Flying with your dog from Europe to the United States is absolutely doable — we’ve done it with Sami. But it’s more involved than a short European hop. The flight is longer, the documents are different, the fees are higher, and the rules changed significantly in August 2024 when the CDC updated their dog import requirements.
Here’s everything you need to know, based on our actual experience flying from Lisbon to New York with Sami.
The Documents
This is where most of the extra work is. For a flight within Europe, you just need an EU pet passport with a current rabies vaccine. For a flight to the US, you need more.
CDC Dog Import Form. Every dog entering the United States needs this, regardless of where they’re coming from. You fill it out online, 2-10 days before your travel date. It’s free. We cover the full process in our CDC Dog Import Form guide.
Rabies vaccine. Your dog needs a valid rabies vaccine. The specifics depend on where your dog was vaccinated: if your dog was vaccinated in the US originally and has valid US documentation, the requirements are slightly different from a dog vaccinated in Europe. In either case, the vaccine must be current and documented.
Health certificate. Depending on your situation, you may need a USDA-endorsed health certificate or an EU health certificate. This requires a vet visit and, for the US side, endorsement from an accredited vet. It needs to be issued within a specific window before travel (typically no more than 10 days). This was the most complicated part of our preparation — we had to coordinate between Portuguese and US authorities to get the right form.
Microchip. Required. Must match the number in all your documents. The rabies vaccine must have been administered after the microchip was implanted.
For the complete breakdown, see our documents checklist. The USDA pet travel page (aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel) is also essential reading — you can select your specific origin and destination country to see exact requirements.
Choosing an Airline
Not many airlines fly direct from Europe to the US, and even fewer allow pets in cabin on transatlantic routes. We flew Delta from Lisbon to New York. Delta allows pets in cabin on international flights, and their transatlantic pet fee is $200 each way.
Other options to research: TAP Air Portugal (for routes from Lisbon), Air France, and Lufthansa. Policies change, so always check the specific airline’s pet policy for your exact route before booking.
One critical thing we learned: if your flight gets canceled and the airline tries to rebook you on a partner carrier, your dog may not be able to come. When our Delta flight was canceled, they couldn’t rebook us on Air France because partner airlines require up to 3 days to confirm pet reservations. We had to wait for the next Delta flight. Keep this in mind when booking — direct flights are safer than connections for pet travel.
The Pet Fee
For Europe to US flights, expect $200 each way per pet. That’s $400 round trip just for the dog. Compared to €50-70 for European flights, it’s a significant jump. Factor this into your trip budget.
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The Flight Itself
A Europe-to-US flight is typically 7-9 hours of flying time. That’s significantly longer than a 2-3 hour European flight. Here’s what changes.
Potty management matters more. On a short European flight, your dog can easily hold it. On a 7+ hour flight (plus the time at the airport), you’re looking at 12+ hours without a bathroom break. Sami held it for about 12-13 hours on our New York trip — from our last walk before check-in to finding a relief area after customs. We brought training pads as backup, and I was prepared to take him to the airplane bathroom if needed. He never needed it, but the backup plan is essential.
Feeding strategy changes. We skip the meal 8 hours before a long-haul flight. For a morning flight, that means skipping dinner the night before. After check-in, I give Sami small portions from a ziplock bag — enough so he’s not starving, not enough to cause stomach issues or bathroom urgency.
Water is important. Bring a dog travel water bottle and offer small amounts throughout the day. Cabin air is dry, and dehydration over a long flight is a real concern. Don’t overdo it (that creates potty pressure), but don’t withhold water entirely.
Comfort items are critical. For a 2-hour flight, your dog might tough it out in a bare carrier. For a 7-hour flight, those comfort items — the blanket, the toy, the familiar scents — make a real difference. See our packing checklist for the full list.
For tips on managing your dog’s stress over a long flight, see our guides on keeping your dog calm and long-haul flight tips.
US Check-In Is Different from Europe
In Europe, they weigh your dog at check-in. In the US, they check carrier fit — whether your dog can sit comfortably inside the carrier bag with it zipped. They also check in with the dog inside the bag (in Europe, Sami is usually outside the bag on a leash during check-in).
If your dog is close to the weight limit, the US approach is actually more forgiving — they don’t put your dog on a scale. But your dog still needs to look comfortable in the carrier. For tips on managing this, see our weight limit tips.
Arriving in the US
After landing, you go through customs and immigration like everyone else — except you have a dog. Be prepared for the immigration line to take a while. At JFK, we waited about 2 hours, and there was no pet relief area before immigration. That’s 2 hours added to your dog’s no-bathroom streak.
Once through, look for a pet relief area (many major US airports have them) or get outside as quickly as possible. Your dog will need a bathroom break urgently after a transatlantic flight.
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Flying from Europe to the US with your dog requires more preparation than a European flight, but it’s completely achievable. The documents take the most work — start that process early, at least a month before your flight. The flight itself is manageable with the right preparation. We did it, Sami slept through most of it, and the month in New York with him was worth every bit of the effort.
