7 Airlines That Allow Pet Snakes on Planes [2023 Policies & Prices]

Taking pet snakes on a plane is possible, believe it or not!

Although not many airlines will allow snakes to fly on their planes, some do. Furthermore, all airlines that permit snakes on their planes, will only allow them to fly as cargo.

The following 7 airlines allow pet snakes to fly in cargo hold:

• • Aegean Air
  • Air Canada
  • Air Europa
  • Alaska Air
  • American Airlines
  • Finnair
  • WestJet

Airlines have very strict rules and regulations when it comes to taking snakes on their planes.

In this article, we will list the policies of these individual airlines, including carrier weight and size restrictions and the number of snakes you are permitted to bring. Furthermore, we will also list the airline’s fees in 2023 for shipping a snake in cargo.

Aegean Air’s Snake Policy & Prices

PERMITTED IN CABIN: NO

PERMITTED IN HOLD: YES

• Number of snakes permitted: 5 snakes per person
• Crate size restrictions: N/A
• Crate weight restrictions: N/A
• Fees for domestic flight: 40-90 EUR / 45-100 USD (approx.) depending on size and weight of pets
• Fees for international flight: 95-170 EUR / 105-190 USD (approx.) depending on size and weight of pets
• Additional information:
  • Animals may not be accepted to be transported in the aircraft hold for a connecting time exceeding three hours.
  • Airbus 319, 320 and 321 aircraft only.

For more information, check Aegean Air’s website.

Air Canada’s Snake Policy & Prices

PERMITTED IN CABIN: NO

PERMITTED IN CARGO: YES

• Number of snakes permitted: varies by species (contact AC here)
• Crate size restrictions: depends on aircraft model (check here)
• Crate weight restrictions: depends on aircraft model (check here)
• Fees: varies depending on size of cargo and route (get estimate here)
• Additional information:
  • Container must meet IATA Live Animal Regulations container requirements.

For more information on snakes flying in cargo, check Air Canada’s Cargo website here.

Air Europa’s Snake Policy & Prices

PERMITTED IN CABIN: NO

PERMITTED IN CARGO: YES

• Number of snakes permitted: the maximum number of pets per container is 1. However, a maximum of 2 animals will be permitted when they are a similar size (up to 14kg each) and are used to cohabiting. Each passenger can check-in up to 5 animals total.
• Crate size restrictions: 406cm (160″)
• Crate weight restrictions: N/A
• Fare for Mainland, Canary Islands and Balearic Islands: 100 USD
• Fare for Europe and Africa: 110USD
• Fare for Long haul: 260 USD
• Fare for Inter Canary / Balearic Routes: 23.2 USD
• Additional information:
  • Snakes must be transported in IATA-approved rigid containers with a metal door, appropriate for carriage by air. Wire mesh or welded mesh containers are not acceptable

Check the Air Europa website for more information on flying with snakes.

Alaska Air’s Snake Policy & Prices

PERMITTED IN CABIN: NO

PERMITTED IN CARGO: YES

• Number of snakes permitted: for information, please contact the Alaska Air Cargo service center at 1-800-225-2752
• Crate size restrictions: depends on aircraft model (check here)
• Crate weight restrictions: depends on aircraft model (check here)
• Fees: 100 USD each way
• Additional information:
  • Snakes must be non-poisonous.
  • You must travel on the same flight(s) to your snake’s destination.

For more information on snakes flying in cargo, check Alaska’s website here.

American Airlines’s Snake Policy & Prices

PERMITTED IN CABIN: NO

PERMITTED IN CARGO: YES

• Number of snakes permitted:depends on species
• Crate size restrictions: 48x32x35 cm
• Crate weight restrictions: 51 lbs
• Fees: varies depending on weight, size and route (get an estimate here)
• Additional information:
  • Kennels must be made from rigid plastic, metal or wood with a metal grated door.
  • You must package all snakes in accordance with the IATA Live Animal Regulations, which include heat or cold packs as needed.
    AA will not transport animals on the following aircraft types: Airbus 319, 320, 321, 321E, 321H, 321S, 321X, 32Q and 32B.

