Speaking of Taking Your Dog on An Airplane - YorkieTalk.com Forums

muffinlvr · 01-08-2007, 06:15 PM

I called United and American Airlines today to find out what their policies are on flying with your dog in the airplane cabin. I'll be flying to pick up Rocha on the 27th and I was FLOORED to find out that they both charge $85 for the 'privledge' of having your dog in a carrier underneath the seat in front of you! I asked what the difference between bringing a carry-on bag with toiletries and a carry-on with a small dog in it. The carry-on doesn't cost a thing because you're allowed a carry-on. Heck, my Cellti bag is a lot smaller than most carry-ons and yet I have to pay for the use of it. Anyway....does anyone know of an airline that doesn't charge to bring your dog on the plane with you or is that pretty standard?

TootiesMom · 01-08-2007, 06:17 PM

they all charge.. Delta charged me $50 for Hopey to fly with me....

LuvMySissy · 01-08-2007, 06:20 PM

I'm about to fly United and it's $85 each way there. I know that Northwest is $90 each way.

What upsets me is this is almost as much as my flight costs and carrying on the pup counts as my carry-on also!!!

RRC · 01-08-2007, 06:31 PM

If they are going to charge that much, seems like they should let you buy your dog a seat, so his carrier could be beside you instead of under the seat.
Plus, the way the seats are so close together now, the space underneath the seats has shrunk until I am doubtful my dog's carrier would even fit. fortunately (i guess!) i am not going anywhere soon.
Between what the airlines charge and what the few hotels that even accept dogs charge as a fee, traveling with a dog is an expensive undertaking. I'd rather stay home than leave Jazz, but I'm not made of money.
Hope you and Sissy have a great trip! Let us know how she does and if the flight attendants let you take her out of her carrier. I know they aren't supposed to, but I wonder if they always tow the line.

xine · 01-08-2007, 08:14 PM

I share your aggravation! It's not like that extra charge buys you anything like pre-boarding privileges or even permission to take your baby out to sit on your lap during the flight. What floored me was that the charge is for ONE-WAY only.

Still, we reasoned that for a two-week trip, it was better to pay that than to go through the expense and stress of boarding our boy.

FYI - American states on their site that it's an $80 fee, and that's what I was told two weeks ago when I made the reservation.

Dena · 01-09-2007, 03:22 PM

I think one of the reasons is to not have as many pets on the flight.

I mean, we all know babies are annoying on a plane when they are crying and fussing.. and so are dogs when they are whining and barking.

So if it was free, anyone and everyone would be bringing all sorts of pets in, so with a fee, it makes it more of a priviladge, and plus, usually they only allow two, so this is a way to monitor how many pets are on a flight

IDK, just what i think it's all about.
I think the fee should be lower, because $80 one way is a lot.. but i have paid it because i love my wookie and i wanted to take him. But they are like kids..

But I agree, if the flight is already that cheap, then he might as well get a seat. You're allowed to buy two seats on a flight in your name if you want to lounge and spread out.. so buy two seats (if they are the same price), get your doggie one of those strap in car seats, and stick him next to you

vainchick5 · 01-09-2007, 03:29 PM

I used Jet Blue for $50 each way. Yea it's ridiculous and expensive. I don't see why we should have to pay for our dogs since it's considered like a carry on. I mean it's not like you are letting it run around or it has special needs. Kids cry and fuss and it's annoying as crap on a airplane but they are still allowed on the plane. If they don't charge you for a carry on they shouldn't charge for the dog. Airlines suck!

michiko · 01-09-2007, 03:29 PM

Delta $50 one way and Jet Blue $50 One way are the cheapest

I am flying Delta this time.. I know it is ridiculous but .. I cannot sneak her in.. even I could.. So.. I am using my bf's airline miles.. and paying for Haruka's fare.

rsmit02 · 01-09-2007, 05:53 PM

I just flew United from London UK to Washington USA it was an 8 hour flight and cost $85 each dog me and my husband took a yorkie each. I cannot rate United highly enough and would have paid $1000 for the service I received!!!!

