when I fly with my dogs, I AM ALWAYS THE LAST PERSON ON THE PLANE! I wait at the gate until they A. either call my name, or B. they say this is last call. or final boarding. and I wait somemore if I know there's still a line in the jet way to the plane. that way if it is hot, because they can't turn a/c on til airborne for some reason. my dog doesn't have to suffer so long.
Also. you could put a small dish of Ice you could get from a vendor right before you board. OR use a cool mat. the kind that has the gel in it you get it wet and it stays cold for days. then they can lay on that. I bought my cool gel mat at gwlittle.com
my dogs have never barked or whined or cried when flying. They know somehow that they are doing something special with mom and dad and thats good enough for them.
Happy flights! I'm sure it will all be fine.
