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Booking your pet's flight correctly is one of the most important parts of your trip.  After all, how else will your pet get to where you're going?  Below is a step-by-step guide to booking a flight on KLM Airlines for your pet.

Accompanied Pets

Please Note:

If you are traveling with your pet to Australia, Hong Kong, Ireland, the United Arab Emirates, Kenya, South Africa or the United Kingdom, please skip this section and proceed to Unaccompanied Pets.

1)  First you will need to determine whether your species of pet can travel in cabin.  KLM only allows small cats and dogs up to 6 kg (13 lbs) including their carrier in the cabin.  If you have a dog or cat who weighs under 6 kg (13 lbs) with his carrier, go to step 2. If you have another species of pet, go to step 6.

2) Your pet will need to travel in a hard-shelled kennel no higher than 20 cm or in an animal travel bag (soft-sided) that expands to a maximum of 115 cm (L+W+H).  Your pet will need to be able to stand up comfortably in the carrier while traveling.  If your pet cannot fit comfortably in a carrier or kennel of this size, go to step 4. 

3) Call to Book Your Flight:  To make reservations by phone, please contact your country's KLM Telephone Reservations Line.

When you call to book your flight, you will need to notify the person making the reservation that you will be traveling with a pet in cabin.  While you can book your flight up until the last minute, KLM requires at least 48 hours advance notice for pets traveling in cabin.  Your pet will also need to fulfill the international pet travel requirements for your destination country (if traveling internationally).

4)  If your dog or cat cannot travel in cabin due to size or weight restrictions, your pet can travel underneath the plane in the air-conditioned cargo hold as "Accompanied luggage."  Your pet must be transported in a hard-shelled pet travel crate approved for pets as cargo (see below).  Your pet and kennel combined may not weigh more than 75 kg (165 lbs).  If your pet weighs under 75 kg with his carrier, proceed to step 5.  If your pet weighs more than 75 kg with his carrier, proceed to step 6.

Travel Crates for Pets as Cargo:  Your pet's travel crate will need to be up to IATA (International Air Transport Association) standards.  We sell IATA-approved pet travel crates through our website, which are suitable for domestic and international travel.  Lufthansa also requires pet travel crates to be equipped with a water dish.  We recommend attaching your pet's water dish to the inside of the crate door (see: All About Pet Travel Crates).

5) Call to Book Your Flight:  To make reservations by phone, please contact your country's KLM Telephone Reservations Line.

When you call to book your flight, you will need to notify the person making the reservation that you will be traveling with a pet in the cargo hold as accompanied luggage.  While you can book your flight up until the last minute, KLM requires 48 hours advance notice of pets accompanying their owners and traveling in the cargo hold.

Unaccompanied Pets (or Pets Traveling as Cargo)

6) Your pet should be transported as freight by Air France-KLM Cargo if:

• Your pet and kennel weigh more than 75 kg (165 lbs). 
• The kennel is larger than 292 cm (115 inches) (l + w + h). On some types of aircraft, the kennel must not be larger than 247 cm (97 inches) (l + w + h).
•  The pet is travelling to Australia, Hong Kong, Ireland, the United Arab Emirates, Kenya, South Africa or the United Kingdom. 

For your pet to travel unaccompanied via Air France-KLM Cargo, a cargo account is required and pricing is based off a dimensional or volume weight.  If your pet is going to be traveling unaccompanied, it is best to obtain a quote from a PetRelocation.com Specialist by filling out our International Quote Request form.

Air France-KLM Pricing Structure for Pets

Accompanied:   For pets traveling within Europe on most AF-KL flights, the pricing per pet is EUR 70.  For all other international flights, the price per pet is EUR 200.

Unaccompanied/Cargo:  The pricing is based on dimensional weight and varies per pet.  Fuel surcharges and other fees also apply.

PetRelocation.com's Pet Friendly Airline Spotlight series features our favorite pet friendly airlines for travel with pets.  These Spotlights will highlight one airline each week, Monday through Thursday, through the month of May.  We'll take a look at the various aspects of their pet programs, including amenities offered for pets, how to book a pet flight on each airline and their fee structures.  For a look at the rest of our Airline Spotlight series, check out the Airline Spotlight page or on Twitter as #PetReloAS.

