Does anyone have experience flying with their pooch in cabin?
 

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?

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YES! We flew during new years with Lillie! SHE WAS AN ANGEL!! I was sick to death over it and so worried they wouldn't let her on or something, or the crate wasn't the right size but everything went so smoothly.

I HIGHLY recommend American Airlines--the staff LOVED Lillie and we had no problems. ALso, just go to their website here Traveling With Pets | American Airlines Pet Policy On AA.com and at the requirements for the dogs/cats. We ended up buying the Sherpa bag. She 'just' fit in it...the baby has to be able to stand up and turn around comfortably. Luckily, Lillie is only 4lbs so it was a breeze and the flight was about 3 1/2 hours. She just slept the whole time..not a peep.

I wouldn't worry about it like I did...all went well! Let me know if you have any specific questions---the only thing I DIDN'T like about it was the $100 EACH WAY! :eek: They SHOULD NOT charge for a small dog if they are not going to charge for a skin baby!

....it was worth it though. :D

I'm also wondering the same thing. I'll be flying next month. I did call the airline (southwest) & they except pets. 2 concerns. Have to put her under the seat in front of me. So the crate has to be airline approved. The crate can only be 8" tall. My little girl is 10 lbs & she fits in my soft sided crate ok. But don't know how it'll work out until I get seated & look things over. Flight is 2 1/2 hrs. I'm concerned about her getting cramped. Second concern is will she get sick or develop ear ache from the altitude?
Thanks for any help.

Armani travels very well, she does not need a potty break and does not have issues with nausea. She will be two years old next month. I have yet to find an airline that will allow you to travel with pets in first class. Each time we have traveled on Delta Airlines; we do however have a coast to coast trip in June on Virgin America. The staff was friendly and the other passengers never knew she was on the flight because she was silently tucked away under the seat in front of me. Armani was also in a Sherpa bag with a toy, blanket and treat enclosed. She slept most of the flight.

I also think that the fee is ridiculous considering the fact that they must remain under the seat in front of you and count as your carry on but it is worth it to travel with your pooch.

Best wishes on your pending travel!

I have flown many times with Maggie on all airlines. I have a soft carry on bag that Maggie had spend alot of time in before flying. I used to take her in the car, movies, restaurants etc to get her used to the bag so the first time we flew she was so comfortable in the bag she just slept. I would do alot of car rides in the bag before hand. Ive seen many dogs in the airport sedated and I feel bad for them. I think if you put the time into getting them used to traveling in the bag they do fine. As far as potty breaks I didnt give her alot of water before flying and always did a long walk before, also we never flew more than 4 hours at a time so it wasnt necessary for her.

Your bag sounds fine. We took Ginger to Arizona a few weeks back. She was a little freaked out. She panted the entire time. I think all the sounds scared her. Our vet gave us some puppy sedatives so I gave it to her for the flight home and it seemed to help her relax. I recommend giving it to your puppy an hour before the flight. No sickness or earaches from what I could tell.

My family and I traveled to TN for Thanksgiving last year with no problems! I think it was American Airlines, or their new partner line, I don't know that part was confusing. Either way, I took him in a purse like carrier, the Kwigy-Bo Alex bag, which is my everyday carrier.I did let him out while we waited for the plane, and on the flight (he slept on my lap under a blankie). It was a late night flight so the lights were off. Kaji is calm and quiet (a great traveler!) so I never have a problem with him. We even took him on a 6 hr car drive to the Grand Canyon for New Years. :D I was only told once on the way back from TN to please carry my dog. I let him walk around Memphis airport. :p Other than that, he was spotted out and about and no one said anything about it, neither passengers or staff.

