I may be in the Us for an extended period this winter and would like to bring my Jack Russell with me. I need some info about the flight with the dog. I would like to bring my dog on board. I read this thread pet to Italy but need to know the answers to some questions.

What is the weight limit? other limits. What airlines allow the pet to fly on board? Do you need a muzzle?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks, Angie

Here is info for Delta pet travel

Angie - I brought my dog with me last fall to Italy and can tell you what I experienced.
I checked with numerous airlines because even though I might have booked with one airline - odds were I would be taking at least one leg of the flight with a codeshare airline.

First, in order to take the Lira along with you in the cabin she must be able to fit into one of the approved pet carriers which can fit under the seat in front of you. (Although the size is approved, I have to say that on a couple of planes it was a bit of a squeeze to get the carrier underneath)

The maximum weight I could find on any of the airlines was 15 lbs including the carrier. KLM had the lowest weight limit at 9 lbs. I will say, however, that no one weighed the dog or checked the size of the bag or whether or not she could stand up inside it.

I finally booked my flight on United with Lufthansa codeshare and was told all was OK with the dog. About a week before departure I called just to verify I was bringing a pet with me and was told that I was not approved for the Lufthansa legs of the flight. United promptly switched my flights around for me to accomodate.

On my first leg of the flight I was fortunate to be placed next to an empty seat so, once we took off, I put my dogs's carrier on the seat next to me and she was quite comfortable. After that - I asked when I boarded if I could be placed next to an empty seat in order to keep the dog from crying and disturbing other passengers. It worked and we were both happier. I was able to unzip the top of the carrier and she could stretch out or lay down as she chose.

One kind stewardess even told me where to find the handicapped lavs so I could take her in there and maybe have a little room for her to walk around a bit and reliever herself (I brought along the little pee-pee pads).

I don't know how much Lira weighs but if she is small enough I would opt to bring her in the cabin with you. Each of the airlines websites have a section devoted to travel with a pet. You don't need to muzzle to animal. In fact, I have seen on a couple of the sites where it is not allowed at all to muzzle them.

I believe if they have to ride in the cargo hold there is also a special carrier required and that is listed on the airline websites too.

Once we landed at each destination I went thru customs the same as any other time -- no one asked for anything special. ((I did have to wait in a special line for about 30 minutes upon returning in Chicago but all for nothing as I was allowed to go right thru once the security agent actually showed up))

When checking in for my departure flight I showed her health certificate but that was it. Going thru security I had to take her out of the carrier and let it move thru the x-ray machine and carrier the dog thru with me. Then wait the obligatory couple of minutes while everyone says "Hello" to the dog.

All-in-all it was a very pleasant and easy experience.
Tori

My cats won't fit... 16 lbs and 18 lbs.!!

Good thing they don't like to travel!!

Doug

Thanks Tori, That is very encouraging. I have been checking around the airline websites but to hear the actual kindness of the airline people is nice.

A.

Doug what cats do you have Main Coon?

quote:

to hear the actual kindness of the airline people is nice

Yes - everyone was nice, with one exception. On our flight from Frankfurt to Chicago on Lufthansa one stewardess brought over an extra snack for the dog and warned me about the steward at the back of the plane.

"He sometimes likes to think he's gestapo and he hates dogs.", she said. "Just smile and ignore him."

About 6 hours into the flight he happened to pass by and saw my dog carrier on the seat next to me with the zipper top open and my little dog sitting quietly inside. "The carrier MUST remain closed at all times!", he barked at me as he walked by.

All in all it was easy and I would bring her again. My biggest problem came once in Florence when literally everyone she came in contact with wanted to feed her ......... and not being able to pass food up - she ate everything put in front of her. She was sick from one end to the other for two weeks.

It cost me $125 each way to bring her in the cabin with me. Personally, I think the carrier should be treated as a carry-on bag and not charged extra if it is the only one I bring on the plane, but, $250 was still less than I spent on boarding fees the year before.