Welcome to Week 3 of PetRelocation.com's Pet Friendly Airline Spotlight series, featuring our favorite pet friendly airlines for travel with pets.  These Spotlights will highlight one airline each week, Monday through Thursday, through the month of May.  We'll take a look at the various aspects of their pet programs, including amenities offered for pets, how to book a pet flight on each airline and their fee structures.  For a look at the rest of our Airline Spotlight series, check out the Airline Spotlight page or on Twitter as #PetReloAS.

Over ninety years ago, KLM's "Variation Live Pets" pet cargo program was started with safety, comfort and pet hygiene being their main focus when transporting a wide variety of pets. After joining forces with Air France in 2004, pets now have the ability to travel on one of Europe's most popular airlines, boasting the largest number of international passenger-miles flown in both 2008 and 2007.

Based in Amsterdam, AF-KL Cargo offers an exclusive Animal Hotel for pets transiting through Amsterdam, which we'll take a look at in more detail later this week, including an exclusive video of the inside of the Pet Hotel and an in-depth look at the AF-KL Cargo booking process for pets traveling on KLM's Variation Live Pets.  We'll also talk to Robert van Voorthuysen, International Sales Manager for Variation Live, to find out more about what pet owners can expect when traveling on KLM with their pets.

Be sure to catch all of the AF-KL Cargo action this week and let us know what questions you'd like answered in the comments section!

If you've got a pint-sized dog or cat, chances are you'll want to travel with him at some point in the cabin of the plane.  While it may sound like fun, traveling with a pet can be a lot of work if you aren't prepared.  Here are some tips for in cabin pet travel with a pet.

1.  Practice perfect "Pettiquette. ^TM" 

If you're planning on traveling with a pet, you're not just representing yourself-but every pet loving person who wants to travel with their pet!  Looking for a rundown of rules of the road-or sky-to follow?  JetBlue's "Pettiquette^TM" policy gives travelers with pets some convenient guidelines to help them act as considerate pet ambassadors when at the airport or on the plane.

2.  Accidents happen.  

Be sure to bring along wet wipes, paper towels and pet waste bags in case your travel partner has an "oops" at the airport or while flying.  A pet travel kit, like the one offered by JetBlue for $20 on their site, ensures you'll always have a wipe, water bowl and dog toy handy.

3.  Skip the sedation. 

While you might think you're doing your pet a favor by slipping him a little something before the flight, you could be potentially endangering your pet's health and safety.   At altitude, pets can have adverse reactions to sedation that they might not normally have at sea level.  To help with your pet's anxiety, bring toys and treats that he can play with while flying and don't forget the importance of crate training.  You can also try aromatherapy options like Earth Heart's Canine Calm or for cats the popular anti-stress product Feliway.

4.  Head for the back row. 

If you're flying coach, be prepared to be booked in one of the last rows of the aircraft so that you won't disrupt other travelers.  Don't forget that you'll need to book your flight early.  JetBlue allows up to four pets per flight which means that in order to secure your pet's ticket, you'll want to call ahead.

5.  Check the carrier. 

Purchase the largest size carrier for your pet's travel to give him extra leg room for your flight.  But buyer beware:  you'll want to make sure it will still fit under the seat in front of you, or it won't be allowed on the flight.  JetBlue offers a custom-made JetPaws^TM pet carrier designed by Cindy Adams from Jazzy Park Avenue Dog products that is guaranteed to fit under their aircraft seats. 

PetRelocation.com's Pet Friendly Airline Spotlight series features our favorite pet friendly airlines for travel with pets.  These Spotlights will highlight one airline each week, Monday through Thursday, through the month of May.  We'll take a look at the various aspects of their pet programs, including amenities offered for pets, how to book a pet flight on each airline and their fee structures.  For a look at the rest of our Airline Spotlight series, check out the Airline Spotlight page or on Twitter as #PetReloAS.

