I have used American in the past… didn’t have much of a problem but I was wondering about other’s experiences.
I am going to be traveling with two dogs a 20 lb frenchie and a 55 lb boxer.
I want it to be low stress…
Pick the airline with a non-stop if at all possible.
If more than one airline with non-stop between origin and destination, then start researching (where I am, not many non-stop choices).
Can you carry your frenchie onboard?
Overseas or domestic? I used KLM from the UAE to Canada and they were great.
If it is within the US, and, if you can, use Alaska Airlines, hands down the best one I have used so far. Also, by all means, get non-stop.
I believe Delta has completely lost a couple of dogs this year, so I can’t say I’d go with them.
Southwest only allows animals in the cabin, not in cargo so you can cross that one off your list due to your dog’s size. I have flown my dog with them several times and would definitely recommend them if your dog was eligible.
Those are both breeds with short noses and at higher risk for problems when exposed to heat. Unfortunately most airlines no longer accept these breeds in cargo. Delta and American refuse to allow both Frenchies and Boxers in cargo and I believe most major airlines have the same restrictions.
We know a pilot who said he hates having dogs in the cargo area. If he gets a warning indicator of any possibility of fire in the cargo area, he has to deploy the fire retardant system which kills the dogs.
Just a funny thing I was reading when checking the Southwest site for pet restrictions. I’m not sure about your Frenchie La Gringa, but this would knock mine out of being able to be in the cabin:
The animals must be harmless, not disruptive, odorless, and require no attention during flight.
He is definitely not “odorless” - he drops some stink bombs that would have people running for the exits! (Gotta love that smooshed nose):winkgrin:
Just domestic. My frenchie could be brought on board, she’s about 20 lbs… a bit of a chubster but I think she will fit in a carrier. The boxer will have to be checked in a crate.
[QUOTE=In The Gate;7865463]
Those are both breeds with short noses and at higher risk for problems when exposed to heat. Unfortunately most airlines no longer accept these breeds in cargo. Delta and American refuse to allow both Frenchies and Boxers in cargo and I believe most major airlines have the same restrictions.[/QUOTE]
Interesting. I flew about 10 years ago international from S. America wih two boxers…not an issue then. Good to know, I will check on that.
You will also need to check the temperature regulations. Airlines won’t fly dogs if temp is above or below certain degrees.
[QUOTE=La Gringa;7866103]
Interesting. I flew about 10 years ago international from S. America wih two boxers…not an issue then. Good to know, I will check on that.[/QUOTE]
The additional regulations are in place for your dogs’ safety. The airlines want your dogs to arrive safely as much as you do - terrible publicity when one dies en route.
Definitely book a non-stop flight, and I’d choose a date when it will be relatively chilly to avoid heatstroke or frostbite if the dog is left on the runway. There aren’t usually a whole ton of options for non-stop flights, but when you have it narrowed down to a few, make sure to read the cargo policies very carefully.
[QUOTE=AKB;7865488]
We know a pilot who said he hates having dogs in the cargo area. If he gets a warning indicator of any possibility of fire in the cargo area, he has to deploy the fire retardant system which kills the dogs.[/QUOTE]
How many times have you flown and there was a potential FIRE in the cargo area?
[QUOTE=Calamber;7866949]
How many times have you flown and there was a potential FIRE in the cargo area?[/QUOTE]
None thankfully for me but that would not be something I would want to repeat if I had.
[QUOTE=La Gringa;7866095]
Just domestic. My frenchie could be brought on board, she’s about 20 lbs… a bit of a chubster but I think she will fit in a carrier.[/QUOTE]
That is borderline and will depend on the various employees you encounter that day. I would have a contingency plan if you attempt to carry-on and are forced to check her.
[QUOTE=Laurierace;7867032]
None thankfully for me but that would not be something I would want to repeat if I had.[/QUOTE]
Dogs are shipped constantly across the United States, I have never heard of a death of a dog due to a fire in the cargo area. Never. If you have a fire in the cargo area, you have a much bigger problem than a potential threat to the dog.
[QUOTE=Calamber;7867612]
Dogs are shipped constantly across the United States, I have never heard of a death of a dog due to a fire in the cargo area. Never. If you have a fire in the cargo area, you have a much bigger problem than a potential threat to the dog.[/QUOTE]
http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/traveling-pets-airlines-dog-deaths/story?id=11198807
Dogs can die during air travel for many different reasons. I’ve known some breeders that hook the kennel shut with those plastic handcuffs in an effort to protect against escape. I’d look in to the airlines for pets if at all possible. I have large dogs and have never had to fly them anywhere - I will admit that I have low risk tolerance and would drive if possible, but a pet airline where they can fly in the cabin would be preferable to the cargo area.
[QUOTE=Calamber;7867612]
Dogs are shipped constantly across the United States, I have never heard of a death of a dog due to a fire in the cargo area. Never. If you have a fire in the cargo area, you have a much bigger problem than a potential threat to the dog.[/QUOTE]
What is your point? You asked how many times it had happened to me and I said none.
I would never ship an adult dog on any airline based upon my experiences doing “dog search and rescues” at the Atlanta airport for years when I lived in Atlanta. . Delta is based there and had a high volume of dogs which were put on the conveyor belt to the planes with the luggage, and offloaded the same way. When the kennels would fall off the belt, and pop open, the dogs would get loose and end up on one of the interstates surrounding the airport. Dead dogs. Puppies are easier to catch if their kennels fall off the conveyor belt. Delta employees would try for a while to catch the dogs, but then they’d go back to loading luggage. (I interviewed lot of people who worked at that airport while I was trying to find other people’s dogs.) That’s a steep incline and decline going up and down from the planes to the ground. Our TV stations reported the dog catastrophes, and some people never saw their dogs again, while others saw their dogs DOR (dead on road). Some dogs were recovered, but they were the puppies mostly. I went all under the planes waiting to take off and all over the whole runway system, and the tunnels, with Atlanta Police Officers who were helping to try to find the dogs.
Then years before that, out in San Francisco, I and my then boyfriend were visiting a friend of his whose new boyfriend worked for United. That guy told us he had wanted to steal a cute puppy being shipped by someone, but he couldn’t move the puppy away from the loading zone at that time. Another reason not to ship your pet.
Dogs die on plane from heat strokes in the summer, and from freezing in the winter. And just the other day I saw online where someone out west arrived on a plane and went to pick up his dog who was supposed to have been on same plane. No dog.
