Sami’s first flight was from Portugal to Greece. He was about 7-8 months old, still a puppy, fluffy as a cloud because I hadn’t groomed him yet, and absolutely clueless about what was happening. I, on the other hand, was a mess. I’d spent weeks overthinking every possible scenario and reading every forum post I could find about flying with dogs.
That flight went fine. Sami slept most of it. And everything I was terrified about — the check-in, the security screening, the other passengers — turned out to be completely manageable.
If you’re about to take your dog on their first flight, here’s what I wish someone had told me before ours. The practical stuff. The stuff nobody mentions. And the stuff that actually matters versus the stuff that seems scary but isn’t.
Start With the Carrier
If there’s only one thing you prepare, make it this: get your dog comfortable in the carrier bag before the flight. Not the day before. Ideally, two weeks before.
We have a full step-by-step guide to carrier training, but the short version is: leave the carrier out in your home, let your dog explore it, feed meals inside it, gradually close the zipper for longer periods, and work up to your dog being able to nap inside it calmly.
A dog that’s comfortable in their carrier is a dog that will sleep on the plane. A dog that’s never been in a carrier will spend the entire flight trying to get out. This single step is the difference between a good flight and a nightmare.
Book the Right Seat
When you book your ticket, try to get a window seat. Here’s why. The carrier goes under the seat in front of you. If you’re in the window seat, the carrier is tucked against the wall, and nobody in the middle or aisle seat is accidentally kicking it. Your dog gets a quieter, more protected spot.
Also, when you book, immediately call the airline to reserve a spot for your dog. Airlines limit the number of pets per flight — some allow as few as 6 in the cabin. Don’t assume there’ll be space. Call the day you book your ticket, even if the flight is weeks away. I do this for every single flight and have never had an issue, but I’ve heard horror stories from people who waited.
The Week Before
About a week before the flight, confirm everything. Call the airline and verify your pet reservation is still in the system. Ask them to confirm which documents you’ll need. Confirm the weight limit and carrier size requirements. This 5-minute phone call gives you a week to fix anything that’s off.
Check your dog’s rabies vaccine date. Is it current? If it expires before your return date, get the booster now.
If you’re flying to the US, fill out the CDC Dog Import Form 2-10 days before travel. Not earlier, not later — there’s a specific filing window.
If your dog is a fluffy breed — Westies, Bichons, Poodles, Shih Tzus — get them groomed with a short haircut before the flight. This is something I do every time. A shorter coat makes your dog look smaller in the carrier, which helps at check-in. It’s an optical illusion, but it works. The agent sees a dog that fits comfortably, and that’s what matters.
Flight Day Prep
On the day of the flight, your two priorities are: tire your dog out and keep their stomach light.
Tire them out. Give your dog the longest walk of their life. Run with them. Play with them. Let them do zoomies. The goal is for your dog to be physically exhausted by the time you get to the airport. A tired dog sleeps on the plane. An energetic dog wants to play, explore, and absolutely not sit in a bag under a seat for three hours.
Keep their stomach light. Don’t feed a full meal within 4-6 hours of the flight. An empty-ish stomach means they’re less likely to need a bathroom break during the flight and less likely to get motion sickness. You can give treats — in fact, bring good ones — but skip the regular meal. Feed them after you land.
Make sure they go to the bathroom before you leave for the airport, and again once you arrive (most airports have grassy areas outside the terminal).
Taking your dog on their first flight?
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At the Airport
Arrive at least 3 hours before your flight. You can’t check in online when you’re flying with a pet — you have to do it at the counter. The agent will check your documents, inspect the carrier, and possibly weigh your dog (in Europe) or check how the dog fits in the bag (in the US). We have a full airport experience guide covering all of this.
After check-in, use the extra time to walk your dog around the terminal. Let them sniff, explore, and burn off any remaining energy. In most European airports, dogs can walk on leash through the terminal. The walk from check-in to the gate is actually great exercise.
Security is simple: carrier on the belt, dog in your arms, walk through the detector. Takes 90 seconds.
During the Flight
Before boarding, put your dog in the carrier with their blanket and toy. Zip it up. From this point on, the dog stays in the carrier for the duration of the flight.
Place the carrier under the seat in front of you. During takeoff and landing, it needs to be fully under the seat. Once the seatbelt sign is off, you can pull it out slightly or open the top zipper. I usually unzip the front mesh panel partway so Sami can see me and get some extra air. Be discreet about it — the flight attendants generally don’t mind, but keeping it low-key avoids drawing attention.
What if your dog whines? It happens. Usually during takeoff, when the pressure changes and the noise is unfamiliar. Slip a treat through the mesh of the carrier. Talk to them in a calm voice. Most dogs settle within the first 10-15 minutes of flight. If your dog was properly trained with the carrier and is tired from the pre-flight exercise, there’s a very good chance they’ll just sleep.
What if your dog needs to go to the bathroom mid-flight? It’s rare if you followed the feeding advice, but it can happen. We carry training pads for this reason. You can take the carrier to the airplane bathroom, lay down a pad, and encourage your dog to go. It’s not glamorous, but it works. This has never happened to us with Sami, but having the pads gives peace of mind.
After Landing
Wait for the plane to empty out a bit before trying to deplane with your dog. Wrestling a carrier out from under the seat while everyone’s rushing to grab bags is stressful for both of you. Take your time.
Once you’re in the terminal, find a quiet spot to let your dog out of the carrier. They’ll need water, they’ll probably need to go to the bathroom, and they’ll want to stretch their legs. Most airports have relief areas, but if you can’t find one, the grassy area outside the terminal works.
If you’re arriving in a different country, you may need to stop by the airport vet for a quick health check. Not every country requires this, but some do — our airport guide covers what to expect.
The Honest Truth About First Flights
Your first flight with your dog will not be perfect. Something will be slightly off. You’ll forget to take the leash off before security. You’ll fumble with the carrier zipper during boarding. Your dog will whine for the first 5 minutes and you’ll feel like everyone is staring at you (they’re not, and if they are, they’re thinking “cute dog”).
And none of that matters. Because by the time you land, you’ll realize that flying with your dog is completely doable. The systems work, the airlines have seen dogs before, and your dog — given proper preparation — will handle it better than you expect.
Our first flight with Sami was the scariest. Every flight since has been easier. By the fifth or sixth time, it was routine. You just have to get through the first one.
Ready for your first flight?
Our free 8-day email course was built for exactly this. One email a day covering what to pack, carrier selection, documents, weight limits, and in-flight survival. Based on 20+ flights with Sami.
You’ve got this. And so does your dog.
