"pick of the litter" information, resources & connections
Air Travel With Pets
One of my favorite clients just informed me that they are moving back to the east coast
and may be planning on flying their dog in the cargo hold of Continental airlines. The
same week, I had a client report that their friend's show dog was "lost" during a Continental
flight that week. Perhaps it's rare but wondering if anyone has had any good/bad experiences with flying with their pet and if there is a specific airline that has a good reputation? has anyone kept their pet in-cabin or used one of the pet transportation services that takes them via van? Just would like to provide options and a reality check for everyone, would love to hear your experiences and suggestions! Sheri, A Sweet Life For Pets!
and may be planning on flying their dog in the cargo hold of Continental airlines. The
same week, I had a client report that their friend's show dog was "lost" during a Continental
flight that week. Perhaps it's rare but wondering if anyone has had any good/bad experiences with flying with their pet and if there is a specific airline that has a good reputation? has anyone kept their pet in-cabin or used one of the pet transportation services that takes them via van? Just would like to provide options and a reality check for everyone, would love to hear your experiences and suggestions! Sheri, A Sweet Life For Pets!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Andrea Schneider on
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I have had great success with Alaska Airlines and US Airlines. US was great on cross country trip, however I always flew non-stop, even if it meant some inconvenience for me. Alaska has been good too.
I have no idea if the quality has changed since the latest crunch. I have also heard a horror story or too, and get as many details as possible from the airline before I send Ellie in a crate. Too big for the cabin.
I flew non-stop because I have heard that stops can create problems for the dogs on board.
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Permalink Reply by Marie and Bailey on -
I've taken Bailey in-cabin with me on a round trip to Virginia. We flew United, and the cost for Bailey was $85 each way (but a nice woman at the United counter let Bailey ride free one way because she "was too cute to charge" - no argument here!); that cost is going up to $125 now (most airlines charge $100 each way). United has no weigh limit; your pet just need to be able to fit comfortably in their travel bag (I have a medium size sherpa).
Everyone at PDX was really nice - lots of the sales associates wanted her out of her carrier so they could pet her and the folks at security were very gentle and friendly. Bailey was asleep during the flight, so it wasn't until we landed that people even noticed her. When they did, she got lots of pets and positive attention.
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Permalink Reply by Bridget on -
I adopted a Jack Russell from the Columbia County Humane Society for my brother in Nebraska. Dixie and I flew United. She flew in-cabin.
It was $85 at the time. My experience mirrored Marie's (though I guess that Dixie wasn't as cute as Bailey!). Everyone was great.
This was several years ago. Dixie fit in perfectly with her new family. They appreciate her JRT tendencies (which would seriously drive me up a wall!).
Flying in cargo is more difficult and risky, and there are certain times of year where they don't allow cargo travel because it is either too cold or too hot.
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Permalink Reply by Alana on -
I would be warry of Northwest Airlines, they lost a great dane after one of the employees wanted to see her and opened her kennel. She was eventually found with little help from Northwest
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Permalink Reply by Elan on -
Right now I am in New York. I flew in on Continental Airlines. Because my dog is over 25 pounds she has to fly in cargo. The cargo agents at PDX were extremely rude to us and told us that our pet ticket hadnt been prepaid for and that we had to pay up or else they would cancel my dogs flight within 2 minutes. Since of course it had been paid for I told them that they were being ridiculous. Of course he found it and checked her in ( without an apology), but since I have no choice I had to deal with them. Last time I flew on American or Alaskan airlines and it was much easier to bring her into the airport with me to check her in. Plus the ticket agents are usually pretty happy to see and pet a sweet dog:) I do think that its shouldnt be required to attatch food bowl in her kennel because its a waste of space and effort since I am the one that knows her feeding schedule. But I do supply lots of water. I prefer to hook a pet water bottle to he kennel instead of a bowl. They look like giant rabbit water bottles. They prevent they water from spilling in her kennel. Before I got this I froze her water before the trip so that she could gradually drink it and it wouldnt be so messy. I bought a kennel fan for hr, but the airline wouldnt allow it fore some reason. I also use a large wee pad i her kennel so that it will absorb a mess, just in case. But these are required anyway with some airlines. Hopefully the Newark aiport will be much friendlier since I will be seeing them in the morning:)
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