There are few Airlines That Allow Lizards or Reptiles on Board either in the cabin or in cargo luggage. Can you imagine someone bringing a live Lizard on the airplane? Or maybe some other reptile you might not have even heard of? Scary Right. But in reality, it isn’t actually.
Several individuals across their own world reptiles as pets and love taking them along everywhere (quite literally). And since airlines allow travelling with your scaly friend, ditching the long road route and catching up on a flight seems more convenient to pet owners.
Pet Reptiles, including Lizards, aren’t really life-threatening. Since they bond well with humans having them around is safe (until you are planning to attack first). And with that, even having them on a flight is safe and sound, of course, with all the necessary precautions. Reptiles are cold-blooded animals, and all they need is heat to survive. So, while the airplane has heat regulation, you are good to go, though if it has AC on, you might need to prepare well beforehand.
But do airlines actually allow travelling with a reptile? Come let’s find out all about it.
Can reptiles travel In Cabin or Cargo?
Can you travel with your bearded dragon on a plane? Whether you are flying for work, planning for a vacation, or moving from the city, you can take your bearded dragon or other pet reptiles into an airplane. Though no reptiles are allowed inside the Cabin, some airlines allow them as baggage or as cargo.
List of Airlines allow travelling with Pet Reptiles
While travelling with pet cats and dogs is quite common, bringing a reptile in a flight isn’t that widespread. Across the world, there are only a few airlines that allow reptiles on board. Even though when they readily adapt to temperature shifts bringing them on flights comes with a hell of a lot of rules, regulations, and government policies.
Have a look at airlines that allow reptiles on flight and their ‘Rules, Regulations, Policies and Price’.
AEGEAN AIRLINES
Aegean Airlines allow transporting reptiles ‘IN HOLD’. As long as the flight is up to 3 hours long, passengers can bring up to 5 lizards.
For pets in the hold, the carrier/ cage must not cross the size limitation above 60 cm x 45 cm x 40 cm and weight limitation up to 13 lbs (both crate and animal).
Though if the passenger fails to bring an appropriate carrier, the airlines provide it at the airport (paid). The price of transportation is $105 to $190 (for international travel) and $45 to $100 (for domestic travel).
NOTE: Reptiles are only allowed in Airbus 319, 320, and 321 aircraft.
AIR EUROPA
Air Europe allows transporting reptiles ‘IN HOLD and IN CARGO’. A passenger can carry one lizard per container or a maximum of two/ three if they can cohabit with the same species, and are of similar size. In total, 5 lizards per passenger.
The carrier/ cage must not cross the size limitation above 406cm (sum) total and weight up to 17lbs (both crate and animal).
The price of transportation is $99.2 (for Mainland, Canary Islands, and the Balearic Islands), $110.2 (for Europe, Canary Islands, and Africa), $264.6 (for long haul flights), and $22.5 (for Inter-Canary and Balearic Routes).
NOTE: Air Europe does not accept Wire mesh or welded mesh containers; thus, be cautious.
AMERICAN AIRLINES
American Airlines allows transporting reptiles ‘IN CARGO’. A passenger can carry one or multiple lizards depending upon their species.
The carrier/ cage must not cross the size limitation above 48cm x 32cm x 35cm and weight of up to 51lbs(including that of pets). The price of transportation depends upon the route you are travelling and the aircraft.
NOTE: Airbus 319, 320, 321, 321E, 321H, 321S, 321X, 32Q and 32B does not transport animals.
WESTJET AIRLINES
WestJet Airlines allow transporting reptiles ‘IN CARGO’. A passenger can carry one lizard per container or a maximum of two if they are used to cohabiting, of the same species, and are of similar size. Any lizard weighing over 30.8 lbs won’t be allowed in the aircraft by any means.
The carrier/ cage must not cross the size limitation above 100cm x 68cm x 76 cm and weight of up to 160 lbs (including that of pets).
The price of transportation is $100 each way (it may fluctuate depending upon the route and the number of reptiles a passenger is carrying).
NOTE: There are restrictions on pet travel in regions (Destination) with extreme heat and cold. Also, pets, including animals, reptiles, and birds, can’t travel during the holiday season.
For shipping lizards with WestJet Airlines as Cargo, passengers need to book well in advance.
ALASKA AIRLINES
Alaska Airlines allows transporting non-poisonous reptiles ‘IN CARGO’. The number of reptiles a passenger can carry depends upon the aircraft as well as the moving and arriving destination. The exact details can be found at the Alaska Air Cargo service center at 1-800-225-2752.
The carrier/ cage must not cross the size limitation above 76 cm x 68 cm x 101 cm and weight of up to 150lbs(including that of pets).
The price of transportation is $100 each way (it may fluctuate depending upon the route and the number of reptiles a passenger is carrying).
Caution: For travelling on any airline, the crate must be made of material approved in the IATA Live Animal Regulations. Kennels with wire roofs and plastic doors are not allowed.
How to transport a reptile in a plane? Since reptiles are cold-blooded animals, travelling with them requires some extra precautions and effort. For individuals who are planning to air travel with their reptiles, the tips below might prove of some help. Have a look:
Preparing a reptile for a flight travel
The reptile’s travel cage must be somewhere between its warm and cold zone. For example, a crate for leopard Gecko must have a temperature regulation of around 27ºC, whereas, for bearded dragons, it must be around 32ºC.
During a short 2 to 3 hours journey, your pet reptile will do good even with temperature fluctuations; however, temperature regulation is a must during long flights.
NOTE: Be extra cautious while taking your pet reptile from a cold/ warm destination to another warm/cold destination. Especially when the temperature is changing drastically, prepare accordingly.
Airline-Specific Guidelines
Taking your pet reptile on a flight comes with a lot of rules and regulations. For example, several airlines do not allow poisonous reptiles either inside the cabin or in the cargo.
Also, a veterinarian-approved health certificate is mandatory with any type of animal/ reptile you are travelling.
How to keep a lizard calm and warm for travel?
Lizards, though, aren’t very attention seekers but keeping them calm and relaxed during a flight is necessary. Also, since they do not like many people around, the owner comes at a high responsibility.
Here are a few things you can do to calm and warm your pet lizard during any type of travel:
- First, add plenty of bedding into your lizard’s travelling crate.
- Second, use microwaveable heat packs or hand warmers for maintaining heat.
- Third, put the lizard into a pillow cover, hand glove, or socks for added comfort.
- Finally, put a secure lid on your lizard’s container.
- Use a small container rather than a large one and line it with something rough. This will help the lizard to hold a grip.
- Minimize relocation stress by making your lizard crate habitual. Also, begin with short drives before an actual long drive or flight.
Wrapping up…
There are only a few airlines in the world that allow reptiles on board. However, none of them allows bringing them in a cabin since it can prove dangerous for both reptiles and humans.
Besides knowing that all do check whether your destination city/state allows bringing reptiles. If yes, do check for the restricted reptiles there. This will help you from getting into trouble right after you land.