Comments on: Pets on a Plane. Why Not? Is it Expensive?

By: Bob Graham

Bob Graham — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 15:53:50 +0000

I was once on an American flight that had a German Shepperd accompanied by policemen in the cabin. They wouldn’t let them sit in an exit aisle and the dog had to lay down on the floor in front of their seats. My problem was that as a dog lover I wanted to play with him (imagine playing fetch in the aisle of the plane) but I knew that was impossible.

None of my dogs (Golden Retrievers) have ever been on a plane, but they usually accompany us on vacations. They travel well and love to go along for the ride.

By: ToniSuzanne

ToniSuzanne — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 18:37:12 +0000

I wanted to use this forum to remind pet owners that a pet carried on board a commercial flight must remain inside their approved carrier for the duration of the flight. They may not be taken out of the carrier. I am a flight attendant, and my airline’s policy is: Not even the head out of the carrier. They may not be taken out to sit on your lap, look out the window, be tucked into the seatback pocket, “hang out” around your feet, sit on a tray table, perch on an empty seat adjacent to you, be carried or walked up and down the aisle of the plane or taken to the lav. Inside the carrier at all times. There are good reasons for this, and very good reasons for charging pet owners a fee to carry on a pet (even though the pet occupies space that would otherwise be occupied by your feet or a piece of carry-on luggage). I won’t enumerate them here except to say that, from the pet owners’ point of view, the chief reason is the safety of your pet.

By: Maltese Maniac

Maltese Maniac — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:28:54 +0000

I have never traveled with my Maltese dog, but think it’s a great idea for airlines to make a little extra money to accommodate small dogs.

By: Tony Amador

Tony Amador — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 14:25:17 +0000

Thought this was interesting and appropriate for this post…

Continental Airlines recently unveiled the first-ever airport lounge in the U.S. for animals on the go. The air-conditioned facility at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston features a wide variety of services for traveling pets, including round-the-clock grooming, exercise, and housekeeping. (The Globe and Mail (Canada), February 10, 2007)

By: Stacey Weber

Stacey Weber — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 22:17:30 +0000

Even though I have 2 dogs and am a dog lover, I have never taken my pets on a plane. I’ve often wished they could go on vacation with me, but the logistics of it have stopped me from attempting it.

When I was a kid, we moved cross-country several times. We had both a family dog and cat. Our pets were always transported in the cargo of the plane. Each time, they were kenneled in the city we were leaving, as we would fly to our new home and stay in a hotel until our stuff arrived on the moving truck several days later. The animals would arrive a week or so later. They were always tranquilized for their air travel, which certainly helped their “nerves”, especially after being “abandoned” by their family a week earlier!

We always moved in the summer, as my parents didn’t want us to have to move during the school year. One time, we moved from a hotter climate back to a cooler one and our animals couldn’t be shipped for many weeks due to the conditions. We didn’t get our pets for over a month! It was hard to be without them given pets are such an integral part of the family and I felt sorry for what they must have thought!

Pets have to travel via air sometimes, like during cross-country relocations, and I’m sure some animals get used to it, but I can’t see how it wouldn’t add a lot of stress to their lives. I think if I had to do it, tranquilizers would be a must – in fact, I would have liked to tranquilize some of the humans I’ve had on my flights, too!

By: Kenyon

Kenyon — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 18:32:46 +0000

I personally am allergic to both dogs and cats and find it hard to believe that animals with fur would be allowed in the cabin as everyone breathes the same air.
The theory is the same as smoking on the plane. I think Boston’s a terrific dog, but I wouldn’t want to coast-to-coast with him in our communal air space.

By: Karen Dawson

Karen Dawson — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 22:01:51 +0000

Moving from Boston to Dallas with pets was probably our biggest area of concern moving here. I have to say travelling with 4 cats was the most stressful experience I think I’ve ever had. Two cats came in the cabin with us, (only allowed one per person) and the other two went in cargo. The cats cried for 20 miles in the limo from my parents to the airport, and I was terrified they would do so in the cabin for 3 hours. Fortunately they didn’t make a sound. The worst part was going through security, as you have to take the pet out of the cage, after you’ve removed your boots, gloves, coats, etc., and now you have this squirmy, terrified pet in your arms while they stop the conveyor; it seems like the longest minute of your life. Those are all great tips above; my only other suggestion is to pay attention to when you fly.
The mornings can be too cold in March flying from Boston to Dallas, so I guessed right by choosing a 12noon flight; the warmest part of the day.
Good luck with yours!

By: Dog Lover

Dog Lover — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 14:24:31 +0000

You’ve hit a hot button for me.

I traveled with my first pet, Spike, a 12 lb Maltese. On my first attempt, I checked the puppy with the cargo on a USAir non-stop from Kansas City to Baltimore during zero degree weather. The dog ended up in Charlotte. I was panicked and a wreck, so I decided I’d never do that again.

I then traveled a few times with Spike on the flight. I was irritated that I had to pay extra for what was essentially a carry-on size container that had to go under the seat in front of me. The dog never made a noise or bothered anyone and essentially was a piece of luggage. (I also argued that if my dog was a paying passenger, that he should get frequent flier miles. That didn’t work.)

On the other hand, the sometimes squirming children under 2 (who often fly free and occupy a seat if available), often are more disruptive than a tiny dog under the seat.

Perhaps the airlines should charge their fee for pets, and if you can get on and off the plane without them even noticing you have a dog with you, you should get a full refund!

I no longer fly with my pets. I think we are all happier and more relaxed now that we don’t have the stress.

By: little Mitten

little Mitten — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 14:13:42 +0000

That’s a cool job you’ve done! Thanks.
I guess you’ve made lives of hundreds of pet-keepers much easier.
If I’m lucky enough, I may be moving from Belarus to England one day
I’ll use your tips for sure, and will share my story with you.