Flat faces, fewer flights: planning a move with a brachycephalic pet

Which pets count as brachycephalic

Brachycephalic means short-headed: the muzzle is pushed in, so the nose and airway are compressed. Familiar examples include bulldogs and French bulldogs, pugs, Boston terriers, boxers, shih tzus and Pekingese among dogs, and Persians, Himalayans and Exotic Shorthairs among cats. Mixes of these breeds are often included too.

Each airline publishes its own list, and the lists differ. A breed that one carrier accepts may be on another carrier's banned list, and some lists include breeds you might not think of as flat-faced. We check your pet's exact breed, and the breed written on its documents, against the airline's current list.

Why airlines restrict them

Airlines restrict these breeds because of the stress, heat and confinement that come with air travel, which can be harder on animals with compressed airways. This is a question for your veterinarian, who can assess your own pet's breathing and fitness to fly. Ask that question before you book anything.

What the restrictions look like in practice

Airline rules for snub-nosed pets tend to follow a few patterns:

• Full ban. Delta's pet shipping page states that brachycephalic (snub-nosed) dogs, cats and their mixes are not permitted on Delta or Delta Connection flights.
• Seasonal limits. Some carriers accept short-nosed breeds in the hold only during cooler months, or suspend them on certain routes.
• Mode limits. Some carriers refuse these breeds in the hold but may accept a small one in the cabin if it meets the cabin size limits; others refuse them in every mode.
• Route limits. Restrictions can be stricter on itineraries that touch hot regions, including parts of Southeast Asia.

Because these rules change and vary by carrier, we confirm the current policy for your pet's breed, the route and the travel dates directly from the airline before booking. Never rely on a forum post or an old article, including this one, for a specific carrier's list.

A bigger crate, and better ventilation

IATA's sizing guide says snub-nosed breeds require a container 10% larger than the standard formula (IATA Traveler's Pet Corner). Measure carefully using our IATA crate guide, then add the margin. Crate training matters even more for these pets: a calm animal in a familiar crate is the goal.

Timing the move around the weather

Heat is the biggest practical constraint. Airlines set temperature limits for pets: Delta, for example, does not ship pets when ground temperatures exceed 80°F (27°C) or fall below 20°F (-7°C). Some routes close to pets for whole seasons: China Airlines does not carry pets between Taipei and Phoenix from April 1 to October 31.

For a flat-faced pet, a winter move often keeps more options open. If your work start date is in summer, it can make sense for the pet to follow later, once an accepted route and season line up.

No sedatives on travel day

It may seem kind to sedate an anxious bulldog. IATA continues to endorse recommendations not to sedate or tranquilize animals in transit unless a veterinarian directs it for valid medical reasons, and Delta does not permit the sedation of household dogs and cats for its pet shipments. Talk to your veterinarian about calm-travel preparation instead.

Do not forget the destination's own breed rules

Airline breed lists and government breed lists are separate. Singapore, for example, bans several dog breeds and their crosses, including pit bull types and American bulldogs, on its import page. Some breeds appear on both kinds of lists. Check both before you plan. Our destination guides cover each country's rules.