Flying From the USA to the UK With a Dog in Cabin? This One Mistake Could Ruin Everything
Thinking about flying from the USA to the UK with a dog in cabin? Or maybe planning a trip to Europe with your pup curled under the seat next to you? Whether you're craving croissants in Paris or dreaming of pub walks in the English countryside, jet-setting across the Atlantic with your dog is totally doable.
But heads up, one mistake nearly cost us the entire trip, and it was 100% avoidable.
In this post, we’re breaking down exactly how we flew from the U.S. to Europe with our dog Obi, crossed into the UK by car, and managed not to get denied at the border. From airline policies to veterinary paperwork nightmares, here’s everything we wish we knew before flying.
So grab your leash, pack the snacks, and let’s make your doggo’s international adventure a little less stressful and a lot more paw-some.
Why We Flew From the USA to the UK With Our Dog in Cabin
Let’s be real: we don’t usually travel with Obi. Not because we don’t adore him (he’s basically our fur-baby), but because flying internationally with a dog is complicated, expensive, and stressful for everyone involved.
This time, though, we were relocating from the U.S. to England. There was zero chance we were leaving Obi behind.
That said, if you’re just vacationing in Europe or the UK, take a beat and ask yourself: Does your dog really need to come? International flights can be rough on pets, especially small ones. Multiple trips across the Atlantic can also impact their health, and your bank account.
The UK Doesn’t Allow Dogs in Cabin, So We Got Creative
Here’s the plot twist: you can’t fly directly into the UK with a dog in cabin. Most airlines flying into the UK will only transport pets as cargo. And we weren’t about to put Obi in the belly of the plane like a suitcase.
So what’s the workaround?
✅ Fly from the USA to Europe (think Paris or Amsterdam) with your dog in cabin
✅ Then drive or take a pet taxi across the border into the UK
We booked a flight from San Francisco to Paris Charles de Gaulle, then arranged a pet taxi to drive us through the Eurotunnel into the UK.
Important: You can’t take your dog on the Eurostar train (the one for humans). Only by car through the tunnel.
Fancy? Not really. Expensive? Absolutely.
Booking a Dog-Friendly Flight From the U.S. to Europe
Every airline is different. Some let pets in cabin, others only allow them in cargo. We flew Air France, which does allow small dogs in cabin on transatlantic flights.
Here’s what you need to do before booking:
✅ Call the airline to confirm pet space (don’t rely on the website!)
✅ Reserve your dog’s spot early, each flight only allows a few pets
✅ Double-check the under-seat space, this one almost ruined everything for us
One surprise: the seat in front of me had a metal support bar blocking the space for Obi’s carrier. If the guy next to me hadn’t offered to switch foot space, we might not have flown at all.
The Paperwork Mistake That Nearly Cost Us Thousands
Here’s where things got very dicey. To fly from the USA to Europe with a dog, you need an EU Animal Health Certificate. Not a pet passport (those are for travel within the EU).
Here’s what’s required:
✅ Issued by a USDA-accredited vet
✅ Endorsed by the USDA within 10 days of entry into the EU
✅ Embossed and printed, no shortcuts!
Our mistake? We used a vet who was accredited, but clearly didn’t know what they were doing. They printed the form instead of sending it to the USDA, and didn’t follow the proper endorsement process. We didn’t realize this until the day before the flight, and the USDA hadn’t even reviewed the paperwork yet.
Lesson learned: Ask your vet how often they do international health certificates. If the answer is “rarely,” find another vet. Your dog’s entire trip depends on this form.
Vaccines, Tapeworms & The UK’s Pet Import Rules
Besides the EU health certificate, the UK has its own strict pet rules.
Here’s what your dog needs to enter Great Britain:
✅ Microchip (scanned before vaccinations)
✅ Valid rabies vaccine (at least 21 days before travel)
✅ Echinococcus (tapeworm) treatment 1–5 days before UK entry
✅ Proper documentation of the treatment:
Name and manufacturer of the product
Date/time of treatment
Vet’s stamp and signature
A single missing detail can get you denied at the border. So print everything. Triple check the forms. Have your dog's full medical records on hand as backup.
What Flight Day Looked Like for Obi
We made sure Obi was ready for takeoff:
Long walk the night before and morning of the flight
Big dinner the night before, small breakfast the day of
Potty break just before heading to the airport
At check-in, they inspected Obi’s carrier and had me sign a form saying he was healthy and would stay inside the carrier.
TSA was… interesting. I had to carry him through the metal detector, which was awkward (especially solo), but Obi was a pro.
Also, random perk? People love dogs at the airport. It was like traveling with a rockstar, everyone wanted to say hi.
Onboard, he was calm and quiet. I put his carrier on my lap for a bit to reassure him. 11 hours is a long flight, but he mostly just slept.
The Final Stretch: Paris to the UK by Car
Once we landed in Paris, we met Simon, our pet taxi driver. (Details linked on our site.) We drove from Paris to Calais, took a quick break, and then crossed into the UK via the Eurotunnel.
At the UK pet border, Obi’s paperwork was checked again. Thankfully everything was in order, but if even one detail was off, we could have been turned away.
“Pawsport control” is very real. Have those documents ready!
Would We Do It Again?
We made it to London! Obi’s loving the green parks and new smells. And we’re so glad we brought him.
But would we fly from the USA to the UK or Europe again with him? Honestly… probably not, unless we had no choice.
The stress, cost, and paperwork involved with flying internationally with a dog is no joke. And we were lucky Obi could stay in the cabin. If he had to go in cargo? Absolutely not.
The Mistakes That Could Ruin Your Trip
Here’s what to double-check when flying from the USA to the UK or Europe with a dog in cabin:
🧳 Confirm pet space with the airline, don’t wait
✈️ Check under-seat space for your carrier
🩺 Use an experienced vet for international paperwork
📝 Double-check all treatment times and signatures
📁 Bring printed medical records
💵 Budget for hidden costs like pet taxis or rebooking fees
Got Questions?
Thinking about flying to Europe or the UK with your dog in cabin? Have questions about the process? Drop them in the comments or shoot us a message, we’re happy to help!
Because let’s be honest, adventure is just better with dogs.