Airplanes and Pets
 

We recently closed on a home in St. Catherine. We are from Wisconsin and have driven down to Florida a couple times in the past few years. After the 2nd trip (20 hours each way, hotel overnight, lots of stress dealing with traffic, speed, semi trucks, mountains, etc.) we decided that flying to/from Florida was the way to travel in the future. We have a French Bulldog that we will be travelling with. If any of you have traveled with a pet on the airlines, would you mind sharing your experiences & recommendations? We already have the airline-approved pet carrier that will fit under the passenger seat.

Yes, buy all 3 seats because I don't want to sit next to a dog on a plane for 3 hours.

I have traveled with dogs on several different airlines. I did not see any difference between the airlines. As long as the dog is in an approved carrier it will be fine. Make sure you have water and a bowl for arrival.

I haven't seen any airline that even enforces the rules they do have. I was on 3 flights in 2019 where the dogs were not in carriers. only one of the pet owners even had a carrier and the animal was never in it. It seems strange to me that the airlines are more worried about pets and a pet owner being sad they can't fly with a pet versus people on the flight that may have severe allergies.

How do you think the dog will feel after being in that cage for hours? I don't like any animal on an aircraft.

"Cage"?

I've flown with our 13 lb Schnoodle... She fits comfortably in a soft side bag, with mesh sides and top. She must be under the seat during take-offs and landing, but during the flight, she sits, in my lap, in her carrier, with her head poking out the top, so I can pet her and keep her calm. I carry some treats with me to help keep her occupied, as well...

I specifically asked the flight attendant (on a SouthWest flight) if that was allowed and they were fine with it...

From Southwest's website....

Cats and dogs must remain in the carrier (including head and tail) and the carrier must be stowed under the seat in front of the Customer (owner) for the entire duration of the flight.

The ones not in a carrier are "service or emotional support dogs". The biggest scam around. My dogs were always in a carrier under the seat in front of me.



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9 most pet friendly airlines in America [Full List] | Million Mile Secrets

For starters, certain breeds of dogs with short-snouts are not allowed to fly on planes because of respiratory issues that may make it particularly difficult for them to breathe. If you’re an owner of one of these breeds, you may want to consider traveling by train instead:

Pug
Bulldog
French Bulldog
Japanese Chin
Neapolitan Mastiff
Lhasa Apso
Shih Tzu
Pekingese
Brussels Griffon
Bullmastiff
Affenpinscher
English Toy Spaniel

That breed list is for cargo not the cabin.

Half of all dog deaths are these breeds. Take your chances if you like. Those statistics have nothing to do with cargo. Not sure you would want your dog to have a miserable trip

If you truly love your dog please do not ship it in the cargo hold!!

Exactly especially with a short snout dog. Fortunately, most airlines do not allow them in cargo.

A friend recently flew out to Seattle to pick up a Pug puppy. He flew in the can to Boston. I owned a dog business in VT and many of customers flew the small breed short snouted dogs in the cabin.

OP so far only 3 posters that have flown with pets have given you anatomy your question.

We have used 4 different airlines, to fly with our pets. Never had an issue with the pet, or the airline. Most airports have a pet area to use prior to boarding, we try to board last. Never have used any drugs for travel, keep vaccine records in the pouch.

Over the years, Our French, Himalayan, pekingese, couple times a year. They have all traveled better than most adults and children. Never a peep, sleep through the flight. You will find most attendants want to take a peek, for the awwww factor. We have on cheaper flights bought middle seat, and put carry case under that seat. Never remove the pet from carry case. Safe travels.

Thanks to everyone for your comments and suggestions!

They must have changed their rules, as that’s was. not the case the last time I flew with my dog (back in February)...

Mr. Mintzer.......where were you flying from? We will be flying out of Milwaukee WI.

MCO to Reagan National...

Geri
 

Sorry you feel that way. I have never had a complaint. Just the opposite. It beats sitting next to smelly snoring & passengers who can’t fit in their seats not to mention misbehaved kids who kick your seat the whole trip.

Agree. The service dogs are different than the alleged emotional ones. They provide a service for blind people, diabetics, and many other medical or physical issues. You can also see they are well trained and disciplined. These emotional animals are a joke. Go on line. Fill out an app and a virtual dr certifies you with mental issues and sends you a card saying you need a dog. And its obvious. These dogs are not trained at all. They jump on people, pull the owner when walking, bark at everything and its obvious they serve no emotional support except the owner managed to circumvent the law and gets to take the dog with them everywhere. Ive seen them sitting in shopping carts and I certainly arent putting my food in a cart that held a dog. They sit them on the seat next to them wherever they go. And on planes Ive been close to a barking one thats frightened of flying or just bored having to be in a cramped space. If I pay extra for business class, I should have the right to enjoy my flight and not have to worry about a dog sitting next to me who doesntwant to be there.

A lot of people are afraid to complain. And, if they did, what would you do about it?

Or purchase first class and everyone will be happier.

Everyone in coach.

