How Does International Pet Air Transport Work?

One of the most common questions pet owners ask when relocating abroad is simple: what happens to my pet during an international flight?

When we talk about international pet air transport, we're not referring to a regular journey. It is a highly regulated and carefully coordinated process designed to ensure your pet's safety, welfare, and full compliance with international regulations.

What is specialised pet transport?

When travelling by air, pets are transported under a specialised live animal transport service. This means they are not handled as standard baggage, but instead follow dedicated procedures from booking through to arrival at their destination.

This system ensures that every pet is transported according to the airline's requirements and the import regulations of the destination country, while maintaining the highest standards of care throughout the journey.

Which regulations apply?

International pet transportation by air follows the IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR), the global standard governing the safe transport of live animals by aircraft.

These regulations cover a wide range of requirements, including approved travel crate specifications, ventilation and safety requirements, identification and documentation, airport acceptance procedures, ground handling and loading procedures and species-specific transport requirements.

In practice, this means that transporting a pet cannot be improvised. Every stage of the journey must comply with strict technical standards established by the aviation industry.

What happens on travel day?

Although every relocation is unique, the objective is always the same: to ensure your pet travels safely, comfortably, and with as little stress as possible.

1. Pet collection or airport check-in

Depending on the travel arrangements, your pet may either be collected from your home or checked in directly at the airport.

Before acceptance, all documentation is carefully reviewed to ensure every mandatory requirement has been met.

2. Acceptance and inspection

Your pet is officially accepted as specialised live animal cargo, and the travel crate is inspected to confirm compliance with applicable regulations. At this stage, the crate is checked for appropriate size, structural integrity, ventilation, and overall safety.

3. Pre-flight holding

After acceptance, pets remain in designated airport facilities specifically intended for live animal transport. These dedicated areas help minimise unnecessary handling while preparing pets for loading onto the aircraft.

4. Boarding

Your pet is carefully transferred to the aircraft and loaded into the compartment designated for live animal transport. The process is carried out according to strict operational procedures to ensure stable conditions throughout the flight.

5. During the flight

Throughout the journey, your pet remains safely inside its travel crate.

The aircraft's live animal compartment provides controlled environmental conditions, including appropriate temperature and lighting, helping maintain a stable and comfortable environment during transport.

Although the flight crew does not interact directly with the animals during the flight, the entire transport process follows the airline's established procedures and international regulations.

6. Arrival at destination

Upon arrival, your pet is unloaded and transferred to the appropriate inspection area at the destination airport. Once local veterinary and customs procedures have been completed, your pet is released to its owner or designated representative.

How Global Pets supports every journey

At Global Pets, every relocation is planned individually, taking into account the animal's species, breed, age, health condition, destination country, and all applicable import requirements.

Our team combines veterinary expertise, IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR) certification, and extensive international relocation experience to coordinate every stage of the journey with the highest level of care and professionalism.

Our goal is simple: to ensure every pet arrives safely, comfortably, and with complete peace of mind for its family. Contact Global Pets today to plan your pet's international relocation with expert guidance and dedicated support every step of the way.