My boy Sunny came from Washington State to Buffalo airport, which is where we picked him up. He was just shy of 2 years old and seemed to tolerate it O.K., remarkable as this was a dog that hated crates. His breeder told me that her last view of him was his big eyes silently crying for help!
I'm following this post with interest: there's the (slim, fortunately!) possibility of an overseas posting in our future,and while I'd LOVE to be in Europe for 3 years, I've never flown my 3 b's or my fosters EVER. (I should mention all three are failed-foster rescues with anxiety issues or other issues which is why I'm obsessive about keeping them happy.) I'd happily pay for extra seats or fares so my guys could fly in-cabin in their crates, or sit in the cargo hold myself so I could sedate but still keep an eye on them (eg. Are they warm enough, breathing ok etc.)
@mshilo You're in Germany? Is it possible for you to take a train--which would at least allow you to be close to your dog--or to drive? I've put a ton of mileage on my car transporting rescue dogs in the last 10 years, my furthest was 3728 km. Because hubby and I have a long distance marriage, a very conservative estimate of my personal dog-driving mileage would be 54,238 km. It's totally do-able if you enjoy driving, especially with just one dog--but I get that not everyone enjoys driving. Having a hubby away in the military 75% of the time has been tough but wow, it's amazing for your coping skills!
If ground travel just isn't an option, here's what I've come up with so far for my potential trip that might help:
No matter the pay, if too big they go in cargo. Only exception is support dogs...and international flights don't always have the same regs.
I have shipped puppies and dogs for decades...especially chow rescues who I tried to send north out of the heat and humidity. I have received 5 puppies over my life... from Philly and Texas...none seemed bothered...just happy to be done it.
@yodelma hello and yes, I'm in Germany. Inside Europe, i will prefer land but I need to fly a long flight, 10 hours for my university research. I think i will split it to two flights, one night sleeping somewhere or taking Cargo, which is the best way, its total air-conditioned and people with the animal ALL the time. (you don't fly with the dog)
I still haven't found how much it costs and how they manage the time arrival difference between you and the dog). I have decided (a private decision of course) to pay another ticket costs to fly him Cargo. More than that... I will take plan B, dividing the flight into 2 sections.
Btw - in ALL the internet the most recommended air-line is Lufthansa.
@debradownsouth
Hello and thanks. Did you ship in regular fights in the luggage storage or special Cargo?
@mshilo
Here they have special cargo that is air and pressure controlled for animals. Luggage has neither, so to the best of my knowledge not ever an option.
And not every airplane is equipped to carry animals as cargo either, but the big ones usually are.
-Joanne
@debradownsouth indeed, you are correct. but it EXTREMELY expensive and flight company request that it will be managed by an external agent that makes it extremely expensive ++
@mshilo
Can your use another airline? It cost me precisely each $200 for our 37 and 70 pound dogs from the US to Israel.
200 usd for Cargo? Which airline? Btw -I’m originally from Israel.
El al from NYC to Ben Gurion
@debradownsouth El-Al?? Thanks, I sure will contact them.
@debradownsouth what i have seen and checked again now is that this is the price for cargo hold. Isn't is the luggage area and not special Cargo?
see link:
https://www.elal.com/en/PassengersInfo/Baggage/Pages/Pets.aspx
Anyway, i will give them a call, but at least from what i understand 200$ is for hold cargo, which, again, as i understood, is where the Baggages are.
It says : What methods of transport does El Al provide for my pet?
Travel in the passenger cabin.
Checked as baggage in pressurized and temperature controlled area of your aircraft.
So it may be with luggage, but pressurized and climate control. It did worry me that it could drop ti 41C, but that's rare.
EDIT: " Passengers flying on our Boeing 787 aircraft, please note: The temperature in the cargo hold can drop to 5 degrees Centigrade. "
I meant 41 F, which is 5C. But I didn't fly on 787 so moot point anyway.