In London I got a ticket from check in to go through security last right before flight finished boarding which meant I could go walking outside with my pups till right before take off. At the given time we walked right through to the gate with the pups in bags and got onboard. We had already been upgraded free to premier economy to give us more foot space for dogs and were seated at front of plane so could get off 1st with dogs so not such a wait at immigration with pups that might need to pee and were given a row of 5 seats all kept empty just for us so we had lots of room!!!!!

We flew the whole 8 hours with the dogs out their bags under a blanket on the seats next to us with the full knowledge of the air hostess's who kept coming over for a cuddle, they gave us fresh cooked ham for their supper and regular iced water for the pups to drink. They even let us cuddle pups on our knee for landing then dogs went into bags to get off plane, we got off 1st and straight thro with dogs.

We also got to take our usual carry on bags aswell as the dogs, United said as the dogs were paid for they were not carry on but "extra/excess baggage" we took dogs in bags and a large rucksack each.

United were BRILLIANT I cant reccomend them highly enough every employee we met went out of the way for our dogs.

Ruthx

Tytainea · 01-09-2007, 06:40 PM

Thats an awesome experience. i wish i could say mine was as good. I just flew my baby home to Oklahoma to meet her grandma for the first time. On the flight from ATL to Tulsa the sun was beaming righyt onto the plane. My feet were hot so I KNOW she was uncomfortable. I took her out of her bag to rock her a bit and let her cool off. She was very quiet just looking out the wondow. A flight attendent comes over and tells me I have to put "the dog" in the bag. I told her it was 109 degrees on the floor and I will not put her backl in there. Then she says some people could be alergic. And then I said if they are alergic they are alergic whether she is in my lap or in the bag. So I refuse to put her back on the floor and thats final.....you can kick me off the plane if youd like or you can go back and sit down, but "the dog" is staying right where she is. And that was that. I was so mad.

01-08-2007, 06:15 PM	#1
muffinlvr Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Chicago Burbs Posts: 395	Speaking of Taking Your Dog on An Airplane I called United and American Airlines today to find out what their policies are on flying with your dog in the airplane cabin. I'll be flying to pick up Rocha on the 27th and I was FLOORED to find out that they both charge $85 for the 'privledge' of having your dog in a carrier underneath the seat in front of you! I asked what the difference between bringing a carry-on bag with toiletries and a carry-on with a small dog in it. The carry-on doesn't cost a thing because you're allowed a carry-on. Heck, my Cellti bag is a lot smaller than most carry-ons and yet I have to pay for the use of it. Anyway....does anyone know of an airline that doesn't charge to bring your dog on the plane with you or is that pretty standard?

01-08-2007, 06:17 PM	#2
TootiesMom and Hopeys Mom Too Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 4,109	they all charge.. Delta charged me $50 for Hopey to fly with me.... __________________ Donna's little herd.... Tooties Dogster http://www.dogster.com/?271687 Hopeys Dogster http://www.dogster.com/?448723 and Tinker, TBone(RIP) Laci .. OH, and Me-Kitty(RIP)

01-08-2007, 06:20 PM	#3
LuvMySissy Luv my Angel, too! Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: USA Posts: 9,333	I'm about to fly United and it's $85 each way there. I know that Northwest is $90 each way. What upsets me is this is almost as much as my flight costs and carrying on the pup counts as my carry-on also!!! __________________ Sissy & Angel

01-09-2007, 03:29 PM	#7
vainchick5 YT 6000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: CA Posts: 6,588	I used Jet Blue for $50 each way. Yea it's ridiculous and expensive. I don't see why we should have to pay for our dogs since it's considered like a carry on. I mean it's not like you are letting it run around or it has special needs. Kids cry and fuss and it's annoying as crap on a airplane but they are still allowed on the plane. If they don't charge you for a carry on they shouldn't charge for the dog. Airlines suck! __________________ Mommy to Coco and Rocco

01-09-2007, 03:29 PM	#8
michiko The Yorkie Sitter Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 2,350	Delta $50 one way and Jet Blue $50 One way are the cheapest I am flying Delta this time.. I know it is ridiculous but .. I cannot sneak her in.. even I could.. So.. I am using my bf's airline miles.. and paying for Haruka's fare. __________________ Michiko (Ethicist) and Haruka(Fragrance of Spring Flowers) [/URL][/COLOR]

