Flying with an adult Golden in the cabin

[uogecko]

Hi everyone - I travel a lot and hate leaving my dog behind. I also hate taking the risk of packing him in a kennel and putting him underneath the plane.

I recently read in Consumer Reports magazine that many airlines will allow dogs in the cabin if you have a doctor's note that says something about how the dog helps calm you down, or something like that.

It sounds too good to be true.

Has anyone had luck with this or found another way to fly with their dog in the cabin?

Some questions - how much does it cost? Do you have to buy an extra seat? How does it work?

Thanks!

Gabriel

[johnwa]

I recently read in Consumer Reports magazine that many airlines will allow dogs in the cabin if you have a doctor's note that says something about how the dog helps calm you down, or something like that.
It sounds too good to be true.


It's true. But you need documentation that supports your claim that your dog is a "service animal". You have to check with your airline to see exactly what type of documentation they require beforehand.


Some questions - how much does it cost? Do you have to buy an extra seat? How does it work?


--You need to check with your airline to find out what they charge and what the restrictions are, as each airline has different rates and/or restrictions.

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I sampled three airlines regarding their "current" policy on dogs in the cabin with their owner. Here are the results:


<b>US Air:</b>

Pets in Passenger Cabin
The number of pets that may be carried in each cabin is limited. In order for your pet to travel with you, you must book your personal travel reservations on flights with cabin pet space available.
Note: If the itinerary includes a code-share flight operated by United, please check with the originating carrier regarding carry-on pet policies and fees.

· Carry-on pets are not allowed on transatlantic flights
· Pets in cabin count toward the carry-on baggage allowance
· One small domestic dog, cat, bird, or small aquarium fish (less than 4 inches) per passenger is accepted in the passenger cabin for an $80 fee each way
· A health certificate is recommended, but not required for domestic itineraries.
· Only dogs and cats will be allowed as cabin pets to/from Mexico and Costa Rica. Please contact US Airways for additional requirements for international travel.
· Pets must remain within a self-provided, approved container under the seat directly in front of the passenger. The container must:
· Be leak-proof and escape-proof
· Be ventilated on at least two sides, but not allow any part of the animal to protrude outside of the container
· Provide room to stand and turn around
· Be made of metal, wood, or a hard plastic/composite unless it is a soft-sided container made specifically for pet carriage
· The maximum carrier size varies by aircraft. America West operated flights accept pet carriers up to 17 inches long x 16 inches wide x 8.5 inches tall. US Airways operated flights accept pet carriers up to 21 inches long x 16 inches wide x 8 inches tall. Use your confirmation e-mail to determine your aircraft type. If you have multiple flights on different aircraft or don't know which aircraft you'll be flying on, carriers up to 17 inches long x 16 inches wide x 8 inches tall are accepted on all US Airways aircraft.

Exception Cities for Animals allowed in the Cargo hold: US Airways accepts dogs, domestic cats and birds as checked baggage on non-stop US Airways Shuttle flights in the BOS/DCA/LGA markets only. Connections are not permitted. The customer must travel on the same flight. Customers should advise US Airways when they wish to transport a pet as checked baggage on a US Airways Shuttle flight.

Service animals:
Service animals are welcome on all US Airways flights. There is no charge for trained service animals. However, we ask that they meet the following requirements:
· The number and type of service animals are not limited provided they can fit on your lap or in the area directly in front of your seat. Aisles may not be obstructed.
· If the service animal sits on the lap of the passenger, the animal must be no larger than an infant child.
· Please notify reservations if you desire a specific seat to best accommodate your service animal.
· In compliance with safety regulations, customers traveling with a service animal may not sit in an exit row.
· Passengers traveling with an emotional support animal to assist with a hidden disability may require certification from a health care physician.


<br><hr><br>

<b>Delta airlines:</b>

Pets As Carry On
Your pet can travel with you in the cabin for a one-way fee of $50 (to be collected at check-in) when traveling within the United States (except Hawaii), Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. Pets permitted in the cabin include dogs, cats, birds, ferrets, rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs. Monkeys, pot-bellied pigs, reptiles, frogs, mice, rats, sugar gliders, and spiders are not permitted. The following restrictions apply:
· Your pet must be small enough to fit comfortably in a kennel under the seat directly in front of you. Maximum carry-on kennel dimensions are determined by your flight. You must contact Delta Reservations to determine the appropriate kennel size.
· Your pet must remain inside the kennel (with door secured) while in a Delta boarding area (during boarding and deplaning), a Delta airport lounge, and while onboard the aircraft.
· Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old.
· You may not carry on more than one pet.
· Your pet in-cabin counts as one piece of carry-on baggage.

