Does anyone have experience flying with their pooch in cabin? - Page 4 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

shodanusmc · 09-07-2010, 11:44 AM

When we had a place in AZ, Marge used to fly out there with Maxine frequently. She used to Fly United, and did great. Marge usually flew coach but up front with more leg room, or she upgraded to First class. Maxine could not tell the difference. I do know the Addendents did not like when Marge would take her out of her carrier and hold her. Some said nothing, some did. She never had a problem on a 3-4 hour flight, but she did not care for the kids she ran across in the Red Carpet Lounge. The bag would shake as she attacked from within. Still can't figure out why she does not like kids.

Reinell · 11-29-2010, 11:48 AM

This is a great thread! Very helpful!

I will post back after my husband and I have travelled with my two Yorkies from Canada to Sweden on Air Canada.

General notes about us: limit of one dog per person on Air Canada and Sweden has among the strictest rules for entry, we have done all the tests required. The flight and time in airports total should be 15-16 hours ... a very long trip! We are right now looking into using Acevet as a mild sedative but need to test it a couple times before using it on the flight. It is due to the fact that the flight is so long that I think we should sedate the dogs to calm them. My oldest Rocky is OK being in crates for a good amount of time but River doesn't like it so we'll see how this goes.

Note to Britster: I think Jackson will fit into a carrier just fine. We have our Rocky in a JetSet black carrier and I think Jackson would fit in that with no problems. Link: PetEgo : Relentless Italian Style

ajaxs dad · 04-18-2011, 02:44 PM

hi everyone, first post here and quite informative. my fur child is going on 11 and friday will be her first ever flight. she's just 4-5lbs so fitting her should be no problem. i was wondering about benadryl, melatonin, something to kind of mellow her out?
also, this is a VERY sudden relocation. found out today that i leave on friday. it's a three hour flight. she has never been crate trained, but does well in the car and always just sleeps in my lap, so i'm hoping she will just crash out on the flight. this is very nerve wracking for me, even with all the reassurance from all the quality replies on this thread. three cheers for google pointing me this way. any additional help to what has already been posted would be appreciated, i'm sort of a nervous wreck over here.

pancakepat · 04-18-2011, 05:29 PM

Only traveled once w/my 10lb. yorkie. Had to put her on floor under the seat in front of me in a travel bag. Believe me, the noise & viberation is alot louder & stronger on the floor. I stayed bent over w/my hand on her, petting & rubbing. She settled down after the take off. Didn't give her anything. Looking back, I still wouldn't. When landing I knew what to expect, so I started petting & rubbing her before all the noise from engine started. She did alot better. Flight back did the same on take off & she did just fine. Slept during the flight. I would recommend some kind of small battery powered fan for your yorkie. Wish I had one on that flight. Good Luck. As long as you know what to expect & be prepared for it, it'll be fine. You might even try keeping your yorkie on your lap but take a small carrier in case the attendent says anything.

143julz · 04-18-2011, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pancakepat

Only traveled once w/my 10lb. yorkie. Had to put her on floor under the seat in front of me in a travel bag. Believe me, the noise & viberation is alot louder & stronger on the floor. I stayed bent over w/my hand on her, petting & rubbing. She settled down after the take off. Didn't give her anything. Looking back, I still wouldn't. When landing I knew what to expect, so I started petting & rubbing her before all the noise from engine started. She did alot better. Flight back did the same on take off & she did just fine. Slept during the flight. I would recommend some kind of small battery powered fan for your yorkie. Wish I had one on that flight. Good Luck. As long as you know what to expect & be prepared for it, it'll be fine. You might even try keeping your yorkie on your lap but take a small carrier in case the attendent says anything.

