We know your pet is important to you. Your pet is also important to us at Northwest Airlines. For this reason, the Priority Pet program was developed to provide your pet with a safe and comfortable journey when accompanying you and traveling with your luggage.
Priority Pet incorporates the following:
Employee training at all locations.
Dedicated personnel and facilities to speed connections at our Detroit, Memphis and Minneapolis/St. Paul hubs.
Written confirmation provided to you before departure that your pet is safely onboard the aircraft.
Transportation on all Northwest and Northwest Airlink aircraft equipped with heated and pressurized luggage compartments.
Dogs, cats and household birds whose size or weight prohibit carriage in the passenger cabin, and other pets like rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, and monkeys (when used as service animals), may accompany you and travel with your luggage on all U.S. domestic flights and on flights between the U.S. and Canada. On international flights pets traveling with luggage are limited to dogs and cats only.
Advance arrangement isrequired: The number of pets allowed per flight is limited. When making your travel plans, inform Northwest reservations or your travel professional that your pet will be traveling with your luggage. When booking online at nwa.com, contact Northwest Reservations after purchasing your ticket to make arrangements for your pet.
Choose nonstop or direct flights: Whenever possible, Northwest recommends that you make reservations for your pet on nonstop or direct flights. In cold weather, choose mid-day flights when temperatures are likely to be warmer. When the weather is hot, choose early morning or late evening flights, which avoid the worst heat of the day.
Flight connections to anotherairline: 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 that their guidelines may differ from Northwest's. In some instances, it may be necessary for you to claim your pet at the Northwest Luggage Service Office and re-check your pet with the connecting airline. An additional charge may apply. We recommend that you contact the airline directly. For your convenience, a list of the SkyTeam member airlines' web sites is included below.
Travel within the U.S., and between the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean: The pricing for the Priority Pet service is based on the combined weight of your pet and its kennel. NOTE: All pricing is based on one-way travel unless otherwise stated.
Size (LxWxH)
Small
(21x16x15)
Medium
(27x20x19)
Intermediate (32x22x26)
Large
(26x24x26)
Extra Large (40x27x30)
Giant
(48x32x35)
USD
$139
$169
$199
$229
$299
$359
CAD
$214
$260
$306
$353
$460
$553
International travel: Priority Pet fees will vary depending upon your origin and final destination. Please review the information for specific countries using the links below. NOTE: All pricing is based on one-way travel unless otherwise stated.
Animals escorting passengers with disabilities and certified animals traveling with trainers for law enforcement or search and rescue are welcome on board all Northwest and Northwest Airlink flights (subject to government restrictions). There is no cost for service animals to travel with you in the passenger cabin.
To travel with your service animal in the passenger cabin, your must adhere to the following:
When making your reservations, advise Northwest or your travel professional that a service animal will need to accompany you on board. When booking online at nwa.com, contact Northwest Reservation after purchasing your ticket to make arrangements for your service animal.
Your service animal must be with you and properly harnessed during check-in.
Service animals may travel in the passenger cabin without a kennel (except monkeys), provided they are properly harnessed and do not occupy a seat. Our reservations agent can assist you with seating arrangements regarding required documentation for your service animal.
Northwest Airlines does not require a health certificate for accompanied pets traveling with your luggage. However, it is your responsibility to comply with all applicable local, state and national entry requirements.
Many states and foreign countries require that pets be accompanied by a health certificate. Additional requirements may also apply. More information on these regulations can be found on the web sites listed below.
Note: When traveling internationally, failure to comply with all requirements may result in your pet being refused entry, placed into quarantine or returned to origin at your expense. For the most up-to-date information, contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate General office for each country on your itinerary at least four (4) weeks prior to departure.
All pet kennels need to adhere to the requirements mandated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA). You may use your own kennel or purchase an approved kennel at most pet supply shops.
To ensure a safe and comfortable environment for your pets, U.S. and international regulators mandate certain restrictions be enforced.
Restrictions: View additional information on these restrictions.
Summer Pet Embargo: Northwest Airlines does not accept accompanied pets traveling with your luggage between June 1 and September 15 to or from specific locations because the temperature is normally above 85oF / 29oC (for snub-nosed dogs and cats when temperatures are above 75oF / 24oC)
U.S. City: Las Vegas, NV
U.S. States: All cities in Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.
International Cities: Bangkok, Beijing, Bombay (Mumbai), Busan, Jarkarta, Kaohsiung, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Nagoya, Osaka, Saipan, Seoul (Incheon), Shanghai, Taipei and Tokyo.
International Countries: Guam, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Embargo Exclusion: This embargo does not apply to pets traveling in the passenger cabin as Carry-on, VIP or General Cargo shipments, or pets traveling on flights operated by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Pet acceptance for cities/countries not listed in the embargo remains contingent upon acceptable temperatures on the day of travel.
U.K. Exceptions: United Kingdom (U.K.) regulations do not permit carry-on pets or accompanied pets traveling with passenger luggage. All animals, including service animals, must be transported using the cargo service. Read more information
Save time at theairport: Pay your pet fee over the phone before you travel. Contact Northwest Reservations for more information.
Avoid unnecessaryfees: Northwest Airlines reserves the right to assess an additional $20.00 administrative fee when customers arrive at the airport with a kennel or pet larger than what was advised to Northwest when the reservation was made. To avoid this fee, please determine the kennel size for your pet prior to making your reservations. Use this guide to assist you in selecting the correct kennel size.
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