Flying with pets by helicopter: what to know before you book

Key points

• Tell us about the pet when you request a quote. A pet is a passenger for weight and balance, along with its carrier.
• Carriers or harnesses keep the animal and the other passengers safe. We will tell you what suits the aircraft.
• Noise and vibration can unsettle animals. A calm pet on a short flight is the easy case.
• Pets travelling abroad need to meet the rules of the country they enter and the UK on return.
• For long-distance pet transport, our sister site Pet Friendly Flights specialises in it.

Can I take my dog on a helicopter charter?

Often, yes. Dogs are the commonest request. Small dogs in a carrier fit easily, and larger dogs may travel on the floor or a seat with a harness, depending on the aircraft. We confirm the arrangement with the aircraft company before we quote.

It has to be agreed in advance because the crew need to plan the cabin. A shooting party with spaniels, a family moving a dog to a country house or a client who never travels without a terrier all fit the pattern. Our shooting season guide covers working dogs in the cabin.

What do we need to know about your pet?

Give us the species, breed, size and weight, whether the animal is used to travel, how it reacts to loud noise and whether it will travel in a carrier or on a harness. Also tell us about any health conditions. Weight counts: an animal and its carrier add to the total, and a large dog can change the aircraft we recommend. The article on passenger weight and luggage explains why.

If the pet is nervous, say so. We cannot promise a calm flight, but we can recommend preparation and a suitable seat.

How do I prepare my pet?

• Get the animal used to its carrier or harness at home before the day.
• Exercise it before departure and offer water, but avoid a large meal just before flying.
• Bring a familiar blanket or toy and a towel for accidents.
• Take a lead and a collar with identification.
• Keep the animal calm while the helicopter starts and stops; the rotor is loud and the crew will guide you.
• Ask your vet for advice about anxious animals. We cannot advise on medication.

Noise is the main issue. Helicopter cabins are loud without a headset, and animals do not wear one, so a short flight is kinder than a long one for a sensitive pet.

What about pets flying abroad?

Taking a pet abroad has its own rules. The destination country sets entry requirements, and the UK sets rules for return. These change, so check the current position on the GOV.UK page for taking your pet abroad and with the destination's authorities.

For flights where pets are the main passengers, including long-distance moves, our sister site Pet Friendly Flights arranges flights built around the animal. We link the two services where a pet journey includes a helicopter leg.

Which pets travel best?

Flying with pets by helicopter suits some animals better than others. Calm, medium-sized dogs used to cars usually cope well. Small dogs and cats in secure carriers are easy to seat. Very anxious animals, puppies who have never travelled and elderly pets with health problems need more thought, and sometimes a car is kinder than a flight. We will tell you honestly.

Working dogs, such as gundogs, are used to noise and handle well, and the aircraft floor is often the best place for them with a mat. Large breeds can be harder, since weight and space matter. Birds, rabbits and exotic animals need more caution, and cases vary, so ask. The key principle is that the animal's welfare comes first, and the crew may decline a pet if they are not satisfied it is safe in the cabin.

Before you book, read our general guides: the first-time passenger guide for what the cabin is like, and the quote checklist for what to tell us.

What should I bring for the pet on the day?

Bring the essentials in a small bag: a lead and collar with identification, a towel, a bowl and a little water, waste bags and a familiar blanket. Carry any medication and the vet's number. If your pet is travelling abroad, carry the paperwork the destination requires, and keep it with your passports. Do not bring toys with squeakers or anything that could become loose in flight. Tell the crew about any habit that matters, such as a dog that startles at engine noise or a cat that panics in a carrier. Everything you tell us makes the flight calmer for the animal and for you.

What happens on the day?

Arrive about 10 minutes before departure. The crew will meet you, explain where the animal will sit and help load the carrier. Keep a firm hold of the lead near the aircraft and never let a pet run toward the rotors. After landing, wait for the crew to tell you when to leave the aircraft. A towel and water at the other end help the animal settle.

Weather applies to pet flights as it does to others, and if the flight is cancelled because of the weather, you pay nothing. For the full picture see what happens on the day of a helicopter charter. Request a quote and tell us about your pet.