How To Fly With A Cat To Mexico
When traveling internationally anywhere with a pet, you must follow the pet policies set by 1) your airline and 2) your destination country. The process is fairly easy if your pet is up-to-date with all vaccines and is in good physical health. Depending on the airline and country, you may need additional vaccines, a Certificate of Health and a pet carrier within a specified size that can fit under the seat in front of you in the airplane cabin.
My cat Totoro had never flown on a plane before so I chose to fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Benito Juarez Mexico City International Airport (MEX) as his first flight since it’s only 3 hours long. We flew via Aeromexico because I heard flights tend to be more on time compared to other airlines and they’re pet-friendly. This was his first trip anywhere with me after about a year of training him with his leash, harness and backpack to go outdoors.
For Mexico, I have flown with Aeromexico with my cat in the cabin multiple times and recommend them. After purchasing your flight online, make sure to call your airline and ask if your flight will accept your pet. Some airlines have a maximum number of pets per flight and they will make a note that you are traveling with one.
Check-in
Since I was traveling with a pet, I could not check in online for my flight. I had to go to the Aeromexico check-in counter at LAX 2 hours prior to my flight where I paid the pet fee of $125 USD. Totoro and his carrier were weighed and inspected. The maximum weight for the pet and carrier combined for Aeromexico is 9 kg. They also checked all his documents.
Totoro in his carrier counted as my carry-on item but I also had a small backpack with all my paperwork, electronics and other important items as my personal item. I checked in one suitcase that contained my clothes, Totoro’s food and the rest of our travel items.
Documents
Totoro had all updated vaccinations including rabies. He received a fresh dose of Bravecto and deworming a few days before our flight. I paid for a Certificate of Health, which cost me $350 USD. The price was astronomical but I got it last minute after not being sure if I needed one and didn’t have time to compare pricing at a different veterinarian’s office.
Note that while your destination country may not require a Certificate of Health, your airline still might. Mexico as of 12/16/2019 does not require a Certificate of Health but my airline Aeromexico did so I got one just in case.
I presented Totoro’s vaccination records and Certificate of Health at the Aeromexico check-in counter with no issues.
Containers or carriers allowed
Aeromexico allows pet carriers and containers up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm or 16 x 12 x 8 in. Totoro traveled in his "The Navigator" Convertible Cat Backpack from Travel Cat, which was a little larger than the allowed dimensions at 38 x 29 x 45 cm or 15 x 11.4 x 17.7 in but no airline staff mentioned anything about the size being too large.
It had plenty of mesh on the sides, front and top for ventilation. The Navigator was also able to be carried as a backpack right-side up through the airport or placed on its side like a carrier so Totoro could comfortably lie down inside for the flight.
Security
After check-in, we went through Security. You have the option to do a private security screening or take your pet out of its carrier and hold it in your arms to go through the regular line. I planned to ask for a private screening but saw a girl with her small dog ahead of me zip through Security so fast like a pro that I decided to just follow her.
Totoro isn’t the type of cat who tries to escape so we got through Security smoothly. He stayed in my arms for the screening and then very eagerly hopped back into his carrier, where he felt safer. If your pet tends to run away when stressed or scared, then I highly recommend asking for a private security screening. It can be a lot if you’re traveling solo and have to deal with removing and retrieving your jacket, shoes, laptop, and other personal items in addition to taking care of your pet.
Boarding
At boarding an Aeromexico staff member gave us the Pet in the Cabin label, which was a paper tag that I attached to Totoro’s carrier. To my surprise, they also zip tied the zippers of my pet carrier together. It was a little concerning in case your pet has an accident or medical emergency during the flight, but my carrier had multiple zippers and they only got one of them.
All pet carriers are required to display a Pet in the Cabin tag for Aeromexico flights.
In general if you are traveling with a pet, you will usually be assigned a seat in the back of the plane. When I got to my seat, I placed my personal item in the overhead bin. Totoro’s carrier was a bit of tight fit but since it was a soft-type carrier I managed to squeeze it under the seat in front of me.
A passenger in my row saw Totoro in the carrier and requested a seat change due to cat allergies. Luckily he was able to move to an available seat. The other passenger in my row was on his electronics the entire flight and didn’t notice Totoro at all until we were getting ready to land.
Arrival
Upon arrival in Mexico, get your passport checked and visa stamped at Immigration. On March 7, 2023, I received 180 days on my tourist visa. After Immigration but before Baggage Claim, go to the airport kiosk with the big sign that says SENASICA to get your pet inspected. SENASICA stands for Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria, or Mexico’s National Service of Health, Safety and Food Quality.
Have the full address of your accommodations, passport, vaccination records and Certificate of Health ready to fill out the paperwork called the Certificado Zoosanitario Para Importación. They may or may not ask to inspect your pet. In my case, they did not ask to see Totoro so he remained in his carrier.
We completed his paperwork, collected my suitcase from Baggage Claim and then got into our pre-booked taxi to our accommodations. Airport staff asked to see the Certificado Zoosanitario Para Importación on our way out of the airport, so keep it on you within easy reach!
For more information, here’s the full U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Pet travel from the U.S. to Mexico policy and Aeromexico’s pet policy.