My first Yorkie was 10 yr when she took her first flight. I did give her a 1/4 of Benadryl. I didn't on the way back b/c i think it did more harm than good. She was a very calm, non hyper, non barker dog so i figured she would be the saem on a plane as long as i was there and she was GREAT...
My two now have flown GREAT with no meds required... I did as the post above and kept my hand in the bag on take off and right before landing

You'll do fine

ajaxs dad · 04-18-2011, 06:41 PM

thank you for the above replies. i'm a worrier by nature, lol. thank you again. luckily, it's just a one way flight, so even if it goes badly, it's just three hours of my life, right??!

yorkietalkjilly · 04-18-2011, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MorkieMomii

Wondering if anyone has flown with their adult dog in the cabin with them. Did you fly first class or coach? What was it like, length of flight and what airline. Were the airline staff friendly about it, how about the other passengers? How did your dog cope and what about if they needed a potty break? Did you sedate or need to give something for nausea?

.

I flew from Denver with my dog under the seat during take-off and landing but most of the rest of the time, was able to have the carrier in my lap. I think that was American.

Reinell · 04-18-2011, 11:16 PM

Here is a link to a blog about me travelling with my two yorkies to Europe: Dog Jaunt : Reader’s report: Taking two in-cabin dogs from Canada to Sweden on Air Canada and DSB train : Traveling with a small dog
Check out her website Dog Jaunt : Traveling with a small dog as it really helped me before my flight.

As you say, it is only 3 hours and I know that I have been annoyed with other people's children on flights so I figure it should be OK if a dog makes a little fuss. I found that the engine is so loud that small quiet whining can't really be heard - but loud barking would.

If you can reach your hand into the carrier (make sure it meets airline regulations and you have all the vaccinations required etc) from time to time to comfort your dog it should be just fine. Good luck to you!

Cat Hunter · 04-24-2011, 10:45 AM

This was my baby's first flight, and first journey of any length. I made a reservation for myself and then called to make a reservation for him on the same flight, apparently one has 30 minutes to cancel a flight with no penalty if there is no room for the dog on the flight you've chosen.

Mogwi had been sleeping in his carrier for a few months (afternoon naps only because he sleeps with me)! He hides his toys in there and takes treats in there. Just before entering the airport building I put him in the carrier and zipped it closed (with all the mesh parts open so he could see out and breathe comfortably). He started to yelp a little but I managed the check in, paid the $100 one way fee and headed to the gate. The check in people were very nice and kept telling me how cute Mogwi is.
I have a Clear membership so I did not have to wait in a long security check line, I put my back pack and Mogwi's carrier on the belt and carried him through the scanner with me. He was very happy to be out the carrier, so I just kept him in my arms. We had 30 minutes before boarding so I took him with me to the ladies and put a wee wee pad down for him, but he was not interested.
I was sitting in the last row in the first class cabin, window seat. I asked the man next to me if he minded that I kept my doggy on my lap and he said "not at all" then the stewardess asked him if he minded and he said no, so she let me hold my baby all the way to DC (I put him safely in the carrier for takeoff and landing).
I seemed to enjoy flying! He looked out of the window when he was not sleeping. I did not sedate him. I did take him for a walk before we left the house and I had an evening flight which helped.
When we deplaned I took him straight outside where he went pee immediately, then I went back in to get the bags. Everything went very well.
The flight home went swimmingly well also until the actual flying part! Again I was in the last seat in the first class cabin, my neighbor had no problem with Mogwi being on my lap, but the stewardess did! She told me very sternly that he had to stay in the carrier under the seat in front of me.

My baby yelped and cried all the time, disturbing all the other passengers and I was distraught. I picked the carrier up and put the whole thing on my lap, opened the front 'door' and put my arm all the way in so Mogwi could lie his head on my arm, he immediately fell asleep and slept until descent.

I don't know why the rules are the way they are, I thought maybe it was because some people are allergic, and some dogs are badly behaved and would run about the cabin! But service dogs would also cause allergic reactions just like pet dogs. I also don't understand why I paid more for my 5lb Yorkie to fly that I did for my own ticket!! Just for him to be treated like luggage??
Still, I am bringing him home to England in July, in the cabin of a Lufthansa plane. I hope the crew like dogs......

cathymaura · 04-22-2012, 09:44 PM

This is very helpful. I am traveling with my baby Sammy in Aug and was very concerned about how he will handle it. He does get car sick sometimes. I have ordered his carrier and will plan to get him used to it both at home and in the car before we fly. I really don't want to sedate him if I don't have to. He is 6 months old right now and is crate trained (only at night).
I hope all goes well and the flight attendants and passengers are ok with it.
I agree the price is outrageous. They should almost have their own seat for that price or at least be able to sit on our laps.