Cissy (now 8 mos.) and I traveled on an American Airlines 3 hr flight in Dec. We too used the Kwigy Bo Alex bag. After reading the advise in the YT Travel Section, this is what we did -
We did get our health certificate, although no one asked for it, we were prepared "just in case". I did not want to give a sedative and the vet suggested giving her a little Benadryl about 1 hr before the flight. After reading about some dogs panting on the flight, I also took a little hand held fan which I could put in front of the vent on her bag and just held it in between my feet so she was getting good air circulation. I also took her a toy, treat and a hand towel in case. I got her a little water from the flight attendent. I had also read that her experience on the flight would depend on the airline staff, which I can confirm. On the flight out, the attendent offered us two empty side by side seats so Cissy would be more comfortable. She told me she "just loved dogs". The only time Cissy was under the seat was during take off and landing, although she did stay in her bag, it was on the seat unzipped and she had her head out laying on the bag sleeping. On the return flight it was just the opposite, I had Cissy in her bag on my lap and the attendent was very upset with me, I had to "keep the bag zipped closed and under the seat". Even the passengers around us were upset because Cissy was causing NO problems, but as she said - rules are rules! So it definately depends on the flight attendent. The return trip was when I did use the fan and she did just fine. At the airports, I would put her unzipped bag in my lap and she was the hit of the airport, if anyone noticed they wanted to come see her. :p She was better than I anticipated.
Sorry for the long post but I was a nervous wreck before the flight and I am trying to relieve some of your worry. Cissy did fine on both legs of the flight even though they were totally different experiences. Hope this helps a little. Good luck!

I was considering bringing Jackson with me to Colorado to visit my uncle since he offered to buy Jackson a ticket too but I'm just too worried about it. I'd be flying by myself and I don't know if I could do it. Jackson is 12lbs so I don't know how well he would fit under the seat, he probably wouldn't even be able to stand up? I'm not really sure though. He's not crate-trained, he doesn't like being in a crate or anything, but he's a wonderful traveler in the car. I don't know -- I'm just TOO worried to do it. If it was a shorter flight, I think I'd be less worried but MD to CO is 5 hours or more. If I was able to walk him through the airport on a leash, I think I'd feel more comfortable. And if I KNEW I was gonna be able to take him out during the flight, I'd feel better.

Katie and I have flown about 4 times without incident. She had no difficulties at all. I even snuck her out of her bag and held her. Katie is 4.5 lbs. and had no problem with the soft-sided sherpa bag I purchased stuffed under seat. Make sure you get a soft carrier so you have no problems fitting it under the seat.

Thanks, great link so much info.
Thanks to all, I was curious to see if flight travel would even work, I would like to take her with us to Orlando next year and starting to think about it now. Getting her use to the Sherpa bag now is probably where I will start.

Does anyone know if you can travel with two?

I have flown with both my girls however the airlines usually have a pet limit of 5 dogs per flight so it's best to purchase your pet ticket in advance. When I traveled alone with both girls in two seperate carriers I had to find under seat space at another seat. Flight attendants were accomodating and also allowed me to but the second carrier on my lap during the flight so we can all sit together. Airline rule is the carrier must be kept under the seat in front of you. I traveled with pets about 15 times in the past few years and never had problems with placing the soft carrier on my lap during flight and returning them to under the seat for take off/landing. We flew American Air, Jet Blue and Delta Song and United. Just make sure you are prepared should there be a delay.

I have only flown coach and I have always found the airline staff to be kind and helpful. When a traveled with both girls in separate carriers they helpful finding space for them. As for our longer flights I would place a pad down in the airport terminal away from the crowd and let them have a pee break. They would be leashed and harnessed of course. never had a problem. Just make sure you plan accordingly for a delay.

Great post!! I'm planning a trip to Newark, DE for my neice's college graduation. (UDEL) I have to fly and was wondering about traveling with Prince. One major concern...Prince is exempt from vacs because of his severe reaction to them. He uses topical heart worm preventative, but that's it. I do have a letter from the vet, but I'm not sure if that will be enough. We cannot let him get vacs, just for the flight. (I would end up missing the grad if he got sick like he had twice before). If worse comes to worse, my hubby would stay home with Prince.
We'll have to fly from ATL to PHL, then take a bus from Philly to Newark (DE). I think it takes about two hours on the bus, and I'm not sure if dogs are allowed on the bus. I remember reading about a lady in Tampa who was thrown off Greyhound because she had a dog! (How ironic is that...Greyhound)! I could rent a car, that would probably be easier and I have a GPS.
I'll make some calls this week.
I get a headache thinking about all of this.

I've considered flying Thor to NYC a few times, but I've always chickened out b/c it's a five hour flight. I'd rather try him on a short flight first, jic. Maybe next time, though. :)

I see people walking dogs around airports, and I always ask them about how it works, and they always say it's fine.

As others have said, the dog has to be placed under the seat in front of you... so you have to make sure you have a seat that allows that. I'm lucky enough to fly first class often, and have not been able to bring Thor because all baggage has to go overhead.