Since its inception, pet friendly airline JetBlue Airways has allowed pets to fly in the cabin with their owners.  However, in December of 2008, JetBlue began offering their JetPaws Pet Program, which offers pet owners not only a convenient way to travel with their pet as well as pet travel products and information.  Here are three free resources JetBlue offers travelers with pets:

1) The JetPaws Travel Guide

If you're looking for "the what's, where's, when's and how's" of "jetting" with your pet, the JetPaws Travel Guide offers great information on JetBlue's pet jetting policy.  They even have pet-friendly hotels, restaurants and animal hospitals listed for their major hubs to ensure that you and your pet will enjoy a purr-fect stay.

2) JetPaws Pet Travel Checklist

Want to hit the tarmac running with your best four-legged friend?  The JetPaws Pet Travel Checklist gives you a rundown of what you'll need in order to hop on a flight with JetBlue and get on your way.  Use this handy checklist on your day of departure to keep everything organized and your pre-travel jitters away.

3) JetBlue Pettiquette^TM

Need to keep up with the McTerriers?  Look no further than JetBlue's Pettiquette^TM page, a handy list of social graces for pet travel.  Need to look the part?  JetBlue's got you covered.  Online you can purchase a special JetBlue line of pet travel products made by Cindy Adams from Jazzy Park Avenue Dog products. 

Pet friendly airlines

PetRelocation.com's Pet Friendly Airline Spotlight series features our favorite pet friendly airlines for travel with pets.  These Spotlights will highlight one airline each week, Monday through Thursday, through the month of May.  We'll take a look at the various aspects of their pet programs, including amenities offered for pets, how to book a pet flight on each airline and their fee structures.  For a look at the rest of our Airline Spotlight series, check out the Airline Spotlight page or on Twitter as #PetReloAS.

JetBlue allows only dogs and cats in the cabin of their passenger flights through their JetPaws Pet Program.  As an added bonus to travelers with pets, you can now earn 300 TrueBlue Points each way when traveling with your pet!  Here's how to book a flight on JetBlue for your pet.

1)  First you will need to determine whether your species of pet can travel in cabin.  JetBlue only allows dogs and cats in the passenger cabin of their aircraft.  If you have a dog or cat, go to step 2. If you have another species of pet, go to step 4.

2) You may take a dog or cat into the cabin if the weight of your pet (including transport container) does not exceed 20 pounds and the size of the carrier is under 17" L x 12.5" W x 8.5" H. If your pet and his carrier exceed these limits, go to step 4.  

Travel Carrier for In-Cabin Pets:  JetBlue sells a cozy pet travel product called the JetPaws^TM carrier, designed to fit underneath the seat in front of you.  They are available online for $50 at JetBlue's ShopBlue shopping area and also at the airport.

Alternatively you may use any carrier that does not exceed 17"L x 12.5"W x 8.5"H. Your pet must be able to stand up and move around in the carrier with ease, and the carriers must have a leak proof bottom, be well ventilated, and can be either soft or hard-sided.

3) Call to Book Your Flight:  To make reservations by phone, please call: 1-800-JET-BLUE (538-2583).

When you call to book your flight, you will press 2 for new reservations, and then 1 to speak with a reservation attendant.  You will need to inform them that you will be traveling with pets so they can reserve the space for your pet on the flight.  "We only allow up to four pets to travel per flight," said Alison Croyle, JetBlue's Manger of Corporate Communications.

4) Pay for Your Pet's Flight:  There is a nonrefundable pet fee of $100 each way ($200 round trip).

5)  If your pet cannot travel in cabin due to size or weight restrictions, or if you have a pet other than a dog or a cat, you'll need to contact another pet friendly airline that will allow your pet to travel as cargo or as excess luggage.

PetRelocation.com's Pet Friendly Airline Spotlight series features our favorite pet friendly airlines for travel with pets.  These Spotlights will highlight one airline each week, Monday through Thursday, through the month of May.  We'll take a look at the various aspects of their pet programs, including amenities offered for pets, how to book a pet flight on each airline and their fee structures.  For a look at the rest of our Airline Spotlight series, check out the Airline Spotlight page or on Twitter as #PetReloAS.

