Although some owners successfully take their pets on vacation with them, we usually advise against doing so, because:

• Weather restrictions mean that, for safety reasons, the airline cannot ship your pet in either hot or cold conditions. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, your pet could be delayed on either the outgoing or the return flight. Weather restrictions can come into play at short notice, and they can last days or even weeks.
  
  
• Health certificates, which are necessary for air travel, are valid for a maximum of 10 days. If your pet’s travel is delayed for any reason, or if your trip lasts for more than a few days, you may have to schedule a veterinary exam and obtain a new health certificate to allow your pet to return home.
  
  
• Air travel is not stress free. You should consider whether your pet would be less stressed by staying in a commercial boarding facility than by flying.
  
  
• Shipping your pet by air is likely to add considerably to the cost of your vacation.

If you do decide to have your pet fly with you, please check first with your airline. Regulations for shipping pets as accompanied baggage or as carry-on items vary from airline to airline.