Flying with a Dog to Europe from the USA and Canada

By The Hoomans
April 4, 2024

Flying with a dog is not especially fun and can be stressful for both the hoomans and your dog. However, it doesn't have to be if you plan properly. We flew internationally from Calgary, Canada to Frankfurt, Germany with Pedro when he was just 8 months old.

Flying Internationally with our Dog from Canada to Germany

When I decided to spend more time in Europe, I made the decision to relocate my West Highland Terrier, Pedro, to Europe full-time. Pedro was still a puppy, and I wanted to plan the trip right away as I was concerned about weight restrictions (Pedro grew really fast). I have flown in the past with my dogs, but it was still a stressful time as things have definitely changed since COVID-19. I spent a lot of time researching the best airlines, seats, and route options to ensure a smooth and safe journey for our dog.

In April 2023, we flew from Calgary International to Frankfurt, Germany with our dog Pedro on Air Canada. Here is all of the information that I found while planning for our trip.

Is it Safe to Fly with a Dog?

I do think it’s safe to bring your dog with you in the cabin. I haven’t personally placed my dog in the cargo hold, but I know many people who have due to the dog’s size. There are many mixed opinions on this, but I wouldn’t risk it. It’s crucial to always check with your trusted veterinarian before considering air travel with your dog. Remember to also consult with your chosen airline to ensure that your dog’s breed is allowed to fly.

Airline Pet Policy

Before booking your flight, it is important to check the airline’s pet policy. Some airlines require a health certificate, and others may place restrictions on the size or breed of dog allowed to travel in-cabin. All airlines have detailed pet policies that list in-cabin versus cargo restrictions and fees.

Some airlines have policies regarding the size of pet carriers, depending on the type of aircraft. Make sure to carefully read the airline policy to avoid any problems.

When I research destinations and flights, I always look up the airline and flight number to see the plane’s seat map. A great website to use is Seat Guru. This helps me locate the bathrooms and understand the row configurations. Once the airline communicates which rows and seats allow dogs, I review the seat map to select the best seats.

Destination Pet Rules and Regulations

You should also check the rules and regulations of the country you are flying into to ensure that your dog will not be quarantined upon arrival, and to make sure that you are allowed to fly with a dog. For instance, the UK does not allow animals in the cabin. If flying with your dog is a must, consider flying to a different destination such as Amsterdam or Paris.

Bringing Pets to the UK from Europe, Canada & the USA

Travelling with your dog to the UK can be a hassle. Unfortunately, UK authorities don’t allow pets to fly in the cabin to avoid potential

Animal Health Certificate

If you are travelling with your dog from Canada or the USA, you need to get an Animal Health Certificate signed by your veterinarian and by your country’s Animal Inspection Agency before you travel. You also need to ensure that your dog has all the required vaccinations for the country that you are flying into.

EU Pet Passport, Required Vaccinations, and Documents Needed to Travel with Your Dog

If you’re planning to travel with your dog to the EU, you need to plan ahead and make sure that they have all of the

Book Your Travel with Your Dog In Advance

Make sure to reserve a spot for your dog in advance, as many airlines limit the number of pets allowed on a flight. Before booking your dog’s travel, you must book yours. Most airlines allow you to put your reservation on hold for 24 hours before confirming the booking. This will give you time to call the airlines and confirm that your dog is allowed to travel on the plane, and confirm the rows and seats where pets are allowed. Once your dog is confirmed, you can finalize your booking. Most plane configurations only allow dogs to fly in Economy seats, and pet carriers may not fit under the seats in Business or Economy Plus class.

Book the Comfort Seat for Your Dog

What’s a Comfort Seat?” Here is the airline’s definition of a Comfort Seat:

If guests want more space than one seat can offer, they can buy another seat next to them in the Main Cabin. Alternatively, if they have already bought a ticket for a companion who is unable to make it, they can use that ticket to keep an extra seat open. This extra seat is referred to as a Comfort Seat.

On our flight from Calgary to Frankfurt, I booked the Comfort Seat for extra room. I sat by the window while Josef took the aisle. The middle seat was empty, so I was able to place Pedro next to me in his carrier. The flight attendants permitted me to open the carrier, allowing Pedro to move a bit. Pedro slept for most of the flight, nestled in his carrier next to me. It was much better than stowing his carrier under the cramped seat in front of me. The Comfort Seat is definitely worth its price, particularly when travelling with a dog. If you’re travelling with a friend and can book the entire row, go for it.

Carry On Baggage Allowance

It may not seem fair, but even though you pay a fee for your pet to travel in-cabin, they still count as one of your carry-ons. It’s a good idea to limit your carry-on bags anyway since boarding a plane can be difficult, especially with an 18-pound pet carrier over your shoulder.

Avoid Connections When Traveling with a Dog

Flying can be stressful for dogs, so I always try to book direct flights. If direct flights are not available, I explore all alternative transportation options such as car rentals, trains, or ferries. I strongly recommend to take the time to plan carefully and allow for extra travel time with your dog. The journey may take an additional day or two, but arriving relaxed and refreshed is worth it.

Airline Approved Pet Carriers

All airlines have very specific requirements regarding pet carrier size and total weight. There are many different brands available, but after trying most of them, I always choose the Sherpa Airline Approved Pet Carrier. Additionally, I utilize Mr. Peanut’s Spinner Luggage Cart to transport my pet. The pet carrier strap fits over the cart, making it easy to wheel the carrier through the airport. Although most airports allow pets to walk on a leash, some require you to carry your dog, which can be quite tiring to do through a large airport.

What Can I Give My Pet to Reduce their Anxiety When Flying?

You may be wondering if you should give your dog medication to help them sleep on the flight. The straightforward answer is to talk to your veterinarian and get their recommendations. There are many things you can do to help relax your pet and ease their anxieties. These are the things I have used for our dog, Pedro.

A Thundershirt® which swaddles the dog much like swaddling an infant and can reduce anxiety.
A pheromone calming collar to help lower anxiety.
Trazodone and gabapentin prescribed by my veterinarian to reduce the anxiety that some dogs experience when travelling.

Airport Pet Relief Areas

New regulations for international travel recommend that you arrive at the airport at least three hours before your flight. If you are traveling with a dog, you should arrive even earlier. An 8 or 9-hour flight is a long time for your dog to wait until they can go to the bathroom. Fortunately, many airports have conveniently designated pet relief areas. Before you fly or, especially if you are connecting, take the time to visit the airport’s website to find out if and where their pet relief areas are located.

Calgary International Airport

I have flown out of many North American airports over the years with my dogs. My favourite airport so far is Calgary International Airport. Not only does the airport have multiple pet relief areas, but it is also extremely pet-friendly. The Vin Room at YYC Airport is a trendy wine bar and restaurant that has a dog-friendly indoor patio. Pedro loved the dog bed and was spoiled with lots of dog treats.