Cat Hunter · 04-23-2012, 04:14 AM

I am sure he will be fine, the noise and vibration of the engine seems to put Mogwi to sleep. We are in the Caribbean just now and he was great on the flight as usual. I have a harness attachment which I attach to him and then to my seat belt so he won't hurt himself if there was some rough turbulence. Most airports have special places where you can let your dog relieve himself after you check in.
When Mogwi was small and not trained yet, I put him in a carrier but he cried a lot so I picked the carrier up and put it on my lap and though I was not allowed to take him out, I opened the door and put as much of my arm in as I could, this calmed him down and he slept.
Good luck

pancakepat · 04-23-2012, 05:37 PM

I flew once. On flight out the attendent made me leave Tabby in carrier on floor under the seat in front of me. It's alot warmer on the floor & in carrier. Not much air circulating. They feel the plane viberation alot and the engine noise is much louder. Ended up opening the carrier door so I could get my hand in & pet her. It helped to calm her down. On the trip back, the attendent let me put her on my lap.

Really ticked me off on the trip out. Some kid wouldn't stop crying and screaming. I'll take a four legged baby over a human any day.

Good luck.

Cat Hunter · 04-23-2012, 05:43 PM

Me too. I really don't understand the 'in the carrier' rule. They say its because of allergies that some people have. But I have had a situation in the past where the person sitting next to me and the two in front had no problem with my small dog being on my lap attached to my seat belt, but the flight attendant made me put him under the seat and he cried and whined until I picked the carrier up and put my arm all the way inside the carrier, then he was quiet. It seems like it all depends if the flight attendant likes dogs or not.

DBlain · 04-24-2012, 09:00 PM

dogs in carriers, closed up and under the seat, that's the rule and it sucks because people can board sick, blowing their nose, stinking of garlic or BO, and don't get me started about crying kids sitting on their parents laps for free. Best piece of advice is to hide your dog when boarding, get a pet carrier that does not look like a carrier and do not let the flight attendants see them when boarding. Always get a window seat and bring a dark scarf or multi colored one, something that is close to your dogs coloring. I cross my legs, open a magazine on top of the dog and eventually put the tray down, all to help hide Lola. Most of the time if they do not see you board with your pet this works. Then be on the lookout, I am constantly looking around to make sure they are not heading my way, and most of the time the person sitting next to me winds up helping keep lookout. I have flown dozens of times with yorkies and NEVER once had I had a fellow passenger seem annoyed by my dog. Their rules suck and that is why I am now seeing a mental health professional about my "fear of flying" so I can get a certificate saying that I have a medical/ mental condition which makes it necessary for me to fly with Lola on my lap. Screw them I am tired of paying $100.00 each way and then be forced to shove Lola underneath the seat like a piece of baggage or an old pair of boots OK, LOL ask me how I really feel about airline rules

Cat Hunter · 04-25-2012, 04:56 AM

I agree with you totally. The space left for a dog is very small next to the video equipment under the seat in front of you, it seems cruel but what choice do dog owners have? If a fuss was made maybe they would just say no pet dogs in the cabin at all, then what?
I have had all kinds of different treatment from Airline Employees and my dog is a service dog, a medical alert service dog but because he is a cute little Yorkie people look at me funny, as if they want to be sure and let me see that they know I am doing something wrong. It is exasperating.
As far as germs from dogs go, I do not know of anyone who has caught even a cold from a dog, we get far more germs from other people. And yet dogs are not allowed in grocery stores, why, well its for health and safety reasons I have been told. Now I can understand why dogs should not be allowed to urinate and or defecate in a store, but my dog is carried in my arms, has had more shots and heath care than the average American human, he does not cough or sneeze and spread germs, he does not use his 'paws' to wipe his privates and then touch things on shelves. So it seems that the idea that dogs are dirty comes from somewhere that does no comparison between the germs we get from people and the germs we get from dogs. I would like to see those figures.
We have groomed this species to live and work and depend on us, and then we introduce laws so that they can't really be with us except confined in our homes