Welcome to Week 2 of PetRelocation.com's Pet Friendly Airline Spotlight series, featuring our favorite pet friendly airlines for travel with pets.  These Spotlights will highlight one airline each week, Monday through Thursday, through the month of May.  We'll take a look at the various aspects of their pet programs, including amenities offered for pets, how to book a pet flight on each airline and their fee structures.  For a look at the rest of our Airline Spotlight series, check out the Airline Spotlight page or on Twitter as #PetReloAS.

Known as a convenient, low-fare service, tails started wagging in the year 2000 when JetBlue began flying customers-and their pets-in comfort and style around the US.  JetBlue's JetPaws Pet Program only carries four-legged "pawsengers" in the aircraft cabin, said Corporate Communications Manager Alison Croyle.  "When we ordered our aircraft," Croyle said, "We decided not to take the optional aft cargo heat option; for the A320 fleet, and on our newest fleet type, the EMBRAER 190, we decided not to take the forward cargo ventilation option."

Without these cargo hold options, pets are not able to be safely transported under the plane.  Instead, JetBlue reserves its pet program exclusively for dogs and cats traveling in the cabin.  While this limits some travelers (for example, your pet will need to be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you), ultimately this decision certainly had a big upside for JetBlue and its customers' pets.  "We love our pets," said Coyle, "But we felt it was more important to be in a position to offer low fares for our two-legged customers."

This week, we'll look at the various resources that JetBlue provides for pets traveling in cabin, find out when in-cabin pet travel is a good solution for traveling with pets, as well as take a look at some of JetBlue's JetPaws booking policies and rewards.  Be sure to follow along on our blog and on Twitter.

As pet travel specialists, we work with Lufthansa on a regular basis to safely transport our customers' pets all over the world -- so you'd think we'd know everything there is to know about Lufthansa!  However, in the process of interviewing them for our Pet Friendly Airline Spotlight, we found out some surprising facts about the Lufthansa pet program that even we didn't know before.

1.  Lufthansa cares about animal conservation.  Lufthansa Cargo works closely with international zoos and also supports programs dedicated to animal conservation and re-settlement of threatened species.  For over three decades, Lufthansa has worked to protect cranes by donating 10,000 euros every three years since 2004 to help the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals.  They also show the environmental documentary "Fascination Nature" on numerous long-haul flights, which provides information on conservation and biodiversity to their passengers, making Lufthansa both pet-friendly and eco-friendly.

2.  A funny thing happened on the way to the terminal... When asked if they'd ever had a funny incident with a pet on a flight before, Lufthansa told us that in October 2008, on a flight from Dubai to Frankfurt, a passenger carried a pregnant dog onto the plane.  About thirty minutes before the plane landed, the dog started giving birth to several puppies!  A veterinarian was called right away and "the birthday party was remembered by all," said Martin Riecken, Head of Corporate Communications for Lufthansa.

Lufthansa offers flights for a variety of pets, including this polar bear pictured at the Lufthansa Animal Lounge! 3.  Pricing depends on your destination.  On Germany and European routes, as well as on flights from the US and Canada, pets traveling with their owners are charged a flat rate, depending on the pet's crate size.  On intercontinental routes, pets are charged according to their weight.  See How to Book a Flight on Lufthansa for Your Pet for more pricing information.

4.  Everything is under one roof.  Many airports have their live animal facilities spread out over several terminals or offices, but thanks to Lufthansa's smartly designed Animal Lounge, everything-pets, quarantine officers and animal handlers-are all located under one central 40,365 square-foot building.  There, the motto is "fast lane"-pets are the first ones on and off planes which helps speed up their transit times.

5.  A lot of furry friends fly Lufthansa.  In 2007, almost 56,000 pets traveled on board Lufthansa's passenger planes.  Of those pets, 35,640 were transported in the passenger cabin and 20,324 were transported in the climate-controlled and pressurized cargo hold.

PetRelocation.com's Pet Friendly Airline Spotlight series features our favorite pet friendly airlines for travel with pets.  These Spotlights will highlight one airline each week, Monday through Thursday, through the month of May.  We'll take a look at the various aspects of their pet programs, including amenities offered for pets, how to book a pet flight on each airline and their fee structures.  For a look at the rest of our Airline Spotlight series, check out the Airline Spotlight page or on Twitter as #PetReloAS.

