‍All you need to know about flying with your pet | Pet-friendly airline Malaysia

Thinking of traveling the world with your furbabies? Here’s what you need to do and prepare to travel with Malaysia Airlines – a pet-friendly airline. 

Pet Policy for Malaysia Airlines

Before flying, here are the rules and regulations that paw parents need to abide by.

1. What kinds of transportation does Malaysia Airlines offer?‍

In a temperature- and pressure-controlled compartment of your flight as checked luggage.

2. Can I check my pet in as checked baggage?‍

Pets that match the requirements below are allowed to travel as checked baggage:

• There can only be domesticated animals, like cats, dogs, and fish.
• The crate must meet all requirements 
• Documents needed to travel to your destination

3. What are the costs involved with transporting pets?‍

Fees are depending on weight and are comparable to excess baggage fees. Rates and tariffs for the import and export of animals are as below: 

 For further information, you may get in touch with Malaysia Airlines directly.

4. What specifications apply to the crate?‍

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Malaysia Airlines demand that the crate meet the following criteria in addition to the size and weight limits:

• Your pets must be able to stand, turn around, and lay comfortably inside the pet crate. For most airlines that allow brachycephalic breeds (snub-nosed dogs) to fly in cargo, they will need a size larger than usual. 
• Fiberglass, metal, stiff plastics, welded metal mesh, solid wood, or plywood must be used to make the crate (note that not all airlines will accept crates made of wood, e.g. Air France and KLM)
• On the long side of the crate, there must be handles or space bars for handling.
• The door of the container must have a reliable, spring-loaded locking system that extends at least 1.6 cm (5/8 in) over the door's horizontal extrusions above and below. A pet cannot bend doors; they must be made of hard plastic, a metal that has been cast or welded, or both. To prevent your pet from suffering any harm, the door needs to be paw- and nose-proof.
• Bowls for food and water both need to be fastened to the inside of the front door and refilled from the outside of the crate without opening the entrance. Filling water bowls is made simpler for airport personnel by little funnels that are cable-tied to the entrance. Food can be placed in a plastic bag and attached to the crate's top.
• A minimum of two sides (domestic flights) and a maximum of four sides of the container must be ventilated (international flights). The apertures must be at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter and spaced 4 inches (10 cm) apart from center to center over the upper two-thirds of the opposing end and the remaining two sides.
• The container must have directional stickers and LIVE ANIMAL STICKERS written on the top and sides in letters that are at least one inch tall. 
• The name of the pet and the owner's contact information must be written on the container. The most effective way to do this is to use duct tape or other strong tapes to secure your pet's information to the outside of the crate.

5. What documents are needed?‍

• Medical Certificate

1. All pets entering or departing Malaysia must have an original certificate from a private or government veterinarian confirming that "the pet is healthy and free from any contagious or infectious disease at the time of inspection." You should be aware that certification is only valid for seven days.

• Import Permit

1. Obtained from the Malaysian Department of Veterinary Services, and faxed over to the country of origin

• Export Permit

1. Obtained from the country of origin

6. Pet Quarantine

If you are traveling to Malaysia, the government requires the pet to be quarantined. Unless your pet is traveling from Ireland, Brunei Darussalam, Japan, Singapore, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom, dogs and cats must stay in quarantine for at least seven days.
If no signs of illness are identified, your pet will be released from confinement. The quarantine period may be extended to six months if needed. Do take note that arrangements for quarantine must be made in advance.

7. What are the breed restrictions?

The following pets will not be transported: 

• Affenpinscher 
• Akita
• American Bulldog
• Bordeaux Mastiff
• Boston Terrier
• Boxer
• Brussels Griffon 
• Bulldog 
• Bull Mastiff 
• Cane Corso 
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 
• Chihuahua 
• Chow Chow 
• Dogo Argentino 
• English Mastiff
• English Toy Spaniel 
• Fila Brasileiro
• French Bulldog
• Japanese Chin
• Lhasa Apso
• Mastiff
• Pekinese 
• Pit Bull
• Presa Canario 
• Pug 
• Shih Tzu
• Spaniels 
• Terriers 
• Tosa

Pet Passport

Introduced in 2010, a pet passport is a small booklet that contains all the paperwork needed to bring a pet into Malaysia and back out again. This paperwork must be presented to customs officers in order for them to clear your pet when you travel. A pet passport essentially serves as proof that your pet is in good enough health to travel. 
With a Pet Passport for Malaysia, your pet won't often have to endure a protracted quarantine period. In general, the Director General of Veterinary Services or the Director of the State Veterinary Department will issue your pet with a microchip, rabies vaccination, parasite treatment, health certificate, and import license.
Learn more about pet passport guide here.

