Flying with your pet: Domestic Flights

Our pets are part of our family. Bringing them along on our travels can be a wonderful experience. However, it’s important to be prepared with the necessary requirements. Here are instructions for flying pets out of NAIA.

Can I bring my dog or cat on a domestic flight?

Yes, you can bring your dog or cat with you on a domestic flight. Unless they are a service animal, your pet will be placed in the cargo hold. Some breeds of dogs and cats are restricted from flying though for their safety, a list of these breeds can be found at the end of this guide.

Before booking your ticket

Before you book your ticket, make sure to contact your airline. Ask if the aircraft scheduled for your flight allows pets in the cargo hold. Not all aircraft have heated and pressurized cargo cabins for pets. It’s essential to confirm this detail to ensure your pet's safety.

Get a local shipping permit

To fly your pet, you need a local shipping permit from the Bureau of Animal Industry. This can be done online, and the process takes three days. You can apply for the permit online at https://bit.ly/registerdogcat. An account is needed to apply for the permit.

After registering, you will have to confirm your account. They will send you an email with a link to confirm your account. Once confirmed, you can log in and apply for the permit.

To apply for the permit, you need to upload the following information:

• Basic information such as breed, weight, color, markings and sex.
• Photo of your pet.
• Veterinary Health Certificate. This can be obtained from your veterinarian (or the city vet). Inform your vet that this certificate is for flying; they will know what to issue. Please note that this certificate is only valid for three days.
• Vaccination Records. Ensure your pet is vaccinated against Rabies no less than 14 days and no more than one year prior to travel.

After lodging your application, wait for three (3) working days. Plan accordingly and be sure to account for weekends and holidays.

Once the permit is approved, make sure to print it out. Also note that the permit is only valid for seven (7) days from the date of issuance.

Before your flight

Call your airline at least two days before your flight to confirm they can accommodate your pet in your flight. There might be last-minute changes such as change in aircraft (and new aircraft's cargo hold might not be pet-friendly).

If flying with Cebu Pacific, your pet will be handled by CEB Cargo. Coordinate with CEB Cargo by calling (02) 8802-7070 or sending an email to cargocare@cebupacificair.com.

Prepare a pet carrier

Get a pet carrier, preferably FAA-approved. Metal cages are not allowed. Your pet should be able to sit and move around comfortably. The carrier must be leak-proof and have absorbent material to handle any spillage.

Pet carriers with contraptions to attach water bottles are ideal so your pet can stay hydrated during the flight.

Flight Day

Now is the time for your final preparations. Make sure to feed your pet before you leave for the airport. You can also give them a light meal before checking them in.

Make sure to bring your pet's shipping permit, health certificate and vaccination records.

Philippine Airlines

If you're traveling with Philippine Airlines, bring your pet with you during check-in. Allow an extra hour for check-in as your pet needs to be inspected by the Bureau of Animal Quarantine at the airport.

Cebu Pacific

For Cebu Pacific, bring your pet to the Cebu Pacific Cargo Terminal next to Terminal 4. They will accept your pet four to six hours before the scheduled departure time.

Please note that they do not accept pets from 8am to 4pm, which means if your flight is between 2pm to 8pm, they might not be able to accommodate you. If this is the case, you might need to find a new schedule for your pet to fly.

After checking in your pet at the cargo terminal, proceed to Terminal 4 for CebGo flights and Terminal 3 for Cebu Pacific flights and check yourself in as usual.

Arrival

If you're flying with Philippine Airlines, your pet will come out of the baggage claim area just like your luggage.

For Cebu Pacific, you will need to claim your pet at the CEB Cargo Terminal. Make sure to bring your ID and the receipt they gave you when you checked in your pet.

For pets, flying can be a stressful experience. Once you're reunited with your pet, make sure to give them lots of love and attention. Give them water and an opportunity to relieve themselves. Allow them to stretch their legs and get some fresh air before heading home.

Restricted Breeds

Please note that there are certain breeds that are restricted from flying due to their physical characteristics. These breeds are prone to respiratory issues and are at risk of heatstroke. Some of these breeds include:

Restricted Dog Breeds

• Affenpinscher
• American Bully
• American Cocker Spaniel
• American Pitbull Terrier
• Bernese Dog
• Bichon Frise
• Boston Terrier
• Boxer
• Brussels Griffon or Bruxellois
• Bulldog
• Bull Mastiff (English Mastiff)
• Bull Terrier
• Cane Corso
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
• Chihuahua
• Chow-chow
• Coton De Tulear
• Dogo Argentino
• Dogue de Bordeaux (French Mastiff)
• English Mastiff
• English Bulldog
• English Toy Terrier
• French Bulldog
• Havanese
• Japanese Chin
• King Charles Spaniel
• Lhasa Apso
• Maltese
• Mastiff
• Neopolitan Mastiff
• Newfoundland
• Papillon
• Pekingese
• Presa Canario
• Pug
• Rottweiler
• Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka
• Sher Pei
• Shih Tzu
• Silky Terrier
• Tibetan Spaniel
• Tosa
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• Valley Terrier
• Yorkshire Terrier

Restricted Cat Breeds

• Birman
• Bombay
• British Shorthair and Longhair
• Burmese
• Burmilla
• Exotic Shorthair
• Himalayan
• Persian
• Scottish Fold
• Selkirk Rex
• Silver Persian (Chincilla Cat)

About the author

Mikko Gozalo

Creator of MNLAirport.ph

Mikko is a data scientist based in Hong Kong. He flies the Manila to Hong Kong route regularly. Having flown a lot from NAIA, he decided to create MNLAirport.ph to help fellow travelers.