Here's how to fly with your fur babies via Philippine Airlines
Philippine Airlines has expanded its "FurPAL" program, allowing you to fly with your small dogs on all domestic flights.
The airline announced the extension, which lets your pooches sit in the cabin with you on your flight.
Previously, this program was only eligible for flights to and from Tagbiliran, Caticlan, and Siargao, but now, it's available on all PAL domestic trips for the following aircraft: De Havilland Q400, Airbus A320 (86xx and 83xx series), Airbus 321ceo, Airbus A330-300, and Boeing B777.
FurPAL's expansion started for bookings on Feb. 16 and flights on Feb. 18, so you can begin planning that travel with your furbaby now.
ICYDK, the service allows you to bring a small dog on board for P2,500 one way. The program will be available to cats soon, too, according to PAL.
Want to book a flight for you and your fur baby? Here's what you need to do:
Booking a flight
Visit the Philippine Airlines website and enter and select your desired flight.
On the Flight Details page, click on FurPAL on the Travel Boost section to include your dog. One adult passenger can only bring one pet.
Do note that your dog and its carrier are considered separate from your standard hand-carry allowance. If you're bringing a pet stroller, it must be checked in—it will be accepted as free checked baggage.
Once it's all done, just confirm your details, and you're finished with the booking part.
Another thing to know is that passengers traveling with pets will be assigned specific window seats for proper stowage of the carrier.
Pet requirements
For the FurPAL program, only small dogs are allowed on flights, and they must be contained inside a carrier with a maximum size of 17 x 11 x 9.5. Your pet must be able to comfortably stand, turn around, and lie down in the carrier.
The combined weight of your furbaby and carrier must not exceed 10kg. And your dog must be at least 12 weeks old and fully weaned at the time of the flight. Brachycephalic dogs like pugs and french bulldogs are allowed in the cabin as long as they follow other requirements.
The containers must have at least two ventilation panels and must be soft-sided, fully enclosed, and leak-proof with a solid base where you can put a pee pad.
To be accepted on board on your flight, you must submit the following documents:
- Veterinary health certificate
- Anti-rabies vaccination card
- PAL declaration, release, and waiver form
- Shipping permit issued by the Bureau of Animal Industry, Department of Agriculture. You can apply for it here.
Boarding procedures, in-flight rules
On the day of your flight, go to the check-in counter and present the four necessary documents. An agent will then inspect your pet and its carrier and place a special tag when the validation is successful.
From check-in to deplaning, the dog must be wearing diapers for pee and poop.
For boarding, those traveling with pets will board after Business and Comfort class passengers. Meanwhile, they will be the last to deplane upon arrival.
Apart from diapers, other required pet care items include pet potty pads, plastic bags for waste disposal, an empty water bottle you can fill up inside the cabin, and a muzzle. If you're missing any of these items, you may be denied check-in or boarding.
If at any time throughout the flight, your dog displays disruptive behavior like barking, you must muzzle your furbaby. Continuous barking that cannot be controlled by the passenger may get you offloaded.
To learn more, visit the FurPAL program page.
