Take your best friend with you
If your pet and carrier weigh up to a maximum of 10 kg (22 lb) combined, you may take your pet on board. If your pet and carrier weigh up to a maximum of 45 kg (100 lb) combined, you will need to check in your pet.
For the safety of your pet, check the restrictions by breed before your trip.
Carrier type
If traveling with a dog, the carrier to take it on board may be made of fabric or sturdy plastic. If traveling with a cat, it must be sturdy (plastic). In both cases, it must comply with measurements and requirements.
In the aircraft
The carrier must be closed with a plastic clamp to be provided to you at the airport, so your pet cannot leave it during the flight. During the flight, you must place the carrier under the seat in front of you, and the rest of your personal items on the overhead compartments.
Carrier weight and dimensions
The combined weight of the carrier and your pet must not exceed 100 lbs (45 kg).
The total dimensions (length + width + height) must not exceed 62 in. Extra charges will apply if the carrier exceeds the maximum allowance.
Your pet must be able to freely spin around on its axis and stand up on its four paws inside the carrier.
Carrier characteristics
The carrier must have a sturdy structure, and be clean, waterproof, well ventilated, wheel-free, and free of objects that can hurt your pet, be scratch-proof, with an anti-escape closure, and it must have handles for carrying.
Identification and contact information
The carrier must be labeled with your contact information (name, phone number and address) and the pet’s identification information (name, age and sex).
Leakproof containers
Leakproof containers may be placed inside the carrier with pet food and water (provided by the passenger), as necessary for the trip. The carrier must contain absorbent material or kitty litter and odor neutralizers.
Necessary documents to travel with your pet
Vaccination certificate
You must present a valid vaccination certificate that includes the first administration of a rabies shot or current booster dose.
If your pet is receiving the rabies vaccine for the first time, it must be administered at least 30 days before the date of your flight.
If your pet is 15 months of age or older, it must have a current booster dose of rabies vaccine to be able to fly without waiting for 30 days.
Your pet must also have completed deworming treatment recently (no more than six months before the date of return).
Animal health certificate
You must present an original and non-certified copy of the animal health certificate indicating that your pet has been subject to prior inspection and is clinically healthy.
The certificate must be issued on letterhead paper with the veterinarian’s professional license number, dated fewer than five days before the initial flight date.
If the certificate does not have the license number on letterhead paper, you must also present a copy of the veterinarian’s professional license.
If the return flight is more than 5 days after the issuance of the certificate, you will need to present another certificate that is valid for the return.
If you are traveling from Mexico to Central America, you must also show an International Animal Health Export Certificate, issued by SAGARPA/SENASICA.
If you are traveling from the United States to Mexico, you will not need to present a health certificate. SENASICA personnel will carry out a physical inspection on your pet upon arrival.
Service restrictions
■ Only dogs and cats are allowed.
■ Pets younger than 4 months, nursing, sick, dead, violent, or pregnant are not accepted.
■ Add the service in advance since there is a limit of four checked pets and two traveling onboard per flight.
■ You may take one single animal per carrier.
■ Do not have your pet undergo surgical procedures within 5 days before the flight.
■ The pet on board and checked pet services are not available for flights operated by Frontier (direct or codeshare).
■ Passengers traveling with dogs may choose any window seat, except premium or emergency exit. Those carrying cats may select only window seats in the last row.
Restricted breeds and suspension of entry to the US
Brachycephalic Breeds
For its own safety, your pet won´t be able to travel if it belongs to a brachycephalic breed, animals with an excessively shortened or flattened snout and with a proportionally wide head.
These breeds usually encounter hereditary respiratory problems and run a great risk of suffering heat stroke and respiratory disorders when exposed to stress or extreme heat.
Dogs that are not permitted: Affenpinscher, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier Boxer, Bulldog, Cane Corso, Cavalier King Charles, Chihuahua (apple-shaped head), Chow Chow, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, Brussels Griffon, Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso, Maltese, Mastiff, Pekinese, Pit Bull, Presa Canario, Pug (all breeds), Sharpei, Shih Tzu, Tibetan Spaniel, and Staffordshire Bullterrier.
Cats not permitted: Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, and Persian.
Dangerous Breeds
Dogs considered aggressive or dangerous may only travel as a Pet In Belly: Akita Inu, Anatolian Shepherd, Belgian Shepherd, Brazilian Mastiff, Doberman, Rottweiler, and Tosa Inu.
Restrictions for pets traveling to the US
Due to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) restriction, dogs arriving from El Salvador, Guatemala, Colombia, and Honduras cannot enter the US until further notice; unless you present the CDC Dog Import Permit and arrive in New York.
This restriction applies to direct or connecting flights and includes puppies and emotional support dogs.
Dogs that have been in any of the listed countries in the last six months cannot enter the country either.
If you're traveling to the US and had already purchased the pet service, contact our Call Center to request a refund.
Keep your pet well fed and hydrated
Feed and give water to your pet about four hours before the flight.
Have your pet get used to its cage
Allow your pet to get used to the cage days before traveling.
Carry a toy or garment
Put an object that is familiar to your pet in the cage so that it can travel more relaxed.
Keep the cage clean
Place absorbent material or sanitary stones in the cage.
Don't sedate your pet
Doing so may increase the risk of suffering cardiac or respiratory problems during the flight on some animals, in accordance with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the norms of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
How long beforehand should I arrive at the airport?
For domestic flights (Mexico), you must arrive at the airport at least two hours before your flight’s departure, and for international flights, at least three hours before, so we can verify that your pet meets all the requirements to travel.
-
Vaccination card and health certificates.
-
Pet travel form filled out with your details as well as your pet’s details.
-
Pay for the transportation of your pet if you didn't do so during the reservation.
Want to know more?
For more information about official provisions regarding traveling with pets, consult the following links:
-
Requirements by country of origin to enter Mexico
Review the SENASICA (National Department for Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety and Quality) requirements for importing animals into Mexico, depending on your country of origin and country of departure.
-
Requirements for entering the United States
Consult the regulations of the United States government for entering with animals.
How can I add this service to my reservation?
You can add the service when booking your flights on our website or app, or afterwise at airport counters or our Call Center.
Check out the fees here.
About Volaris
Volaris is the ultra-low cost airline with flights covering Mexico, the United States, Costa Rica, ...
Download our apps
Talk with us
