January 19, 2020

The Skinny on Fat Pets on Flights


The Skinny on Fat Pets on Flights
Only pets under 8 kg are allowed on most flights. Tripp [CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]

Russia’s Transportation Ministry will not set uniform standards for pet weights on airplanes.

As we previously reported, a cat that was two kilograms above the weight restriction made its way onto an Aeroflot airplane. The cat’s owner managed to get his fat cat on board by presenting a smaller decoy cat at check-in. Once Aeroflot discovered the swap, they stripped the cat’s owner of his bonus miles and canceled his account. This led to a petition from Russia’s union of passengers to the Transportation Ministry asking for uniform standards for pet weight.

Russians did not approve of Aeroflot’s actions: the internet responded with many memes supporting cats of any weight on planes.

Despite the drama surrounding the event, the Transportation Ministry decided to hold off on establishing standard requirements for pet weights in the cabin of an airplane. The Ministry didn’t find it appropriate to set standards, since different airlines use different sized planes, which each have their own safety requirements. As it is, each airline sets its own limits, with companies’ policies currently ranging from 5 to 12 kilograms for pets in the cabin. There is some discussion of the possibility of paying extra for pets who are over the weight limit. Otherwise, overweight pets have to ride with the baggage.

Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

The Moscow Eccentric
December 01, 2016

The Moscow Eccentric

Advance reviewers are calling this new translation "a coup" and "a remarkable achievement." This rediscovered gem of a novel by one of Russia's finest writers explores some of the thorniest issues of the early twentieth century.

Life Stories
September 01, 2009

Life Stories

The Life Stories collection is a nice introduction to contemporary Russian fiction: many of the 19 authors featured here have won major Russian literary prizes and/or become bestsellers. These are life-affirming stories of love, family, hope, rebirth, mystery and imagination, masterfully translated by some of the best Russian-English translators working today. The selections reassert the power of Russian literature to affect readers of all cultures in profound and lasting ways. Best of all, 100% of the profits from the sale of this book are going to benefit Russian hospice—not-for-profit care for fellow human beings who are nearing the end of their own life stories.

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas
October 01, 2013

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

This exciting new trilogy by a Russian author – who has been compared to Orhan Pamuk and Umberto Eco – vividly recreates a lost world, yet its passions and characters are entirely relevant to the present day. Full of mystery, memorable characters, and non-stop adventure, The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and international thrillers.

 
A Taste of Russia
November 01, 2012

A Taste of Russia

The definitive modern cookbook on Russian cuisine has been totally updated and redesigned in a 30th Anniversary Edition. Layering superbly researched recipes with informative essays on the dishes' rich historical and cultural context, A Taste of Russia includes over 200 recipes on everything from borshch to blini, from Salmon Coulibiac to Beef Stew with Rum, from Marinated Mushrooms to Walnut-honey Filled Pies. A Taste of Russia shows off the best that Russian cooking has to offer. Full of great quotes from Russian literature about Russian food and designed in a convenient wide format that stays open during use.

A Taste of Chekhov
December 24, 2022

A Taste of Chekhov

This compact volume is an introduction to the works of Chekhov the master storyteller, via nine stories spanning the last twenty years of his life.

About Us

Russian Life is the 31-year-old publication of an award-winning publishing house that also creates books, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955