I think you should call the bus company you are using and ask about their pet policy, or look for it online. And also call the airline company you are using, sounds like prince is a special situation. I think as long as you have proof that he is healthy (a health certificate from the vet) and another written document from the vet stating Prince's special circumstance. You're not traveling from a different country where quarantine is sometimes put in place. But, call just to be on the safe side.

To be honest, I never needed any of the documentation that they asked for. I went in and out without anyone asking for any documentation. But I bet if I didn't have them, they would have asked to see his health certificate. You know how those things could be sometimes. If I was gutsy, I'd probably try bringing Kaji in without even paying for him. Seriously, no one knew he was on the plane because of how quiet he is. But, I'm a goody goody and I always follow the rules. :)

oops, double post!

I have taken Levi with me to Florida the last three years. About a 2-3 hour flight to Atlanta and then another quick 45 minute flight to Daytona Beach. Every time I took him I gave him the pill the vet suggested 1 hour before the flight. I flew Delta and found them often rude. You have to walk the dog through the security scanner. No collar, no leash and men with guns on the other side of the scanner. The first time Levi was like no way. Then I got him to go through. Delta gave me a hard time about water, nutrical the health certificate and letting him out of his bag in the rest room to stretch his legs. Forget the flight attendents that wouldn't even let me unzip the bag an inch. I finally decided to get rude back....so that I could give him some water. The attendent said people may have allergies....well the lady next to me had on enough perfume to choke a horse. I finally told the flight attendent that I paid $150.00 for my dog to be smushed under the seat.. more than most "people" passengers had paid and if he was panting...he was getting some water! She then left me alone.
Last flight ...Delta again....they were very nice. Attendent told me that she had no issues unless I completely took him out of the bag....which I wouldn't do. So, I unzipped the bag and left my hand in...Levi was very happy.
I think it boils down to.....its whoever you get as the flight attendent.I also use the Sherpa bag...which I love!

Great advice!!!! Thank you.:)

I always fly with my Baby Zoey, and she is an angel. We flew coach on Continental and American. I flew from Louisiana to California with a layover in Houston. The flight to Houston was an hour and to give her a break I would take her into the ladies room and put a pee pad on the floor for her. She never would use it. The flight to California was 4 hours. Sometimes the flight attendants would be very friendly and look the other way if Zoey was on my lap. Other times they would tell me as I boarded the plane that the pet had to stay in the carrier. Zoey has also gone to New York, Massachusetts, & Ct. She has always done very well.

Have not flown yet, but are preparing to in June. I've been reading a lot about others experiences as well, so this is a very helpful post!

We will be on three flights - international, total travel duration will be about 7 hours.

Regarding the carrier, we have a Celltei. It meets the underseat requirements. Remy was not crate trained, so we have been slowly making the adjustment. I take him on short trips, errands, etc in it and we are finally getting to the point where he is calming down while inside. Hopefully with another several months of work we'll be good to go in June. I do NOT want to sedate him.

I am a bit worried about the potty situation. He was pad trained until he decided around 1 year old that he would not use it any more. He is typically outside every 4-5 hours during the day, has on occasion lasted 8-9 hours. So, I'm hopeful that with two walks prior to departure he will be alright. I seriously doubt that on my layovers I will have time to get outside, and then back through security in order to give him a mid-morning break. And, I don't think he will use a pad if I take him into the rest room with one, as I've read that is the process others use.

I know I need a health certificate and current rabies vacc info - all in writing within 10 days of my departure and signed by my vet. His micro chip is EU compliant, and I will have photos of him with my passport.

I am planning to pack his food (NV Raw) in my checked luggage and have found a soft-side cooler that will keep things frozen for 24 hours. Hopefully it does not get confiscated. I will likely have a vet letter packed with it so it is not identified as contraband.

That kind of sums up what I've learned thus far....

Yes, most airlines allow two per carrier. If you can fly southwest even better because their pet fee is the least expensive at $75 one way.