Instead of flying with your pet, how about taking a different route down to Florida that is less stressful? We’re from Iowa and just drove down through Missouri and over to Birmingham, Montgomery, etc. 4-Lane roads all the way, much less traffic, beautiful scenery, etc. Took us about 1-2 hours longer but much less stressful!

Make sure it's a non stop. Don't feed the dog right before flight. Know where the allowable poop areas are in both airports so you can get there quickly .get a muzzle if your pet is excitable and train him for a few weeks to accept it . From Debbie the dog sitter . We have traveled back and forth too many times .!

>>The service dogs are different than the alleged emotional ones<<

Right on!!!

Add Boston Terrier to your list

Rules changed regarding flying dogs in cargo last March due to covid so best check, directly, with your airline. I'm not sure whether they reinstated being able to fly with larger dogs in cargo on your flight in luggage/ cargo compartment as I didn't travel with my 65 lb. dog this year. We barely made it out of the VI last year before they imposed the ban.
There are also breed restrictions and types of approved kennels.
You cannot fly any pet in cargo on any Airbus aircraft. BOEING only.
Dogs must be under a certain weight/size to fly in cabin and have a health certificate and updated vaccinations by vet within 10 days of travel date which is good for 30 days.
There were also heat on tarmac restrictions during summer months if you have to fly larger dogs.
This usually runs between May - October.
The airline websites provide information about traveling with pets. You can't buy a seat for a larger dog. Smaller dogs required to be in soft sides kennel and be able to fit under your seat.
Call Airline directly when making your travel arrangements if flying with a pet.
Good luck.

we tried to travel with this pictured pug on amtrak's auto train, no pets allowed - except REAL service dogs. our only option was to drive down & stay @ pet friendly hotels. its not as bad as it sounds-think about it & good luck!

My daughter flies back and forth with her dog, she has a legit emotional support letter from a shrink, and it was fine for years. Last year the rules changed and she still flies back and forth but now pays $100.00 extra, for the dog, each time.

You shouldn't have to deal with any of the 3. Since most planes are fully booked you have to deal with the cards are you are dealt. Just because they haven't said a word to you doesn't mean they haven't spoken to the flight attendant. Nice first post.

I think flying on a plane, hurts their ears with the pressure. Its ok for a one time thing. However, if going back for a visit etc. why not look into keeping your Frenchie at home in The Villages. WE do have pet sitters, house sitters, or friends/neighbors that would be willing to take your fur baby in while your gone. Less stress on your furry one. And they get a little vaca too. Just a thought.... or wait and see how Frenchie handles the first plane trip and go from there. I do like the idea of buying a seat just for the pooch. He will be up by you and looking all around instead of under a seat, not knowing whats going on... either way is good. And welcome to Paradise !

our Lily is my husbands emotional support pug. she has a license & ID cards i need to present when needed. they still didn't let her on. outside having a cig with one of the conductors, he said the same thing you did! for the last year he had seen travel become more restricted than ever, & told me to ride it out-things will get back to normal soon. i guess their hands are tied; they WANT to help us out, but cannot due to regulations

We recently flew Southwest with our 20lb Mini aussie-doodle. We had an airline approved carrier that fit under the seat. The flight was only a couple hours but he did great. We kept him under the seat the entire flight per Southwest rules. Better behaved than most children and several adults on the flight.

Only issue we had was in the airport. He got tired of being cooped up before the flight and when we allowed his head to poke out for an ear rub, we were informed that airport security could write us a ticket for him not being fully in his carrier.

The $90 cost for him to sit under the seat was more than my ticket. Worth every penny to have him with us.

I am one of those allergy people. I have pretty bad reactions to pet dander. Cats are the worst for me, but dogs also make me sneeze and wheeze. I was on a flight recently and had a dog carrier under my seat from the person sitting behind me. I started sneezing. The flight attendant came back and suggested I get off the flight and get Covid tested. She was adamant. I asked her if I could simply move, but she would not allow it. I assured her that it was just allergies. I was miserable the whole flight and got off the plane with a migraine. If there had been 1st class seats I would gladly have paid, but often there aren’t any. On one flight, there were 3 large dogs with their emotional support vests. All were jumping and barking and one owner took his off leash and let it roam. I asked to catch a later flight. Some airlines will accommodate me. I don’t mean to be a bother, but they do affect my health and I always opt for first class whenever available to give me more separation. I’ve never seen so many dogs fly onboard in the main cabin though and airlines are permitting very large “service dogs” onboard. In those cases, I wish they would designate pet friendly rows so I can stay well clear of them.

I'm with you. Pet rows in the back with the kids is a great idea.There is no way of knowing who and what will be seated next to you until you're onboard. Then it's to late because all the first class seats are given out to status people.

Really
 

I rather sit near a dog than a child or screaming baby. Better yet a fat person who can’t fit in their seat. I don’t like flying and find a dog comforting. Sometimes people don’t have a choice whether or not to bring their pet.
There are dog haters.

We are from Wisconsin too and will be moving to TV in November. We have a 19 pound Cavapoo. I’d love to fly with her instead of driving. How much does your pup weigh?

People who don't want to sit next to a dog on a plane are not necessarily dog haters.