Is it Safe to Fly With a Boxer Across the United States?
Hi PetRelocation,
I have a 6-year-old Boxer and we are looking to fly him across country but will be returning in three months. Last time we did this we drove, but really are hoping not to!
Do you have an airline you recommend using? Would you be concerned about a Boxer flying between November and February?
Thank you!
Lauren
Hi Lauren,
Pet air travel can seem daunting, but when properly planned, flying pets can actually be simpler and easier than a cross-country road trip. For domestic United States flights, we usually recommend United Airlines. United has a program called PetSafe, which employs specially-trained pet-handling professionals and operates with policies that have been specifically designed to ensure the safety of pets flying as cargo.
Flying between November and February shouldn't be a problem, but your dog's breed makes air travel a bit more complicated. Because Boxers are a brachycephalic (short-snouted) breed, they are prone to respiratory problems and extra precautions should be taken to ensure their safety. For guidance, take a look at our top 5 tips for traveling with snub-nosed breeds.
As you'll see, your dog will need a crate that is one size larger than what would normally be required by his size. For more information, check out United's pet restrictions page for their policies, or for more general guidelines on pet travel safety, check out this post on how to minimize the risks of pet air travel overall.
If you'd like to learn about our door-to-door pet shipping services, contact us to connect to a pet travel consultant and discuss your various options. Finally, to further put your mind at ease, here's a story from a recent client of ours: we helped two Boxers, Bella and Thorne, move safely to Australia (and as you'll see they handled the trip very well!).
Hope this helps! Thanks for your questions and good luck with your trip.
Pet Travel Question Details:
Name: Lauren
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Boxer
From: Boston
To: Los Angeles
Need help arranging safe travel for your dog? Contact PetRelocation to discuss your options.
Editor's Note: This post was originally published in August 2013 and has been updated with new information.