For pet owners, planning a getaway used to entail securing a kennel or finding a reliable pet sitter. However, a growing number of pet parents are now opting for travel carriers, choosing to bring their furry companions along on their journeys. Airports, often bustling with activity, are increasingly becoming accommodating environments for pets as airlines adjust to meet this rising demand.
Vishakha Bhagat-Date is well-versed in this new travel dynamic. She frequently travels between Pune and Bengaluru with her 12-year-old cat, Kittu. A negative experience at a kennel prompted Vishakha to explore air travel for her feline friend.
Now, after twenty-one flights, Kittu has become an experienced traveler, comfortably resting beneath the passenger seat and recognized by airport staff and fellow flyers alike. Vishakha has earned the affectionate title of “Kittu’s parent” from those who have encountered the serene, older cat. Their bond was highlighted during Kittu’s 20th flight when the staff at Akasa Air surprised Vishakha with a personalized card to commemorate their first “frequent flier cat.”
“The airport staff are very familiar with Kittu,” Vishakha explains. “While we’ve been flying for a while, experiencing this alongside your pet adds immense value.” She mentions that preparing for travel is straightforward, requiring only a veterinary fitness certificate, updated vaccinations, and an appropriately sized carrier.
In Delhi, Nidhi Jacob has been traveling with her Shih Tzu, Maximus, for nearly five years. “The last time we tried to leave without him, he went on a two-day hunger strike,” Nidhi recalls, which led them to include him in their travel plans. “He is part of our family, and we treat him like royalty,” she adds.
Airlines do not provide separate tickets for pets; instead, they classify pets and their carriers as excess baggage, charging fees based on total weight. Nidhi discovered that premium kennel services cost between Rs 800 and Rs 900 per day. A two-week stay at a kennel can surpass her own flight costs of Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000, making flying together a more economical option.
Additionally, having smaller pets travel in the cabin helps avoid the uncertainties of cargo holds. When larger animals fly as cargo, the aircraft captain has the ultimate say at the boarding gate, and if the cargo hold lacks adequate oxygen, the airline may refuse boarding at the last moment.
Airlines like Akasa Air and Air India alleviate these concerns by permitting pets weighing up to 10 kilograms in the cabin. Akasa provides priority boarding and window seats for pet owners, while Air India requires flat-nosed breeds, such as Shih Tzus, to travel exclusively in the cabin to avoid respiratory issues. In contrast, IndiGo Airlines has a strict no-pet policy.
“Kittu’s experiences exemplify how integral pets have become to family life and highlight the importance of pet-friendly travel. As more owners choose to travel with their companions, their feedback has significantly influenced the development of Akasa’s pet policy,” remarks Naarayan T V, Chief Marketing Officer of Akasa Air.
Traveling internationally poses additional challenges. Neha Kumthekar recently transported her 42-pound dog from California to Mumbai via Qatar Airways. After San Francisco imposed a 32-pound cargo limit, she had to drive to Los Angeles to find an appropriate flight. Her expenses included a $450 cargo fee, $700 for a USDA health certificate, and Rs 1,000 for an Indian quarantine permit.
Relocating long distances with pets requires meticulous preparation. Smiti Srivastava spent months dealing with stringent paperwork so her cat, Cinnabun, could accompany her on a flight from Delhi to the UK. “If you choose to have a pet, you must treat it like family,” she emphasizes. A memorable moment occurred at the airport when, after stepping away for a restroom break, she found Cinnabun waiting just outside the door, having followed her scent through the crowd. “He was frightened, but all he wanted was to be near me,” Smiti recalls.
Despite the complexities of paperwork, weight restrictions, and potential route changes, many pet owners are choosing to fly with their pets, believing that the inconvenience is a minor sacrifice to keep their families together. This trend represents a significant shift in domestic air travel in India.
