go to the check-in desk (where most people drop off luggage) to finish the check-in process and get your boarding pass.

At the check-in desk, they’ll probably want to weigh your puppy and make sure you have an appropriate carrier. I’ve flown with puppies many times and they rarely need any more information than that.

Security

You’ll go through security the same way as you would without a pet with one difference: you’ll need to take the puppy out of the carrier and hold him to go through the machines. The carrier will then go through like any other luggage.

Give your puppy lots of snuggles, because this is the last time he’ll be allowed to be out of the carrier unless you visit a relief area.

From my experience, the security team will be much more likely to pull you aside for additional security screening if you have a puppy, so plan extra time and be as cooperative as possible to expedite the process.

In the airport

Most airports are pretty strict about keeping your puppy in the carrier or on a leash at all times. If your puppy needs to use the restroom, there are special designated pet relief areas.

Because most puppies aren’t fully vaccinated when they leave the breeder’s, you’ll need to take extra precautions: lay down puppy pads and only let your puppy walk on those and wash his paws (or anywhere that came in contact with the floor) after he is done.

On the plane

Once you board the plane, slide your puppy under the seat in front of you and settle in for the flight. I’ve never had a puppy bark and whine while on the plane, but if he does, give him a bully stick and try to comfort him through the mesh of the carrier. You won’t be allowed to take him out of the carrier, so just do the best you can.

Flying With Your Puppy