At Pets by Plane, our job is to take the strain out of international travel with your pets, so you can focus on all the other things you need to do.
We can help manage your pet's travel to the USA from start to finish. We will maintain, as our absolute priority, your pet's health, happiness and calm well-being throughout their whole journey.
There are a huge number of destinations we can fly both cats and dogs direct from the UK, such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Raleigh, Philadelphia, Boston, Denver, Washington, Dallas, Charlotte, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Austin, Las Vegas, Houston, New Orleans, Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Detroit, Nashville and Atlanta – to name a few!
Using internal transit flights in the USA we are able to offer onward travel to almost all regional locations within the USA!
Pets can travel to the USA in as little as a few days! There are no mandatory waiting periods post-initial vaccinations, so even unvaccinated pets can travel with very little notice.
We would advise, where possible, to start planning your pets’ journey early, but appreciate that plans can change quickly. Wherever possible, we will ensure that if you need to travel in days, we make it a reality.
Flight costs are based on the size of your pet's travel crate, which is determined by their measurements. This ensures your pet travels comfortably, safely, and in compliance with IATA and airline regulations.
There are additional costs to consider, such as customs fees due upon arrival, which can be included as an option in our quote.
With an abundance of carriers crossing the transatlantic route, we can work all budgets to find a solution to fit your budget.
For a full quote and price breakdown, please complete a quote form and one of our team members will be in touch shortly!
All pets travelling to the USA must have Rabies vaccinations before being able to travel; however, there is no waiting period after vaccination, so your pet can travel almost straight away.
Although the Centre for Disease Control (CDC)—the national advisory authority—states that not all pets require vaccinations to travel, most U.S. states have their own local laws that do require a valid rabies vaccination for entry.
As a result, although you may encounter conflicting information online, we require all pets to be vaccinated against rabies before travel to ensure compliance with local regulations.
Top Tip: To be considered for overnight boarding (if required) before departure, all pets will need up-to-date annual vaccinations.
No blood tests required for dogs or cats entry to America.
To enter the USA, your pet will need an Import Permit (Dogs Only, and takes around 5 minutes to apply and approve!) and a Fit-to-Fly letter, issued by a vet within 10 days of travel, simply stating your pet looks to be free from illness and looks fit and healthy to travel – it’s as simple as that!
We include the option for our airport vets to complete this at the airport before departure.
No quarantine is required for Pets when entering the USA from the UK.
We primarily use British Airways and American Airlines for transatlantic flights, as together they offer direct services to around 25 destinations.
American Airlines operates a hub system in the U.S., allowing your pet to transit through several major cities and continue onward to over 50 smaller regional airports.
British Airways, on the other hand, flies direct to more destinations, which are often your pet’s final stop. However, due to substantial minimum rates introduced in 2024, they have become a less affordable option—particularly for smaller Dogs and Cats.
As a more economical alternative, we can offer flights with European carriers such as Lufthansa, TAP, and KLM. These flights include a stopover in the EU en route to the U.S.
No matter where your pet is headed in America, we can provide a range of options—whether you prefer a fast, direct flight or a more budget-friendly route with transit stops. We’ll work with you to find the best solution for your pet’s journey.
Each airline has different restrictions on the pets they carry; therefore, when provided with a quote, we will select the best option for you and your pet! Find out more about our partners on our Airline page.
Provided the correct measures are put in place, then yes, we can transport all snub-nosed pets to America, but this may only be at specific times of the year when temperatures are lower.
Only 5% of snub-nosed pets suffer from BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airways Syndrome); therefore, with the correct preparation, we can ship Bulldogs, Pugs and many more snub-nosed breeds safely to the USA! Find out more on our BOAS (Snub Nosed) page.
There are no banned dog breeds at the federal level when importing pets into the United States. However, individual states—and even some cities—may have specific restrictions on certain breeds. We recommend checking the local regulations at your final destination before you travel.
However, for commercial pet shipments—such as when a puppy is purchased in the UK and imported to the United States—this is no longer permitted unless the Dog or Cat is at least six months old.
