Stay Connected While Traveling with Airalo

As a frequent traveler for dog agility competitions, I know how important it is to stay connected, whether it's for navigating new locations, keeping in touch with friends and family, or sharing competition updates. That’s why I use Airalo, the world's first eSIM store, to stay online wherever I go!

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Airalo has been a game-changer for my international travel, making it stress-free and affordable to stay online. If you're heading abroad for agility competitions or any adventure, check out Airalo and enjoy seamless connectivity!

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This is the only eSIM I have tried and used, so I cannot speak on the different ones available.

FLYING WITH DOGS

OVERVIEW:

Here are some important points to consider:

Advance Booking: It's important to contact the airline well in advance to make arrangements for your dog's travel. Airlines often have limited space for animals in the cargo hold, so booking early is recommended.
Pet Health and Documentation: Your dog may need a health certificate from a veterinarian stating that they are fit for travel. This certificate is usually required within a certain timeframe before the travel date. Additionally, ensure that your dog's vaccinations are up to date and that you have any necessary paperwork for your destination.
Crate Requirements: Your dog will need to travel in an IATA-approved pet crate or kennel. This crate should be properly ventilated, secure, and large enough for your dog to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. Make sure to follow the airlines specific guidelines for crate size and weight requirements.
Feeding and Watering: Follow the airlines guidelines for feeding and watering your dog before the flight. Typically, they recommend feeding your dog a few hours before the flight and not immediately before boarding. This will vary depending on length of flight and what is best for the individual dog.
Identification: Clearly label your dog's crate with your contact information and flight details. Include your dog's name and a photo for added identification.
Check-In Process: You'll likely need to check in your dog and their crate separately from your own check-in process. Arrive at the airport early to allow enough time for this.
Handling Fee: Airlines typically charge a fee for pets traveling in the cargo hold. The fee can vary, so check their website for the most current pricing.
Temperature Restrictions: Depending on the weather conditions, there might be temperature-related restrictions on when dogs can be transported in the cargo hold. This is for the safety and well-being of the animals.
Pet Restrictions: There may be certain breeds or types of dogs that are not permitted to travel in the cargo hold due to health or safety concerns.

Flight template

The flight template is basic information of each dog I am flying with, our flight information. I print as many as needed for each flight to and from my destination. I keep both in the folder that is taped to the top of each dog kennel. The folder I put these in is linked in my Amazon storefront.

Template PDF

template word doc

Amazon USA

Amazon Canada

Assemble Crate for flying

First, I take the crate apart to put into the car to go to the airport. Then I assemble the crate at the airport.

Attaching Flight documents/Boarding pass to a crate WITH trolley wheels

The dog crate that will have trolley wheels attached for travel will need special attention to where you place your flight documents and boarding pass sticker.

amazon USA

Amazon Canada

prepping my dogs crate

Spring 2024 update. Since this update, I have made changes to the dog bowls I use. Newer updated video will be up soon.

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT - (CANADA > AMSTERDAM)

Note: This information is for travelling internationally with your dog. Be sure to check each destination if there are further requirements or vaccinations needed. This was for my travel into the European Union in 2023 and 2024.

What you need to know going to your VET and getting your RABIES VACCINE CERTIFICATE.

Learn more

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL DEWORMER (United Kingdom)

In additional to the above documents, a dewormer and supporting documentation is needed for taking your dog to the UK, along with some other countries.

Your dewormer needs to be administered by a veterinarian within 5 days of entry into the country. The dewormer, active ingredient of anti-echinococcus must include Praziquantel.

Here, I have linked the document for print.

Here, is linked the mock version of the document I was given by CFIA (Canada Food Inspection Agency).

ARRIVING AT THE AIRPORT (AMSTERDAM TO CANADA)

Arrive to the airport at least 3 hours prior to your flight.

Potty your dog.

(if you are on the return trip home and returning a car rental, return the rental and then go potty your dog).

Check-in.

At check-in you will have a couple forms to complete.

Learn more

PACKING

First time, I flew across Canada with Loot and Cali for the EO/AWC agility tryouts, I packed light! This was a 6 day trip and I was packing for myself and my dogs. On this trip, I kept a list on my phone of things I should have packed or things I didn’t need to pack to make the next trip even better. I will include all of that here.

Coming soon

Airtags

I use AirTags on my dogs collars and in my luggage. You could also tape the airtag to the inside of the crate. Some airlines will ask you to remove airtags if they see them visible. Or will ask that the dog not wear a collar.

I use a RaincoastK9 collar, and my AirTag holder on my collar is from FurForgeCollars on Etsy.

