Updated Airline Travel Policies - US based Airlines

[kpm_tex]

For the travelers amongst us...
Click the link below for an updated list (as of April, 2006) of travel policies for major US based airlines.
http://www.akc.org/airtravel/

[prettybutterfly]

isn't it a bit harsh to put a dog in cargo? it is dark and a bunch of luggage . its like putting a dog in trunk of your car. i am naive, when i got lucky i thought that someone was going to hold him inside the plane. when i got there my brother told me the details and i wanted to cry. i didn't know. when i got lucky he seemed very very anxious, that could be also cause he is away from his family and brothers and sisters but still. i don't get it?

[kpm_tex]

The cargo holds are pressurized and climate controlled like the cabin and they usually have a special place for live cargo. Kind of hard to fit a St. Bernard under a seat. And an unescorted dog of any size isn't going to be in the main cabin by it's self.
Personally I would not fly if my dog couldn't come in the cabin with me.. but some times you have no choice in the matter.

[Irminsul]

Sometimes on TV they show someone buying a seat in the plane for their dog. Does anyone know how that works? I saw it on that show about weird dog owners (really, they were weird!) and the lady with the Weimeraner had him on the seat next to her not even in a crate...

[Peanuttymom]

Don't the airlines still let you bring a dog into the cabin under the seat?
I would never had my dogs in cargo. Too many horror stories.

[Sophie's Momma]

Are these rates for the airlines still the same?

[longtimecouple1]

I am travelling to AZ in 2 wks and we are taking our 2 in the cabin. We have to pay $80 per carrier, but unfortunately we can't get them both in one or they will not settle down. They will be in their carriers right in front of us.
I wouldn't take them if they had to go cargo.

[xsnmodr8tion]

I would have no problem Paying for a seat $$$$$$ so they could be next to me, I know most airlines have a rule to how many dogs can be in cabin for a flight, I think it is 8. If any one knows what airlines let fly in cabin if you buy a seat I would love the info.


Sometimes on TV they show someone buying a seat in the plane for their dog. Does anyone know how that works? I saw it on that show about weird dog owners (really, they were weird!) and the lady with the Weimeraner had him on the seat next to her not even in a crate...

[Sophie's Momma]

longtimecouple - what airline are you flying?

I'm flying Delta, which (on that flier on the website) is only 50.

May I ask where you got the quotes from?

[longtimecouple1]

I went on the different airlines till I found one that went to Phoenix non stop and would allow dogs in the cabin.
The price to get them in cabin was on US Airways' website, and then I called to confirm that it was correct and make the reservations. They gave me a confirm # for us, and a separate one for the dogs. Then when I went online to see the reservation. I panicked because even though it listed all 3 of us up above it said 2 passengers under the reservation. When I called on it, they said the 2 were the dogs, the 3 above are us, so I was panicked for nothing.
They couldn't have been nicer.

They only allow 3 dogs per flight, they said it cuts down on the chances that if 1 dog starts barking there will be a free for all in the cabin. I was even able to go in and pick my seats for both flights, so we are all set, just have to check in with the pups when we get there.

I am going to sedate my 2, but just because I know they will get panicky if I don't.

[ZBAndMe]

JetBlue will allow you to have your pet (under 20 lbs) as your carry on item for an additional $50. You can't have them in the seat next to you but you can have them under the seat in front of you.

[daionara]

We got lucky if we travel. Jesse is currently classified as a service dog. I have documentation from my phsychiatrist (for my meds and follow ups) and my social worker (my actual weekly counselor). As a service dog he CAN travel in my lap. Then I only need to kennel Skyler. I'd sedate both of them though, especially since Skyler HATES travel. Jesse'd only need sedation because he hates strangers LOL

[Amos' Mom]

I had Amos flown to me. But I paid extra to have him put on a non stop flight and yes he was in the cargo department. He was in Michigan in four hours and it would have taken us 2 days of driving so I took a chance. Well I flew him Northwest Airlines - they were wonderful to him. There was a note on the side of the cage where they feed him before the flight and the time they feed him (because you have to have him there way before it's time to fly), also the time they took him out to potty and what he did # 1 & 2. And when I was waiting to pick him up from cargo which took a little longer then I expected after the plane landed. There was alsso a note that when he landed they took him out of the kennel and walked him and feed him again. Then I saw the baggage cart come up to the cargo area I ran in so I could get him and I waited and waited. I got impatient and asked where he was! She said I guess you can go back there our vet certified employee is just checking him over to make sure that he is OK. I went to the back and they were playing and kissing on him. Of course I was a reck through the whole thing but it worked out wonderfully. Also I had sent a T-shirt to the breeder that I wore to bed to get my sent on it and it was in the bottom of the kennel. I believe that is why he bonded with me so fast. Northwest airlines has a special group of people that only work with the dogs. A friends friend works at the airlines and told us all about it. You can also go online and read about them. Yes, I paid a lot more to fly him to me but after letting the breeder know - now she uses the airlines instead of the other one she was using it is more money but I think the care is worth it! My neighbors also fly there dog to Texas about 3 times a year on Northwest and he loves it.

[xsnmodr8tion]

Carry On as well as Cargo Info

http://www.nwa.com/travel/animals/carryonpets.html

Check list for Carry on Pets
http://www.nwa.com/travel/animals/animaldocs/Checklist-Carry_on_Pet.pdf

Carry-on Pets
Northwest welcomes small domesticated dogs, cats and birds in the passenger cabin on all flights within the U.S. (except to Hawaii). Small dogs and cats are also permitted in the passenger cabin between the U.S. and many international destinations.

>Reservations >Travel Documents >Helpful Tips
>Pricing >Kennel Requirements >Checklist for Carry-on Pets
>Service Animals >Limitation & Restrictions

[Sophie's Momma]

Is that fee both ways ? Like... 50 dollars one way and 50 dollars the next?

Also, how soon before the flight do I need to take my dog to a vet? And does anyone have an idea of how much THAT might cost?

I'm bringing Sophie home with me for my Spring Break in about a month.

[longtimecouple1]

Well, I got to tell you, it is $80 each way per dog, but well worth it. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

You need to take Sophie within 12 days of the first leg of your trip to get the certificate. For both of mine plus a bottle of sedatives (which I highly recommend by the way) it only cost $37. $17 of that was the sedative, and the certificates were only $10 apiece.

They did terrific on the plane going out.
Going home they did fine until we went way over the timelimit for the sedative.
When we got rerouted to NY for refueling we took them out of the crates for a little bit to give them a break, they didn't make a sound, just sat on our laps, and then we resedated them and put them back in. They slept the rest of the way.
The stewardess was busy getting snacks for us, so she didn't even know we had them out.

Good luck with Sophie, let us know how you make out.

[ZBAndMe]

Yes, it was $50 each way, but it really is worth it. You'd have to check their website www.jetblue.com but you do need to have her vet checkup within about 10 days before the flgiht. Just make your reservations early because they only allow a certain number of pets on each flight. Goodluck!!

[longtimecouple1]

I don't know, maybe Jetblue is $50, I was quoting US Airways price that I paid
I reserved 10 mos ahead for my 2 to make sure there was no mixup, and yes I got the health cert about 4 days before the flight.