Short European flights with Sami are easy now. Two to three hours, he sleeps through the whole thing, and we’re done. Long-haul flights are a different challenge. When we flew from Lisbon to New York, the flight alone was over 7 hours — but the total experience, from our last walk before check-in to finding a pet relief area after customs, was closer to 13 hours. That’s a long day for a dog in a carrier bag.
Here’s what we’ve learned about making long flights work, both from our own experience and from conversations with other dog owners who regularly fly long distances with their pets.
Preparation Matters More
On a 2-hour flight, you can get away with minimal preparation. On a 7+ hour flight, every shortcut comes back to bite you.
Carrier training needs to be thorough. Your dog should be comfortable spending 4-5+ hours in their carrier at home before you attempt a long flight. If they start getting restless after 30 minutes in carrier training, they’re not ready for a transatlantic flight. Build up gradually — there’s no shortcut here.
Exercise before the flight becomes even more critical. We take Sami for an extra-long walk on long-haul flight days. The goal is complete physical exhaustion. A tired dog doesn’t just tolerate the carrier — they welcome it as a place to sleep.
The Potty Question
This is the number one concern for long flights, and rightfully so. On a short flight, most dogs hold it without issue. On a 7+ hour flight plus airport time, you’re asking your dog to go 10-13 hours without a bathroom break.
Here’s our strategy. We skip a meal 8-12 hours before the flight. For an afternoon flight, Sami skips breakfast. This means less digestive output and less urgency. We also limit water intake in the hours before check-in — enough to prevent dehydration, not enough to fill the bladder.
Right before check-in, we take Sami for a long walk outside the airport terminal. This is his last chance. We spend 30-40 minutes walking, encouraging him to do his business. After check-in, we’re committed.
Backup plan: training pads. I always pack at least two in my carry-on. If Sami absolutely needs to go during the flight, I can take him to the airplane bathroom, lay down a pad, and let him go there. In practice, he’s never needed it — he held it for the entire Lisbon-to-New York trip including the 2-hour customs line at JFK. But having the backup eliminates the anxiety of “what if?”
One thing to check: does your arrival airport have a pet relief area before immigration/customs? At some airports, the pet area is after you clear customs, which means your dog has to wait even longer. If possible, research this before you fly.
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Feeding on Long Flights
Don’t feed a full meal before a long flight. But don’t starve your dog either.
I pack Sami’s food in a ziplock bag and bring it through security. After check-in (and the weigh-in, if in Europe), I give him small portions throughout the day — a few pieces of kibble at the gate, a few more after takeoff, and small amounts when he seems hungry during the flight. The idea is to keep his stomach from being completely empty without creating digestive pressure.
High-value treats serve double duty: they distract from anxiety and help with ear pressure during takeoff and landing. A Kong stuffed with peanut butter can keep a dog occupied for 30-60 minutes on a long flight.
Water is essential. Cabin air is dry, and dehydration is a real risk on long flights. Offer small amounts of water from a travel bottle regularly. Not enough to fill the bladder uncomfortably, but enough to keep them hydrated.
Comfort Over Hours
What works for a 2-hour flight may not be enough for 7+ hours. Here’s what makes the difference.
Book a window seat. The under-seat space by the window tends to be slightly larger, and there’s less foot traffic from the aisle. Your dog will be less disturbed.
Make the carrier a den. Sami’s carrier has his blanket, his froggy pillow, and sometimes a t-shirt that smells like me. On a long flight, these familiar scents are what keep him settled for hours. Replace these items in the carrier during training so they’re associated with comfort and sleep.
Open the carrier when possible. Once the seatbelt sign is off, I unzip the front mesh panel partway. Sami can see out, get more air circulation, and I can reach in to pet him. Most flight attendants don’t mind as long as the dog stays inside. Be discreet.
Walk them during layovers. If your long trip involves a connection with a layover, use that time. Walk your dog around the terminal on leash. Let them stretch. Find a quiet area for a training pad. Even 20-30 minutes of walking during a 4-hour layover makes the next flight segment much easier.
Managing Anxiety Over Long Periods
Some dogs are fine for 2 hours but get restless at hour 4. If your dog tends toward anxiety, a long flight requires a strategy beyond just “tire them out.”
Natural calming supplements like CBD oil (vet-approved) can help take the edge off. Apply an adaptil spray to the carrier blanket before boarding. Bring multiple chew toys and treats to rotate through the flight — novelty helps maintain interest. And absolutely do not sedate your dog — the risks are amplified on longer flights at altitude.
For the complete anxiety management toolkit, see our guide to keeping your dog calm during a flight.
Book Direct When Possible
On short trips, a connection is just an inconvenience. On international long-haul trips with a dog, connections add significant stress. Every connection means more time in the carrier, more variables, and more opportunities for things to go wrong (canceled flights, missed connections, partner airline complications).
When we flew to New York, we specifically chose a direct flight for this reason. It cost more than a connecting option, but the simplicity was worth it. If direct isn’t available, choose the layover with the shortest practical connection time — long enough to walk the dog and handle any rebooking issues, short enough to not extend the total travel day beyond what’s reasonable.
For more on international pet travel logistics including documents and airline selection, see our dedicated guide. And for the Europe-to-US route specifically, see flying with your dog from Europe to the US.
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Long-haul flights with your dog are a marathon, not a sprint. The preparation takes more time, the in-flight management requires more attention, and the potty logistics need a real plan. But it’s absolutely doable — Sami slept through most of our 7-hour transatlantic flight, woke up for some treats, and went back to sleep. With the right preparation, your dog can do the same. For the full start-to-finish process, see our complete guide to flying with your dog in the cabin.
