How to make your pets fly . . .

Cheapflights.co.uk has the low-down on how to get your beloved pooch, cat or other animal friend to see the world with you. Putting your pet on a plane is no easy task, yet if Paris Hilton and Orlando Bloom can travel with their animals why shouldn’t you?

Cheapflights.co.uk, the UK’s leading flight price comparison site, brings consumers another tips page with all the ins-and-outs of flying with other living things. With a recent survey* revealing that 41% of holidaymaking pet owners in the UK are likely to travel with their pets, read on for some must-know information.

First of all, you may be surprised to find that your pet can get a passport! The DEFRA (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs) Pet Travel Scheme allows animals from certain countries to enter the UK without undergoing the six month quarantine period. Once your pet has met the necessary criteria (micro chipped, vaccinated and blood-tested) and been cleared by DEFRA to travel, he/she will be issued with its own EU passport. This can take at least seven months so make sure you allow enough time before travel.

If you thought a passport for pets was surprising, you may be even more shocked to learn that there is a frequent flyer programme available! Virgin's Flying Paws allows animals to win presents for themselves and air miles for their owners. Internationally, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, are just a few of the long-haul airlines that will let you take your pet either on board or in the hold (depending on airline policy). Cats and dogs are the most widely accepted travelling companions, however Virgin Atlantic will take ferrets and American Airlines can take domestic birds.

Francesca Ecsery, General Manager of Cheapflights.co.uk advises “Call the airline before flying to reserve your pet’s travel and check which animals they take. Travellers may also want to find out whether they can go as hand luggage or must travel in the hold – you may not want your canine classified as cargo!”

Cost-wise there are always administrative charges, and if you are looking for a cheap flight for yourself and your pet, leave the UK low-cost airlines off your research. Unsurprisingly none will accommodate them though Flybe will let them travel in the hold. Flying within Europe is a different story – Germanwings and Sterling.dk can assist.

For more information visit Cheapflights.co.uk/travel-tips/pet-travel.html.

To use the telephone cheat sheet to speak to a human at the airline visit Cheapflights.co.uk/travel-tips/cheatsheet.html.

*Survey conducted by Tripadvisor.com.