Flying Private with Pets: 2026 Requirements for Your Dog or Cat

On a private jet your dog or cat travels in the cabin, with you: no cargo hold, no airline weight limit and no commercial terminal. What decides whether it can fly isn't its size but two things: that the aircraft operator accepts it, and that it carries the documents the destination country requires. Domestic flights within Mexico need no Senasica paperwork. To cross into the United States, a dog needs three things: a microchip, the CDC form and a screwworm-free certificate issued within the previous five days.

This guide sets out what each authority requires as of September 2026, what the operator asks on board, and how we prepare the flight from Toluca (MMTO).

Commercial airline vs. private jet

Flights within Mexico

Domestic flights require no pet import or export procedure with Senasica. However, the operator may ask for health or vaccination records, so we recommend flying with an up-to-date vaccination card.

From Mexico to the United States

Dogs. Since August 2024 the CDC requires every dog entering the U.S. to have:

• A minimum age of 6 months.
• A microchip readable by a universal scanner.
• A CDC Dog Import Form receipt, completed online (cdc.gov/importation/dogs) up to six months in advance and valid for multiple entries in that period.

The CDC classifies Mexico as a low-risk country for dog rabies, so the strict rules for high-risk countries (quarantine, antibody titer) don't apply. The CDC doesn't require a rabies vaccine for dogs that have only been in low-risk countries, but several states do: bring a current one.

New World screwworm. Because of the USDA health alert, the U.S. also requires a health certificate stating the dog is free of New World screwworm, issued by an authorized veterinarian (MVRA) in Mexico within the five days before travel.

Senasica's Zoosanitary Export Certificate is not required for travel to the U.S.

Cats. The CDC has no form for cats. The screwworm-free certificate applies to pet animals in general; confirm with your veterinarian before you travel.

From the United States to Mexico

• Dogs: since August 3, 2026 they must arrive with the screwworm inspection certificate, signed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian within 5 days before arrival. No APHIS endorsement is needed.
• Cats: exempt from that document.
• On arrival Senasica performs a physical inspection. Pets coming from the U.S. or Canada do not need a health certificate or vaccination card.
• If your pet travels to Mexico more than three times a year, you can register it in the Frequent Traveler Pet Program and skip the full inspection on each arrival.

What can't come in: items that don't meet sanitary or import requirements may be removed during inspection. We recommend checking in advance what can travel with your pet.

Caribbean, Central America and other destinations

Leaving Mexico for most countries requires Senasica's Zoosanitary Export Certificate, which is free, plus the destination country's own requirements (rabies vaccine, health certificate, sometimes an import permit). We review them case by case when quoting.

A detail that often surprises people: if your dog was in a country the CDC classifies as high-risk for dog rabies during the six months before entering the United States, additional vaccination, documentation and testing requirements may apply. Review the full itinerary before booking.

Depending on the aircraft, the route and the applicable immigration and health requirements, some flights may need a technical or operational stop. When one is needed, we coordinate with the operator and the authorities the procedure for passengers, crew, baggage and pets.

What the operator asks on board

The final decision belongs to the aircraft operator, so we settle it before confirming:

• Tell us when you request a quote: species, breed, weight and how many pets are flying. A 40 kg (90 lb) dog counts in the aircraft's weight and balance, especially on a light jet departing Toluca at 2,580 m (8,466 ft) elevation.
• Takeoff and landing on a short leash or in a carrier; in cruise, per the operator's rules.
• Cleaning or damage charges: every operator handles this differently. Some charge nothing extra, some add a cleaning fee to the quote, and others only charge after the flight if deep cleaning or upholstery repair was needed. We tell you in advance which policy applies to your flight.
• Large dogs or several animals: an aircraft with a taller cabin, such as a Hawker 800, can be more comfortable than a low-cabin Learjet. The choice depends on the animal's size, the number of passengers, baggage and availability.

Tips for flight day

• A long walk before leaving for the airport.
• Water on board and absorbent pads; at the private terminal you can arrive just in time, with no long waits.
• Don't sedate your pet without your veterinarian's advice. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) advises against sedating pets for air travel because it affects breathing and balance.
• Carry printed copies of every document, as well as digital ones.

Frequently asked questions

Can my large dog ride in the cabin of a private jet? Yes, if the operator approves. There's no airline weight limit; what matters is the aircraft's total weight and cabin space, which is why you should give us the exact weight when you request a quote.

Do I need paperwork for a domestic private flight in Mexico with my pet? There's no Senasica procedure for flights within Mexico. Bring an up-to-date vaccination card in case the operator asks for it.

What do I need to take my dog from Mexico to the United States on a private jet? The dog must be at least 6 months old, microchipped, with a CDC Dog Import Form receipt and a screwworm-free certificate issued within the previous 5 days. Senasica's export certificate isn't needed.

And to return to Mexico from the United States? For dogs, the screwworm inspection certificate signed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian within the previous 5 days. On arrival Senasica performs a physical inspection. Cats don't need that document.

How much does it cost to fly with a pet on a private jet? Flights are priced per aircraft, not per passenger, so the base fare is the same. Depending on the operator there may be a cleaning fee or, after the flight, a damage charge; we clarify it before you confirm.

Sources

• Senasica, "Requirements and procedures for traveling to Mexico with your pet" (Aug 4, 2026): https://www.gob.mx/senasica/documentos/si-viajas-con-tu-mascota-194177
• Senasica, "If you travel to the United States" (Sep 11, 2026): https://www.gob.mx/senasica/documentos/si-viajas-a-estados-unidos-de-america-371288
• CDC, "Bringing a Dog into the U.S.": https://www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/index.html
• CDC, requirements for dogs from dog-rabies-free or low-risk countries: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/rabies-free-low-risk-countries.html
• CDC, list of high-risk countries: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/high-risk-countries.html
• AVMA, "Traveling to and from Mexico with companion animals": https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-travel-and-transport/traveling-and-mexico-companion-animals

Health requirements change often, especially while the screwworm alert remains in place. This guide was reviewed in September 2026; we confirm current requirements when quoting each flight.