Flying with a Dog In Cabin; US to Mexico

When you see someone at the airport with a cute dog, does it make you miss yours? That was us for years. (Side note: strangers are surprisingly nice when you ask to snuggle their dog!) After a bit of research, we learned that flying with a dog in-cabin between the US and Mexico is simple. 

If you are like us, your dog is part of the family. If you are even more like us, your dog thinks you exist solely to make him comfortable. Teddy Bear – world’s tiniest dictator! Joking aside, traveling with Teddy makes us happy and it is really easy to bring him.  

So, how do you fly with a dog in-cabin? 

Oh, how I wish I could list a hard-and-fast process for you! Unfortunately, the rules are ALL over the place. Every country has different regulations for accepting dogs. Every airline has different policies for allowing dogs to fly in-cabin. Moreover, the guidelines change constantly! 

That said, it pretty much comes down to these things:

• size and breed of dog
• requirements of the country to which you are traveling
• airline policy for dogs in-cabin

Size and Breed of Dog

American Airlines says the combined weight of the carrier and your pet can’t exceed 20 pounds. Teddy weighs 4 pounds and we use a soft-sided crate. Any sane person can take one look and know he’s under the 20 pound limit. It makes me laugh when they insist on weighing him!

At one time, AA did not allow snub-nosed dogs to fly due to respiratory issues. I have scoured their website and see nothing about it, so perhaps they have change their position. If you have a pug, frenchie, or similar cutie, make sure you specifically ask the reservation agent about breed restrictions.

Current Rules for Bringing a Dog into Mexico

Quick version: There are no rules. That is an exaggeration, but only slightly. The dog is subject to inspection upon arrival at the airport, and the owner must fill out a form. That’s it. 

Long Version: When we first started flying to Mexico with Teddy, they required a health certificate from your home vet (completed no more than ten days before travel). The health certificate needed to state the following:

• dog is free of parasites
• dog has a valid rabies certificate
• dog is in good health for travel

Based on our previous experience, I assume the airport inspector still looks at the general health of the dog and makes assumptions on whether they are vaccinated and free of parasites.

As a precaution (Teddy is no spring chicken!), we still take him to the vet for a health certification before flying. Not only does it make us feel better knowing he’s up for the trip, but it also seems like a bit of insurance should the agent suggest he isn’t healthy. Seriously, could you leave this sweet face with a stranger for quarantine?

American Airlines Requirements for flying with a dog in-cabin 

We usually fly American Airlines from the US to Mexico. In the last 5 years, the rules have remained the same, but please please please do not take my word for it. Confirm these regulations directly with the airline!

• You must call reservations to reserve a spot for your dog.
• Make your pet reservation early, as AA has a maximum number of kennels permitted in cabin. 
• Reservation agent will give you a confirmation number, but you do not pay until you arrive at the airport. 
• At the airport, you are required to go through the special assistance line to clear your dog.
• Pay the Pet Fee. At the time of this post, the price is $125 one-way.
• Agree that your pet will stay in its kennel under the seat in front of you for the flight duration. (As you can see below, Teddy isn’t into the whole under seat thing. Pro-tip: pack a sweatshirt to hide your rebel dog.)

Kennel guidelines

• Pets must be able to stand, sit, turn around, and lie down in a natural position in their kennel (without touching any side or the top of the container). 
• Soft-sided collapsible kennels are recommended and must fit under the seat (without having to excessively collapse the kennel).
• They must be secure, padded, made of water-repellent material, and have nylon mesh ventilation on 2 or more sides.
• Recommended deminsions: 18 x 11 x 11 inches 

This is the backpack version we use. 

You will also want a travel water dish. This one is perfect because it clips on to our carrier.

So far, our flights with Teddy have been short, but I will definitely pack puppy pads for longer flights. Most airports have pet relief stations, but Teddy panics if there are lots of dogs there.

Returning to the US from Mexico

Currently, a health certificate is not required to bring your dog back to the US from Mexico. Broken record here, but you definitely need to check the USDA- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service website for the latest requirements.

Recap

If you have a small, healthy dog, flying with a dog in-cabin is a piece of cake! Just call the airline and ask ALL the questions. Even if it is not required, you will feel more confident if you take your dog for a check-up to ensure they are healthy enough to travel.

What is your favorite thing about traveling with your dog? Drop us a comment below. We would love to hear from you!