11-29-2010, 11:48 AM	#47
Reinell Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Southern Sweden Posts: 203	This is a great thread! Very helpful! I will post back after my husband and I have travelled with my two Yorkies from Canada to Sweden on Air Canada. General notes about us: limit of one dog per person on Air Canada and Sweden has among the strictest rules for entry, we have done all the tests required. The flight and time in airports total should be 15-16 hours ... a very long trip! We are right now looking into using Acevet as a mild sedative but need to test it a couple times before using it on the flight. It is due to the fact that the flight is so long that I think we should sedate the dogs to calm them. My oldest Rocky is OK being in crates for a good amount of time but River doesn't like it so we'll see how this goes. Note to Britster: I think Jackson will fit into a carrier just fine. We have our Rocky in a JetSet black carrier and I think Jackson would fit in that with no problems. Link: PetEgo : Relentless Italian Style __________________ Rocky , River & me Last edited by Reinell; 11-29-2010 at 11:50 AM.

04-18-2011, 11:16 PM	#53
Reinell Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Southern Sweden Posts: 203	Here is a link to a blog about me travelling with my two yorkies to Europe: Dog Jaunt : Reader’s report: Taking two in-cabin dogs from Canada to Sweden on Air Canada and DSB train : Traveling with a small dog Check out her website Dog Jaunt : Traveling with a small dog as it really helped me before my flight. As you say, it is only 3 hours and I know that I have been annoyed with other people's children on flights so I figure it should be OK if a dog makes a little fuss. I found that the engine is so loud that small quiet whining can't really be heard - but loud barking would. If you can reach your hand into the carrier (make sure it meets airline regulations and you have all the vaccinations required etc) from time to time to comfort your dog it should be just fine. Good luck to you! __________________ Rocky , River & me

04-24-2011, 10:45 AM	#54
Cat Hunter Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: orlando, florida USA Posts: 127	US AIRWAYS Orlando to Washington Regan (DCA) This was my baby's first flight, and first journey of any length. I made a reservation for myself and then called to make a reservation for him on the same flight, apparently one has 30 minutes to cancel a flight with no penalty if there is no room for the dog on the flight you've chosen. Mogwi had been sleeping in his carrier for a few months (afternoon naps only because he sleeps with me)! He hides his toys in there and takes treats in there. Just before entering the airport building I put him in the carrier and zipped it closed (with all the mesh parts open so he could see out and breathe comfortably). He started to yelp a little but I managed the check in, paid the $100 one way fee and headed to the gate. The check in people were very nice and kept telling me how cute Mogwi is. I have a Clear membership so I did not have to wait in a long security check line, I put my back pack and Mogwi's carrier on the belt and carried him through the scanner with me. He was very happy to be out the carrier, so I just kept him in my arms. We had 30 minutes before boarding so I took him with me to the ladies and put a wee wee pad down for him, but he was not interested. I was sitting in the last row in the first class cabin, window seat. I asked the man next to me if he minded that I kept my doggy on my lap and he said "not at all" then the stewardess asked him if he minded and he said no, so she let me hold my baby all the way to DC (I put him safely in the carrier for takeoff and landing). I seemed to enjoy flying! He looked out of the window when he was not sleeping. I did not sedate him. I did take him for a walk before we left the house and I had an evening flight which helped. When we deplaned I took him straight outside where he went pee immediately, then I went back in to get the bags. Everything went very well. The flight home went swimmingly well also until the actual flying part! Again I was in the last seat in the first class cabin, my neighbor had no problem with Mogwi being on my lap, but the stewardess did! She told me very sternly that he had to stay in the carrier under the seat in front of me. My baby yelped and cried all the time, disturbing all the other passengers and I was distraught. I picked the carrier up and put the whole thing on my lap, opened the front 'door' and put my arm all the way in so Mogwi could lie his head on my arm, he immediately fell asleep and slept until descent. I don't know why the rules are the way they are, I thought maybe it was because some people are allergic, and some dogs are badly behaved and would run about the cabin! But service dogs would also cause allergic reactions just like pet dogs. I also don't understand why I paid more for my 5lb Yorkie to fly that I did for my own ticket!! Just for him to be treated like luggage?? Still, I am bringing him home to England in July, in the cabin of a Lufthansa plane. I hope the crew like dogs......

