Flights for Furry Friends

It seems that travel is becoming more and more pet-friendly. You no longer have to leave Fido the dog and Felix the cat at home when you travel.

But be prepared to pay a hefty price to do so.

Airlines have been raising their fees for flying with pets. Owners with small pets (like a cat or small dog) can expect to pay about $70 to $125 each way. Flying with your large pet can cost upwards of $500 round-trip. And those are just domestic flights. Expect to pay much more for international flights.

Be sure to check each airline's policy on pets. Some airlines do not allow snub-nosed pets like pugs in cargo because they are sensitive to heat. And depending on the ground temperature where you're flying (over 85 degrees or under 20 degrees), your pet may not be eligible for cargo regardless of breed or nose type.

Don't be mistaken, many airlines are taking steps to become more pet-friendly. JetBlue created a frequent flier program for the 80,000 or so pets a year that travel with them. Delta, Southwest and Air Canada have lowered their fees for flying with pets on board.

Here are several tips to keep in mind when traveling with your pet:

• Only a select number of pets are allowed on each flight, book early to ensure a "seat" for Rover.
• Opt for non-stop flights if possible. This decreased the stress on both you, and your pets and lessens the possibility of your pet becoming "lost luggage".
• Avoid travel during periods of extreme temperatures. If you must travel in the summer, try to do so early in the morning, when temperatures are cooler.
• To avoid "accidents" feed your pet about four hours prior to flight time. Allow your pet water right up until flight time, but make sure you give your pet a chance to go to the bathroom before boarding.
• Make sure your pet's carrier is clearly marked. Write your pets name, your name, phone number, address, email address, destination, and destination contact information on the pets carrier. Attach a luggage tag containing this same information if you'd like. Also make sure your pet is wearing identification should something happen to your pet carrier. In case of any mishaps, you want the airline to be able to contact you as efficiently as possible.

Finally, keep in mind that if your pet gets nervous travelling by car, he or she will certainly be nervous about an airplane. If you question at all whether or not your pet will be able to handle the stress of flying, leave them at home, with a sitter, or at a kennel.