For more information on snakes flying in cargo, check American Air’s Cargo website here.

Finnair’s Snake Policy & Prices

PERMITTED IN CABIN: NO

PERMITTED IN CARGO: YES

Bookings for snakes must be made through a forwarding company, for example Travelcargo-Petexpress (check their website here).

West Jet’s Snake Policy & Prices

PERMITTED IN CABIN: NO

PERMITTED IN CARGO: YES

• Number of snakes permitted: two animals of comparable size (< 14 kg each) which are used to co-habitation, may be shipped in the same container.
• Crate size restrictions: 101x68x76 cm (X-large)
• Crate weight restrictions: maximum weight is 160 lbs / 72.5 kg (including snakes)
• Fees: 100 USD each way
• Additional information:
  • Containers must be made of fibreglass, metal or rigid plastic.
  • There are restrictions on destinations due to extreme heat.
  • All live animals shipped as cargo must be booked and approved in advance by WestJet Cargo.

For information on snakes flying in cargo, check West Jet’s Cargo website here.

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How to keep a snake calm for travel

Keeping snakes calm whilst travelling may seem like a daunting task as they are elusive creatures who enjoy the comfort of their own homes. However, sometimes it is unavoidable, particularly if you are relocating somewhere far away.

Do not worry, there are plenty of ways to ensure that the experience is stress free for your scaly friend. The following are 6 easy ways you can keep your snake calm during travel:

• Transport your snake in a small travel carrier.
• Line the bottom of the carrier.
• Put your snake in a pillow case.
• Cover your travel carrier with a blanket.
• Get your snake used to it’s travel carrier.
• Warm your snake’s travel carrier.

If you want more detailed information on keeping your snake calm for travel, please visit 6 Easy Ways to Keep a Snake Calm While Travelling.

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How to keep a snake warm for travel

Being a cold blooded creature, your snake needs heat to stay healthy and happy. Unfortunately, a cold shock is all it takes to seriously harm or even kill a snake that is already sick. Even if your snake is healthy before your trip, being cold will put him at risk getting sick or catching a cold.

Without your snake’s usual heat lamp or mat, you have to think outside of the box to keep your snake warm.

The following are 10 simple ways to keep your snake warm during a flight:

1. Pop your snake in a pillow case
2. Use a hot water bottle
3. Add plenty of bedding to the travel carrier
4. Use hand warmers
5. Use microwaveable heat packs
6. Use a smaller travel container rather than a large one
7. Put a secure lid on your snake’s container
8. Make a home-made warmer from a socks and rice
9. Put your snake in a sweater
10. Cover your snake’s container in a blanket

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How warm should your snake’s travel container be?

As I’m sure you are aware, a pet snake’s normal environment should usually have a cool end and a warm end. The exact temperatures vary depending on which species of snake you have.

For example, the RSPCA states that a Royal Python’s cool area should be between 24ºC and 26ºC, and their warm area should be between 30ºC and 32ºC. On the other hand, a Corn snake’s cool area should be between 20ºC and 24ºC, and their warm area should be between 28ºC and 30ºC.  

Their travel container should be somewhere in the middle of their cool zone and warm zone. Thus, ideally, a Royal Python’s travel carrier should be around 28º and a Corn snake’s travel home should be around 27ºC.

On a journey, your snake should be okay as long as the temperature doesn’t drop below the cool zone temperature they are used to. However, if you are taking your snake on a flight, it’s more important to have your snake’s travel temperature somewhere in the middle. You could even try to recreate a cool zone and a warm zone by using the techniques above on only one end of their container.

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Conclusion

When flying with the airlines listed above, it is possible to take your pet snake on a flight with you.

Please note that airlines usually have different rules for different aircrafts, routes and destination countries. Therefore, it is vital that you check policies for your specific route.

Additionally, all airlines have a restriction on the number of pets they allow per aircraft, so always check availability before booking.

Hope you have found this helpful.

Happy travels!