If you plan on traveling with your pets, Lufthansa Airlines allows pets either in the cabin or in the cargo hold of its passenger aircraft, depending on the pet's weight and size.  Your pet can also travel unaccompanied via Lufthansa Cargo.  Here's how to book a pet flight on Lufthansa.

Accompanied Pets

1)  First you will need to determine whether your species of pet can travel in cabin.  Lufthansa only allows dogs and cats in the passenger cabin of their aircraft.  If you have a dog or cat, go to step 2. If you have another species of pet, go to step 4.

2) You may take a dog or cat into the cabin, if the weight of the animal (including transport container) does not exceed eight kilograms. If your pet and his carrier exceed these weight limits, go to step 4.  

Travel Carrier for In-Cabin Pets:  Your pet will need to be kept in an appropriate travel carrier measuring not more than 55 x 40 x 20 cm. You may use your own carrier if it has the necessary measurement and is watertight and bite-proof.  In addition, Lufthansa Airlines offers those who travel with pets a "Pet Box" at most airports at the check-in counters free of charge.  It is a good idea to call ahead and make sure they will have one available for your pet.

3) Call to Book Your Flight:  To make reservations by phone, please contact your country's Lufthansa Reservations Office.

When you call to book your flight, you will need to notify the person making the reservation that you will be traveling with a pet in cabin.  While you can book your flight up until the last minute, Lufthansa requires 24 hours advance notice of pets traveling in cabin.  "Several countries only allow specific types of pets," says Martin Riecken, Head of Corporate Communications for Lufthansa.  "Passengers will be informed about this during the reservation process."

4)  If your pet cannot travel in cabin due to size or weight restrictions, or if you have a pet other than a dog or a cat, your pet can travel underneath the plane in the air-conditioned cargo hold. 

Travel Crates for Pets as Cargo:  Your pet's travel crate will need to be up to IATA (International Air Transport Association) standards.  We sell IATA-approved pet travel crates through our website, which are suitable for domestic and international travel.  Lufthansa also requires pet travel crates to be equipped with a water dish.  We recommend attaching your pet's water dish to the inside of the crate door (see: All About Pet Travel Crates).

5) Call to Book Your Flight: To make reservations by phone, please contact your country's Lufthansa Reservations Office.

When you call to book your flight, you will need to notify the person making the reservation that you will be traveling with a pet in the cargo hold.  While you can book your flight up until the last minute, Lufthansa requires 24 hours advance notice of pets accompanying their owners and traveling in the cargo hold.

Lufthansa German Airlines Pricing Structure for Accompanied Pets

On Lufthansa's European and long-haul flights (apart from Canada, Mexico and the US) the fare for pets is calculated based on the weight concept, listed below.

On flights to and from Canada, Mexico and the US, the piece concept applies.  The pet does not count as one of the free pieces of baggage but will be calculated as an additional piece of luggage.

Unaccompanied Pets

There is also the option of unaccompanied animals being carried by Lufthansa Cargo, which is primarily how PetRelocation.com books pets on Lufthansa for international flights.  A cargo account is required and pricing is based off a dimensional or volume weight.  If your pet is going to be traveling unaccompanied, it is best to obtain a quote from a PetRelocation.com Specialist by filling out our International Quote Request form.

PetRelocation.com's Pet Friendly Airline Spotlight series features our favorite pet friendly airlines for travel with pets.  These Spotlights will highlight one airline each week, Monday through Thursday, through the month of May.  We'll take a look at the various aspects of their pet programs, including amenities offered for pets, how to book a pet flight on each airline and their fee structures.  For a look at the rest of our Airline Spotlight series, check out the Airline Spotlight page or on Twitter as #PetReloAS.

Airline Spotlight Bonus:  Take a virtual tour of the Lufthansa Animal Lounge!

The Lufthansa Animal Lounge offers pet friendly services for pets in transit.Call it the frequent fliers' lounge for pets, the Lufthansa Animal Lounge, whose thirteen-month construction ended in February 2008, offers state-of-the-art facilities for traveling pets and live animals ranging in species from horses to tropical fish.

