What to know before flying with your dog this holiday season

The holiday season is here and many of us will be flying out to see family, go one vacation, or even for work. But what if you are traveling with your dog?

When it comes to traveling with a pet over a service animal, there are definitely different rules and things to know. And you should also know whether or not your dog is considered an emotional support animal or a service animal, because there are vastly different rules here as well.

But if you are just flying out with your non-service or support dog, then you may be wondering what you need to do or know before you start traveling or even before you hit the airport.

So what do you need to know about flying with your dog this holiday season?

Here is what you need to know before you start flying with your pet

According to the Travel Channel,

"TSA controls who and what gets to the gate, but your individual airline ultimately determines if your pet flies. While United allows online in-cabin pet bookings, Delta requires calling. A few other airlines (US Airways, Southwest) do not carry “checked” pets — an important point to know before you buy a ticket. Check with your airline directly — policies differ on weight, season, breeds and more."

Right off the bat, this is all important to note because who you fly with can have a major impact on what happens with your dog. And if your pet has to be in a crate, you have to know that this means they have to fit under the seat in front of you. This matters when you have a bigger dog.

Another thing that you need to pay attention to before you travel by plane with your dog, is whether or not you need a certificate from your veterinarian. And if you do need a veterinarian certificate, it most likely needs to be dated within 10 days of when you and your dog are getting on the plane.

Basically, if you want to travel with your dog, make sure you are checking every detail about what you need to do, how much extra it may cost, and exactly how your pup has to travel. Check with your airline of choice to see what they have to say about flying with your dog. And always make sure that there are no additional steps for your return trip too!

What suggestions do you have for travelers flying with their dogs? Have you had issues with getting your pup on a plane with you? We want to know.