Jet Airways flying with pets

What is Jet Airways’ policy on pet acceptance?

Jet Airways allows no pets in the passenger cabin, Service Animals being the sole exception to the rule. If you wish to bring your pet with you, you can do so either by checking your animal companion as baggage, or by having it shipped as cargo.

Carriage of live animals is permitted only on flights within India operated with Airbus 330, Boeing 777-300ER, and Boeing 737 aircraft and not permitted on ATR aircraft.

What pets are allowed on Jet Airways flights?

Jet Airways accepts for carriage as checked baggage only birds and rabbits.

At the moment, carriage of dogs and cats on board all Jet Airways flights, as checked baggage or cargo, is not permitted until further notice.

What responsibilities do I have?

The first important thing that you should take into consideration when travelling with your pet is its container. Make sure you buy the kennel way in advance of your trip, so that your pet could get accustomed to it. Another advantage of buying the container in advance is that you can actually measure how your pet fits inside, since one of Jet Airways’ regulations regarding pet carriage state that your pet must be able to stand up, move around and sit comfortably inside its kennel.

Secondly, always contact Jet Airways well in advance and reserve a place for it, since all flights have a limited availability when it comes to transporting pets. This must be done by phone, online reservations not being possible in this case.

Thirdly, remember that your must always take your pet to its veterinarian before a flight. This step is absolutely mandatory when travelling internationally, since your pet’s general health state must be assessed, and all its standard vaccinations must be up to date.

Another import measure you should take is never give you pet a sedative before embarking a flight. Beside the fact that many airlines completely forbid the transportation of sedated pets, your animal might suffer serious health consequences because of the height and pressure. As a workaround, you might want to opt for a natural pet calmer, if you want your animal companion to be more relaxed during the flight.

Last but not least, if you know your dog or cat tends to have motion sickness, try and feed it a limited amount of food before the flight. Also make sure that, before departing from home, your pet is well hydrated.

Checked Pets

When travelling with Jet Airways, pets are usually transported whether as checked baggage, or as cargo. If you want your pet to travel as checked baggage, you must contact Jet Airways’ Reservations Department and book the pet on your own ticket.

The airline must be contacted at least 24 hours in advance, when you are supposed to book your pet as “accompanied baggage” on your ticket. Fights carried by ATR aircraft do not allow pets on board under any circumstances, while Airbus and Boeing aircraft do.

A passenger can carry no more than 3 live animals on a flight as checked baggage, provided there is enough space in the aircraft’s hold for all of them, and that the pet acceptance quota is not exceeded for that particular flight (maximum 3 pet containers on B737 aircraft and maximum 5 pet containers on B777 and A330 aircraft).

To be accepted as checked baggage, the total weight of the container and pet must not exceed maximum 32 kg. If the weight exceeds 32 kg, the pet will be accepted for carriage only as cargo.

Jet Airways reserves its right to refuse the carriage of your pet under the following circumstances

Container Requirements

The most important thing you must take into consideration when purchasing a pet kennel is that it must comply with IATA Live Animal Regulations. In other words, the crate must be designed to IATA specifications and ensure that your pet has plenty of space to lie down in a comfortable manner, stand or turn around freely. Be advised that an excess space of 3 in / 7 cm on all sides, measured with your pet inside the kennel, is recommended.

Your pet’s container must meet several basic requirements:

  • The kennel must be properly ventilated on all four sides.
  • Crates with top ventilation and top openings are unfit.
  • Kennels locked only by clamps are to be avoided.
  • The door of the crate must be secured on all four ends by plastic ties.
  • Make sure that a reasonable amount of food and water are placed in the respective bowls attached to the crate’s door.
  • The container must have a funnel and pipe system, for easy water refill without opening the kennel’s door.
  • An absorbent mat or pad must be placed on the bottom of the container.
  • An extra zip lock bag with a small amount of dry food supply must be attached to the top of the container, in case a flight delay might occur.
  • A label including the pet’s name and photo, as well as feeding instructions and contact information of the owner, must be attached to the container.

Smaller / portable containers may be alternatively accepted, but only if the general requirements are met, and also if the ventilation is adequate. FurryFlyers can be your main guide when choosing your pet’s container.

Fees

When flying with Jet Airways, pets are regarded as excess baggage and charged according to the route type.

On domestic flights, a fixed fee of 5000 INR per container applies, regardless of the weight and size of your pet and its container. However, service animals are not subject to this fee, being transported free of charge.

Service Animals

Service Dogs are allowed by Jet Airways on both domestic and international flights. They will accompany the owner in the passenger cabin free of charge, or can be transported in the cargo hold, at the owner’s express request.

Persons with disabilities who travel accompanied by their Service Dog are not required to inform the airline in advance. However, contacting the airline before booking a flight in these conditions is recommended for disabled passengers, and mandatory for persons who wish to bring along an Emotional Support Dog. This must be done at least 48 hours in advance, and a recent document issued by a licensed mental health professional that confirms such a requirement must be provided.

When travelling with a Service Dog in the passenger cabin, pet owners must comply with the following conditions:

  • The dog needs to be leashed or harnessed to its owner’s seat belt at all time.
  • If considered necessary, the animal must be muzzled during the journey.
  • The dog cannot be seated on a passenger seat.
  • The pet owner should occupy a seat where the presence of the animal does not obstruct access to any of the emergency exits.
  • A reasonable amount of water and food, as well as a moisture-absorbent mat, must be provided by the owner for the dog.

Should a Service Animal be too large or too aggressive to be transported in the cabin, it will be transferred in the cargo hold, still free of charge. A service animal will also be placed for carriage in the hold if its owner desires so, or when it does not accompany a disabled person (for example, if it travels with a trainer).

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