Let Dogs Fly

⚖️
Regulatory Framework

Understanding Pet Aviation Regulations

Current aviation regulations weren't designed with pet welfare in mind. Here's what you need to know about the rules that govern how our companions travel today.

FAA (United States)

Federal Aviation Administration
  • No specific regulations for in-cabin pet safety equipment
  • Pets must fit in carriers under the seat (typically 17-20 lbs max)
  • Cargo hold transport has no temperature monitoring requirements
  • Airlines set their own policies with minimal oversight

EASA (European Union)

European Union Aviation Safety Agency
  • Similar size restrictions as US carriers (8kg max in most cases)
  • Regulations vary significantly between member states
  • No standardized crash-testing for pet carriers
  • Live animal regulations (EU 1/2005) provide some welfare protections

Critical Gaps

What's missing from current regulations
  • No certification process for pet safety restraints
  • No requirements for crash-tested pet carriers
  • No standards for medium/large dogs in-cabin
  • No unified international pet travel framework

Our Proposed Standards

The future of pet aviation
  • FAA/EASA certified crash-tested safety pods
  • Standardized seat-track mounting systems
  • Climate-controlled, monitored environments
  • International certification reciprocity

The Numbers Behind the Need for Change

2M+

Pets fly annually in the US alone

24

Average pet deaths reported per year on US flights

0

Crash-tested pet carriers certified by FAA

85%

Pet owners support in-cabin options for all sizes

Current Airline Policies

Without standardized regulations, each airline creates its own pet travel policies. Here's what most major carriers currently allow:

✈️In-Cabin Travel

  • -Only small pets that fit under the seat (carrier max ~18" x 11" x 11")
  • -Combined weight typically limited to 17-20 lbs (pet + carrier)
  • -Fees range from $95-$200 each way
  • -Limited number of pets allowed per flight
  • -Pet must remain in carrier for entire flight

📦Cargo Hold Travel

  • -Required for medium and large dogs on most airlines
  • -Temperature-controlled but not always monitored
  • -Many airlines embargo pets during extreme weather
  • -Costs $200-$500+ depending on size and route
  • -No visibility or access during flight

What Needs to Change

Certification Standards

FAA and EASA must create official certification processes for pet safety equipment

🔧

Safety Engineering

Crash-tested containment systems that integrate with existing aircraft infrastructure

🤝

Global Standards

International agreements for pet travel certification reciprocity

See Our PlanDownload Full Report