QANTAS Freight is the primary carrier for transporting pets from the United States to Australia. Your pet travels as live animal cargo in the pressurised, temperature-controlled hold of a QANTAS aircraft. This is not the same as flying in the cabin or as checked baggage - it is a dedicated freight booking with specific requirements, costs, and procedures. This guide covers everything you need to know about booking and preparing for the flight.
All pets depart from LAX
QANTAS Freight operates live animal shipments to Melbourne from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). LAX has year-round availability, direct QANTAS flights to Melbourne, and the most established handling procedures for live animal freight.
If you're not in the LA area, you'll need to arrange transport to LAX. Your options:
- Drive - if you're within driving distance of Los Angeles
- Domestic flight - book your pet on a domestic carrier to LAX, then transfer to the QANTAS Freight terminal
- Pet transport service - a ground transport company can drive your pet to LAX from anywhere in the US
If you're using an agent, they'll typically handle the LAX logistics for you. If you're doing it yourself, factor in the transport time and cost when planning your departure.
How does booking work?
QANTAS Freight handles pet transport as a cargo service, not a passenger service. You don't book through the regular QANTAS website. There are two ways to make a booking:
- Phone: Call QANTAS Freight USA at 1-800-227-0290. This is the most reliable way to get accurate availability and pricing. Have your crate dimensions, pet's weight, and preferred travel dates ready.
- Email: Contact qffreightusa@qantas.com.au with your details. Email is good for initial inquiries but phone is better for confirming availability and making the actual booking.
When you call, you'll need to provide:
- Your pet's breed, weight, and age
- The crate dimensions (length x width x height in centimetres) and crate weight
- Your preferred travel date (or date range)
- Whether your pet is brachycephalic (flat-faced)
QANTAS will provide a quote based on volumetric weight and confirm availability. Availability can be limited, especially during peak travel seasons. Book as early as possible - don't wait until the last minute.
Getting your pet to LAX
If you're not local to Los Angeles, plan your pet's transport to LAX well in advance. The domestic leg is your responsibility - QANTAS Freight only handles the international flight from LAX to Melbourne.
For domestic flights with your pet, most US carriers accept pets in cargo on domestic routes. Contact the airline directly for pet cargo policies and availability. Allow at least 24 hours between your pet's domestic arrival at LAX and the international QANTAS departure to account for any delays.
Ground transport services are another popular option. Companies like CitizenShipper, uShip pet transport, or specialised pet transport services can drive your pet to LAX from anywhere in the continental US. Costs vary by distance - expect $500–$2,000 depending on how far you are from LA.
Temperature restrictions
QANTAS has strict temperature limits for live animal transport. Your pet cannot be accepted if ground temperatures at any point in the journey - departure, transit, or arrival - fall outside the safe range:
- Minimum temperature: 45°F (7°C)
- Maximum temperature: 85°F (29°C)
These limits apply to forecast ground temperatures at the time of departure and arrival, including on the tarmac where the crate will be handled. Even at LAX, extreme weather events can cause last-minute delays or cancellations. QANTAS checks conditions before every flight and will not load an animal if temperatures are outside the safe range. This is a safety measure, not a bureaucratic obstacle.
Crate requirements
Your pet's crate must meet IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR) standards. The key requirements:
- Material: Rigid construction - fibreglass, metal, or rigid plastic. Soft-sided carriers are not accepted.
- Size: Your pet must be able to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. QANTAS may reject a crate that is too small.
- Ventilation: Mesh or ventilation openings on at least three sides.
- Door: Secure, locking door that cannot be opened from the inside.
- Floor: Solid, leak-proof floor with absorbent material.
- Water: A water dish attached to the inside of the door that can be filled from outside without opening the crate.
- Food dish: An empty food dish attached inside the crate.
- Labelling: "Live Animal" stickers and orientation arrows on the outside.
- No wheels: Remove or disable any wheels on the crate.
Popular IATA-compliant crate brands include Vari Kennel, Petmate Sky Kennel, and MPS Skudo. Measure your pet carefully and buy the correct size - too small and QANTAS will reject it; too large and your freight cost goes up unnecessarily.
Brachycephalic breeds
If your pet is a brachycephalic (flat-faced) breed - Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus, Pekingese, Boxers, Persian cats, Exotic Shorthairs, or similar - QANTAS applies additional restrictions.
Brachycephalic breeds have a higher risk of respiratory distress during air travel. QANTAS requires these breeds to be booked through a QANTAS-approved pet travel specialist, not directly through QANTAS Freight. The specialist manages the booking and ensures all additional requirements are met.
For a full breakdown of what brachycephalic breed owners need to know, read the brachycephalic breed guide.
What to expect on departure day
Here's what happens when your pet flies:
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Drop-off. You bring your pet to the QANTAS Freight cargo terminal at LAX. This is not the passenger terminal - it's a separate facility in a different part of the airport. QANTAS will tell you the exact location and drop-off time window when you book.
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Documentation check. QANTAS staff check your pet's paperwork - the USDA-endorsed health certificate, import permit, and any other required documents. Everything must be in order. If anything is missing, your pet won't be accepted.
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Crate inspection. Staff inspect the crate to confirm it meets IATA requirements. They check the size, ventilation, water dish, labelling, and overall condition.
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Acceptance. Once paperwork and crate are approved, your pet is accepted into the QANTAS Freight system. The crate is moved to a climate-controlled holding area until the flight.
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Loading. Your pet is loaded into the pressurised, temperature-controlled hold of the aircraft. The hold maintains cabin pressure and a comfortable temperature throughout the flight.
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Flight. The flight from LAX to Melbourne is approximately 16 hours. Your pet will have water available in the crate. No feeding during the flight.
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Arrival. On arrival at Melbourne Airport, QANTAS Freight handles the unloading. Your pet is transferred to DAFF biosecurity for processing and then transported to Mickleham quarantine.
What you can't control
A few things to be aware of:
- Flight changes. QANTAS can change the flight your pet is booked on due to operational requirements. This is rare but it happens. Keep your schedule flexible around the departure date.
- Weather delays. If temperatures are outside the safe range on departure day, your pet's flight may be delayed. QANTAS will rebook to the next available flight.
- Cargo space. Live animal space is limited on each flight. Book early and confirm your booking regularly as the departure date approaches.
Frequently asked questions
No. QANTAS does not allow pets in the passenger cabin on international flights to Australia. All pets travel as live animal cargo in the pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. This is standard for all carriers on this route.
Roughly $2,000–5,000 USD depending on your pet's size and crate dimensions. The charge is based on volumetric weight. The only way to get an exact quote is to call QANTAS Freight at 1-800-227-0290 with your specific details.
QANTAS is the primary carrier for live animal transport from the US to Australia. Some other carriers may transport pets on certain routes, but QANTAS Freight has the most established handling procedures and the most direct routing to Melbourne, where all pets must enter Australia. Most people use QANTAS.
You'll need to arrange transport to LAX. Options include driving, booking your pet on a domestic flight to LAX, or using a pet ground transport service. If you're working with a pet transport agent, they typically handle LAX logistics as part of their service.
QANTAS will rebook your pet on the next available flight. If the cancellation causes your health certificate to expire (it's valid for 5 days from the date of the final vet examination), you may need to get a new health certificate and USDA endorsement. This is rare but worth knowing about.
QANTAS Freight provides a tracking number for your shipment. You can check the status online or by calling QANTAS Freight. You'll know when your pet has been accepted, when the flight has departed, and when it has arrived in Melbourne.