What heat embargoes are and why they exist

Between roughly May and September, most major airlines impose heat embargoes on pet cargo travel. When the ground temperature at any airport along the route (origin, transit, or destination) exceeds a set threshold, the airline will not accept live animals in cargo.

The threshold varies by airline, but it is typically 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29 degrees Celsius) for most breeds, and 75 to 80 degrees for brachycephalic breeds. The temperature is measured at the time of departure, not the daily average, and it applies at every stop along the route.

The reason is simple: pets in cargo are exposed to outdoor temperatures during loading, unloading, and tarmac transfer. Even though the cargo hold is pressurized and temperature-controlled in flight, the ground handling stages can be dangerously hot. Airlines impose embargoes to prevent heat-related illness or death.

When the embargoes apply

The exact dates are not fixed. Airlines do not announce “summer embargo starts June 1.” Instead, they check the forecast temperature at each airport on the route for each booking. If the forecast exceeds the threshold, the booking is rejected or the pet is bumped to a cooler day.

In practice, this means:

  • Southern US cities (Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Las Vegas) are effectively blocked for cargo pet travel from May through September in most years
  • Even northern cities can hit the threshold during heat waves in July and August
  • International routes through hot transit hubs (Dubai, Doha, Singapore) face year-round temperature scrutiny
  • Early morning flights have the best chance of clearing the temperature check

How to plan around heat embargoes

Move earlier in the year

If you know you are relocating and have flexibility, plan the pet move for March, April, or early May before temperatures climb. October and November are also good windows. These shoulder seasons offer the widest selection of routes and the fewest weather-related disruptions.

Use early morning flights

Morning departures (before 10 AM) are the most likely to clear temperature checks, even in summer. The tarmac is cooler, and handling happens before the day heats up. We prioritize early flights for all summer bookings.

Route through cooler airports

If the direct route passes through a hot city, an alternative routing through a cooler hub may work. For example, a pet traveling from Phoenix to London in July might route through San Francisco or New York instead of connecting through Dallas.

Consider ground transport for the domestic leg

For international moves, we sometimes use ground transport to get the pet from a hot origin city to a cooler departure airport, then fly the international leg from there. A climate-controlled van from Houston to Denver, followed by a cargo flight from Denver to Europe, avoids the Texas heat entirely.

In-cabin when possible

If your pet is small enough to fly in-cabin, heat embargoes do not apply. In-cabin pets travel with you in the climate-controlled cabin. This is the simplest workaround for small dogs and cats during summer.

What happens if the temperature spikes on travel day

Even with careful planning, a sudden heat wave can disrupt a scheduled pet shipment. If the temperature at any point on the route exceeds the airline’s limit, the airline will deny boarding for the pet.

When this happens, the options are:

  • Rebook to the next available cooler day (sometimes just a day or two later if a cold front is moving in)
  • Rebook to an early morning flight if the original was a midday departure
  • Reroute through a cooler airport
  • Shift to ground transport for the affected leg

This is one of the reasons working with a relocation service helps during summer. We monitor the weather forecasts at every airport on the route in the days before travel and have backup plans ready.

Winter cold embargoes: the other side

Heat gets the most attention, but cold embargoes exist too. When ground temperatures drop below about 20 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 7 Celsius), airlines restrict cargo pet travel. This affects northern and Midwestern US cities in December through February.

Some airlines allow an acclimation certificate from your vet stating your pet is healthy enough to travel in cold weather. This can extend the temperature window by about 10 degrees. Not all airlines accept these certificates, and they do not apply to puppies, kittens, or elderly animals.

For a deeper look at winter travel, see our guide on relocating pets during winter.

Best months to ship your pet

The sweet spot for pet air travel in the US is:

  • March through early May (spring, before the heat)
  • Late September through November (fall, after the heat breaks)

These windows offer the widest route options, the fewest weather disruptions, and the most predictable scheduling. If you have any flexibility in your move date, aiming for these months will make the pet transport smoother and less expensive.

Planning a summer move?

If your relocation timeline falls in the summer months, start planning early. The earlier we know your route and dates, the more options we have for routing around hot airports and securing early morning flights.

Ready to start planning your pet’s move?

Request a quote and we will put together a detailed plan and price for your specific route.

Prefer to talk? Give us a call at 1-877-540-0555.

Frequently asked questions

Can my pet fly in summer at all?

Yes, but options are limited. Early morning flights from cooler airports are often available. In-cabin travel for small pets is unaffected by heat embargoes. Ground transport is another option. The key is planning ahead and having flexibility on departure time and routing.

Who decides if it is too hot?

The airline makes the call based on the forecast temperature at each airport on the route at the time of the pet’s handling. If any airport along the route exceeds the threshold, the shipment is denied.

Does the heat embargo apply to in-cabin pets?

No. In-cabin pets are with you in the climate-controlled passenger cabin. Heat embargoes only apply to pets traveling in the cargo hold.

Can I get a refund if the airline cancels due to heat?

Airline refund policies vary. Most will rebook at no additional charge, but refund rules depend on the carrier and ticket type. We help navigate rebooking when weather disruptions happen.

Are there airlines with higher temperature limits?

Temperature thresholds are similar across major airlines (typically 85 degrees Fahrenheit). Some international carriers may have slightly different limits. We track the policies of every airline we work with and route through carriers that give the best chance of clearance for your route and season.