When planning air travel with your furry companion, it’s essential to understand the airline’s policies to ensure a smooth journey. Traveling with pets requires proper planning and awareness of the airline’s rules regarding pet accommodations, carrier requirements, and fees. Sun Country Airlines allows passengers to bring their cats and dogs on select domestic flights within the 48 contiguous United States, providing a convenient option for those who wish to travel with their pets.
However, there are important conditions to consider, such as size restrictions for pets, carrier specifications, and limited availability on flights. Knowing these details beforehand will help you avoid any surprises at the airport and ensure a comfortable and safe flight for both you and your pet.
Sun Country Pet Policy for Carry-ons
Sun Country Airlines permits small cats and dogs to travel as carry-on baggage. However, certain conditions must be met:
- Advance Reservations
- Sun Country recommends making an advance conditional reservation for your pet through Sun Country Reservations.
- A non-refundable fee of $75 is charged for these advance bookings.
- Advance reservations are strongly encouraged as the number of pets allowed per flight is limited.
- Walk-Up Requests
- If you do not reserve beforehand, walk-up requests may still be accommodated.
- A non-refundable fee of $100 applies to walk-up requests.
- Approval for walk-up requests depends on the availability of space, as there is a limit of six pets per aircraft.
- Important Limitations
- The policy applies only to flights within the 48 contiguous United States.
- These requirements do not extend to service animals, which are governed by a separate policy.
Eligibility for Carrying Pets on Sun Country Flights
- Domestic Travel Only:
Pets are permitted on flights within the 48 contiguous United States.
- Not Accepted on Certain Flights:
Pets are not allowed on international flights or flights to/from Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Pet Carrier Requirements on Sun Country Airlines
To ensure your pet’s comfort and safety, Sun Country has specific requirements for pet carriers:
- Size Limitations: The carrier must not exceed 16 inches x 10 inches x 8 inches and must fit under the seat in front of you.
- Design:
- Carriers must be hard-sided or soft-sided, with soft-sided carriers being highly recommended.
- The bottom of the carrier must be leak-proof.
- Carriers must have proper ventilation.
- One Pet Per Carrier: Each carrier is limited to one pet, and pets must remain inside the carrier at all times during the flight.
Seating and Reservation Guidelines
Seating Restrictions
- Travelers with pets cannot sit in bulkhead or exit row seats.
- A middle seat is recommended for more under-seat space.
Reservations
- Advance Reservations: It is highly recommended to book your pet’s travel in advance by contacting Sun Country Reservations.
- Walk-Up Requests: If space is available (maximum of six pets per flight), walk-up requests may be accommodated on the day of travel.
Sun Country Airlines Pet Policy for Service Animals
Sun Country Airlines welcomes qualified service animals to accompany passengers with disabilities. According to the airline’s policy, a service animal is defined as a dog irrespective of the breed that is specifically trained to perform tasks or work that benefit an individual with a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. These service animals are allowed to travel with the person they are trained to assist, ensuring the comfort and safety of both the traveler and their animal.
Sun Country Airlines Service Animal Requirements
To ensure a smooth journey for both passengers and service animals, Sun Country outlines several key requirements:
- Size and Behavior: The service animal must fit within the footprint of the passenger’s seat or personal space. It should remain harnessed, leashed, or tethered at all times, both at the airport and onboard. The animal must behave appropriately; disruptive behavior such as excessive barking or aggression will not be accepted. Under such circumstances, the service animals won’t be allowed to board the flight.
- Age and Limitations: Service animals must be at least four months old, and only two service dogs are allowed per guest. Animals must not obstruct aisles or emergency exits, and they may not sit on a tray table or occupy a seat. If you are carrying a service animal undergoing training, then it isn’t eligible to board a Sun Country flight. Small service animals can sit on the owner’s lap, provided that is done safely with proper precautions.
- Travel Restrictions: Service animals are accepted on domestic flights within the 48 contiguous U.S. However, passengers traveling internationally or to destinations such as Hawaii may face specific restrictions or be required to meet additional health and quarantine requirements.
Documentation and Reservation Process
Traveling with a service animal requires proper documentation:
- DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form: Passengers must complete the U.S. Department of Transportation’s form and submit it through the Open Doors Organization (ODO) portal. It’s recommended to start the process soon after booking, allowing enough time for approval and necessary documentation updates.
- Additional Documentation for International Travel: For international travel, particularly to countries like the Dominican Republic, Belize, or Honduras, additional requirements may apply. Ensure that the animal’s health records, including rabies vaccinations and microchip information, are up to date. To fill out the DOT form completely you will also need some important data like the vet’s name, contact details, date the rabies vaccination was given alongside the expiration date.
The name of the trainer or organization where your dog was trained and the contact number should also be provided. You may either fill out the form online or take a printout of the form and submit it at the airport to the Sun Country representatives.
You must arrive early so that there is enough time to process your papers. You must also note that for flights to Honduras, Belize, and the Dominican Republic, processing papers isn’t possible. You should apply online.
Sun Country does not charge a fee for service animals that are individually trained to perform specific tasks for passengers with disabilities.
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Important Travel Considerations
- Advance Planning: It’s essential to research the specific travel requirements for your destination, as certain locations have unique rules regarding the travel of service animals. For instance, Hawaii has stringent regulations and may require animal quarantine.
- No Service Animals in Training: Sun Country does not accept service animals in training.
By adhering to these policies, passengers with service animals can ensure a smooth and comfortable flight experience. For more details on service animal travel, passengers can visit Sun Country’s official website or contact their customer service for further assistance.
Conclusion
Sun Country Airlines’ pet policy is straightforward and structured for the convenience of travelers. Passengers can bring pets and service animals on select domestic flights, with specific requirements for carriers, fees, and documentation. The airline ensures safety and comfort for both travelers and their animals by outlining clear guidelines on pet size, behavior, and reservations.
By understanding and adhering to these policies, passengers can enjoy a hassle-free travel experience, ensuring that both they and their furry companions are well-prepared for the journey ahead. Always check the latest guidelines for the most accurate information.
FAQs
Yes, small dogs and cats can travel within the 48 contiguous U.S. on select flights. Pets must stay in an approved carrier under the seat, and fees apply. International flights don’t allow pets. The same applies to flights to/from Hawaii, Alaska, the US Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.
The carrier must be no larger than 16 inches x 10 inches x 8 inches and must fit under the seat in front of you. It must be leak-proof, well-ventilated, and accommodate only one pet at a time.
The fee is $75 per direction for an advance reservation, and $100 per direction for walk-up requests, if space allows. Fees are non-refundable, and only one pet per ticketed passenger is allowed.
Yes, qualified service animals can travel at no charge, provided they are individually trained to assist with a disability. Documentation and certain health requirements are necessary, especially for international travel.
Service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered at all times and cannot occupy a seat or obstruct aisles. Only two service dogs per passenger are allowed, and they must behave appropriately throughout the flight.
Sun Country Airlines does not allow pets to occupy a seat. Pets must remain in their carrier under the seat in front of you. Only one pet is allowed per ticketed passenger.
You can contact the Sun Country reservation team and they will assist you with reserving your pet onboard.
Sun Country accepts only dogs as service animals on board to assist individuals with physical, mental, pshychiatry, or intellectual disability.
Service dogs can travel on a Sun Country flight if they’ve met the eligibility criteria free of any charge.
You can travel with your service animals throughout the (48) contiguous United States. So ensure that you do prior research regarding the state you are traveling to and also have all the required documents at hand to save yourself from any inconvenience.