GITNUXREPORT 2026

Pet Travel Statistics

The booming pet travel industry is fueled by millions of owners who now bring their pets along on trips.

Sarah Mitchell

Senior Researcher specializing in consumer behavior and market trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

55% of dog owners flew with pets in 2023.

Statistic 2

Airlines carried 1.2 million pets in 2023.

Statistic 3

Delta Airlines transported 120,000 pets annually.

Statistic 4

20% of U.S. flights allow pets in cabin.

Statistic 5

Average pet airfare fee is $125 one-way.

Statistic 6

United Airlines pet incidents: 15 in 2023.

Statistic 7

75% of pet air travelers use carriers under seat.

Statistic 8

Lufthansa carries 200,000 pets yearly.

Statistic 9

Pet cargo flights increased 30% since 2020.

Statistic 10

American Airlines pet policy changes affected 10,000 pets.

Statistic 11

40% of cats travel in cargo vs. cabin.

Statistic 12

Southwest Airlines bans pets in cargo.

Statistic 13

JetBlue allows 20 pets per flight.

Statistic 14

90% compliance with airline pet health certs.

Statistic 15

Air Canada pet travel revenue: CAD 15M.

Statistic 16

Emirates pets in cabin: 300/month.

Statistic 17

25% rise in pet therapy flights.

Statistic 18

British Airways pet cargo: 50,000/year.

Statistic 19

65% pet owners satisfied with airline travel.

Statistic 20

Virgin Atlantic no pets in cabin policy.

Statistic 21

68% pets experience stress during intl travel.

Statistic 22

25% dehydration risk in pet carriers.

Statistic 23

Rabies vax prevents 99% cases in traveling pets.

Statistic 24

15% airline pet injuries reported.

Statistic 25

Sedatives increase risks by 20% in flights.

Statistic 26

80% pets need acclimation training.

Statistic 27

Heatstroke deaths: 50% in car travel.

Statistic 28

Motion sickness affects 50% cats.

Statistic 29

95% microchipped pets reunited.

Statistic 30

Airline cabin pressure safe for pets above 10,000 ft.

Statistic 31

30% parasites from intl travel.

Statistic 32

Car seat harness reduces injury 80%.

Statistic 33

10% pets escape during travel.

Statistic 34

Vaccinations prevent 90% travel diseases.

Statistic 35

70% anxiety reduced with pheromone collars.

Statistic 36

Cargo hold temp must be 20C max.

Statistic 37

85% healthy pets post-travel with prep.

Statistic 38

Leptospirosis risk up 40% road trips.

Statistic 39

60% pets need vet check pre-travel.

Statistic 40

Water bowls prevent 50% dehydration.

Statistic 41

45% fewer injuries with proper crates.

Statistic 42

Heartworm preventives essential for 100% travelers.

Statistic 43

USDA requires rabies cert for EU pet import.

Statistic 44

UK pet import scheme processed 100,000 in 2023.

Statistic 45

Australia quarantine: 10 days min for pets.

Statistic 46

Canada pet import microchip mandatory.

Statistic 47

Japan pet entry: 180-day wait.

Statistic 48

EU non-commercial pet movement: 5 max.

Statistic 49

Brazil requires veterinary cert 10 days prior.

Statistic 50

China pet import ban lifted for 8 breeds.

Statistic 51

Mexico pet travel: rabies vax 30 days prior.

Statistic 52

South Africa import permit: R500 fee.

Statistic 53

New Zealand pet quarantine: 10 years rabies-free.

Statistic 54

Singapore pet import: 30-day quarantine.

Statistic 55

India pet entry: NOC required.

Statistic 56

UAE pet import: IATA compliant crate.

Statistic 57

Thailand rabies cert validity: 1 year.

Statistic 58

75% pets need ISO microchip for intl travel.

Statistic 59

Hawaii pet quarantine: 120 days.

Statistic 60

92% compliance with IATA pet standards.

Statistic 61

40% of international pet moves via air cargo.

Statistic 62

Iceland pet import ban since 2003.

Statistic 63

The global pet travel services market was valued at USD 2.4 billion in 2022.

Statistic 64

Pet travel market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.2% from 2023 to 2030.

