Flying Rats

Photo by Dawn Kozak

Have you ever wanted to be able to take your rat on a plane with you? Well, there are some airlines which allow your pet to travel with you in an underseat carrier, and others which allow you to ship your rat as cargo. Their rules and prices vary, but here are some which have flown rats, or have said they would allow rats on board if their conditions are met.

• Alaska Air is a companion company to Horizon Air. Rats may be accepted as baggage or cargo, but not as carry-on baggage. A health certificate issued within 30 days is required if crossing state lines.

• Ansett in Austrailia will fly rats. I'm not sure if they allow them as carry-on baggage, though. I didn't see any information regarding pets on their web site.

• American Airlines- no rats. (updated November 2004)

• America West will accept a maximum of three animals per flight. Your rat must also have a certificate of health signed by a veterinarian. This information came from someone who took rats as carry-on baggage. To fly two rats from California to Colorado in 1997 cost US$50.

• Delta Airlines will allow 2 rats in one carrier per person as carry-on baggage. They also ship rats as cargo. In 1996 it cost US$50 per carrier to transport animals from California to Massachusetts. A health certificate for the animals is also required. I haven't located any information about pets on their web site yet. Delta does not allow transport of rats as carry-on, but only as checked baggage. (updated January 2004)

  Looks like Delta only does cargo- separate- you have to drop off the rat at the cargo building- it is $168 to ship a box of rats. Phone is 1-888-736-3738. Rules: ship in container that is hard and not collapsable- ventilations holes- use mesh over holes if the holes are big. Don't need health certificate. Just give 24 hours advance reservations but not more than 7 days. Show up 2 hours prior to flight to check in the rats at the cargo building. (updated November 2004)

• Delta Dash is Delta Airlines' Air Cargo service, and has been used to ship rats.

• Horizon Air is a companion company to Alaska Air. Rats may be accepted as baggage, cargo, or as carry-on baggage. A health certificate issued within 30 days is required if crossing state lines. Horizon Air operates in the north western area of the United States.

• Finnair has been used to ship rats.

• Finnaviation has been used to ship rats.

• KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will transport rats internationally. In 1997, to send a rat from South Africa to Minnesota with a one-night stopover at a pet hotel in Amsterdam cost R1200, or US$240. The rat arrived in Minnesota in fine condition with no signs of stress. There is information on shipping pets on their web site, but the nature of their frames wouldn't let me link directly to it.

• Qantas in Austrailia will fly rats. I'm not sure if they allow them as carry-on baggage, though. I didn't see any information regarding pets on their web site.

• United Airlines will allow you to travel with rats. Search for "pets" on their site to find details about taking pets. Check directly with the airline to find out if rats are allowed as carry-on baggage or if they must be shipped as cargo/baggage. They require a health certificate. As of this update, United said no rats- but the lady didn't seem to know what she was talking about. (updated November 2004)

Always carefully check that the care that will be given to your pet is satisfactory to you before entrusting it to anyone else's care. If you send your pet as baggage or cargo, remember that the carrier will be outside on the runway when being loaded and unloaded. The weather conditions at both ends of the flight can greatly affect your pets' well being.

If you know of other airlines, anywhere in the world, which will fly rats, please let me know. The more information on their conditions that you can provide the better, but just the name of the airline would be a big help too. Contact me at