Charlotte—A 14-year-old beagle is searching for a new home after it was surrendered recently at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
The dog, Baby Girl, was left at the airport because the crate she was in would not fit under her then-owner’s seat on the plane, the former owner, who did not want to be identified, told WSOC.
Since she didn’t have the money to pay cargo-transport fees, Baby Girl’s then-owner left her with FurBabies Animal Rescue, a Matthews nonprofit that works to find homes for abandoned, stray and neglected dogs.
Many airlines do not allow larger pets to travel as carry-ons, which means owners often have to choose between paying as much as $500 to transport them in cargo or leaving them at home, says Pet Travel, an online resource for advice about animal transportation.
With Charlotte’s airport being one of the country’s largest hubs, many pet owners opt for certain airlines that will accommodate their four-legged friend.
Carry-on Pets
Some pets can travel as carry-ons, but with limitations.Pets that can travel as carry-ons are limited to cats and dogs that meet size, age and destination requirements, according to American Airlines, one airline that allows the practice.
Kennels can replace carry-on bags if you pay the carry-on pet fee and the kennel stays under your seat for the entire flight, the airline says.
- Pets must be able to stand up, turn around and fit comfortably inside their carriers.
- Non-collapsible kennels can’t exceed under-seat dimensions of any aircraft included in your itinerary.
- Soft-sided collapsible kennels can be slightly larger but still need to fit under your seat.
- Mainline flights on American: 19 by 13 by 9 inches
- Regional flight on American Eagle: 16 by 12 by 8 inches
- Soft-side kennel: 18 by 11 by 11 inches
Cargo Pets
Pets that are too large to fly in the cabin are required to travel as cargo, according to American Airlines.Delta Air Lines and United Airlines are the only other airlines that allow pets to travel in cargo.
- Are older than eight weeks
- Are not on the restricted breeds list
- Will be flying as PPS or as ExpediteFS
- Are flying on a compatible aircraft
- Are flying in temperatures forecasted to be 85 degrees or under
- Are flying in appropriately sized kennels
Destinations
You can travel with a pet on most flights for up to 12 hours, or flights to and from certain locations, according to American Airlines:- Within the 48 contiguous states
- The U.S. and Canada
- Alaska
- Mexico
- Puerto Rico
- St. Croix
- St. Thomas
Costs
Here are the fees for traveling with pets on American Airlines flights:- Checked pets: $200 per kennel
- Cargo pet: Varies, fees will be confirmed at the time of booking
- Carry-on pet: $125 per kennel
- Service animals: no charge
Service animals in training, emotional support animals and comfort animals can travel as pets, not as service animals.