Flying with a dog in-cabin between Guadeloupe and Saint Martin

Hi,

There’s a procedure to follow and have approved by all the airlines on your itinerary. Also, there’s obviously a limited number of pets allowed on board. If you want to travel with this kind of setup, contact Air Caraïbes so they can handle everything for the entire route, or visit a "traditional" travel agency near you.

Otherwise, opt for a direct flight, but you’ll still need to follow the same procedure with the carrier.

And of course, check the administrative and health requirements for your dog. Your vet should be able to help with that.

Failing to follow these procedures could result in you being held up at the airport, and your dog might not be allowed on board.

I don’t have a definitive answer, but I think I’ve figured out the following: The issue might be the weight allowed for a pet in a carrier in the cabin on this airline: 8 kg for long-haul flights and 5 kg for others, including the weight of the carrier. In my opinion—but this is just my opinion—if the local flight is on the same ticket and is a continuation of the long-haul flight, the 8 kg limit applies to the entire journey. But again, this is just my take—nothing clear on the airline’s website.

Michel

In my opinion, but it's just my opinion, if the local flight is on the same ticket and a continuation of the long-haul flight, the 8 kg rule applies to the entire journey; but that's just my opinion, nothing clear on the airline's website.

Yes, Michel, that can sometimes apply, but as far as I know, there’s no official rule. The limited number of pets allowed on board is non-negotiable, though. That’s why it’s essential to get confirmation from both carriers on this very important point.

Hence the need to have validation from both carriers on this very important point.

For me, there’s only one carrier and one ticket. Thankfully, at that.

Michel

For me there’s only one carrier and one ticket. Luckily, too.

Yes, one ticket if the purchase is made via Air Caraïbes. But Cathy47 didn’t specify, and I hope for her sake because it would complicate the trip. I hadn’t even considered that scenario—it just seemed so obvious.

You can definitely have one ticket with multiple carriers on it, as you know. That doesn’t change the fact that the dog must be approved for the entire itinerary. It’d be the same procedure, for example, for transporting sports equipment that exceeds standard dimensions (surfboards, etc.). There are lots of factors to consider to avoid hassles and issues at the airport. But if you follow the procedure, there’s no problem.

For baggage, Air Caraïbes advises applying the most restrictive rule, for example. Same for dogs in the cabin?



I suggest she contact Air Caraïbes directly or a local travel agency near her to ensure the dog is approved for the entire itinerary.

So Air Caraïbes doesn’t follow IATA rules, like the "most significant carrier" policy? That’s what I’m used to, but honestly, flights from France, French airlines, and overseas territories aren’t really my thing. I thought this was standard international practice, like all the airlines I usually fly with. Apparently not. Noted. I’m also confused by the fact that it’s called a "recommendation"—what do they mean, a "recommendation"?

Michel

Thanks for your reply—I’m flying with the same airline, Air Caraïbes. I called them and they told me that since it’s a connecting flight, it should be okay because the max weight for the first flight is 8 kg. I think there won’t be any issues on the way there, but the return trip is making me a bit nervous because the first flight only allows 5 kg!!!! What a headache