Flying with your baby in the airplane

[Tink's Mom]

I want to take Tink with me to Texas in May when my daughter gets married. I would like to take her in the cabin with me, but I don't know how big she's gonna get. She's 4 lbs at 16 wks so I think she's gonna be a big girl. If she stays small I can get her in a little carry-on bag, but if she gets bigger, she won't fit and she'd have to go in the hold.

Does anyone fly with their baby? How does it go for you? It is hard to get them out of the hold when you have to switch planes?

[LuvtheCooper]

They can go under the seat up to 15 lbs. Cooper is 11 lbs and has flown quite a bit from Washington State to Texas. He does pretty well. It's not his favorite mode of transportation, but he does okay with it. If you put them in the hold, the airline will transfer them to the connecting flight for you. I would not use this option, unless you really had no other choice.

[marcerella02]

i haven't flown with layla yet but i just wanted you to know that if you plan on brining your pup with you you should book your ticket soon because some airlines only allow 2-3 dogs in the cabin during a flight so you want to make sure you are one of those people! i dont' imagine it will be any harder to move around with your dog than with a carry on... and if you don't have one yet make sure you get her used to it so she is comforable before the flight good luck. can't wait to see pictures of your daughters wedding!!!

[I Love Bailey]

I have been doing research on flying with a dog since I am going to be doing this next month when I pick up my puppy. Does anyone have any recommendations for a comfortable carrier? I have a couple but I am not sure if they are airline approved or not? I am still working out flight arrangements. You have to call the airlines directly and they charge up to $80.00 per flight segment. And for flight safety they only let 2-3 dogs/cats on per flight. They told me you are not allowed to take the dog out of the carrier? What if she is crying? I am really not looking forward to this experience!

[sexiixtc]

ok so I have to ask.. what if it's a longer flight.. let's say anywhere between 6-8 hours.. what do you do if the dog has to pee?? would you take a potty pad with you to the bathroom or what?

[I Love Bailey]

Originally Posted by sexiixtc

ok so I have to ask.. what if it's a longer flight.. let's say anywhere between 6-8 hours.. what do you do if the dog has to pee?? would you take a potty pad with you to the bathroom or what?

I was wondering about that also? Anyone with some experience?

[marcerella02]

again.. haven't had any experience.. HOWEVER i had done A LOT Of reading... as far as having to be in the carrier.. i have done a lot of reading that this is flight by flight basis... if you are on a random wednesday flight with not a lot of people... sometimes the airline hostess will let you hold the pup... (try asking for water for your puppy) so she knwos you have one.. WHO Can resist a puppy! she'll want to see it.. then just let her rest on your lap and cover her if need be. As far as pooping and peeing.. you aren't supposed to feed them before brining them on the plane... i'd put a lot of blankets in and if she has an accident.. just change the blanket and put the dirty one in a plastic bag.. we know not a lot comes out of the little guys for the crying... chances are you won't hear them because of the noise.. but i'd just stick my hand in the bag (assuming you don't have a nice flight attendant that iwll let you take her out!) and feed her treats or food... i think that the noise is comforting to them tho... when i picked layla up (in a car mind you) she slept the whole time because of the stress... so try these things... i hope they work for you! i've only heard good things about the flight crew and puppies...

[Sonashe]

Mine wear diapers when traveling since you can't take them out...not even to pee-pee. Don't buy the doggie diapers (very expensive) I get the Toy's R Us brand or just get any store brand and make a slit on the back for the tail. If they are use to travel in a bag they will do fine on a plane. They need to have room to stand up...include favorite toy or blanket. Don't forget to take water and some snacks for the plane ride. Have a safe trip and CONGRATULATIONS !!!

[I Love Bailey]

Originally Posted by Sonashe

Mine wear diapers when traveling since you can't take them out...not even to pee-pee. Don't buy the doggie diapers (very expensive) I get the Toy's R Us brand or just get any store brand and make a slit on the back for the tail. If they are use to travel in a bag they will do fine on a plane. They need to have room to stand up...include favorite toy or blanket. Don't forget to take water and some snacks for the plane ride. Have a safe trip and CONGRATULATIONS !!!

What a great idea! Thank you!!

[jjl720]

I just returned from a Xmas vacation with my puppy. This was his first flight. He did a wonderful job considering he's still a baby. I have a Sherpa bag for him. He never cried or wet and it was 8 hours going and 9 back. I flew United and they would only make a note that I was traveling with a pet- no reservation. I just called frequently to remind them that I would be travelling with him. He stayed under the seat and slept the whole way. We flew out of our small regional airport and flew into O'Hare. My only complaint was that you would think that these large airports would have facilities for pet walking like a grassy area inside the terminal at various spots. It wouldn't be difficult to do and would take away a lot of the stress on the dogs. Once you're through security, you can't walk the dogs. I wish my baby was papertrained and then I could have used the paper. He did great in spite of that and I was surprised at how well he adapted to every situation.

[TootiesMom]

I flew to Pittsburg to get Hopey.. She had never been in a plane before but she did wonderful! I brought peepee pads with me and went into the bathroomw ith her but she didnt use it. I didnt feed her until we got home but had a couple of treats in the carrier with her.
I didnt plan on using the flight carrier again so I just went to Petsmart and bought an inexpensive one to use... it worked great. They all say if they are airline approved or not.
I would also recommend calling the airline early! They do limit the numbers on a flight... I did pick up her carrier and put it in my lap on the second leg home... no one said anything, I just put my hand in there with her and she was fine...
Good Luck!
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[sillyjacki]

Hi!

I fly with my pup, Roxy, all the time. I use a PetFlys bag, I potty her before we go into the airport, and she sleeps the whole time. I think 15 lbs. is the limit, like LuvtheCooper says, but it depends on your airline and plane size. I'd take a few yummy treats or a chew bone, distraction always helps.

[Kathryn_V]

I have taken a few flights with Pixie.... they won't take your dog out and weigh it.... but you try to take a cocker on board and its pretty obvious... lol

Anyway... Pixie flew very well.... just running her around and making sure she was worn out before the flight was a good idea! she slept the whole time!!!!

[goldenray]

It won't be any problem flying with your puppy. Usually they sleep the whole trip but I think if necessary you could take your bag in the restroom and put down a potty pad, but I'm sure it will be fine. Good luck.

[Tink's Mom]

Thanks everyone for the good tips. I'll have to wait to buy a carrier 'til I see how big Tink gets. I fly American to El Paso and their height restriction is 9 inches, so if she gets much bigger, she won't be able to stand up in the carrier. I've been checking them out on-line and most are 11 inches. I have found a few that are 7 inches tall, but that's too little for Tink. If she gets taller than 9 inches, I'd have to put her in the hold. I really don't want to do that. Anyone got any shrinking pills? LOL

I used to fly with Indy (my toy poodle) all the time and they never made me keep him in the crate - I could put him on my lap. He had the longest legs and it was hard to keep him cooped up. Course that was on United and it was before 9/11. Well, I'll work something out. Maybe I can just buy her a full ticket and put a dress and hat on her.