Home Ask a Question Worldwide Sites
Travel Tools > Transporting Pets & Animals

Limitation and Restrictions for Pets Traveling with Your Luggage

To ensure a safe and comfortable environment for your pet, U.S. and international regulators mandate the following limitation and restrictions, with which Northwest is required to enforce.

Minimum Age Requirements and Number of Animals per Kennel

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 Maximum of eight (8) animals per kennel. Kennel must be large enough for each animal to stand, sit and lay, and to turn around freely.
Notes:
  1. Animals must be fully weaned and self-feeding, and be of sufficient strength and age to travel safely.
  2. Dogs and cats are prohibited from traveling together in the same kennel.
  3. A mother (dam) may not travel together in the same kennel with her weaned or unweaned young

Return to TopReturn to top

Aircraft Weight and Size Limits

When making your travel plans, keep in mind that extra large and giant kennels will not fit on some aircraft. For the type of aircraft operated on your flight, view the "Flight Summary" screen shown when booking online at nwa.com (or the trip itinerary provided by your travel professional). Use this information in conjuction with the Weight and Size Limits information below to make sure your pet's kennel can be accommodated on the flights you selected.

Weight Limit

The maximum weight (pet + kennel) for the Priority Pet service is 150 pounds (68 kg).

If your travel plans include a connection to KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines or another member of our SkyTeamSM Global Alliance, please note the weight and size limits for these airlines may differ from Northwest's. More information is available on the individual SkyTeam member airline's web site.

Size Limit for Common Dog and Cat Kennels
Note: "*" 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 TopReturn to top

Temperature Guidelines

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

Temperature guidelines are based on the actual or forecasted temperature upon departure or arrival for each airport location on the itinerary. The temperature guidelines shown in the table below will apply to all accompanied pets traveling with your luggage:

PRIORITY PET TEMPERATURE GUIDELINE
85oF / 29oC Maximum for all pets (except snub-nosed dogs and cats)
75oF / 24oC Maximum for snub-nosed dogs and cats*
10oF / -12oC Minimum for all pets
*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 and Shih-Tzu.
  • Cats: Himalayan and Persian

Return to TopReturn to top

Additional Information

  • Northwest cannot guarantee the acceptance of any pet before it is seen by airport personnel. Important considerations for acceptance include enroute weather conditions and the health and disposition of your pet. Northwest will not accept any pet that is violent, ill, or in physical distress.
  • Due to local government or handling restrictions, Northwest does not permit accompanied pets traveling with your luggage to several destinations, including Hong Kong, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Oman, South Africa and the United Kingdom. However, your pet may still travel using Northwest Cargo's VIP - Same Day Live Animal or General Cargo service.
  • Choke collars of all types and muzzles that hold the jaw tightly closed are prohibited.
  • Wire cage muzzles that cover the snout yet allow your pet 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 on board the aircraft may inadvertently activate these devices while in flight.
  • The Priority Pet information line is 1-888-NWA-4PET (888-692-4738).

Return to TopReturn to top