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Anyone planning to fly with a pet this summer would be wise to check the small print first, as poor planning and unfamiliarity with airline rules are increasingly leaving passengers facing last-minute chaos, unexpected costs and even being turned away at the gate.

 

According to passenger rights platform Flightright, the differences in regulations and pricing between airlines are becoming a real headache for pet owners. Spain's main carriers all apply strict limits on how many animals can travel per flight and typically require notice of up to 48 hours before departure.

 

Costs vary considerably too, with cabin travel for pets running anywhere from €35 to €175 depending on the destination, while sending an animal in the hold can cost more than €300 on long-haul routes.

 

Flightright's legal expert Lucía Cegarra explained that "travelling with a dog requires planning that many travellers underestimate."

 

She pointed out that fares, weight restrictions and carrier dimensions differ significantly between airlines, with some, including Vueling and Air Europa, capping cabin travel at just 10 kilos.

 

Adding to an already pretty complicated process, EU rules around pet travel have tightened following the introduction of Regulation (EU) 2016/429. Anyone travelling with a dog within the EU now needs to carry a European pet passport showing the animal's identification, the owner's details and its vaccination history. The pet must also be microchipped, or carry a tattoo applied before July 3, 2011 that's still legible, and have a valid rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel, with animals needing to be at least 12 weeks old before they can be vaccinated at all.

 

Getting any of this wrong, or turning up with a carrier that doesn't meet International Air Transport Association standards, gives airlines the right to deny boarding altogether, and passengers won't be entitled to any compensation if that happens.