Statistic 65

70% of U.S. pet owners plan to travel with pets in 2024.

Statistic 66

U.S. pet travel spending reached $1.2 billion in 2023.

Statistic 67

45% increase in pet-friendly hotel bookings post-pandemic.

Statistic 68

Online pet travel bookings grew 25% YoY in 2023.

Statistic 69

62% of millennials travel with pets annually.

Statistic 70

Pet travel accessories market hit $500 million in 2023.

Statistic 71

80% of pet owners prefer pet-friendly vacations.

Statistic 72

Global pet relocation market to reach $4.5 billion by 2028.

Statistic 73

67% of pet owners road trip with pets annually.

Statistic 74

Average car trip with pet: 300 miles.

Statistic 75

85% dogs travel by car vs. plane.

Statistic 76

Amtrak pet policy: 20 lbs max, 7 trains.

Statistic 77

50 million pet road trips yearly in US.

Statistic 78

RV pet travel up 40% since 2019.

Statistic 79

30% pet owners use trains for travel.

Statistic 80

Roadside pet rest stops: 5,000 in US.

Statistic 81

72% cats car-sick on trips.

Statistic 82

VIA Rail Canada pets: 5 per train.

Statistic 83

Pet harness sales for cars: $100M.

Statistic 84

90% prefer car for short pet trips.

Statistic 85

Greyhound buses no pets policy.

Statistic 86

45% increase in pet Uber rides.

Statistic 87

Train pet fees average $25.

Statistic 88

60% dogs enjoy car windows down.

Statistic 89

Bolt rideshare pets allowed in 80% markets.

Statistic 90

35% pet owners camp with pets.

Statistic 91

Bus pet travel incidents low: 2%.

Statistic 92

82% of EU high-speed trains pet-friendly.

1/92

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Forget booking your own flight because the next big trip requires a passport for your pup and a projected $4.5 billion global pet relocation market, proving that taking our furry family members along isn't just a trend—it's the new normal.

Key Takeaways

The global pet travel services market was valued at USD 2.4 billion in 2022.
Pet travel market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.2% from 2023 to 2030.
70% of U.S. pet owners plan to travel with pets in 2024.
55% of dog owners flew with pets in 2023.
Airlines carried 1.2 million pets in 2023.
Delta Airlines transported 120,000 pets annually.
67% of pet owners road trip with pets annually.
Average car trip with pet: 300 miles.
85% dogs travel by car vs. plane.
USDA requires rabies cert for EU pet import.
UK pet import scheme processed 100,000 in 2023.
Australia quarantine: 10 days min for pets.
68% pets experience stress during intl travel.
25% dehydration risk in pet carriers.
Rabies vax prevents 99% cases in traveling pets.

The booming pet travel industry is fueled by millions of owners who now bring their pets along on trips.

Airline Travel

55% of dog owners flew with pets in 2023.
Airlines carried 1.2 million pets in 2023.
Delta Airlines transported 120,000 pets annually.
20% of U.S. flights allow pets in cabin.
Average pet airfare fee is $125 one-way.
United Airlines pet incidents: 15 in 2023.
75% of pet air travelers use carriers under seat.
Lufthansa carries 200,000 pets yearly.
Pet cargo flights increased 30% since 2020.
American Airlines pet policy changes affected 10,000 pets.
40% of cats travel in cargo vs. cabin.
Southwest Airlines bans pets in cargo.
JetBlue allows 20 pets per flight.
90% compliance with airline pet health certs.
Air Canada pet travel revenue: CAD 15M.
Emirates pets in cabin: 300/month.
25% rise in pet therapy flights.
British Airways pet cargo: 50,000/year.
65% pet owners satisfied with airline travel.
Virgin Atlantic no pets in cabin policy.

Airline Travel Interpretation

Judging by the 1.2 million furry, feathered, and finned passengers taking to the skies last year, often for a princely $125 fee, the family vacation now decidedly includes Fido, despite the fact that a not-insignificant number of cats are still filing a formal protest from the cargo hold.

