Health Certificate for Flying

[llama]

My dog is flying in the cabin with me on a direct cross-country flight with United Airlines in about a week and a half. According to the airline, she does not need a health certificate to fly in the cabin (as opposed to cargo.) I have called like 6 times to double-check on this.

Do you think we should still do a health certificate before the flight just in case? I would usually rather be safe than sorry, but with the other expenses of moving the $75 vet visit to do the certificate is kind of a hassle. We have copies of her records that show she is current on vaccinations, etc. and plan to carry them with us if that influences your answer.

[llama]

Thanks for the help! They are not nearly helpful enough to give me anything in writing. There is something on the website that indicates the AIRLINE does not require a health certificate but the state you are flying into may need one and that it's the customer's responsibility to provide it.

We are flying in to Massachusetts, which my research tells me DOES require a health certificate, but like you I am not sure who would ask for it or when and the airline does not seem to know either. It's been a while since I flew domestically, but from what I remember there's no security or customs or anything I need to go through at my destination airport other than just picking up my luggage. I have no idea who would ask for the certificate. At the same time, I don't want to be without it if someone asks.

I am going to just bite the bullet and get one this week. Thanks again.

[copperpenny]

I have flown with my dog on United and a few other airlines. I have only been asked for her vax record. Usually they request it at check in. I used to bring her most recent vet records just incase.

[llama]

We bit the bullet and ended up getting the certificate today. Probably they won't even ask for it now, but at least I can sleep at night and not be terrified of something going wrong!