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<b>American airlines:</b>

Pets Traveling In The Cabin
· Accepted on domestic flights within the 48 contiguous United States, Alaska, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. Croix.
· Accepted from the U.S. to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean provided the country of arrival permits entry.
· No carry-on pets to/from Hawaii or Transatlantic/Transpacific or Central and South America.
· See below for applicable Fees.
· Charges are payable at the airport and the passenger must show the pet travel fee receipt at the departure gate.
· The maximum size for cabin pet carriers is 23" long x 13" wide x 9" high. A pet kennel counts as either a passenger's one carry-on bag or personal item - a cabin pet Fee still applies, however.
· Only one pet kennel per ticketed passenger may be accepted for travel in the cabin, as pets must go under the seat in front of you.
· The kennel may contain two (2) dogs or two (2) cats but they must be the same species, ages between 8-weeks and 6-months, and weigh less than 20 lbs.
· Animals must be able to stand up, turn around and lay down in a natural position in the kennel.
· Soft-sided pet carriers are accepted as long as they are constructed of water-repellent, padded nylon with mesh ventilation on two or more sides.
· Must be a minimum age of eight (8) weeks old for dogs and cats.
· The maximum number of carry-on kennels allowed (on American Airlines flights accepting them) is seven per flight: two (2) in first class and five (5) in coach and/or business class. However, seeing eye/hearing service assist animals and search dogs are not counted in the maximum number allowed in the cabin.
· On American Eagle and AmericanConnection®, two kennels (at most) are allowed depending on the aircraft - please contact Reservations before your flight.
· Pet may not be removed from their kennel/container at any time while on-board the aircraft.
· American assumes no liability for the health or well-being of carry-on pets.

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[uogecko]

Thanks for the info - so US Air says "Passengers traveling with an emotional support animal to assist with a hidden disability may require certification from a health care physician."

With a 74 pound adult golden, where do they sit?

Has anyone tried this?

[johnwa]

With a 74 pound adult golden, where do they sit?


--Again, you need to check with the individual airline to see how it works on their planes. My gut feeling is that if they allow your dog to be with you in the cabin, they will probably charge you for an additional seat, simply because of the size of the dog. And you will probably have to make reservations well in advance. :)

[TXBlondie]

We will be taking a trip from PA to TX in the summer, and Luke will be around 9 or 10 mos. old by that time. We have never flown with a dog before. I have seen people fly with their small dogs, but I've never noticed big dogs at the airport. Is there a limit on the weight of a dog? I am having a hard imagining how it is done. How do you get through the airport with a big, heavy dog? I suppose we will need a molded plastic crate (we have a wire one now). Do these crates have wheels? Because I know we couldn't carry one! What size crate should I purchase for a GR? And what is it like for the dogs? Is the area of the plane they ride in air-conditioned? Are they careful with the pet crates, or do they throw them around like they do the suitcases? Can you see your dog while waiting for a connecting flight? A flight from PA to TX can be an 8 hour ordeal from the time you check in until you arrive at your destination. That's a long time for a dog to go w/o food, water, or pottying.

I could use any tips or advice you have. Even though it's several months away, it's already concerning me and I'd like to have everything planned out.

[CanadianGolden]

I would not fly a large dog. Many times the areas they fly in are not temperature controlled, and they often limit when pets can fly due to this (meaning you may not be able to fly your dog during the desired time). Flying is also very stressful. I would not do it unless I was making a transoceanic move and there was no other transport option. Can't you get a petsitter?

[Seamus' Mom]

I totally agree with CanadianGolden. I would never fly my dog. I had a friend who worked for one of the airlines. He was an animal lover and said he would never fly any of his pets...ever. He said too many get "accidentally" put in the non-pressurized cargo hold (and arrive dead). If, somehow, you could have them travel with you in the cabin...that I'd do. But, probably not in my lifetime will that happen.