04-22-2012, 09:44 PM	#55
cathymaura Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: West palm beach Posts: 25 Blog Entries: 1	Traveling with my boy Sammy This is very helpful. I am traveling with my baby Sammy in Aug and was very concerned about how he will handle it. He does get car sick sometimes. I have ordered his carrier and will plan to get him used to it both at home and in the car before we fly. I really don't want to sedate him if I don't have to. He is 6 months old right now and is crate trained (only at night). I hope all goes well and the flight attendants and passengers are ok with it. I agree the price is outrageous. They should almost have their own seat for that price or at least be able to sit on our laps.

04-24-2012, 09:00 PM	#59
DBlain Donating YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Oakland County MI Posts: 6,190	dogs in carriers, closed up and under the seat, that's the rule and it sucks because people can board sick, blowing their nose, stinking of garlic or BO, and don't get me started about crying kids sitting on their parents laps for free. Best piece of advice is to hide your dog when boarding, get a pet carrier that does not look like a carrier and do not let the flight attendants see them when boarding. Always get a window seat and bring a dark scarf or multi colored one, something that is close to your dogs coloring. I cross my legs, open a magazine on top of the dog and eventually put the tray down, all to help hide Lola. Most of the time if they do not see you board with your pet this works. Then be on the lookout, I am constantly looking around to make sure they are not heading my way, and most of the time the person sitting next to me winds up helping keep lookout. I have flown dozens of times with yorkies and NEVER once had I had a fellow passenger seem annoyed by my dog. Their rules suck and that is why I am now seeing a mental health professional about my "fear of flying" so I can get a certificate saying that I have a medical/ mental condition which makes it necessary for me to fly with Lola on my lap. Screw them I am tired of paying $100.00 each way and then be forced to shove Lola underneath the seat like a piece of baggage or an old pair of boots OK, LOL ask me how I really feel about airline rules __________________ Lola my amazing little yorkie-pom Donna

09-07-2010, 11:44 AM	#46
shodanusmc BANNED! Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,603	When we had a place in AZ, Marge used to fly out there with Maxine frequently. She used to Fly United, and did great. Marge usually flew coach but up front with more leg room, or she upgraded to First class. Maxine could not tell the difference. I do know the Addendents did not like when Marge would take her out of her carrier and hold her. Some said nothing, some did. She never had a problem on a 3-4 hour flight, but she did not care for the kids she ran across in the Red Carpet Lounge. The bag would shake as she attacked from within. Still can't figure out why she does not like kids.

04-18-2011, 02:44 PM	#48
ajaxs dad YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Yorkieville Posts: 2	hi everyone, first post here and quite informative. my fur child is going on 11 and friday will be her first ever flight. she's just 4-5lbs so fitting her should be no problem. i was wondering about benadryl, melatonin, something to kind of mellow her out? also, this is a VERY sudden relocation. found out today that i leave on friday. it's a three hour flight. she has never been crate trained, but does well in the car and always just sleeps in my lap, so i'm hoping she will just crash out on the flight. this is very nerve wracking for me, even with all the reassurance from all the quality replies on this thread. three cheers for google pointing me this way. any additional help to what has already been posted would be appreciated, i'm sort of a nervous wreck over here.