Health and Safety

68% pets experience stress during intl travel.
25% dehydration risk in pet carriers.
Rabies vax prevents 99% cases in traveling pets.
15% airline pet injuries reported.
Sedatives increase risks by 20% in flights.
80% pets need acclimation training.
Heatstroke deaths: 50% in car travel.
Motion sickness affects 50% cats.
95% microchipped pets reunited.
Airline cabin pressure safe for pets above 10,000 ft.
30% parasites from intl travel.
Car seat harness reduces injury 80%.
10% pets escape during travel.
Vaccinations prevent 90% travel diseases.
70% anxiety reduced with pheromone collars.
Cargo hold temp must be 20C max.
85% healthy pets post-travel with prep.
Leptospirosis risk up 40% road trips.
60% pets need vet check pre-travel.
Water bowls prevent 50% dehydration.
45% fewer injuries with proper crates.
Heartworm preventives essential for 100% travelers.

Health and Safety Interpretation

While the promise of adventure is great, bringing your pet along is essentially a high-stakes logistical ballet where every detail—from the mundane water bowl to the vital pre-travel vet check—spells the difference between a wagging tail and a veterinary tale.

International Regulations

USDA requires rabies cert for EU pet import.
UK pet import scheme processed 100,000 in 2023.
Australia quarantine: 10 days min for pets.
Canada pet import microchip mandatory.
Japan pet entry: 180-day wait.
EU non-commercial pet movement: 5 max.
Brazil requires veterinary cert 10 days prior.
China pet import ban lifted for 8 breeds.
Mexico pet travel: rabies vax 30 days prior.
South Africa import permit: R500 fee.
New Zealand pet quarantine: 10 years rabies-free.
Singapore pet import: 30-day quarantine.
India pet entry: NOC required.
UAE pet import: IATA compliant crate.
Thailand rabies cert validity: 1 year.
75% pets need ISO microchip for intl travel.
Hawaii pet quarantine: 120 days.
92% compliance with IATA pet standards.
40% of international pet moves via air cargo.
Iceland pet import ban since 2003.

International Regulations Interpretation

The global patchwork of pet import rules, from rabies red tape in Brussels to decade-long quarantines in Wellington, suggests that while we've mastered international travel for ourselves, our pets are still navigating a bureaucratic obstacle course designed by a particularly pedantic customs officer with a deep love of paperwork and a deep suspicion of dachshunds.

Market Trends

The global pet travel services market was valued at USD 2.4 billion in 2022.
Pet travel market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.2% from 2023 to 2030.
70% of U.S. pet owners plan to travel with pets in 2024.
U.S. pet travel spending reached $1.2 billion in 2023.
45% increase in pet-friendly hotel bookings post-pandemic.
Online pet travel bookings grew 25% YoY in 2023.
62% of millennials travel with pets annually.
Pet travel accessories market hit $500 million in 2023.
80% of pet owners prefer pet-friendly vacations.
Global pet relocation market to reach $4.5 billion by 2028.

Market Trends Interpretation

While humans may argue over the armrest, the pet economy has claimed its seatbelt, soaring from a $2.4 billion global service market toward a projected $4.5 billion in relocation alone, driven by the fervent belief of 80% of owners that a vacation simply isn't one without their furry copilot.

Road and Rail Travel

67% of pet owners road trip with pets annually.
Average car trip with pet: 300 miles.
85% dogs travel by car vs. plane.
Amtrak pet policy: 20 lbs max, 7 trains.
50 million pet road trips yearly in US.
RV pet travel up 40% since 2019.
30% pet owners use trains for travel.
Roadside pet rest stops: 5,000 in US.
72% cats car-sick on trips.
VIA Rail Canada pets: 5 per train.
Pet harness sales for cars: $100M.
90% prefer car for short pet trips.
Greyhound buses no pets policy.
45% increase in pet Uber rides.
Train pet fees average $25.
60% dogs enjoy car windows down.
Bolt rideshare pets allowed in 80% markets.
35% pet owners camp with pets.
Bus pet travel incidents low: 2%.
82% of EU high-speed trains pet-friendly.

Road and Rail Travel Interpretation

With millions of pets hitting the road each year and a majority of owners choosing cars over planes, it's clear we're a nation committed to traveling with our furry companions, even if it means enduring canine joyrides with the windows down and the occasional carsick cat.

Sources & References

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