Military discounted airline tickets reduce the cost of air travel for service members and their families. No family vacation would be complete without taking the beloved dog to enjoy it. Military families should follow several guidelines when traveling with pets. Doing so ensures that everyone will have a relaxing and enjoyable vacation, even the family pooch.
After purchasing discount airline tickets, service members should research the vaccinations and documents required for travel with pets to the flight destination. General guidelines include not traveling with a pet younger than eight weeks old and microchipping the animal. A pet must travel in a manufactured pet carrier labeled with the words “live animal” and featuring upward pointing arrows on all sides.
Pet owners should have their animals vaccinated for rabies within 12 months, but no later than 30 days, prior to flying. A health certificate from a licensed veterinarian is also required in order for the pet to be shipped via air, even within the U.S. This certificate must be issued within ten days of the flight departure date.
Airlines impose different regulations regarding animal weight and carrier size. Some airlines have pet embargos that prohibit pet travel during certain times of year. Several airlines do not accept pets, instead using an animal transport company or pet carrier service to get the animal to the destination. Service members should check with the airline to learn its latest regulations.
If the family will hand over the pet themselves, they should arrive at the animal check-in gate for the airline at least two hours before a domestic flight or four hours before an international flight. This allows enough time to complete required documents and get the pet situated. Military personnel should click here to find a military discount airline ticket for each traveler and then begin preparing their pets for travel.