Traveling with your pet can be an exciting adventure, and Frontier Airlines understands that pets are family. If you’re planning to bring your beloved companion along on your next trip, understanding the Frontier Pet Fee and related policies is essential for a smooth journey. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about flying with your pet on Frontier, ensuring both you and your furry, feathered, or scaled friend have a comfortable and safe experience.
A crucial aspect to consider when planning to fly with your pet on Frontier Airlines is the associated fee. Frontier charges a directional fee for pets, which essentially means you’ll pay a fee for each flight segment your pet travels. This frontier pet fee can be paid in advance during your initial booking or at the airport during check-in. It’s important to note that this fee is in addition to any baggage fees you might incur. When you bring a pet, you are allowed to bring either a personal item or a carry-on bag, but not both without incurring an extra charge for the carry-on. So, factor in this frontier pet fee and baggage considerations when budgeting for your trip.
A dog comfortably settled in its carrier, peering out with curiosity, ready for a flight with Frontier Airlines.
Frontier’s Pet Policy: Key Things to Know Before You Fly
Before you finalize your travel plans with your pet, it’s vital to be aware of Frontier Airlines’ specific pet policies. Firstly, Frontier does not allow pets to be checked as baggage. This means your pet must travel with you in the cabin, provided they meet the size and species restrictions.
It is also your responsibility as the pet owner to thoroughly investigate and comply with all applicable laws, customs regulations, and governmental requirements of your origin, destination, and any layover locations. This includes ensuring you have all necessary health documents and certifications for your pet, as required by the state or country you are traveling to. Regulations can vary significantly, so proactive research is key to avoid any travel disruptions. To help your pet have a more comfortable flight, Frontier recommends withholding food and water for about four hours before departure.
Frontier Travel Tip: Always check the specific animal regulations for your destination state! Some states require health certificates for pets entering, while others may have different requirements. Knowing this in advance will save you potential headaches at your destination.
In-Cabin Pet Travel: Making it Comfortable for Everyone
Frontier Airlines allows certain types of pets to travel in the cabin on domestic flights. The accepted animals include domesticated dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and small household birds. For dogs and cats, they must be at least 8 weeks old to travel. However, it’s equally important to know which animals are never accepted on Frontier flights. These include large birds (like parrots and macaws), rodents (such as mice, rats, and squirrels), beavers, ferrets, reptiles (including snakes), amphibians, spiders, and insects. And, of course, exotic or dangerous animals like lions, tigers, or bears are strictly prohibited.
Pets are permitted in the cabin on all domestic Frontier flights. However, there are seating restrictions for passengers traveling with pets. For safety reasons, you cannot sit in the first row or in an exit row when traveling with a pet.
During the flight, your pet must remain inside its travel container at all times. This is crucial for the safety and comfort of all passengers and your pet. If your pet becomes disruptive, it is your responsibility to soothe it without removing it from the carrier. While it might be tempting to comfort a distressed pet by taking it out of the carrier, it’s important to resist this urge and find other ways to calm them while they remain safely contained. Veterinarians generally advise against sedating pets for air travel as the effects of sedatives at high altitudes can be unpredictable and potentially harmful to your pet’s health. Frontier also requests that you do not feed or water your pet during the flight. The stress of travel and the motion of the aircraft can upset your pet’s stomach. It’s also important to be aware that oxygen will not be administered to pets in case of an emergency. Ultimately, your pet needs to be harmless, non-disruptive, odorless, and require minimal attention throughout the flight to ensure a pleasant experience for everyone on board.
A serene cat comfortably nestled in a soft-sided carrier, placed securely under an airplane seat during a Frontier flight.
Pet Carrier Guidelines: Size and Comfort Matter
The type of carrier you use for your pet is critical to ensure they are comfortable and safe throughout the flight, and that it meets Frontier’s requirements. The travel container must be large enough for your pet to stand up, turn around, and lie down in a natural position. Think of it as their little travel den – it should be a comfortable and stress-free space. Simultaneously, the carrier must be compact enough to fit comfortably underneath the seat in front of you. While most seats can accommodate standard pet carriers, there might be certain seats with limited under-seat space. If this is the case, Frontier staff will work with you to find a suitable seat assignment with enough room for your pet’s container.
