Are Cargo Holds Safe for Pets?

There's plenty you can do to increase your pet's chance of a safe flight. If you have a snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breed, either a dog or a cat, do not place them in the cargo hold of a plane. ... For this reason, some airlines will not allow brachycephalic dogs or cats to be checked and placed in the cargo hold.

What happens to dogs in cargo hold?

Pets are placed in a climate-controlled, pressurized compartment below the aircraft cabin and kept separate from luggage and other cargo. Although your pet will usually be on the same flight as you, airlines reserve the right to ship your pet via a different flight or route.

Can a person survive in the cargo hold of a plane?

There are serious risks associated with the extreme conditions people face if they try to travel in the undercarriage of a plane. These include being crushed when landing gear retracts, frostbite, hearing loss, tinnitus and acidosis - the build-up of acid in body fluids which can cause coma or death.