recent experience flying in with pets?
by jakewills
, Wednesday, July 06, 2022, 23:26 (1588 days ago)
We are finally arriving to move into our new home at the end of July, and we are bringing our dog, Ray Ray, who will be in baggage. We've done all the research for the airline and their requirements, and I've found the info that health certificate and parasite treatment is no longer required since 2019 -- both on other websites and helpful threads here. (We'll still have a health certificate since the airline requires it.)
Just trying to cover all our bases... anyone brought an animal into Zihua airport recently and can share your experience, good or bad? Any tips or measures we can take to ensure as smooth a process as possible? Any details you wish you knew ahead of time?
One specific point... the airline says they could decline to take him if the destination temperature is too high. Has anyone run into that before and had it actually enforced?
Thanks in advance!
recent experience flying in with pets?
by Casa Juan
, Thursday, July 07, 2022, 00:36 (1588 days ago) @ jakewills
send me a message to my email icon, where are you flying from, and what airlines.
recent experience flying in with pets?
by ZihuaRob
, Zihuatanejo, México, Thursday, July 07, 2022, 08:55 (1588 days ago) @ Casa Juan
send me a message to my email icon, where are you flying from, and what airlines.
Gee, I'm sure there are other readers would appreciate it if you could share your info with the public.
recent experience flying in with pets?
by jakewills
, Thursday, July 07, 2022, 10:12 (1588 days ago) @ jakewills
I am arriving from SFO in the States on Alaska Airlines (thankfully on a nonstop). Apart from the question about the temperature on arrival airline policy, I am mostly interested in the experience and process with Mexican Animal and Plant Health Inspection Office (OISA) and SENASICA... requirements, how long it took, and details about where/when you get reunited with the animal.
Ray Ray has some reactivity and anxiety issues... which of course makes us anxious about what the entry process will be like and making sure we have everything possible prepared to make it smooth. And yes, our eyes are wide open that you never know how it will really go on a given day, no matter how much we prepare. 
recent experience flying in with pets?
by Talley Ho
, Playa la Ropa, Thursday, July 07, 2022, 11:12 (1588 days ago) @ jakewills
Casa Juan will be a great source for you. He flies Alaska, when he can, from Alaska with his German Shepherd every year.
recent experience flying in with pets?
by Timmac
, Steilacoom, WA, Thursday, July 07, 2022, 13:06 (1588 days ago) @ jakewills
Check the aircraft you are flying. The Airbus aircraft that Alaska flies will not fly pets. You should be OK if it’s a 737.
recent experience flying in with pets?
by jakewills
, Thursday, July 07, 2022, 13:29 (1588 days ago) @ Timmac
Thanks, I have reached out to Casa Juan.
Thankfully, they just started flying 737s from SFO into Zihua, which is making our nonstop with the dog possible.
recent experience flying in with pets?
by Timmac
, Steilacoom, WA, Thursday, July 07, 2022, 15:16 (1587 days ago) @ jakewills
If you go to the Alaska web site and look at your specific flight and day you can see the aircraft type.
recent experience flying in with pets?
by Casa Juan
, Thursday, July 07, 2022, 16:08 (1587 days ago) @ Timmac
Jake and I have corresponded but here is a shortened version
Out of 5 times flying to Zihua from Alaska on Alaska Air, and 5 return flights, I had to go thru Guadalajara in 2020 and 2021 resulting 5 flights for my pooch, 2 on Aeromexico, no difficulties either time. The trips thru GDL were due to Alaska Air using Airbuses on the Zihua route.The vet inspection is more formalized at GDL, they have a regular office and full time staff.
My comments about Zihua vet inspection are based on 2017 thru 2019, 2 times each year.
Passing into Zihua from LAX or in Jake s case from SFO is not difficult with a pet. You are reunited with your pet in the baggage area so the delay is seldom more than 15 or 20 minutes. Sometimes it takes a while for the Mexican inspector to come to the baggage area to locate you with your dog and then look at your vet papers. Even though not required anymore, I normally ask my Alaskan vet to list in the health inspection that my dog has received tick and heartworm medication . Your dog will need to take these meds to live in Zihua.
You may want to call Alaska Air about the temperature restriction, I never encountered it in flying into Zihua.
Buenas Suerte
recent experience flying in with pets?
by Talley Ho
, Playa la Ropa, Thursday, July 07, 2022, 16:45 (1587 days ago) @ Casa Juan

recent experience flying in with pets?
by jakewills
, Thursday, July 07, 2022, 18:04 (1587 days ago) @ Casa Juan
Thank you!! Super helpful, both to prep and put our minds at ease.
recent experience flying in with pets?
by Carrie
, Tuesday, July 26, 2022, 18:39 (1568 days ago) @ jakewills
While we haven’t flown into ZIH with our dog yet, we fly to SJD with her often and I highly recommend you still get the health certificate to make your life easier.99% of the time Alaska Airlines will require it even if it isn’t actually required in Mexico. Every time we have entered Mexico the airport officials have still asked to see the health certificate. It seems the “no health certificate required anymore” news hasn’t consistently made it to the locals on the ground doing the paperwork processing.
recent experience flying in with pets?
by jakewills
, Tuesday, July 26, 2022, 19:56 (1568 days ago) @ Carrie
We are definitely getting the certificate. Thanks for validating.
SFO to Z nonstop?
by Sun Seeker, Wednesday, July 27, 2022, 00:44 (1568 days ago) @ jakewills
Alaska Airlines flies nonstop SFO to Zihuatanejo?
I'm going to have to check that out for a friend of mine.
SFO to Z nonstop?
by Timmac
, Steilacoom, WA, Wednesday, July 27, 2022, 07:04 (1568 days ago) @ Sun Seeker
during the season and only a couple of times a week
SFO to Z nonstop?
by Talley Ho
, Playa la Ropa, Wednesday, July 27, 2022, 14:09 (1568 days ago) @ Sun Seeker
It's actually happening right now, Saturday's I think.

