Travelling with Pets in Summer Heat | Safety Guide 2026
Summer is the busiest season for international pet relocation, and it is also the period of greatest risk for animals travelling in aircraft holds. Understanding the heat risks and how airlines manage them will help you protect your pet and avoid last-minute cancellations.
Why heat is dangerous for pets in aircraft holds
The hold of a commercial aircraft is pressurised and temperature-controlled during flight, but animals on the ground are exposed to ambient temperatures during loading, unloading, and any tarmac wait. In summer, tarmac temperatures can be significantly higher than air temperatures due to heat absorption from the asphalt.
Dogs and cats regulate temperature primarily through panting. When ambient temperatures rise above about 27 degrees Celsius, the panting mechanism becomes less effective, and heat stress can develop quickly. Brachycephalic dogs and thick-coated breeds are at highest risk.
Temperature embargo thresholds
Most airlines apply live animal temperature embargoes when ground temperatures at departure or arrival airports exceed a set level. Common thresholds:
- American Airlines: 29.5 degrees Celsius (85 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Delta Air Lines: 29.5 degrees Celsius
- United Airlines: 30.5 degrees Celsius
- Lufthansa: 30 degrees Celsius
- British Airways: 30 degrees Celsius
Some airlines apply blanket summer bans on brachycephalic breeds regardless of temperature.
Check your specific airline’s current embargo thresholds before booking. Policies change and the thresholds listed above are approximate.
Best and worst airports for summer pet travel
The hottest airports for summer pet travel include Dubai (DXB), Doha (DOH), Las Vegas (LAS), Phoenix (PHX), and other airports in hot desert climates. Even in summer, early morning departures at these airports may fall within acceptable temperature windows.
Cooler airports such as London Heathrow (LHR), Frankfurt (FRA), Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), and Tokyo Narita (NRT) rarely trigger temperature embargoes.
Practical steps to reduce summer travel risk
- Book the earliest morning departure. Ground temperatures are lowest in the first two hours after sunrise.
- Choose non-stop routes. Every transit adds handling exposure to ground temperatures.
- Freeze water in the crate bowl so it is available as it melts.
- Check embargo policies before booking, not after.
- Avoid travelling brachycephalic breeds in July and August via hot climate airports.
- Consider holding at an air-conditioned facility at the destination airport if you cannot collect immediately after landing.
- Ask your cargo agent about climate-controlled handling. Some airlines and handling agents offer air-conditioned storage for animals waiting to be loaded or collected.