Behind the Scenes: How Pet Travel Experts Coordinate Flights, Layovers & Transfers for Safe Pet Transport

When relocating or traveling internationally with your pet, there’s much more going on behind the scenes than simply booking a plane ticket. At Across The Pond Pets, our travel experts specialize in international pet transport services and the complex logistics of airline coordination—ensuring pets fly safely, comfortably, and in compliance with all regulations.

Visual guide: Key steps involved in coordinating safe, international pet travel.

Step-by-Step Coordination of Pet Flights

Coordinating pet flights requires more than selecting departure and arrival times. Our specialists consider:

• Best airline options for live animal cargo or in-cabin travel
• Time of year and climate conditions
• Shortest and most pet-friendly routing
• Pet breed restrictions and airline-specific policies

Whenever possible, we select direct flights. When that’s not feasible, we plan carefully for layovers in cities with excellent live animal handling services, like Frankfurt, Los Angeles, and Panama City. These transit hubs have facilities and trained staff that prioritize animal safety and comfort between flights.

Managing Airport-to-Airport Pet Transport

Each step of the journey—departure, layover, and arrival—must follow a specific process. Our team works closely with airline representatives, ground handling agents, and customs authorities to ensure:

• Proper crate labeling and documentation accompanies your pet
• Feeding and water instructions are clearly posted
• Arrival services are confirmed in advance, especially for international travel
• On-arrival health checks and customs inspections go smoothly

We coordinate arrival services to ensure pets are received and processed promptly, especially for unaccompanied transport. For international pet shipping, we also make sure all receiving parties—owners, handlers, or boarding facilities—are informed and ready.

Meeting Health Requirements for Departure & Entry

Each country has specific requirements for pet imports and exports. We ensure all veterinary documentation is:

• Accurate, complete, and USDA-endorsed where necessary
• Submitted on time and in the correct format
• Tailored for the destination country’s quarantine or entry rules

If a pet is returning to the U.S. or another country, our team verifies re-entry protocols, avoiding delays or denial of entry. Timing matters: many countries require health certificates to be issued within 10 days of travel. We use our Pet Travel Departure Checklist to make sure nothing is missed.

Layover Considerations & Expert Routing

Not all layovers are created equal. When pets must transit through another country, we:

• Choose layovers with specialized animal facilities
• Avoid extreme temperatures or overly long transit times
• Ensure pets are offloaded, fed, and checked during long waits
• Confirm all transit country veterinary requirements are met

Some of our preferred layover airports include:

• Frankfurt (FRA) – Excellent animal lounge and handling team
• Panama City (PTY) – Central hub for South American pet routing
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Familiar facilities for inbound and outbound pets
• Incheon (ICN) – South Korea's world-class transit hub with pet care experience
• Tokyo Narita (NRT) – Japan's pet transit procedures are efficient and regulated
• Doha (DOH) – Qatar’s Hamad Airport offers excellent animal handling services for long-haul routing

Don't leave your pet's travel to chance. Let our experts handle every detail, so you can focus on the exciting journey ahead.

Start Planning Your Pet’s Trip

Crate Preparation & Comfort on the Flight

Proper crate sizing is essential not just for comfort, but for airline acceptance. We make sure your pet’s travel crate:

• Meets IATA standards
• Has enough space for the pet to stand, turn, and lie down
• Includes absorbent padding and two water dishes

Use our Crate Size Guide to ensure the right fit before departure. Improper crates are one of the leading reasons pets are denied at check-in.

Real-Time Adjustments & Emergency Planning

Even the most well-planned pet itinerary can hit a snag—weather delays, paperwork issues, or airline changes. Our team provides:

• Real-time communication with airlines and airport staff
• On-the-spot rebooking in case of flight cancellations
• Contingency plans for layovers or extended stays
• 24/7 support during travel windows

Our experience means we know who to call, what to say, and how to protect your pet’s best interests in transit.

Why Work With a Pet Travel Expert?

Coordinating international or cross-country flights for pets is time-sensitive, paperwork-heavy, and deeply regulated. Working with Across The Pond Pets ensures:

• USDA-endorsed documentation is complete and accurate
• Arrival handlers are in place and briefed
• Flight routing is chosen with your pet’s comfort in mind
• You receive step-by-step guidance before, during, and after the trip

Whether you're relocating, adopting, or reuniting with family abroad, our mission is to make your pet’s journey as smooth and stress-free as possible—for both of you.

Ready to start planning? Visit our International Pet Shipping page or review the Departure Checklist to get started.