Frontier specifies that the maximum dimensions for a pet container are 18 inches (length) x 14 inches (width) x 8 inches (height). While hard-sided carriers that meet these dimensions may be acceptable, Frontier recommends using a soft-sided carrier. Soft-sided carriers are often more flexible and can conform better to under-seat spaces. Regardless of the type of carrier, remember that your pet must remain inside the container at all times while in the airport and during the flight.
Pet Health and Travel Documents: Preparing Your Pet
When traveling with your pet, understanding the necessary health documentation is crucial. Within the United States, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates pet transport. For pets traveling in the cabin within the U.S., Frontier does not require a health certificate. However, it’s important to be aware that your destination state might require a health certificate upon arrival. Therefore, it’s always best to check with your veterinarian or consult the USDA’s Veterinary Services website to determine if a health certificate is needed for your specific destination.
For international travel with service animals, a health certificate is mandatory. Furthermore, each country may have specific vaccination requirements that go beyond general guidelines. It is essential to contact the consulate of your destination country to get detailed information on all necessary health regulations and required vaccinations for your pet.
Important Update on International Pet Travel: Frontier Airlines currently does not accept new pets for international travel. This restriction does not apply to service animals, but there are stringent requirements for international service animal travel.
For international travel, all service dogs must meet specific criteria, including:
- Presenting a CDC Dog Import Form receipt.
- Being at least 6 months old.
- Appearing healthy upon arrival.
- Having proof of a microchip detectable with a universal scanner.
Service dogs originating from countries considered high-risk for rabies have additional requirements, including providing extra documentation, uploading a photo of the service dog, and obtaining government-endorsed veterinary documentation. For the most up-to-date and detailed information on these regulations, always refer to the CDC’s official website.
Regarding health certificates in general, they must be dated according to the destination country’s entry requirements. For example, health certificates must be dated within 30 days of entry into Puerto Rico and within 10 days of entry into the U.S. Virgin Islands or the continental United States. A standard health certificate should include:
- The owner’s name and address.
- The animal species.
- The countries of origin and destination.
- Proof of rabies vaccination administered within 12 months for adult pets (older than 3 or 4 months depending on destination) and no less than 30 days prior to international travel.
While not mandatory for all destinations, vaccinations for hepatitis, PIP, and leptospirosis are often recommended. Puerto Rico specifically requires pets to wear a sturdy collar with two identification tags, including both permanent and travel contact information. Service animals traveling to and from Canada need both a rabies vaccination and a health certificate, with specific requirements for each.
Navigating Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands Entry
For travel to and from Puerto Rico, every animal, including service animals, needs an official health certificate valid for 30 days. This certificate must state that the animal doesn’t come from a rabies-quarantined area, include proof of rabies vaccination within six months of travel for pets over four months old, and confirm treatment for external parasites within 72 hours of entry. Official identification via microchip or collar with metallic ID tag is also required. Detailed information can be found on the Puerto Rico government’s website.
Similarly, for dogs and cats traveling to and from the U.S. Virgin Islands, along with standard domestic requirements, pets (including service animals) need a health certificate stating they are not from a rabies-quarantined area and proof of rabies vaccination within six months of travel (unless under 12 weeks old). Identification of ownership with contact information is also highly recommended.
If your Frontier flight is a codeshare flight operated by another airline partner, be sure to check the codeshare terms and conditions page on Frontier’s website to understand any variations in pet policies or fees that might apply.
Traveling with your pet on Frontier Airlines can be a pleasant experience with proper preparation. Understanding the frontier pet fee, adhering to their pet policies, ensuring your pet’s carrier is compliant and comfortable, and having all necessary health documentation in order are the cornerstones of stress-free pet travel. Always double-check the most current policies and requirements directly with Frontier Airlines before your travel date to guarantee a smooth journey for you and your beloved pet companion.
