How my dog became my trusted travel partner

Do you love to travel but miss your dear pet when you’re away? That used to happen to me – I’d always miss my dog abroad and longingly look at dogs passing by. When I was looking for my current best friend, I was hoping to find a dog small enough to take with me in the cabin on my travels.

Luckily for me, the stars were aligned when a breeder, whom I had contacted before, called and told me about a cancellation puppy: a small Jack Russell Terrier that sounded perfect. If the total weight of the dog and its pet carrier were less than 8kg, we would go on adventures together in the future.

Training to be my travel companion

The puppy arrived blissfully unaware of my plans, as I was determined to train her to be my travel companion. Stella was immediately introduced to all forms of public transportation from trams to boats. The puppy, who relocated from the quiet countryside to Helsinki, got to experience constantly changing scenery as we travelled across Finland. Of course, her need for sleep was also taken into account, and a few legs of the journey went by while she was fast asleep. Stella was a brave, happy and curious little puppy. The way she could settle down and be calm made her an ideal future travel partner.

Booking our flights and getting used to the pet carrier

The little pup grew up fast, and soon it was time for our very first journey together: sunny Marbella in Spain. I’d already booked our flights, but I still had to add a pet to my booking and pay the fee online. Luckily, it can still be done afterwards in Finnair's Manage booking.

Stella’s vet made sure all required vaccinations were recorded in her pet passport and gave her a health check to confirm she was fit for travel. Dogs travelling abroad must also be identifiable, which means having a microchip.

If you want to travel with your pet in the cabin with Finnair, the maximum allowed weight of the pet and the pet carrier bag is 8kg. Well before the trip, I bought a durable IATA-approved pet carrier that matched Finnair’s approved cabin bag dimensions: 55 x 40 x 23 cm for soft carriers. The bag is also waterproof and has a breathable mesh on the sides.

With some practice (and a few treats), Stella got used to the pet carrier at home. Soon she began climbing into it voluntarily, clearly feeling safe and comfortable inside.

The day before the flight, I started reducing the amount of food I gave her. Right before the flight, I didn't give her any more food but encouraged her to drink a lot of water.

From Helsinki Airport to sunny Spain

On the morning of our flight, we headed to the airport well in advance. Check-in with a dog is always done at the customer service desk, where a gate service agent can take a peek at the dog. After that, they check the total weight of the pet and carrier, and make sure it follows IATA (International Air Transport Association) rules, and confirm that all required information is correctly noted in the pet passport and travel documents. In the security check, the owner holds the dog in their arms and walks through the gate without a collar.

There are three pet relief areas at Helsinki Airport, with artificial grass to prompt pets to take care of business before flying. Soon it was time to put Stella in the pet carrier without a harness or a collar, offer some more water and close the bag. The pet must be in their securely closed carrier throughout the entire flight. I was nervous at first, but it turned out I didn’t need to be – Stella snoozed peacefully through most of the flight, even stretching out on her back with her paws in the air, just like at home.

Upon arrival in Malaga, a yawning dog poked her head from the bag, and our journey continued towards Marbella in a taxi. A little terrier snout eagerly soaked in the rich scents of Mediterranean spring air drifting through the open windows.

A dreamy Christmas in Paris

When travelling with a pet, the reservation must be made well in advance, and soon after our trip, we already booked flights to Paris for Christmas. Pet transport can be purchased online when booking flights. If there's availability on board, you'll see the Pet in cabin option in the Travel extras step.

Along with booking the tickets, we made sure Stella’s vaccinations and passport were up to date – and reintroduced her to the flight bag, which she greeted with happy excitement. How did she remember so well what this was all about?

Puppuccinos and squeaky toys

If Spain is a dog-friendly country, France is a paradise for dogs. Stella, who loves people, enjoyed the kisses and open doors of the French to the fullest – shops and restaurants warmly welcomed her everywhere.

We were slightly let down to find that some of Paris’s loveliest parks had no-dogs-allowed signs, so we could only enjoy them from a distance. Thankfully, the joy of rolling on the hotel bed – a forbidden treat at home – more than made up for the disappointment.

We were delighted to find Le Bone Appart dog café on Instagram, which was located near our hotel in the Marais. Stella got a Puppuccino and Paris-themed squeaky toys as a Christmas present as well as a (some might say) clichéd little red beret on her head. Because of it, Stella was captured by many tourists in front of the Eiffel Tower.

Travelling with a pet is rewarding but requires a lot of preparation

While my now two-year-old dog travels calmly by plane and is great company, it’s worth noting that she’s well adapted to city life and knows how to stay calm in new situations. A dog that joins you on a trip should be comfortable with travel and not have anxiety or motion sickness. Air travel and vaccinations need to be organised well ahead of time, always keeping your pet’s wellbeing and safety at the heart of planning.

If you’re an owner of a bigger dog, make sure to read the story about travelling with a dog in the cargo hold.

If your dog enjoys travelling, every journey becomes more meaningful – and you’ll find they naturally help you connect with locals and discover new surroundings. Bon Voyage!

Checklist for your journey

• Different countries have different regulations regarding travelling with pets. Please find out about the specific regulations and required documents for your destination before booking your flight.
• Small cats and dogs can travel in the cabin of the aircraft if the combined weight of the pet and the pet carrier does not exceed 8kg.
• Pet rabbits, tortoises and hedgehogs can only be transported in the cabin or hold of an aircraft from EU countries.
• The pet carrier must fit under the seat in front of you, and your pet must remain in the closed carrier throughout the flight.
• Please make the reservation well in advance, either when booking your flights or afterwards via Manage booking.
• Always choose an IATA-approved pet carrier or box with a solid bottom and appropriate ventilation. Make sure the pet carrier does not exceed the maximum dimensions allowed.
• Your pet should drink and eat enough before the flight, but please avoid feeding just before the flight. Flying can be exciting, but a familiar blanket or toy often calms a restless pet.
• Check-in must be done at the airport service desk, where we weigh and check your pet, your pet carrier, and the required documents.
• As usual, you’ll board the plane with the group indicated on the boarding pass.