01-08-2007, 06:31 PM	#4
RRC Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Posts: 196	If they are going to charge that much, seems like they should let you buy your dog a seat, so his carrier could be beside you instead of under the seat. Plus, the way the seats are so close together now, the space underneath the seats has shrunk until I am doubtful my dog's carrier would even fit. fortunately (i guess!) i am not going anywhere soon. Between what the airlines charge and what the few hotels that even accept dogs charge as a fee, traveling with a dog is an expensive undertaking. I'd rather stay home than leave Jazz, but I'm not made of money. Hope you and Sissy have a great trip! Let us know how she does and if the flight attendants let you take her out of her carrier. I know they aren't supposed to, but I wonder if they always tow the line.

01-08-2007, 08:14 PM	#5
xine Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Austin Posts: 37	I share your aggravation! It's not like that extra charge buys you anything like pre-boarding privileges or even permission to take your baby out to sit on your lap during the flight. What floored me was that the charge is for ONE-WAY only. Still, we reasoned that for a two-week trip, it was better to pay that than to go through the expense and stress of boarding our boy. FYI - American states on their site that it's an $80 fee, and that's what I was told two weeks ago when I made the reservation.

01-09-2007, 03:22 PM	#6
Dena No Longer a Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,424	I think one of the reasons is to not have as many pets on the flight. I mean, we all know babies are annoying on a plane when they are crying and fussing.. and so are dogs when they are whining and barking. So if it was free, anyone and everyone would be bringing all sorts of pets in, so with a fee, it makes it more of a priviladge, and plus, usually they only allow two, so this is a way to monitor how many pets are on a flight IDK, just what i think it's all about. I think the fee should be lower, because $80 one way is a lot.. but i have paid it because i love my wookie and i wanted to take him. But they are like kids.. But I agree, if the flight is already that cheap, then he might as well get a seat. You're allowed to buy two seats on a flight in your name if you want to lounge and spread out.. so buy two seats (if they are the same price), get your doggie one of those strap in car seats, and stick him next to you

01-09-2007, 05:53 PM	#9
rsmit02 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: USA Posts: 90	I just flew United from London UK to Washington USA it was an 8 hour flight and cost $85 each dog me and my husband took a yorkie each. I cannot rate United highly enough and would have paid $1000 for the service I received!!!! In London I got a ticket from check in to go through security last right before flight finished boarding which meant I could go walking outside with my pups till right before take off. At the given time we walked right through to the gate with the pups in bags and got onboard. We had already been upgraded free to premier economy to give us more foot space for dogs and were seated at front of plane so could get off 1st with dogs so not such a wait at immigration with pups that might need to pee and were given a row of 5 seats all kept empty just for us so we had lots of room!!!!! We flew the whole 8 hours with the dogs out their bags under a blanket on the seats next to us with the full knowledge of the air hostess's who kept coming over for a cuddle, they gave us fresh cooked ham for their supper and regular iced water for the pups to drink. They even let us cuddle pups on our knee for landing then dogs went into bags to get off plane, we got off 1st and straight thro with dogs. We also got to take our usual carry on bags aswell as the dogs, United said as the dogs were paid for they were not carry on but "extra/excess baggage" we took dogs in bags and a large rucksack each. United were BRILLIANT I cant reccomend them highly enough every employee we met went out of the way for our dogs. Ruthx __________________ Proud owner of 2 Yorkies My little boy Jake 3yrs and my girly Lily 5yrs.

01-09-2007, 06:40 PM	#10
Tytainea Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 215	Thats an awesome experience. i wish i could say mine was as good. I just flew my baby home to Oklahoma to meet her grandma for the first time. On the flight from ATL to Tulsa the sun was beaming righyt onto the plane. My feet were hot so I KNOW she was uncomfortable. I took her out of her bag to rock her a bit and let her cool off. She was very quiet just looking out the wondow. A flight attendent comes over and tells me I have to put "the dog" in the bag. I told her it was 109 degrees on the floor and I will not put her backl in there. Then she says some people could be alergic. And then I said if they are alergic they are alergic whether she is in my lap or in the bag. So I refuse to put her back on the floor and thats final.....you can kick me off the plane if youd like or you can go back and sit down, but "the dog" is staying right where she is. And that was that. I was so mad.