Going on a plane trip with your dog or cat can be an incredible adventure. If you plan to take a flight offered by Air Panama with your animal, be it a dog or cat, you must purchase travel assistance in advance. For this, the Panamanian airline invites you to make a reservation by telephone in advance (call +507.316.9000). Preferably, contact your airline operator’s reservations department 48 hours before departure to give the flight crew enough time to organize and provide all the necessary amenities your pet needs during the journey.
Ask about documentation in order
Although Air Panama’s regulations governing the transport of pets are simple, those applied by the country of destination can be more complicated.
It is therefore important that before leaving for the airport with your pet, you find out about the administrative requirements that you must meet.
Required documents for air travel with a dog or cat
In general, you must present:
– Vaccination record or document indicating that the animal has been vaccinated against rabies (from the age of three months) by a recognized laboratory and presenting the official certificate of an approved veterinarian. The card should include: vaccine name, laboratory, lot number, requisition and expiry date.
– Perform internal and external deworming. It must include: name of the dewormer, laboratory, dose, expiry date and date of application.
– If requested by the country to which they will travel, a document indicating the number of the microchip, the date of application or reading, as well as the data of the owner of the animal. This chip functions as an international unique identification system and is applied by injection.
– A health certificate from a veterinarian issued by the Professional Council/College is required.
Your pet must travel in a suitable container
One of the most important things when traveling with pets on an airplane is to choose a carrier that is suitable, comfortable for your pet and, at the same time, compliant with the regulations of the airline with which you are going to travel. Once you have your ticket, check the airline’s requirements, as they are usually demanding to meet.
Dogs over 8 kilos with the cage must be transported in the hold. In the case of cats, Air Panama can accept in the cabin cats that weigh more than 8 kilos including the weight of the cage.
Your pet must wear a collar, muzzle or leash
Regardless of whether or not your dog belongs to animals classified as potentially dangerous, Air Panama regulations indicate that whenever they are in the cabin, they must wear a leash and a muzzle.
A few tips for traveling with your pet, whether in the cabin or in the hold:
– If they are traveling in the cabin, they will surely request a flexible or semi-flexible carrier, but they must pay close attention to the measurements of the airline. It is also important that the bag has good ventilation, is comfortable inside, so that the animal has enough space to stand up, lie down and turn around.
– If your animal is traveling in the hold, there are also dimensions and materials to respect, but it is generally a little easier since these measures are regulated by IATA and these carriers are generally already provided with a seal of approval under this regulation.
Also, always but always check these measures as many times as necessary to travel peacefully and not have any surprises on the day of the trip. To travel in the hold, we advise you to clearly identify the carrier: surname, first name, contact telephone number, email and even the name of the animal.
Protect your pet during your stay: Take out travel insurance
Pets are part of the family of all travelers, they are one more member. For this reason, it is important that during your vacation you can rest easy knowing that your best companions are in good hands.
Travel insurance for pets covers the cost of necessary veterinary care, such as consultations, medication, diagnostic tests or surgery in the event of an accident and/or non-pre-existing illness, provided that it it is a verifiable emergency. In addition, it also covers the necessary administrative procedures and repatriation costs, in the event of the death of the animal.