Flying with Pets: How Airlines and PadsPass Are Making Air Travel Safer for Four-Legged Passengers

Photo by: Carmen Gonzalez from NYC Street Dogs

With more pets flying than ever, ensuring their safety and comfort has become a growing priority for airlines. Whether they’re tucked under a seat or traveling in the cargo hold, getting animals to their destination takes far more than a simple check-in.

For airline crews, that means juggling everything from temperature control to real-time coordination between ground and cabin teams to ensure a smooth journey for four-legged passengers and their humans.

In-cabin pets must cope with loud noises, unfamiliar smells, and being confined to a small space for hours. Cargo-traveling animals deal with temperature shifts, vibration, and limited human interaction—all while being physically separated from their guardians. For both, travel days can be long, disorienting, and exhausting.

Christopher Carfanio, a pilot with American Airlines, has flown with animals both as a crew member and a passenger. Although his views don’t reflect the official policy of the airline, he believes PadsPass will be a valuable resource for anyone navigating the complexities of traveling with pets.

“If people know they have a reliable source of information for what they need and a method for getting their pet to a vacation destination, I really believe we will see a lot more pets travel internationally,” he said.

PadsPass—a digital pet passport—simplifies the entire process of flying with animals by offering personalized guidance based on the traveler’s airline, destination, and specific pet needs. The platform covers everything from approved carrier dimensions and breed restrictions to quarantine rules and paperwork. It also connects users with airport pet relief areas, veterinarians experienced in issuing travel certificates, and sends real-time updates on changing airline policies.

While PadsPass helps ensure pets are travel-ready, it’s the airline crews who take on the responsibility once the animals are on board. Christopher says they add another level of oversight - especially when they’re traveling in the cargo hold.

“Normally, I set the cargo compartment temperature and don’t think about it again but if there’s a live animal on board, it becomes part of my routine checks,” he said.

A message called a “load close-out” confirms that the animal is logged in the system and that everyone - from the ramp crew to airline operations - knows it’s there.

Lucky pets flying under Christopher’s care can be sure the ground crew will check that they have water, and that any paperwork is double-checked. He also keeps an eye on the cargo temperature all the way to the destination.

Things get trickier if the flight doesn’t go as planned. “If we divert due to weather, we usually don’t open the cargo doors,” he says. “But if it’s really hot and there’s a long delay, I’ll call the ramp crew and have them check on the animal, give it water, and cool things down.”

For pets flying in the cabin, the concerns are different - but still important. Passengers are expected to keep animals in their carriers, though flight attendants are usually fine with people unzipping the top to give a quick scratch or check-in. The real problems start when someone pulls the pet out and sets it on their lap.

“That’s when it becomes a compliance issue,” the pilot says. “Flight attendants will ask them to put the animal away, and if things escalate, they get me involved.”

From his perspective, animals deserve the same care and attention as the passengers and crew. “Their wellbeing is right up there. I treat them like anyone else on board.”

Still, he says, it’s a two-way street. Not everyone is comfortable around animals, and passengers need to respect that. “Some people are terrified of dogs or just don’t want to be near animals,” he says. “If everyone keeps their pets in the carrier, it works for everybody.”

How the Airline Crew Stays in the Loop

Behind the scenes, airlines have systems in place to keep everyone on the same page. When a pet is checked in—especially for the cargo hold—that information gets sent to every department that might interact with the animal: gate agents, flight attendants, pilots, and the arrival team.

Pilots also get a flight printout with a “L/A” marking—short for “live animal”—to make sure nothing gets missed.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to check on pets in real time as there are no cameras or access to the cargo hold mid-flight.

Pets in the cabin, however, don’t show up on the pilot’s radar unless they’re designated service animals. “I don’t really get any notice unless it’s in cargo,” he says. “But the flight attendants know.”

Each aircraft also has a limit to how many pets can fly in the cabin at once. He’s not sure if service animals count toward that limit, but for non-service pets, there’s definitely a cap.

What Happens When Plans Change

Weather delays, unexpected landings, and other disruptions can complicate things for animals on board. If a delay is long and it’s hot out, the ramp crew may open the cargo door, give the pet some water, and help cool things down before the plane takes off again.

In the cabin, delays are trickier. Letting passengers off the plane and then reboarding can cost the airline a takeoff slot, which matters during busy or stormy travel windows. “If we really need to let people off, we can call the gate agents and have passengers with pets take all their belongings and head inside,” the pilot says. “But it depends on the setup at the airport and how long the delay is.”

International diversions add another wrinkle. If the flight lands in a different foreign country en route to its original destination, passengers and pets typically stay onboard and skip immigration. “The pet gets treated just like the passenger,” he says.

But if the flight is cancelled or the delay turns into an overnight stay, passengers will need to go through customs—and that includes their pets. “Most major airports have quarantine facilities, though,” he adds. “So the animal can be safely housed until they’re reunited for the next flight.”

Advice for Pet Owners

So what can pet owners do to help things go smoothly? The pilot says it starts with understanding the airline’s policies. “Know the rules of the carrier,” he says. “And if you have any special concerns, ask at check-in.”

He also encourages travelers to be friendly with the crew. “If I were flying with a pet, I’d introduce myself to the lead flight attendant, let them know I’ll keep it in the carrier. A little courtesy goes a long way—and lots of crew members are animal lovers too.”

Above all, he says, be considerate. “Not everyone loves your pet like you do. If you’re respectful and follow the rules, it makes for a better experience for everyone.”

Looking Ahead: More Pets, More Planning

As rules around service animals have become clearer and non-service pets are better accommodated, the pilot has noticed more animals flying. He believes that trend will continue—especially with services like PadsPass helping people understand what’s needed to travel internationally with their pets.

“There’s a whole group of people who want to take their pets with them on vacation,” he says. “If they have a reliable way to do that, I think we’ll see even more animals in the sky.”

At the end of the day, it comes down to responsibility and respect. “If everyone does their part,” he says, “there’s no reason pets can’t be safe, happy travelers too.”

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