Traveling with your pet can be an exciting adventure, and for many pet owners, their furry, scaled, or feathered companions are considered family. Frontier Airlines understands this bond, and while they welcome certain pets onboard, it’s crucial to be well-informed about their specific pet policy to ensure a smooth and stress-free journey for both you and your animal. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Frontier Airlines’ pet policy, ensuring you have all the necessary information before you book your flight.
Understanding the Basics of Frontier Airlines Pet Policy
Frontier Airlines allows domesticated dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and small household birds to travel in the cabin on domestic flights within the United States. It’s important to note that Frontier does not permit pets to travel as checked baggage. A one-way directional charge applies to pets, which can be conveniently paid during your initial booking or added to an existing reservation. If you choose not to prepay, you can settle the fee at check-in. Remember that the pet travel container counts towards your carry-on allowance, meaning you are allowed either a personal item OR a carry-on bag, plus the pet carrier. An additional charge applies if you bring a separate carry-on bag.
Before you fly, it’s your responsibility to investigate and comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and requirements of your destination country, state, or territory. This includes securing any necessary health documents for your pet. Frontier Airlines recommends withholding food and water from your pet for four hours before departure to minimize in-flight accidents and discomfort.
Frontier Travel Tip: Always check the specific animal requirements of your destination state. Some states mandate health certificates, while others may not. Preparing in advance can save you from unexpected complications.
Cabin Pet Travel: What You Need to Know
Traveling with your pet in the cabin requires adherence to specific guidelines designed for the safety and comfort of all passengers.
Allowed and Restricted Pet Species
Frontier Airlines has specific rules about the types of pets allowed in the cabin:
- Permitted Species: Domesticated dogs and cats (minimum 8 weeks old), rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and small household birds are allowed on domestic US flights.
- Prohibited Species: Large birds (parrots, macaws, cockatoos, birds of prey), rodents (mice, rats, squirrels), beavers, ferrets, reptiles (snakes), amphibians, spiders, and insects are strictly prohibited. Exotic or undomesticated animals, including lions, tigers, or bears, are also not permitted.
Seating Restrictions and In-Cabin Behavior
When traveling with a pet, you will not be permitted to sit in the first row or any exit row. For safety reasons, your pet must remain inside its travel container throughout the flight. If your pet becomes disruptive, you are responsible for soothing it without removing it from the carrier.
It’s important to note that while comforting your pet is natural, veterinarians generally advise against sedating pets for air travel. The effects of sedatives at higher altitudes can be unpredictable and potentially harmful to your pet’s health.
Frontier Airlines requests that you refrain from feeding or giving water to your pet during the flight. The stress of travel and aircraft motion can cause discomfort for animals, and it’s best to avoid potential digestive issues mid-flight. In the event of an emergency, supplemental oxygen will not be administered to pets.
To ensure a pleasant flight for everyone, your pet must be harmless, non-disruptive, odorless, and require no attention from you during the flight.
Pet Carrier Guidelines: Comfort and Compliance
The pet travel container is a critical aspect of Frontier Airlines’ pet policy. It must meet specific requirements to ensure your pet’s safety and comfort, as well as compliance with airline regulations.
Size and Type of Carrier
The pet container must be sufficiently large for your pet to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably in a natural position. The maximum allowable dimensions for a pet container are 18 inches (length) x 14 inches (width) x 8 inches (height). The carrier must also fit comfortably under the seat in front of you. While some seats might not accommodate pet carriers, Frontier Airlines staff will assist you in finding a suitable seat assignment with adequate space.
Soft-sided carriers are highly recommended as they are generally more adaptable to under-seat spaces and provide better comfort for your pet. Regardless of the type, your pet must remain inside the container at all times while onboard the aircraft.
Pet Health and Wellness Documentation
For domestic travel within the United States, Frontier Airlines does not mandate a health certificate for pets traveling in the cabin, in accordance with USDA regulations. However, it is imperative to be aware that your destination state may have specific requirements upon arrival, potentially including health certificates. Contacting your veterinarian or consulting the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Veterinary Services is advised to clarify destination-specific requirements.