The Animal Lounge is located at Lufthansa's main hub in Frankfurt, Germany at the Frankfurt am Main Airport.  As the busiest passenger airport in Germany, and the ninth busiest airport worldwide in 2009, plenty of pets pass through the airport on a daily basis.  "Lufthansa Cargo annually transports more than 14,000 household pets and 1,500 horses in addition to other animals," said Martin Martin Riecken, Head of Corporate Communications (The Americas) for LufthansaRiecken, Head of Corporate Communications.  "We offer [those] animals and pets traveling with us access to a 40,365 square-foot Animal Lounge."

All pets, including dogs or cats transported in the passenger cabin that have a transfer or layover time of more than 2-3 hours, are taken to the Animal Lounge, which offers three routes for pets:  transit, import and export (represented by yellow, red and green lines in the aerial graphic above).  Pets transiting through Frankfurt as part of a connecting flights stop at a veterinary examination area, where public-service veterinarians check compliance with animal protection and epidemic control regulations.  This helps ensure that pets going on to connecting flights are also healthy enough to continue on, reducing the risk of dehydration and allowing veterinarians to treat pets who might have fallen ill during their first flight. 

For dogs and cats, the Animal Lounge offers thirty nine "small animal boxes," which are climate-controlled and offer dogs and cats enough room to stretch their legs.  Additionally, the "animal keepers" at the Lounge are former employees of zoos, veterinary practices and police dog teams, which means your pet will receive the best of care during his stay-all without having to leave the airport!

The beauty of the Animal Lounge, for bothHorses are just one type of traveler at the Lufthansa Animal Lounge. pets and owners, is in the organization of the facility.  "Everyone involved in the transport of pets, including coordinators, veterinary doctors and freight handlers," Reicken said, "works in the same building."  This means that not only will your pet move quickly through the transit and inspection process-Lufthansa calls it their "fast lane" principle-but also there's no chance of your furry best friend getting lost in the shuffle.  "We have clearly distinct zones for export, import, transit and health inspections," said Riecken.  First class flying for Fido?  Yes, it's arrived.

PetRelocation.com's Pet Friendly Airline Spotlight series features our favorite pet friendly airlines for travel with pets.  These Spotlights will highlight one airline each week, Monday through Thursday, through the month of May.  We'll take a look at the various aspects of their pet programs, including amenities offered for pets, how to book a pet flight on each airline and their fee structures.  For a look at the rest of our Airline Spotlight series, check out the Airline Spotlight page or on Twitter as #PetReloAS.

No matter where you travel with pets, chances are at some point you're going to consider flying your pet.  One of the most common questions we get is "What airline should I use?"  While many myths about airplanes and pets still exist, there are several pet-friendly airline options for people who need to fly with their pets.

Starting this week, we'll feature a pet-friendly airline each week that we've determined to have the best pet policies in place.  Called the PetRelocation Pet Friendly Airline Spotlight, we'll take a look at the various aspects of their pet programs, which will include some of the following:

-Amenities for pets
-Range of services provided
-Fee structures
-Ease of booking flights for pets
-Overall safety of pets when flying

This week, we'll focus on Lufthansa German Airlines, which accommodates pets worldwide on their passenger planes as well as through their cargo division, Lufthansa Cargo.  Years ago, Lufthansa made the decision to begin carrying pets because their customers "showed a clear demand for a high-quality service for transporting their beloved pets," said Martin Riecken, Head of Corporate Communications for the Americas.  Lufthansa's high-quality service shows through in the pet transportation they provide, including a specialized Animal Lounge in Frankfurt, Germany where pets have rest stops during transit.  We'll talk more about the Animal Lounge's features later this week.

If you have any questions about the airline we feature during each week's Airline Spotlight, feel free to leave them in the comments below.  Also, don't forget to follow the Twitter hashtag for Airline Spotlight - #PetReloAS.  Otherwise, be sure to buckle up and make sure your tray tables are securely fastened!

Tomorrow:  An Insider's Look at the Lufthansa Animal Lounge!