[Fordhipo]

We flew once and there was a Great Dane on board, actually twice because she was on our homebound flight also. They let it in the cabin. It had to weigh a good 130 lbs. She sat in the first row of coach which had a bulkhead, so a little more room. We were two rows ahead and it would sneak up and visit from time to time, the crew didn't seem to have a problem with it.

Ken

[Seamus' Mom]

Really? What airline allowed that? They will become my new favorite airline!

[Fordhipo]

It was Spirit Airlines, from Detroit to Fort Lauderdale.

[Acamarrr]

This airline also specializes in flying people with their pets in-cabin. More expensive but may be worth it. Not sure if they are running yet, or just plan to.
http://www.companionair.com/

[Sugar&Kramer]

I'll start with the cargo myths. Yes, cargo compartments have been the cause of many animal deaths. But NOT due to lack of pressurization. All cargo compts. in ALL big jets and regional jets are pressuzized...they have to be due to the physics of the aircraft design. What kills the animals is lack of warm air. The outside air temp at 37,000ft averages -48c. Older aircraft had a "heater" switch...pumps in expelled warm air from the passenger cabin. Most modern day jets will have one bin that allows pets since it is heated all the time. Other compts. will be labeled NO LIVE ANIMALS.

The three largest dogs I've seen in the cabin were a pit, lab and of course a GR (not on the same flight). They have to be able to tuck under the seat infront of you. Usually requires a bit of training to accomplish that. I can't get my girl to sit/down-stay for more than a minute, let alone put her on a plane...yet . PLUS, the poor guys have to hold their potty for a good while.

In closing...me being "in the industry"...I wouldn't put MY two GRs in crates in the cargo bins. I've seen animals put on the wrong plane, mis-connect and get stuck somewhere...plus they're scared poopless. I'll drive them. But I understand sometimes...you do what you gotta do.

[snapshot]

I am disabled and due to my condition which progressive in nature, I decided to be proactive. After a medical conference this past summer, I had attended a seminar about service dogs. Specifically, mobility.. I saw how Golden's and Lab's and cross between the two breeds are perfect for service/mobility animals.

So, I went on lists, waiting lists.. They are extremely long. Six months to 2 1/2 years. Well, I am a dog lover, so I thought 'rescue' and that's what I did.

Long story short, I worked for 23 years as a customer service agent for an airline, which has an excellent record with animals, cabin and cargo. In fact, when I switched from ticketing and gates, I worked cargo and one of my duties was the dog walker when dogs had long lay-overs between flights. It was great. Unless there were specific instructions "don't let Fido out, he bites" then I wouldn't. So animals are treated very well. I guess it depends on the airline. We wanted that duty, and took excellent care of dogs/cats/chickens whatever the animal were. To be honest, we were the airline of choice with the Canine Companions for shipping their puppies. I remember misconnecting a dog maybe once or twice a year, and it was a big deal. It was usually weather that cause that.

I know that the cargo is pressurized and climate controlled. With service animals and the ADA(American Disabilities Act), the airline and staff cannot ask what the nature of your disability is.
ESA(Emotional Support Animals) are a little different, they aren't afforded the same rights as a mobility or blind guide dog. They would be quarantined for entry into Hawaii, whereas a mobility dog would not be.

Some airlines won't transport in the cargo area(thats where baggage goes too, so using the term 'cargo bin' is also when you check your bag, the kennel goes there too)when the temperature gets too hot. So there will be restrictions on short nose dogs such as pugs.

There is a lot of misinformation out there. I have learned that you don't feed or water a dog before getting on the plane. OR when you do feed and water, you learn to potty them before. I run Allie before by taking her to the dog park, and she will take care of business. It's kind of funny, I take her there, let her visit, run and then she does her business, and I call her and say, 'lets go'.

Anyways, it's not mean, Allie has been on five flights in the last two months, and has done just fine!
When she needs to stretch, she gets up, stretches towards my seat, then curls up and sleeps. She doesn't have any problem with take-offs or landings. She did get a little concerned with the noise this last time, but she is a real trouper! I need her and she know when she has her vest on, she is working!

Oh, and she is a small GR. She is 58# now, and people think she is a puppy, but she isn't..

HTH someone that is considering a GR for service, they are great!