The IATA regulations set out various recommendations for the air transport of dogs and cats, which reputable airlines follow.

For precise details about transport,
you can consult the Swiss website:
www.swissworldcargo.com
tel. +41 22 591 94 45

For veterinary information (mainly about imports),
the FSVO website answers a great many questions:
www.blv.admin.ch
tel. +41 31 323 85 24

For the journey, you need to find out which steps are compulsory before departure:

These steps are the owner’s responsibility.

  • The import and export rules in force in the destination country.
  • Check whether any import permits are required.
  • Bear in mind a possible quarantine.
  • A certificate of good health from a vet.
  • Vaccinations, rabies and/or others.
  • A travel crate that complies with IATA requirements. The animal must be able to stand, turn around and lie down. A water bowl is compulsory.
  • Give notice if the animal is pregnant or has given birth within the previous 48 hours.
  • State any compulsory medication, giving its name and dosage.
  • The animal should be healthy and in good form on the day of travel.
  • Animals should ideally be at least 10 weeks old and weaned.
  • Provide a telephone number reachable 24/7 in case of emergency.

The airline is responsible for:

  • Drawing up the transport documents.
  • Drawing up the shipper’s declaration.
  • Checking the import/export permits and health certificates.

That said, the airline generally accepts no liability if the animal dies of natural causes during the journey.

A few transport conditions during the journey:

  • The airline will tell you whether the animal travels in the hold or in the cabin as excess baggage.
  • Long-haul aircraft, and some recently built short-haul ones, have a compartment-by-compartment climate system in the hold. The pilot can heat each compartment individually. For a dog or cat, the temperature should ideally be 12°C to 20°C.
  • The cabin and the hold share the same pressurisation system, so the aircraft is fully pressurised throughout the flight.

About sedatives

Sedatives are strongly discouraged before a flight!
Most sedatives lower the blood pressure. Yet in mid-flight, the blood pressure already drops. Inside the pressurised cabin, the air pressure is comparable to that at an altitude of 2500 m. The combined effect of sedatives and altitude can be dangerous in an animal that is old, has a heart condition, is unwell or simply very stressed, by causing a sudden fall in blood pressure.

What is more, a sedative can add to the disorientation of a half-asleep animal, which may ‘wake’ suddenly and in a panic.

If a sedative is given all the same, it must be reported to the carrier, stating the name of the product, the dosage and the time it was given.

Your vet can advise you on gentler products that help relax the animal without unwanted side effects.

Source: Swiss International Air Lines Ltd, Swiss WorldCargo