Dogs (excluding racing greyhounds and banned breeds), cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, domestic fish with no aeration requirements (not intended for resale), and domestic birds (maximum four birds per cage) that do not need a permit to travel.
How old must my pet be before it is able to fly?
All pets need to be at least 12 weeks old before they are able to fly. Pets older than 12 years will need to present a certificate from a vet stating that the pet is healthy enough to fly.
Are there any travel restrictions for brachycephalic breeds?
Due to their compromised respiratory systems, brachycephalic (snub-nosed/flat-faced) breeds must be booked through selected pet travel specialists as health requirements and flight restrictions apply.
What are conditions like in the hold and at the terminal?
Temperature and noise experienced by your pet are similar to what you’d experience in the passenger cabin of the aircraft. Any lighting is switched off as this will encourage your pet to rest.
Our freight terminals are not air conditioned and can be quite noisy so please take into consideration the weather conditions and your pet’s temperament when planning their transportation.
Will I need a permit?
It’s your responsibility to be aware of any state quarantine requirements that may restrict interstate transportation of your pet.
As state laws and regulations are subject to change, we strongly recommend that each time you’re planning to travel with your pet you check the current state rules:
Are there weight limits?
Each crate has a maximum weight limit, depending on size.
We’ll be able to check the compatibility of the aircraft type and your crate, simply contact us if the combined weight of your pet and crate exceeds 50kgs.
We cannot accept pets travelling on Rex (ZL) aircraft if the total weight is over 32kgs.
Does weather impact pet travel?
Yes it does. While we do all we can to provide shelter and comfort for animals travelling with us, the tarmac and areas around the aircraft aren’t covered and are exposed to weather.
For this reason, it’s wise to consider the forecast weather at your pet’s points of departure, arrival and any transit stops in between.
We do not recommend transporting pets during extreme weather, which is why we suggest:
If your pet is travelling in summer, avoid flights during the middle of the day, and in winter avoid early or late flights
If at any stage of the planned journey the temperature is forecast to be above 35°C or below 5°C, carefully consider the need to transport your pet by air.
Should I sedate or cloak my pet?
No. Please don’t sedate your pet as we need to make a health assessment on arrival at our freight terminal to determine if it’s sleepy or unwell (as sick pets cannot be accepted for travel).
As for placing a coat on your pet to keep warm, there’s no need. The cargo holds are regulated to a temperature between 18 and 22°C. Placing a coat on your pet may increase body heat and lead to dehydration.
How many pets can I take on the same flight as me?
Domestic – A ticketed passenger is allowed two crates up to 65kg each (including the pet) at the special accompanied pet price. Crates over 65kg must travel at the rate for pets travelling on their own.
There is no limitation for additional animals travelling on their own, however charges do vary.
International – There is no limitation on pet bookings internationally.
When I want to travel with my pet, should I book my flight or my pets flight first?
If you want your pet to travel on your flight, we suggest you make your pet’s booking prior to making your own flight booking.
Are children allowed in the freight terminal to drop off or pick up pets?
As most of our freight terminals are adjacent to busy, airport operational areas, pet drop off and pick up locations are not suitable for anyone requiring supervision. For the safety of all customers and staff, children under 17 years of age are not permitted in our terminals even if accompanied by an adult and we recommend you plan ahead to ensure you’re not inconvenienced when you arrive at the terminal.
Airlines use measurements relating to the pet’s size to make sure there is enough room inside the crate for the pet to travel comfortably, with enough room to stand, sit and turn around.
The dimensions shown below should be used for the internal measurements and should be used as the minimum required.
A + ½ B = Length
C = Height
D x 2 = Width
Note that measurements A, B, C and D for determining the dimensions must relate to the largest animal. For more useful information on pet crate requirements – head to the IATA Traveller’s Pet Corner.
Here, you’ll also find information about crate measurements for two or three animals, as well as special rules for certain breeds – e.g. snub-nosed breeds need a 10% larger container.
Please keep in mind, just like all other air freight items, how much your pet weighs as well as the size of the crate will determine the price of the travel.
All our crates are made in Australia and meet the highest standards and IATA requirements. The below sizes are available in Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Coolangatta, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Townsville – at our domestic freight terminals.
They’re the same species, are similar in size and weight, and are used to cohabitation
Each pet weighs no more than 14kg individually.
Inside the crate – do’s and dont’s
You can place absorbent material but no straw, kitty litter or newspaper. A puppy training pad is allowed.
One small toy is permitted
Please do not place food in the crate – if it spills it becomes uncomfortable and messy
A firmly fixed water bowl that your pet can drink from with a funnel on the outside is mandatory
Please provide your pet’s name and an emergency contact number.
We're excited to announce the launch of our brand new online Pet Travel estimation tools for Domestic and International flights! 🐾
We understand how important it is for you to have a smooth and stress-free travel experience with your beloved pets. That's why we've developed brand new travel estimations tools to help you plan your pet's journey with ease. Your feedback is invaluable to us and since the calculation tools are new, we want to ensure everything is working as expected. If you encounter any hiccups or have any suggestions, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our dedicated and friendly team on 1800 738 359. Thank you for choosing us for your pet travel needs.
Best Regards, the Team at PetFlyers
