See how pets are transported on commercial airlines as animals increasingly accompany customers on vacation

• Airlines like Delta, American, Hawaiian, and Alaska offer pet shipping via cargo in the belly of aircraft.

• According to US DOT data, less than .01% of pets were harmed in the cargo hold of commercial planes in 2021.

• Cargo handlers offer advice on how owners can keep pets safe and comfortable during their journey.

Flying with a pet can be stressful, especially when they do not fit in the cabin and owners are forced to check them into cargo.

Source: Department of Transportation

While it may be worrisome to check your pet, the US Department of Transportation recorded a 0.82 incident rate per 10,000 animals transported in 2021.

However, five pets have died in the cargo hold so far this year, and animal activist organizations have warned against using the service.

Source: DOT, Animal Welfare Institute

Understandably, horror stories of animal deaths and injuries on airlines have made some owners hesitant to transport their pets on planes, but in many cases, there is no other option.

While it is preferable to travel with a pet in the cabin, most airlines only allow pets in a crate that can fit under the seat in front of you. Because of this, larger animals will need to be checked.

However, service dogs are allowed on aircraft without needing a carrier, but emotional support animals will need to be kept in a crate. Moreover, most airlines will charge for an emotional support animal, costing over $100 on airlines like United.

Source: New York Times

To give travelers peace of mind, Insider talked to airline cargo handlers to get the scoop on how pets are loaded into the belly of planes and tips on how to keep them comfortable during the journey.

Only a handful of US carriers offer pet transport via cargo, including Hawaiian Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Alaska Airlines, meaning the pets will ride in the belly of the plane.

Source: Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines

American, however, only allows active-duty US military members or a US State Department Foreign Service employee to transport a pet via cargo.

Source: American Airlines

Allegiant Air, Avelo Airlines, Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Spirit Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, and United Airlines only allow pets in the cabin.

Source: United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Allegiant Air, Avelo Airlines, Breeze Airways

The process of shipping a pet via cargo is simple as long as pet owners understand the industry's strict rules, like ensuring the pet's crate size is acceptable, making sure the pet is not a restricted breed, and checking the outside temperature is within safe margins.

According to the US Department of Agriculture, pets must be eight weeks or older to travel and brachycephalic, snub-nosed, or mixed breeds of snub-nosed animals are typically not allowed to fly due to health concerns.

Source: US Department of Agriculture

Most airlines have a separate check-in area for pet owners shipping their animals via cargo. Owners are expected to provide two bowls for their pets, including one for water and one for food.