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Thread: Air travel with a dog

  1. #1
    kriz's Avatar
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    Default Air travel with a dog

    Do you have experience flying with your dog? I definitely don't like the idea of putting an animal on an airplane, but I have no choice since I'm moving and my beloved dog needs to come with me (and it will be a one time thing, believe me!). I've done all the preparations in terms of health certificate etc. but I haven't ordered a ticket yet - first, I would like to find out which airline is the most animal friendly. I'm thinking KLM to Europe... they even have a pet hotel (resting area for animals in transit). Suggestions, experiences, or ideas anyone?...
    "Animals are my friends... and I don't eat my friends". ~ George Bernhard Shaw.

  2. #2
    rulska's Avatar
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    Default Re: Air travel with a dog

    For what it's worth, I had a good experience travelling with Lufthansa with several animals (including a medium size dog). The staff was very helpful and even cleaned up after them, when they had a little accident.

    KLM's pet hotel sounds quite nice, but I've had problems with that company in the past in terms of missing luggage. Mind you, that was several years ago, so they may have improved.

  3. #3
    kriz's Avatar
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    Default Re: Air travel with a dog

    Thank you, Rulska. Was that within Europe? I'm going cross the United States and cross the Atlantic... a long, long flight with one stop/connection. I'm so nervous, I so wish I didn't have to do this to my dog, who's even terrified of the vacuum.
    "Animals are my friends... and I don't eat my friends". ~ George Bernhard Shaw.

  4. #4
    rulska's Avatar
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    Default Re: Air travel with a dog

    Yes, that was within Europe, it must have been about 5 hours including the waiting during transit, so it wasn't too bad. The dog I had with me at the time didn't seem stressed at all (can't say the same about the cats, though!) and settled immediately in her new environment, so it may not go as badly as you think. Just to clarify, these were not my animals, so I was obviously more carefree about it. If they had been mine, I would be freaking out too. But from an outsider's perspective, it's really not that bad.

    Anyway, you'll probably be able to see your dog during transit and give him/her some extra cuddles when you get there and... all will be forgotten.

  5. #5
    Manzana Manzana's Avatar
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    Default Re: Air travel with a dog

    I have heard there are several companies that specialise in flying animals.... http://www.petairuk.com/ for example... I have no experience on any of them so I would not be able to recommend them but worth having a look maybe?

  6. #6
    kriz's Avatar
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    Default Re: Air travel with a dog

    Thanks, mansana. It's a UK based business, though, I'm in US. They have an airline flying only pets here which is amazing and very affordable. But they only fly within US, unfortunately. www.petairways.com I absolutely love the idea and would use them in a heart beat! Animals should never be considered cargo but passengers like any other person. I'm not saying they have to fly in the "human cabin" (some people are super allergic and there might be some safety concerns), but at least they should not have to be in a cargo hold. I find this very upsetting and discriminative. Since flying is even more stressful for animals I thinks it's SO important that they get a soothing environment when traveling close to that of what humans are offered.

    I saw a video on You Tube about show horses being transported on an airplane and I felt so sorry for them. This was probably something they had to endure often going from show to show internationally. It's so disturbing.
    Last edited by kriz; Nov 6th, 2009 at 03:13 PM.
    "Animals are my friends... and I don't eat my friends". ~ George Bernhard Shaw.

  7. #7
    hullabaloo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Air travel with a dog

    Can your vet not give you any recommendations?

  8. #8
    kriz's Avatar
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    Default Re: Air travel with a dog

    I'll ask, hullabaloo.
    "Animals are my friends... and I don't eat my friends". ~ George Bernhard Shaw.

  9. #9
    kriz's Avatar
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    Default Re: Air travel with a dog

    I ordered a ticket today with KLM with one stop in Amsterdam. I got a bigger, more comfortable crate and I'll keep a jacket on him during the flight. Hopefully he'll be just fine.
    "Animals are my friends... and I don't eat my friends". ~ George Bernhard Shaw.

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