What are the differences between in-cabin, excess baggage, and manifest cargo?

In-Cabin Pet Travel: A pet travels in-cabin with a human traveler. Each airline has different in-cabin pet policies, so please check with your preferred airline for their requirements and fees. The average permissible in-cabin weight is 8 kg / 17 lbs (pet + kennel combined). The average permissible in-cabin kennel dimensions are 18 x 11 x 11 inches / 46 x 28 x 28 centimeters (length x width x height). The plane ticket holder is responsible for the pet’s flight booking, check-in, and customs clearance.

Excess Baggage Pet Travel: A pet travels in the climate-controlled, pressurized cargo hold of the plane. The pet travels in a hard-shell kennel that meets International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations for kennel sizing. The pet’s flight booking is attached to a human traveler. The plane ticket holder is responsible for the pet’s flight booking, check-in, and customs clearance.

Manifest Cargo Pet Travel: A pet travels in the climate-controlled, pressurized cargo hold of the plane. The pet travels in a hard-shell kennel that meets International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations for kennel sizing. The pet’s flight booking is not attached to a human traveler. A pet travel industry representative will typically book the manifest cargo flight and will be responsible for check-in and customs clearance.

What can travel with my pet?

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) provides guidelines for airlines regarding what can travel with your pet in flight.

Pet Travel Kennel: The container or crate in which your pet travels must meet specific requirements outlined by IATA, including size, ventilation, and construction. This ensures your pet's safety and comfort during the journey.

Food and Water: A small amount of food may travel affixed to the top of the kennel—up to 16 ounces (2 cups). Two attachable water containers must be fastened to the inside of the kennel, and they must be secure, leak-proof containers that don’t pose a risk of spillage.

Absorbent Pads: It is recommended that puppy training pads or a thick bath towel line the bottom of the kennel to soak up any in-flight moisture.

Comfort Item: Packing a blanket, item of clothing, or bath towel that smells like your home inside the kennel is recommended to help ease travel anxiety. The item should not be freshly washed.

Can my pet be medicated during travel?

Most anti-anxiety medications are not permissible during flight, as they can lower a pet’s blood pressure, which is not advisable in combination with the plane's pressurization fluctuations. There are no humans in the cargo hold to intervene should your pet have an adverse reaction to the medication during the flight. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) discourage sedation during pet travel. Holistic solutions such as pheromone sprays or collars are recommended.

Any necessary medications that need to be administered during a pet’s layover should be securely packed in the container. It is advisable to consult with your vet about proper handling and administration during travel. Some airlines do not allow pets to travel with medication and will not administer the medication during a layover.

Do you offer travel insurance?

Each pet that travels with us is ensured up to the cost of the pet travel contract with PTMC.

How does booking my pet as manifest cargo work?

Most airlines require an International Pet and Animal Transport Association (IPATA) or pet travel industry representative to book a pet as manifest cargo. Each airline has its own manifest cargo booking window in which booking requests must be submitted, reviewed by the airline, and confirmed by the airline’s headquarters. Booking windows can range from 5 to 30 days prior to the target departure date.

How far in advance of travel should I engage a pet travel agency?

For most countries, the veterinary requirements to import a pet can be met within 60 days prior to travel. I recommend engaging a pet travel agency more than 60 days before your target travel date so that vaccine records can be verified against your new country’s import requirements.

How do heat embargoes work?

Airlines may place a heat embargo at specific airports around the world when temperatures rise above 27 degrees Celsius (80 degrees Fahrenheit). Some airlines issue blanket heat embargoes for months at a time during the summer, particularly for brachycephalic breeds. If there is an embargo in place, your pet will be unable to travel on that route.

What is the benefit of hiring PTMC for my move?

With PTMC, you will receive a tailored relocation timeline targeting your preferred travel date. This timeline will outline all the steps that you and I need to complete before home delivery, ensuring that you, I, and our partners in both countries have a central timeline to work from rather than piecemealing the required action items.

You will gain a dedicated project manager (PM) who will ensure that all necessary steps on both sides of the transit are completed accurately and on time. I will communicate with all stakeholders required to facilitate the relocation on your behalf, allowing you to focus on the ‘human’ aspect of the relocation.

Myself along with my partners are available across multiple time zones, providing continuous support and ensuring that any issues or adjustments can be addressed promptly, no matter where you or your pet are located. This includes navigating and booking a contingency plan in the event of a flight cancellation. Since our clients are typically traveling around the same time as their pets, if your travel plans change at the last minute and you’re unavailable (e.g., on a flight or at an airport with no service), I can rework and rebook the move plan on your behalf.

PTMC’s service fees, origin agent fees, and destination agent fees are included in one central contract. PTMC’s move plans encompass costs on both sides of the journey, along with project coordination as a comprehensive service.

What is the cost breakdown for the door to door service?

20% PTMC service fee

50% origin services fee

30% destination services