Mine have flown distances up to 7 hours to an hour. No problems whatsoever

I flew with my yorkie from Colorado Springs, CO to Chicago, Ohare in September. She was only about 3 1/2 months old at the time, and weighed about 2 pounds. I flew on United and they charged me $50.00 each way. All major airlines have info on their websites about flying with pets. The one thing that I found out when I called the airline, is that the only bag they approve is the 'Sherpa' soft-sided carrier! This was not listed on their website, so I'm glad I called! Also, you are required to have a 'Certificate of Veterinary Inspection' from your vet. I believe this is a requirement by the department of agriculture, and the airlines. This cost me $35.00. In addition, my vet told me to make a copy of this certificate, along with proof of current vaccinations, to give to the airlines at check in. Hope this helps!

Wow! $35, it was over $80 for me. Good advice, I didn't think of having a copy of vaccinations, but then again my vet added that to the health certificate. Funny that they had a restriction on what kind of bag, when I went I swear, everyone that had a dog didn't have to show any proof of health certificate, proper bag, or payment. I think my travel experience was a total fluke. It's a good idea to be prepared. :) Don't want anyone here to say, "well so and so had absolutely no problems." :p

Yeah I did! First class usually doesnt allow you to take pets. My baby was an angel, I took him out...even though you are not suppose to and he slept on my lap the entire time. The staff saw me but didnt really care. I flew on Virgin America for 6 hours. No one sat next to me so no one even noticed I had a dog...they all thought it was a stuffed animal. haha He didnt need any potty breaks. I did give him 2cc of Childrens Benadryl like my vet recommended.

Hi
I used to fly first class all the time with my yorkie on Delta up to last year when she passed away. It depends on the type of plane. If it is is the type that has no room for under seat storage in First due to equipment placement then you can't take pets on but I almost always was allowed. Jessie loved to fly. Like others have said, it depends on the fight attendants. Most had no problem with me taking her out of the bag for awhile but the rules are to remain in bag. I had flight attendants who were dog lovers actually encourage me to take her out so they could play with her. I had one flight attendant insist that I take half of her turkey sandwich for Jessie to eat after we landed, when she heard that the dog hadn't eaten that morning. (I only gave her a small piece of bread since she didn't eat much people food but my husband said the sandwich was pretty good. LOL) I had another flight attendant tell me she would take Jessie into the galley area so she could walk around and pee, if she had to. I politely declined . Mostly she slept through the flights and only woke upon descent. Most people never knew there was a dog on the plane. Some tips:

The sherpa bag is excellent but make sure the dog is used to it. Take the dog on adventures with it before flying.

I never fed or gave water to my dog before flying, I would take her for a walk right before I entered security and then during the flight let her suck on an ice cube or give her small amounts of water. Towards the end of the flight I would give her some food and water, if she wanted it.

I never medicated her and she remained calm-something about the motion of the plane.

I was never asked for any documents in 10 years of flying with her but I always had them just in case.

I never minded layovers if I had enough time to go outside security and walk her. Otherwise, I would try to avoid them unless the overall flight time was 8 hours or less.


I plan to take Jamie, my new yorkie, on an airplane but I am waiting until she is a little older. I am getting her used to the bag, meanwhile.

I had so many great experiences with Jessie on vacation and I'm so glad I always took her with me.

Hi everyone! :wavey: We're flying to Texas at the end of this month for my boyfriend's brother's high school graduation. Zoe will be flying with us (her "fee" roundtrip is the same as one of our roundtrip tickets!) and I'm trying to prepare properly. We'll be flying American Airlines and her "seat" has already been reserved. We've got an Alex Quigy Bo bag so she's all set for the flight. Now on to my question: AA does not require a health certificate. I've tried looking online through the FAA website and as far as I've found they don't say they require a health certificate. I had been planning on getting a health certificate but now I'm not sure if it's needed. Our vet will charge us a total of $75 for a vet visit and health certificate fee. While I want to be prepared I don't want to spend money that just doesn't need to be spent. (Zoe had health problems this year and she's racked over $700 in vet bills so far. I'm trying to cut back wherever I can.) Does anyone have anything that shows a health certificate is required by the FAA?

I have only been asked to present a health certificate 1 out of 20 times. It is a good thing to have incase you need to switch airlines. I'm really shocked your vet is charging $75. I would ask your vet for a updated print out of vaccines your baby had and carry that with you and make sure it includes the rabies vac.

I haven't flown AA recently but I have flown Southwest and AirTran and neither one required a health certificate. I've never had to show one for my Yorkies traveling domestically. It's my understanding that you only need one when flying internationally but I'm not 100% sure on that statement for all airlines.