If you’re anything like us, your pet is just a furry extension of your family, which means that relocating and travelling always includes them. Travelling with pets wasn’t always the easiest thing to do, not even mentioning the idea of which airlines to use and what documents to prepare. Luckily things have changed, and that means we can all check in our pets on our flights and rest assured that they’ll be comfy and cared for.
Not sure what your options are as far as airlines are concerned? Here’s a brief look at what’s on offer:
Airlines for travelling with pets
SAA
If you’re using South African Airways Pet Travel Services, your pets will have to board the aircraft as “checked baggage”. The reason for this is to clamp down animal smuggling in accordance with the IATA Live Animals Regulations.Normal excess and baggage rates apply for flying your pets with SAA unless you’re taking a guide or service dog.
Mango
Mango aircrafts can accept a maximum of two pet transport containers per flight, so booking well in advance is absolutely essential. If there’s space in the cargo hold, you can take up to two pets along with you. Containers for mango flights have a weight restriction of 32kg and the containers also have to be leak-proof, safe and humane. Also, you can only fly domestically with Mango.
BidAir Cargo – Pet Lounge
As part of the Bidvest Group, Pet Lounge was founded based on a demand for luxury airport travel facilities for animals. The group have dedicated pet lounges in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, Lanseria and George. Keep in mind that this is one of the more expensive options, but if keeping your dog chilled out during travels is your most important consideration, this might well be your best option.
Global Paws
Global Paws is a professional pet travel company, founded in 1986, which caters to animal transport and care. Worth mentioning is the fact that Global Paws was the first of its kind from South Africa to join the International Pet and Animal Transport Association (IPATA). The organisation manufactures its own transport crates and also offers travel crate training to help your pets feel more at ease in the uncommon and confined crate and cargo environment.
British Airways & PetAir UK
BA recently joined up with PetAir UK, a British pet logistics company that’s owned and run by vets. The company recently improved its online booking experience, introducing pet travel crates and a special meet-and-greet area in London.
Qantas
Qantas has very strict rules that apply to the type of crates you use to transport your pets and they also have a list of animals that are not allowed on board. This includes certain mastiff breeds and terrier dogs. This is a great option for passengers travelling to and from New Zealand and Australia, but their costs are very high compared to other services such as those offered by BA and PetAir UK.
