Limitation and Restrictions for Cargo and Pet Traveling Alone

Northwest Cargo® accepts all species of live animals for transportation; however U.S. and international regulators mandate the following limitation and restrictions, with which Northwest is required to enforce.

Animals Accepted for Transportation

• Live wild (exotic) birds will only be accepted for transportation if the following requirements are met.
  • The shipper or shipper's agent certifies in writing on the shipper's letterhead, which must accompany the air waybill, that the birds being shipped were born or bred in captivity on special farms.
  • OR, the birds are being transported for breeding purpose to or from a zoo, sanctuary, preserve or rehabilitation center.
  • AND the transportation is restricted to Northwest and Northwest Airlink service only.
• Horses must travel facing forward or backward. The transportation of horses transversely to the flight direction is not permitted.
• Non-human primates, regardless of species, are only accepted when being shipped between zoological organizations/societies, wildlife refuges or rehabilitation centers. All other shipments of non-human primates, including shipments between private parties are prohibited. Non-human primates, when accepted, must be completely weaned and be a minimum or two (2) years of age.

Return to top

Minimum Age Requirements and Number of Animals per Container

SPECIES	AGE	NUMBER OF ANIMALS PERMITTED
Dogs or Cats	Less than 8 weeks	None (Minimum age is 8 weeks)
	8 weeks - 6 months	Maximum of two (2) dogs or two (2) cats per kennel, each of comparable size and weighing less than 20 pounds (9 kg) each.
	6 months or older	Maximum of one (1) dog or one (1) cat per kennel .
All Other Warm-blooded Pets	8 weeks	Varies. Contact Northwest Cargo at 1-800-NWCARGO (1-800-692-2746) for more information.
Notes: Animals must be fully weaned and self-feeding, and be of sufficient strength and age to travel safely. Dogs and cats are prohibited from traveling together in the same kennel. For safety reasons, a mother (dam) may not travel together in the same kennel with her weaned or unweaned young

Return to top

Aircraft Weight and Size Limits

When making travel plans, keep in mind that extra large and giant kennels will not fit on some aircraft. The maximum weight allowed per piece may also be limited. For the type of aircraft operated on the preferred flight, use Cargo Portal Services (CPS) to view the Northwest Airlines flight schedules. Use this information in conjuction with the weight and size limits information below to make sure the animal's kennel/container can be accommodated on flights you selected.

Weight Limit
Note:"^" denotes advanced approval required. Contact Northwest Cargo at 1-800-NWCARGO (1-800-692-2746) for more information.

KENNELS (pounds)	AIRCRAFT
	747	A330	757	A320	A319	DC9	CRJ	SF340
1-150 (0.45-68 kg)	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*
151-300 (68.5-136 kg)	*	*	*	*	*	*
301-500 (136.5-226.8 kg)	*	*	^	^	^	^
501-25,000 (227.2-11,339 kg)	*	*

Size Limit for Common Dog and Cat Kennels
Note: Per piece weight limits vary depending upon the type of aircraft.
"*" denotes the respective kennel size can be accommodated on the aircraft indicated.

KENNELS	AIRCRAFT
	747	A330	757	A320	A319	DC9	CRJ	SF340
Small (21Lx16Wx15H)	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*
Medium (27Lx20Wx19H)	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*
Intermediate (32Lx22Wx23H)	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*
Large (36Lx24Wx26H)	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*
Extra Large (40Lx27Wx30H)	*	*	*	*	*	*
Giant (48Lx32Wx35H)	*	*	*	*	*

Return to top

Temperature Guidelines

Northwest personnel will determine if outdoor temperatures are within acceptable limits at time of check in. If the animal cannot be accommodated due to temperature limitations, Northwest personnel will work with you to arrange alternate dates for the animal to travel. Please remember, if Northwest determines that temperatures are unsuitable for transporting the animal, it is with the safety and health of the animal in mind.

Temperature guidelines are based on the actual or forecasted outdoor temperature at airports upon departure or arrival for each station on the itinerary. The temperature guidelines shown in the table below will apply to all animals shipped as VIP or General Cargo. Check temperature at weather.com.

VIP / GENERAL CARGO ANIMAL TEMPERATURE GUIDELINE
95oF / 35oC	Maximum for live fish and day-old chicks
85oF / 29oC	Maximum for all animals and live seafood (except snub-nosed dogs and cats, and live fish)
75oF / 24oC	Maximum for snub-nosed dogs and cats*
10oF / -12oC	Minimum for all animals, except live fish
0oF / -18oC	Minimum for live fish+ and day-old chicks
Notes: Snub-nosed pets include: Dogs: Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffin, Bulldog (all breeds), English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Spaniel (Japanese Chin), Pug (all breeds), Pekinese, Shar-Pei, Shih-Tzu. Cats: Himalayan, Persian To ship live fish below 10oF, the shipper must sign a waiver on the air waybill when tendering the shipment to Northwest. This waiver states "Shipper confirms that sufficient packaging has been used to protect this shipment against any cold temperatures that may be encountered enroute to or at the final destination for a period of at least 48 hours from the time of acceptance by Northwest."

Return to top

Additional Information

• Northwest cannot guarantee acceptance of any animal before it is seen by airport personnel. Important considerations for acceptance include enroute weather conditions and the health and disposition of the animal. Northwest will not accept any animal that is violent, ill or in physical distress.  
• Choke collars of all types and muzzles that hold the jaw tightly closed are prohibited.
• Wire cage muzzles that cover the snout yet allow the animal to pant are acceptable for police or search/rescue dogs only.
• Radio-controlled collars and anti-bark collars are prohibited and must be removed prior to check in. Electronic equipment onboard the aircraft may inadvertently activate these devices while in flight.
• Live animal shipments must be picked-up within four (4) hours after arrival or before closing time of the Northwest facility (whichever comes first). Animals not claimed within these time limits will be sent to our local veterinarian or kennel service for appropriate care. The shipper and consignee are jointly responsible for all veterinary and kennel charges incurred by Northwest.
• Unknown shippers (as defined by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration) must be willing and able to safely remove the animal from its shipping container and maintain control over it while Northwest personnel inspect the container prior to acceptance.
  • You can comply with this requirment using one of the following two (2) options:
    • Bring an extra shipping container with you to the airport. Northwest personnel will inspect the empty container, after which you may transfer the animal to the inspected container for transport.
    • OR, Contact Northwest Cargo at 1-800-NWCARGO (1-800-692-2746) to get information on how to become a 'known' shipper with Northwest.

Return to top