Most international pet moves involve cargo travel. It is not a last resort. For many pets and routes, it is the only legal option, and it is how tens of thousands of pets travel safely every year. Understanding how it works usually makes the whole thing feel a lot less daunting.
On narrow-body aircraft like the Boeing 737, the cargo hold sits in the belly of the plane, divided into a forward and rear section by the wings and engine housing. Your pet's crate goes here, alongside checked luggage and other freight.
The cargo hold is climate-controlled and pressurized to the same standard as the passenger cabin. Temperature and airflow are actively regulated throughout the flight.
Crates are secured with netting and straps so they do not shift during the flight. Airlines that accept live animals follow IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR), which set minimum standards for crate sizing, ventilation, food and water access, and handling procedures. Most major international carriers follow these standards; some exceed them.
Pets traveling as cargo are checked in separately from luggage, handled by staff trained on live animal procedures, and are typically among the last items loaded and the first unloaded. Once the plane is in the air, the environment tends to be dark, contained, and quieter than the passenger cabin. Many pets settle better than their owners expect.
Small pets, typically under 8 kg (about 17 lbs) including their carrier, can often travel in-cabin on domestic or short-haul flights. On most international routes, especially transatlantic and transpacific, in-cabin pet travel is not permitted regardless of size. Cargo is the standard for these moves.
Breed also matters. Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) dogs and cats face restrictions from most airlines due to respiratory risk during flight. Some breeds are prohibited from cargo entirely on certain carriers. This is one of the first things to confirm when planning an international move.
One of the most common problems in pet cargo travel is an incorrect crate. Airlines follow IATA-based crate standards, which means the crate must be large enough for your pet to stand without their ears touching the top, turn around normally, and lie down comfortably. It also needs proper ventilation, secure hardware, and the right food and water setup for the route.
If the crate is too small or does not meet the airline's requirements, your pet can be turned away at check-in. Use our crate measurement guide to confirm your pet's crate is the right size, or watch the measurement video for a step-by-step walkthrough. If you still need a crate, our Amazon shop has options we recommend for travel.
The single best thing you can do before a cargo flight is crate train your pet well in advance. A pet that is comfortable in their crate before travel day handles the experience significantly better than one that is not. Our guide on how to crate train your dog for travel walks through the process from the beginning.
Most cargo travel problems are not caused by the flight itself. They come down to planning gaps before travel day. The most common include:
For international moves, documentation matters as much as the flight itself. Depending on the destination, that can include a health certificate, import permits, vaccine records, parasite treatments, and USDA endorsement for pets departing the United States.
It is normal to feel nervous about your pet flying in the hold. Most people do. But the better question is not whether cargo sounds scary. It is whether the trip has been planned correctly for your pet, your route, and the time of year. When the airline, crate, paperwork, and routing are all lined up, cargo travel is a routine part of international pet relocation.
If you have questions about how your pet will travel, what documentation is required, or which airline fits your route, talk to our team. We can walk you through what applies to your pet, your destination, and when you are planning to travel.