Taking Your Dog On A Flight
To get your dog to fly with you, the airlines present several options. Often these options are not ideal, but they are the lesser of two evils in that the alternative is not bringing your dog with you. The airlines actually offer three separate ways for you to travel with your dog.
The first option is to ship your dog in cargo. Via this option, the dog will be in his crate beneath the flight in cargo for the duration of the flight. It is advised to only do this with dogs that are crate trained so that they are use to and comfortable in the create which they will occupy throughout the flight.
This is often a very stressful experience for both the dog owner and the dog. Especially when you consider the fact that no one will be in the cabin to watch and/or attend to any needs that they dog may have. However, it is sometimes the only alternative for dog owners so they proceed ahead with this method.
It is important that you take several pre-cautions before traveling with a pet via this method. The airlines also will have restrictions for you to work within. And while some dog owners consider sedating a pet to make the process easier on the dog, many people have reported dangers associated with sedating a pet in the cargo.
The cargo method is usually the least ideal for a pet owner, but it also is often the most realistic option. So, talk to your vet, your breeder, and the airlines at length about this option to understand all of the important aspects to it.
The second option is to have the pet fly beneath your seat. As long as your dog can fit into an airline approved pet carry-on bag - they are allowed to fly with you beneath your seat. The airlines usually have a $100 fee associated with this method but dog owners prefer it as it allows them to stay close to their dog at all times.
The key is having a dog small enough to fit into the airline approved carry on bag. Some airlines have different size restrictions for the bag - but most sizes are very similar. On America Airlines for example, the maximum size for pet carriers is 19" long x 13" wide x 9" high. Check with each airline about the specific dimensions, but generally carriers will only work for dogs up to 15 pounds. You can visit a pet store and try out carriers to see if it is realistic for your pet to not only fit into them, but also be comfortable in them.
The third option is if your dog is a service animal or emotional support animal. In these situations, the dog does fly in the cabin with the owner. You can speak with the airlines about the requirements and documentation that is needed for these specific options.
A final option is to have your pet fly on their own. Pet Airways allows dogs to fly in the cabin of the plane direct from popular US locations. You don't go on the flight, the pet goes on their own but there is staff to attend to and watch your dog during the flight. This option can be very expensive, however, many dog owners are willing to fork up the extra cash so that there dog doesn't have to fly beneath the cabin via the method I had previously outlined.
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