Northwest Airlines – the Airlines That Allows Pet on Air Travel

Northwest Airlines introduces great news for pet lovers who can’t stand the thought of leaving their best friends home when they wish to make plans for travel that include flying. Now your small dogs, cats and household birds can travel with you. Your pets may travel as carry-on luggage which must fit comfortably under your seat and may be taken in addition to your carry-on allowance hand baggage. Your pet must be less than 15 pounds with a maximum kennel size according to airline qualifications.

Advance arrangements are required when booking pets on board. Inform Northwest Reservations that you would like to take your pet with you because the number of pets allowed per flight is limited. After purchasing a ticket, contact Northwest Reservations to make arrangements for your pet It’s always a good idea to check the latest in pet policies prior to booking your airfare as this is always subject to change.

When you check in, your pet must have an approved carry-on kennel. Northwest allows soft–sided animal carriers for pet traveling in the passenger cabin in addition to standard carry-on kennels.

To avoid an additional fee of $20 as a gate processing fee, disclose your request of pet-in-cabin at least 1 hour prior before domestic flights departure and 2 hours for international flights.

Pets as baggage are also allowable in the airlines. Before departure time, a written confirmation from you stating your pet is in safe conditions while on the aircraft.

On all U.S. and Canada airlines, dogs, cats, birds and other animals like rabbits, hamsters, monkeys, guinea pigs and gerbils whose size and weight are disallowable carriage in the passenger cabin may travel with your luggage.

Pets are as well allowed as cargo in airlines. The VIP – Same Day Animal Live Shipping and General Cargo are the two Cargo service option provided by the Northwest Airlines.

The airline does have an Embargo option in which they do not accept pets that are accompanied with your luggage between the months of June 1 through September 15 to some specific locations because the temperature is not quite adaptable, mostly snub-nosed dogs and cats.

For pet or kennel carrier information, your pet must fit comfortably inside your carry-on kennel and of a large enough size to allow your pet to move comfortably. For your pet’s safety, no parts of your pet may extend outside the kennel including long tails on some birds.

The kennel must have 2 empty feeding dishes securely fastened inside and accessible from the outside without opening its door. One is for food and the other for water.

Do not used colored newspaper as your kennel’s absorbent material or beddings; it must be towels, blankets or shredded black and white newspaper.

Labels and Markings are one of the requirements for pet air travel. The size of the word, “LIVE ANIMAL” label must be 1 inch or 2.5 cm high located on top and on at least one side. Indicate your name, address, phone number, and your origin and destination place. Do not forget to include your pet’s name.

For Documentation requirements, Northwest Airlines does not require any health certification for carry-on pets. The owner of the pet has the responsibility to comply with requirements for all local, state and national entry so planning ahead and ascertaining what those will be is important.

Failure to comply with the necessary requirements may result in your pet’s failed entry, subject to placement in quarantine and then returned to origin all at your expense.

It is recommended that you contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate General Office of country origin and destination at least 4 weeks before your departure time for the most up to date information.