04-18-2011, 05:29 PM	#49
pancakepat Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Kansas, the sunflower state USA Posts: 242	Only traveled once w/my 10lb. yorkie. Had to put her on floor under the seat in front of me in a travel bag. Believe me, the noise & viberation is alot louder & stronger on the floor. I stayed bent over w/my hand on her, petting & rubbing. She settled down after the take off. Didn't give her anything. Looking back, I still wouldn't. When landing I knew what to expect, so I started petting & rubbing her before all the noise from engine started. She did alot better. Flight back did the same on take off & she did just fine. Slept during the flight. I would recommend some kind of small battery powered fan for your yorkie. Wish I had one on that flight. Good Luck. As long as you know what to expect & be prepared for it, it'll be fine. You might even try keeping your yorkie on your lap but take a small carrier in case the attendent says anything.

04-18-2011, 06:41 PM	#51
ajaxs dad YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Yorkieville Posts: 2	thank you for the above replies. i'm a worrier by nature, lol. thank you again. luckily, it's just a one way flight, so even if it goes badly, it's just three hours of my life, right??!

04-23-2012, 04:14 AM	#56
Cat Hunter Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: orlando, florida USA Posts: 127	I am sure he will be fine, the noise and vibration of the engine seems to put Mogwi to sleep. We are in the Caribbean just now and he was great on the flight as usual. I have a harness attachment which I attach to him and then to my seat belt so he won't hurt himself if there was some rough turbulence. Most airports have special places where you can let your dog relieve himself after you check in. When Mogwi was small and not trained yet, I put him in a carrier but he cried a lot so I picked the carrier up and put it on my lap and though I was not allowed to take him out, I opened the door and put as much of my arm in as I could, this calmed him down and he slept. Good luck

04-23-2012, 05:37 PM	#57
pancakepat Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Kansas, the sunflower state USA Posts: 242	I flew once. On flight out the attendent made me leave Tabby in carrier on floor under the seat in front of me. It's alot warmer on the floor & in carrier. Not much air circulating. They feel the plane viberation alot and the engine noise is much louder. Ended up opening the carrier door so I could get my hand in & pet her. It helped to calm her down. On the trip back, the attendent let me put her on my lap. Really ticked me off on the trip out. Some kid wouldn't stop crying and screaming. I'll take a four legged baby over a human any day. Good luck.

04-23-2012, 05:43 PM	#58
Cat Hunter Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: orlando, florida USA Posts: 127	Me too. I really don't understand the 'in the carrier' rule. They say its because of allergies that some people have. But I have had a situation in the past where the person sitting next to me and the two in front had no problem with my small dog being on my lap attached to my seat belt, but the flight attendant made me put him under the seat and he cried and whined until I picked the carrier up and put my arm all the way inside the carrier, then he was quiet. It seems like it all depends if the flight attendant likes dogs or not.

04-25-2012, 04:56 AM	#60
Cat Hunter Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: orlando, florida USA Posts: 127	I agree with you totally. The space left for a dog is very small next to the video equipment under the seat in front of you, it seems cruel but what choice do dog owners have? If a fuss was made maybe they would just say no pet dogs in the cabin at all, then what? I have had all kinds of different treatment from Airline Employees and my dog is a service dog, a medical alert service dog but because he is a cute little Yorkie people look at me funny, as if they want to be sure and let me see that they know I am doing something wrong. It is exasperating. As far as germs from dogs go, I do not know of anyone who has caught even a cold from a dog, we get far more germs from other people. And yet dogs are not allowed in grocery stores, why, well its for health and safety reasons I have been told. Now I can understand why dogs should not be allowed to urinate and or defecate in a store, but my dog is carried in my arms, has had more shots and heath care than the average American human, he does not cough or sneeze and spread germs, he does not use his 'paws' to wipe his privates and then touch things on shelves. So it seems that the idea that dogs are dirty comes from somewhere that does no comparison between the germs we get from people and the germs we get from dogs. I would like to see those figures. We have groomed this species to live and work and depend on us, and then we introduce laws so that they can't really be with us except confined in our homes Last edited by Cat Hunter; 04-25-2012 at 04:59 AM.