For international travel with service animals, a health certificate is mandatory. Additionally, different countries may impose specific vaccination requirements that exceed general guidelines. It is essential to contact the consulate of your destination country for detailed information on required vaccinations and health documentation.
International Travel Restrictions and Service Animals
Currently, Frontier Airlines does not accept new pets for international travel as cargo or in cabin. This restriction does not apply to service animals, which are accepted for international travel under specific conditions.
Requirements for International Service Dogs
For international travel, all service dogs must meet stringent documentation and health criteria:
- CDC Dog Import Form Receipt: You must possess a receipt confirming submission of the CDC Dog Import Form.
- Age Requirement: The service dog must be at least 6 months old.
- Healthy Appearance: The service dog must appear healthy upon arrival at the destination.
- Microchip: Proof of a microchip detectable by a universal scanner is required.
Service dogs originating from countries classified as high-risk for rabies by the CDC must fulfill additional documentation requirements, including uploading a photo of the service dog and obtaining government-endorsed veterinary documentation. For detailed information, please refer to the CDC’s website on animal importation.
Health Certificate Details for International Travel
Health certificates for international travel must be dated according to the destination country’s entry requirements:
- Puerto Rico: Within 30 days of entry.
- United States (from other countries): Within 10 days of entry.
Required information on the health certificate includes:
- Owner’s name and address.
- Animal species.
- Country of origin and destination.
- Rabies vaccination: Mandatory within 12 months for adult pets (3 months or older for all destinations except Puerto Rico; Puerto Rico defines adult pets as 4 months and older, requiring rabies immunization within 6 months). The vaccination must be administered no more than one year and no less than 30 days prior to international travel. If a pet received a booster less than 30 days before the flight, proof of prior rabies vaccination is necessary.
Additional country-specific requirements may apply. Recommended vaccinations include hepatitis, PIP, and leptospirosis. Puerto Rico mandates a sturdy collar and two identification tags, including both permanent and travel contact information.
For service animals (dogs) traveling to and from Canada, both a rabies vaccination and a health certificate are mandatory. The rabies vaccination certificate must be in English or French, issued by a licensed veterinarian from the country of origin. Canada recognizes both one-year and three-year rabies vaccinations. The health certificate must also be in English or French, completed by a licensed veterinarian, detailing animal identification, vaccination dates, vaccine manufacturer, and expiration date. Parasitic treatment must also be documented on the health certificate.
Specific Entry Requirements: Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands
Puerto Rico
For animals traveling to or from Puerto Rico, an official health certificate valid for 30 days from the date of travel is required, including for service animals. This certificate must state that the animal did not originate from a rabies-quarantined area, be signed by an accredited veterinarian, and is valid for 30 days post-inspection. A rabies vaccination certificate within six months of travel is needed for pets over four months old. Treatment for external parasites within 72 hours prior to entry must also be documented on the health certificate. Official individual identification (microchip or collar with metallic ID tag) is also mandatory. For complete details, refer to Puerto Rico Pet entry requirements.
U.S. Virgin Islands
For dogs and cats traveling in the cabin to and from the U.S. Virgin Islands, in addition to standard domestic requirements, all pets (including service animals) must have a health certificate confirming they did not originate from a rabies-quarantined area. A rabies vaccination within six months of travel is required, except for pets under 12 weeks old. Identification of ownership with address and phone number is highly recommended.
Codeshare Flights
If your travel involves a codeshare flight operated by a partner airline, it is crucial to check the specific pet policy of the operating carrier. Frontier Airlines’ pet policy may not apply to codeshare flights. Refer to the codeshare terms and conditions page for detailed information regarding codeshare partners.
Conclusion
Traveling with your pet on Frontier Airlines can be a pleasant experience if you are well-prepared and fully understand their pet policy. By adhering to these guidelines, from carrier specifications to health documentation, you can ensure a safe and comfortable journey for your beloved companion. Always prioritize the well-being of your pet and double-check all requirements before your travel date to avoid any last-minute complications. Safe travels!
