Flying With Your Yorkie – Air Travel Tips for Small Dogs
Getting on a flight and leaving your Yorkie behind is a thing of the past! There are many airlines that will now allow you to take your Yorkie onboard with you.
Can Yorkies Fly in the Cabin?
Yes! Due to their small size, Yorkies are allowed in the cabin area with you on most airlines. This is great, as larger dogs have to stay in the cargo area, which can be a very unsettling experience for them. However, each airline has specific requirements for in-cabin pet travel that you must check before booking.
Airlines That Allow Yorkies in the Cabin
Most major airlines accept small dogs in the cabin, including:
- United Airlines — Allows small pets in cabin for domestic US flights. Carrier must fit under the seat.
- Delta Air Lines — Accepts small dogs in cabin. Maximum carrier dimensions vary by aircraft.
- American Airlines — Small dogs allowed in cabin for a fee. Carrier must be soft-sided.
- Southwest Airlines — Pet-friendly, allows small dogs in cabin.
- JetBlue — JetPaws program for pet travel.
- British Airways — Small dogs allowed in cabin on some routes (check specific policy).
- EasyJet — Small dogs in cabin on European flights.
Always check directly with the airline before booking — policies change frequently and some airlines have temporarily suspended pet travel.
Yorkie Carrier Requirements
Even if your Yorkie can be kept in the cabin it will have to be in a container for the entire duration of the journey. The carrier must:
- Be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you (typically 18 x 11 x 11 inches for hard-sided, 18 x 11 x 11 for soft-sided)
- Be well-ventilated on at least three sides
- Be leak-proof and escape-proof
- Allow your Yorkie to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably
- Have an absorbent liner on the bottom
Travelling With Your Yorkie
You will need to take an Airline Travel kit for use in the container which contains an absorbent pad, a water cup, a food cup and a live animal identification label. These items are necessary to meet airline regulations for transporting animals.
Yorkshire Terriers love to have company and attention. At least, by having it with you in the cabin you are letting it know that you are there. Chances are, you will find that your Yorkie does not like the sensation of moving back and forth with the motion of the plane very much. Do not take any action in terms of giving it a sedative or any other medication that might put it to sleep. High altitudes can have an effect on medication.
Preparing for the Flight
- Prior to getting on to the plane take your dog for a walk to tire them out
- Keep its Collar & Leash ready for when you land so that it can stretch its legs as soon as possible
- Make sure that its id tags are updated and visible
- Have recent photos of your Yorkie in case of emergency
- If your Yorkie has not spent time inside a container or portable kennel, spend some time at home with both so that your Yorkie can familiarize itself with it
- Withhold food for 4-6 hours before the flight to prevent motion sickness, but provide water
- Freeze a small bowl of water in the carrier — it will melt during the flight and provide fresh water
International Travel
Flying internationally with your Yorkie requires additional planning. You’ll need a health certificate from your veterinarian issued within 10 days of travel, proof of up-to-date vaccinations (especially rabies), and may need to check quarantine requirements for your destination country. The UK and Australia have particularly strict pet import regulations.
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