What To Prepare Before Flying?

Traveling may be both enjoyable and stressful. Even for something as peaceful as a vacation, there is a lot to prepare and plan ahead of time. The pressure is even higher when you are traveling with your pet. It's more complicated than just packing an additional bag to fly with a pet. Prior to arriving at the airport, you need to make special preparations for a flight involving animals. It could cause a lot of worry for both you and your pet.
You can perform as much research as possible ahead of time so that you can feel comfortable that everything is in order. Here’s what you should know about traveling with your furry babies. 

1. Schedule a visit to your vet

When traveling with a pet, the first thing to do is make a vet appointment. You should make sure your pet is healthy enough to fly. Make a second appointment not far from your departure date if your veterinarian gives you the all-clear to go. 
To find out what paperwork you'll need, consult the airline and state veterinarian where you're going. Airlines frequently demand a health certificate that was issued at most 10 days prior to your journey.
Planning your vet visits well in advance of your travel will help ensure that the necessary documentation and immunizations are completed, which may need many trips.
‍Immunizations, Certificates, and Tests: Some nations may need bloodwork, rabies certificates, and particular vaccinations up to 6 months before departure. Because authorities may need to quarantine your pet upon arrival, breaking these guidelines could result in separation from your pet in your destination country.
‍Medicine and flea prevention: If your pet has to be on any medication, special food, or flea and tick prevention, be sure to receive enough from your veterinarian to last the duration of the trip and a few weeks after.
‍Stress Reduction: In addition to any necessary blood tests, vaccines, medications, and paperwork, your veterinarian can also provide you with information on therapies that may lessen the stress of traveling with your pet. For instance, having your pet's microchip implanted may allay worries about leaving home and losing your pet. If your pet is prone to anxiety, it may also be a good idea to consult your veterinarian about sedative options during the journey.
Learn more about microchipping here.

2. Book in advance

Booking early will ensure that you receive the trip of your choice because airlines only allow a certain number of dogs per flight. Make your bookings well in advance, especially if you plan to travel overseas or with your pet in cargo since the necessary preparations might take months.

3. Rehearse with your pet

If your pet has never traveled a large distance, start off by taking them on small drives and gradually extending the distance. To help them get acclimated to it more quickly, make sure to always put them in their carrier. Take them for a stroll around the airport to familiarise them with the sights, sounds, and scents of the airport. Reward your pet for good conduct and speak to them in a soothing manner.

4. Buy the right crate

Make sure the shipping crate you purchase for your pet has IATA approval. Your pet should be able to sit, stand, and turn around comfortably in any crate or carrier. It must be stable enough to stay put as the car or plane accelerates or decelerates.

5. Make the crate comfy

Flying can be unpleasant for your pet due to crowded airports, pressurized planes, and unexpected noises. What can you do is provide some of your pet's favorite items, such as a blanket, a cherished toy, a miniature bed or pillow, and a shirt bearing your smell, to help him unwind. Additionally, make the carrier look as lovely as you can before you depart. Many animals flee and hide when they see their carrier emerge. Pawrents must make them feel at ease and encourage them to view it as a small getaway where they may unwind.

Learn about the pet policy of your airline

The different airlines have different pet policies. Hence, it is very crucial for pawrents who wish to fly with their pets to study and learn about pet policy for the chosen airline. 
The majority of airlines have separate websites that outline their pet regulations and how to book an in-cabin or cargo shipment. Here are some links to pages with particular airline information about taking dogs along for the ride:

• Delta Air Lines: Delta Pet Policy and Other Information
• American Airlines: American Airlines Pet Travel Information and Policies
• United Airlines: United Airlines Travel for Pets Information
• JetBlue Airways: JetPaws Program
• Southwest Airlines: Southwest Pet Policy 
• Spirit Airlines: Spirit Rules for Pets Onboard
• Malaysia Airlines: Pets Regulations

Is Pet Insurance required for traveling?

Pet insurance is not required if you wish to travel with your pet. However, at Oyen Pet Insurance, we'll provide your pet with a complimentary microchip service if you purchase our Dog Plus or Dog Champion insurance plan. As the microchipping of your pet is a necessity for the application, this can be useful to you as you go through the process of applying for a pet passport.