I have use vet wrap to wrap the dog tag and d ring for the leash attachment as well. This is so there is nothing that can get caught on anything dangling or loose on the collar.

For any dogs I don’t feel comfortable wearing a collar when flying, I secure the AirTag somewhere on the crate. I make sure I pack my own zip ties and secure the crate door myself.

AMAZON STOREFRONT

Linked on my Amazon account are the items I use or similar to the things I use for travelling.

When buying items from my Amazon storefront in supports me putting together all this information and guides.

Some items include:

- The document holder is to tape on top of the kennel.

- The pouch I attach to the outside of the crate door and hold items such as scissors to cut the zap straps later, some treats and a leash.

- Zap traps.

- The absorbent mat you will need for the crate. I use an absorbent mat that can be washed and reused all the time.

- Cat nail clippers (to easily cut off the zap straps).

Plus so much more. Click the “SHOP HERE” button below.

Amazon USA

Amazon Canada

More Info Flying with Dogs.

Save 5% on KJ Crates using code: WCHP5

Below I have most, if not all, my Instagram reels regarding flying with my dogs. I wanted to have all my flying content in one place that would be easy for everyone to access and get information from.

Edmonton to Victoria (Issues with WestJet and my crate had to fly as oversized baggage without a dog) August 2025

Save 5% on crates using code: WCHP5

https://kjcustomdogcrates.ca/collections/crates?srsltid=AfmBOop0khYUShmlOfwY_v7bya3C_eBlJFKgHwO37oCBamBDXXF-2c6b

Bags on crate were DENIED! Amsterdam to Vancouver July 2025

NOTE: In this reel, you may notice I have larger bags attached to the back of my crates. I do NOT advise doing this. We got away with it on two different trips, but then on one trip on the way home, the bags were denied and we had to rearrange our luggage to fit these bags into our bags. The reason we were told is that the bags can’t go through screening.

Why flying the dogs in a KJ is safer than the standard plastic crates you see. Amsterdam to Vancouver May 2025

Assembling the crate door guard and Kennel Gear bowls.

Assemble KJ Crate (old version (yellow)).

Vancouver to Amsterdam. EO UK. August 2024

Vancouver to Toronto, return. April 2024

This was before I had the wheel trolley, and brought a suitcase. I don’t know what I was thinking. The trolley wheels are a MUST!

Vancouver to Toronto, before I had KJ crates. April 2023

This domestic flight was before I had KJ crates. You can see with the plastic crates I had to take them apart to fit in our rental vehicle. They aren’t has convenient to do that.

Our flights almost always mean we have to take a ferry to the mainland to get a direct flight from a larger airport.

Vancouver to Amsterdam. Solo trip with Loot to Germany. Why the KJ crate was important. May 2024

Loot and I going to Germany. This was a Vancouver to Amsterdam flight. Back then we couldn’t get car rentals big enough to fit a crate, which is why having a KJ Crate was so important to me. I can just collapse it and still use it at events or in the hotel or airbnb if needed.

Save 5% at KJ Crates using code: WCHP5

Edmonton to Victoria (Westjet denied my dog due to dog and crate combined being overweight) August 2025

Save 5% on crates using code: WCHP5

https://kjcustomdogcrates.ca/collections/crates?srsltid=AfmBOop0khYUShmlOfwY_v7bya3C_eBlJFKgHwO37oCBamBDXXF-2c6b

Vancouver to Amsterdam June 2025

Seeing how the crates can stack and why the wheel trolley is amazing! Vancouver to Amsterdam April 2025

Carting Kj Crate on wheel trolley with plastic crate (puppy Sven) Amsterdam to Toronto August 2024

Amsterdam Assemble KJ crate for our flight to Canada. August 2024

Switching out old cheap bowls for Kennel Gear bowls.

Vancouver to Toronto. First flight with KJ Crate. April 2024

Notice the pink on Loot’s collar. That is the vet wrap to keep his name tag and leash attachment d-ring from getting caught on anything.

You can also see this was a WestJet flight, where my dog flew there and back in the KJ crate with no issues. But now on our most recent Canada domestic flight, our return flight home, WestJet denied his boarding, claiming he and kennel were over weight.

Amsterdam to Vancouver. May 2024

Flying with Loot in his KJ Crate from our Germany trip, Netherlands to Vancouver.

Collapsing old version of the KJ crate (yellow).

There are now some updates to the KJ Crates, so this yellow one is an older version. I still wanted to post this here because it shows how easy it is to collapse. My bowls are different now so I don’t have to take the door guard off. I can simply just remove the bowls and collapse.