What to check with the airline before flying with a pet

Actual confirmation of the reservation

Before departure it's worth verifying that the pet's reservation is actually registered in the airline's system, not just communicated verbally at an earlier time. Asking for written confirmation, even just a confirmation email, avoids discrepancies that would be difficult to resolve at the counter on the day itself.

Temperature restrictions and hold loading

Beyond the general threshold set by IATA, many airlines apply more restrictive seasonal embargoes in summer months, suspending hold transport when forecasts for the departure, arrival, or connecting airport fall outside this temperature range. The exact threshold and its application can vary from one airline to another, so it's worth checking close to departure, a topic also covered in depth in the guide to safe transport of animals in the hold.

Documentation and airport-specific check-in procedure

The documentation required by a single airline may differ in details from the general requirements of the destination country: in case of doubt, it's wise to check both sources, that of the airline and that of the health authority competent for the specific country, rather than relying on just one. The location of the dedicated counter for pet check-in may also vary from one airport to another, and it's useful information to have before arriving at the airport.

Save in writing, perhaps via email, every confirmation received from the airline about reservation, documents, and expected temperature: in case of last-minute unforeseen events, it's the fastest proof to show at the counter.