Flying First Class: How Horses Travel by Air

When elite sport horses compete across the globe, their journeys are far more complex than simply loading onto a trailer. These equine athletes often travel by air—on specially designed cargo planes—ensuring they arrive fit, healthy, and competition-ready. International air travel for horses combines careful planning, veterinary oversight, and specialized logistics. Here’s what goes into flying horses around the world.

The Journey Begins

Like human athletes, horses begin their journey long before competition day. They first load onto trailers and head to major airports with livestock facilities. One of the busiest routes runs between Amsterdam and Miami, while another key hub is The Ark at JFK Airport in New York—a $65 million facility featuring 48 state-of-the-art stalls, a 24-hour reception center, and a dedicated quarantine wing.

Once at the airport, horses are loaded into specialized shipping containers (called Unit Load Devices or ULDs). Owners can choose between:

• Coach Class – three smaller horses per stall.

• Business Class – two horses with more space.

• First Class – one horse per stall, offering maximum comfort.

The containers are then lifted directly into the cargo bay of aircraft such as the Boeing 747, where the upper deck accommodates human passengers—vets, grooms, and managers—while the lower deck houses horses and equipment.

Cost? Owners typically pay in the four figures per stall for a transatlantic flight.

1. Essential Documentation & Health Protocols

Before departure, every horse must clear extensive veterinary and legal checks:

• Equine Passport or FEI ID – Required for competition horses, listing identity, ownership, and medical history.

• Health Certificates & Blood Tests – Screening for diseases like EIA, EVA, and West Nile Virus. A negative Coggins test is nearly always mandatory.

• Import/Export Permits – Issued by both sending and receiving countries.

• Vaccinations – Influenza, equine herpesvirus, and region-specific vaccines depending on destination.

2. Quarantine & Biosecurity

To safeguard animal and public health:

• Horses may undergo quarantine before departure and after arrival—ranging from a few days to several weeks.

• In the U.S., horses arrive only at designated quarantine stations like The Ark at JFK or facilities in Miami and Los Angeles.

• Blood tests, EVA screening for stallions, and vaccinations must follow precise timing protocols.

3. Aircraft Design & In-Flight Care

Air travel for horses is engineered for comfort and safety:

• Purpose-Built Cargo Planes – Horses never fly with luggage. They travel in padded, ventilated stalls designed for stability.

• Climate Control – Cabins are temperature-regulated, with smooth ascent and descent to minimize stress.

• Flying Grooms – A groom (and often a vet) accompanies the horses, providing hay, water, and reassurance throughout the flight. Sedation is avoided, as it affects balance in turbulence.

4. Regulations & Welfare Standards

Welfare is at the forefront of equine air travel:

• The FEI requires that all transport vehicles be secure, ventilated, and managed by skilled handlers with constant access to food and water.

• Studies note that up to 11% of horses on long flights may develop transport-related illnesses like shipping fever, driving continuous improvement in welfare standards.

5. Common Routes & Transport Providers

Sport horses frequently fly between global equestrian hubs:

• Popular Routes – Europe–USA, Middle East (Qatar, UAE), South America, Australia/New Zealand.

• Major Airports – Liège (Belgium), Amsterdam, Miami, Stansted (UK), Dubai.

• Specialist Providers – Companies like IRT, Equijet, Equiflight, and JCS Livestock handle everything from paperwork to stall booking.

Quick Reference: A Smooth Flight Checklist

Equine air travel is a carefully orchestrated process blending logistics, veterinary science, and elite-level care. Whether flying “coach” with two travel buddies or solo in “first class,” these horses travel under strict welfare standards designed to keep them healthy, comfortable, and ready to shine in the arena upon arrival.